But enough about the Big 12 North as a whole

panel of scientists due out in 2014, which was likely to influence future climate talks."Whether the data can contribute to talks for a post-Kyoto deal is open to debate," Toru Hashimoto, an Environment Ministry official, told the news conference."But we hope the GOSAT data is included the next report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, given that it will be a basis for global climate talks."NASA is sponsoring its own Orbiting Carbon Observatory to be launched this year which is set to collect measurements on carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.($193.86 yen) Science Green Business. It seems like only yesterday I was telling my friends how excited I was that school, then football, then Big 12 play were all right around the corner.Now the only thing left around the corner is the Big 12 Championship Game and any subsequent bowls.The Big 12 North didn't exactly put forth its most successful year ever, but still has three teams headed to bowls, and the two Kansas representatives were just one win away.I don't see a whole lot changing in the Big 12 North next season (except for the head coach at Kansas, naturally), but I do expect a stronger season overall, and I think that a four bowl performance is a realistic possibility.But enough about the Big 12 North as a whole.Let's look at some teams individually.... Key Losses:Todd Reesing (QB), Jake Sharp (RB), Kerry Meier (WR), Maxwell Onyegbule (DE), Arist Wright (LB), Justin Thornton (S), Darrell Stuckey (S)Key Returners:Toben Opurum (RB), Jonathan Wilson (WR), Bradley McDougald (WR), Brad Thorson (RT), Sal Capra (LG), Jeremiah Hatch (C), Jake Laptad (DE), Drew Dudley (LB), Huldon Tharp (LB), Chris Harris (CB)Keep An Eye On:Kale Pick looks like the next guy at quarterback.Rell Lewis can help out by picking up where he left off in the Border Showdown as the lightning to Toben Opurum's thunder.Tanner Hawkinson could become a really quality left tackle right before our eyes.Lubbock Smith brings an air of recklessness to the safety position that Darrell Stuckey never featured.As many as six very talented redshirt freshmen could see valuable playing time for the Jayhawks next season as well.Outlook:Not good.This team has too much talent to be at the bottom of the league, but with so much inexperience and no head coach (or assistant coaches that are any good), I couldn't justify putting the Jayhawks any higher.A schedule including Southern Miss (don't underrate them, though), New Mexico State, North Dakota State and a less-impressive group of South opponents still legitimately gives the Jayhawks a chance at six wins or so.In reality, we could see transition become the cause of a four or five-win season.I'll be happy no matter how few games we win as long as we can reel in a quality coach.. Key Losses:Marquis Hamilton (WR), Reggie Stephens (C), Nate Frere (DT), Christopher Lyle (DE), Patrick Neal (DE), Josh Raven (LB), Fred Garrin (LB), Jesse Smith (LB), Kennard Banks (CB), James Smith (S), Mike Brandtner (P)Key Returners:Austen Arnaud (QB), Alexander Robinson (RB), Jake Williams (WR), Derrick Catlett (TE), Alex Alvarez (LG), Ben Lamaak (RG), Leonard Johnson (CB), David Sims (S)Keep An Eye On:Darius Darks and Josh Lenz both need to be productive behind Jake Williams at receiver, giving Arnaud all the help he can get through the air. By the way, whatever happened to Darius ReynoldsBailey Johnson is the lone returner from a defensive front four that wasn't too hot anyway. I have absolutely no idea who is supposed to fill the holes at linebacker.A couple of defensive backs are gone as well, but Ter'ran Benton and Michael O'Connell appear to be capable contributors.Outlook:Sorry, Iowa State. Arnaud could improve as a passer, Robinson can stay healthy all year long, and the offensive line can find a suitable replacement for Reggie Stephens and continue to improve.

