What to watch for during spring practice around the Big 12:

Baylor (4-8)

Practice started: March 2.

Spring game: April 2 (controlled scrimmage at new practice complex).

All eyes on: Who will protect QB Robert Griffin? As a freshman last season, Griffin had 2,934 total yards and 28 touchdowns (2,091 yards and 15 TDs passing, with 843 yards and 13 TDs rushing) but the key starters gone are OTs Jason Smith and Dan Gay, both of whom started at least 34 games. Smith is a projected top-five NFL pick. Baylor lost four games by a touchdown or less with Griffin, who just turned 19 last month, and leading receiver Kendall Wright, also a freshman.

Colorado (5-7)

Practice starts: March 31.

Spring game: April 25.

All eyes on: Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen alternated lining up at quarterback midway through last season, giving the Buffaloes a running and throwing threat. The problem was, opponents were tipped off to what the Buffaloes were scheming. Hawkins was the passer, throwing for 1,892 yards and 17 touchdowns. Hansen gave the Buffs a burst of speed, scampering for 261 yards. The Buffs may look to hone the platoon system in 2009, or could opt for a different plan. Coach Dan Hawkins recruited Josh Moten and Clark Evans to campus, with a chance at the quarterback job.

Iowa State (2-10)

Practice starts: March 24.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: Iowa State enters spring practice with its third coach in four seasons. Paul Rhoads, hired to replace Gene Chizik in December, will use spring ball to establish his philosophy and expectations of the Cyclones, many of whom were reeling following Chizik's abrupt departure. New offensive coordinator Tom Herman will begin implementing a pass-oriented spread offense with quarterback Austen Arnaud.

Kansas (8-5)

Practice starts: March 9.

Spring game: April 11.

All eyes on: The offense is set: QB Todd Reesing is back and so are nearly all of his receivers. What the Jayhawks need is to find defensive help after ranking near the bottom of the Big 12 in pass defense. Coach Mark Mangino pulled together one of the best recruiting classes in school history, including 14 defensive players. Defensive backs Bradley McDougald — who'll also likely play some receiver — and Prinz Kande could have an impact right away.

Kansas State (5-7)

Practice starts: April 6.

Spring game: May 2.

All eyes on: After two years of watching Josh Freeman run the offense, junior QB Carson Coffman get his turn — maybe. While Coffman is the likely front-runner for the job, he'll get pushed hard by junior college transfer Daniel Thomas. Coach Bill Snyder, in his second go-round at Kansas State, has likened Daniels' running ability to former Wildcats' standout Michael Bishop.

Missouri (10-4)

Practice starts: March 10.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: The Tigers must replace virtually all their offensive stars from consecutive 10-win teams. WR-KR Jeremy Maclin is a likely high first-round NFL draft pick, QB Chase Daniel was a Heisman finalist as a junior and TE Chase Coffman was the most prolific pass catcher at his position in NCAA history. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert has inside track at QB but could be pushed by newly signed freshman Blaine Dalton, who enrolled at mid-semester. Coach Gary Pinkel had to replace both coordinators after Dave Christensen (offense) left to be head coach at Wyoming and Matt Eberflus (defense) left to be assistant with Cleveland Browns.

Nebraska (9-4)

Practice starts: March 25.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: The offseason departure of Patrick Witt has narrowed the competition to replace QB Joe Ganz. Zac Lee, son of ex-NFL QB Bob Lee, goes in as the favorite. Kody Spano will get a good look, as will incoming freshman Cody Green, who enrolled for the spring semester. Cornhuskers will be looking for WR Menelik Holt to prove he can be a consistent weapon.

Oklahoma (12-2)

Practice started: March 3.

Spring game: April 11.

All eyes on: The Sooners lost four of the five starting offensive linemen who kept Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford largely untouched during Oklahoma's run to the BCS championship game last season. LSU transfer Jarvis Jones and Stephen Good, a former Army All-American in high school, will be among those trying to break into the new front line. The Sooners are also seeking replacements for WRs Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, who combined for 1,864 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

Oklahoma State (9-4)

Practice starts: March 9.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: With WR Dez Bryant out following knee surgery and three other receivers out of the mix for various reasons other than graduation, the Cowboys will be looking for new pass-catching options for QB Zac Robinson. Oklahoma State has no one other than Bryant who had 100 yards receiving last season after receiver Bo Bowling was suspended, Damian Davis was dismissed and Artrell Woods decided to transfer. The Cowboys also must replace departed TE Brandon Pettigrew, who was second on the team in receiving.

Texas (12-1)

Practice started: Feb. 27.

Spring game: April 5.

All eyes on: The Longhorns want OLB Sergio Kindle to develop into the dominant pass rusher that All-American DE Brian Orakpo was last season. He'll spend the spring at end, but the coaches say he'll play both positions in the fall. Texas is also still searching for a top-flight RB and lists five players on its spring depth chart. QB Colt McCoy was last season's leading rusher with 561 yards.

Texas A&M (4-8)

Practice starts: March 26.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: QB Jerrod Johnson won't have to compete for the starting job this spring after guiding the offense most of last season. Ryan Tannehill was A&M's leading receiver last season, but may move to backup quarterback. Cyrus Gray will become the top running back after Mike Goodson's early exit. Gray rushed for 363 yards last season. The Aggies' defense was among the worst in the Big 12, but should improve now that they've had one full season to learn first-year coordinator Joe Kines' system.

Texas Tech (11-2)

Practice starts: March 25.

Spring game: April 18.

All eyes on: The Red Raiders will try to replace the prolific duo of QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree. Junior QB Taylor Potts has been waiting in the wings to lead Mike Leach's pass-happy offense and there is a stable of able receivers to replace Crabtree, who left early for the NFL.