Key Losses: Jake Behrens (FB), Riar Greer (TE), Marcus Burton (LB), Jeff Smart (LB), Cha'pelle Brown (CB), Benjamin Burney (S), Matt Dillalo (P)Key Returners: Rodney Stewart (RB), Scotty McKnight (WR), Markques Simas (WR), Nate Solder (LT), Ryan Miller (RG), Marquez Herrod (DE), Curtis Cunningham (DT), Jalil Brown (CB), Jimmy Smith (CB), Anthony Perkins (S)Keep An Eye On:Neither Tyler Hansen nor Cody Hawkins will have any excuses next season.With all five offensive linemen, the top two wide receivers (Scotty McKnight deserves better quarterback play), and all three running backs returning in 2010, I expect to see this offense do something.Despite losing two starters, Jalil Brown, Jimmy Smith, and Anthony Perkins form a stout backfield.Will Pericak will help Herrod and Cunningham form a solid front group as well.B.J. Beatty needs to come up big to help offset the losses at linebacker.Outlook:I don't like Dan Hawkins' chances of staying past 2010, but in all fairness, I didn't expect him to be around in 2010 either.A rugged non-conference schedule including California and Georgia, plus Oklahoma and Texas Tech equals five wins at a maximum for the Buffs.. Key Losses: Grant Gregory (QB), Keithen Valentine (RB), Brandon Banks (WR), Attrail Snipes (WR), Jeron Mastrud (TE), Nick Stringer (LT), Jeff Fitzgerald (DE), Daniel Calvin (DT), John Houlik (LB), Ulla Pomele (LB)Key Returners: Daniel Thomas (RB), Kenneth Mayfield (RG), Zach Kendall (LG), Emmanuel Lamur (S), Joshua Moore (CB), Tysyn Hartman (S)Keep An Eye On:Carson Coffman will have to step up or step down.Regardless of who is throwing the passes, I expect Lamark Brown to be on the receiving end of most of them.Most importantly, Kansas State returns four starters to a decent offensive line, and they'll be opening holes for one of the best backs in the Big 12, Daniel Thomas.If Alex Hrebec, Troy Butler, and Kevin Rohleder are as good a linebacker corps as advertised, Kansas State will feature a studly back seven on defense.I expect a big season out of Antonio Fedler, picking up where Jeff Fitzgerald left off at defensive end.Outlook:Bill Snyder seems to have the right guys to fill in every position.The Cats won't surprise anyone next season, but with Daniel Thomas, a decent offensive line and an improved defense, they won't need to.I think, with a non-conference schedule consisting of UCLA, Missouri State, North Texas, and UCF, this team has seven or eight win potential.. Key Losses: Danario Alexander (WR), Jared Perry (WR), Kurtis Gregory (RG), Brian Coulter (DE), Sean Weatherspoon (LB), Jake Harry (P)Key Returners: Blaine Gabbert (QB), Derrick Washington (RB), Jerrell Jackson (WR), Tim Barnes (C), Aldon Smith (DE), Dominique Hamilton (DT), Andrew Gackhar (LB), Will Ebner (LB), Carl Gettis (CB), Kevin Rutland (CB), Jasper Simmons (S), Jarrell Harrison (S)Keep An Eye On: Wes Kemp should have a big year without Alexander or Perry in front of him.I wouldn't be surprised to see Andrew Jones become a favored safety net of Blaine Gabbert, either.Jacquies Smith should do well playing opposite of Aldon Smith with a few added opportunities, and Kenji Jackson is an opportunistic safety that will find his way onto the field as well.If Gackhar and Ebner can pick up a little slack to curb the void left by Weatherspoon, this defense could be solid.Outlook:The Tigers are about to lose some key components to the team, but aren't losing a large number of them.Replacement by committee will be key when speaking of potential first round picks Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.I don't want to overplay the Tigers' chances, but this schedule will give Gary Pinkel the opportunity to win nine or 10 games in 2010..

Key Losses:Jacob Hickman (C), Barry Turner (DE), Ndamukong Suh (DT), Phillip Dillard (LB), Larry Asante (S), Matt O'Hanlon (S)Key Returners:Roy Helu Jr. (RB), Niles Paul (WR), Mike McNeil (TE), MIke Smith (LT), Keith Williams (LG), Ricky Henry (RG), Pierre Allen (DE), Jared Crick (DT), Will Compton (LB), Prince Amukamara (CB)Keep An Eye On:The entire offensive line, like several others we've observed in the North, returns almost entirely intact and has plenty of experience.I'm not sure which quarterback will start, but with Helu on your team and a front five like this, I'm not sure it matters much.I really like cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and linebacker Sean Fisher to have really big years on defense without Ndamukong Suh eating ball-carriers up before they reach the second or third level.Eric Hagg will likely get the call at one safety spot or another, while Dejon Gomes provides yet another very reliable corner.I'm not sure who will ever be able to fill the two massive vacancies up front.Outlook:Bo Pelini loses plenty on defense (arguably the best player in the country), but something tells me that's just the way he likes it.Pelini can afford to devote his energy to building up yet another dominant defense while the experienced offense continues to come along, slowly but surely.I know the losses look a little bad, but I still like this team to win at least nine, maybe 1o games (the non-conference schedule consists of West Kentucky, Idaho, Washington, and South Dakota State) and take the North crown yet again.. At right: Freshman defenseman Nick Leddy, who was picked 16th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2009 NHL Draft, may be back for the Gophers this weekend.Sorry about the hiatus, loyal readers (are there any of you out there).The University of Minnesota men's hockey team's recent 0-3 swoon, including two heartbreaking losses against UMD (both of which yours truly was in attendance for) and a game against Michigan in which the Gophers lost 6-0 and just phoned it in had forced me to take a mental health break from the team However, the 2-1 win over then-No. 7 Michigan State has brought me back from the edge, and I'm ready to preview the Gophers' upcoming home-and-home series versus the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks. The Gophers, in ninth place at 3-6-1 in the WCHA and 5-8-1 overall, face off against the seventh-place Mavericks (4-7-1, 6-7-1) tonight in Minneapolis and Saturday night at the Alltel Center in Mankato.This is a huge series for the Gophers, who have a chance to bank some key WCHA points before the Christmas break with Mankato this weekend and Michigan Tech next weekend.