It's just three weeks into the full-swing of Big 12 play but the North Division is looking like any of the six teams could win the race.
That doesn't necessarily bode well at all for the weaker half of the two-division league.
Nebraska and Kansas came into the season as the presumed favorites to represent the North, but after two weeks of inconsistent play neither seems as powerful. The same can be said for two-time North champion Missouri, which started the season a surprising 4-0, but has dropped its first two games of the Big 12 season.
NEW YORK -- He doesn't want to talk about his foot, really. He's been asked about it so much that he can feel the question coming, and he heads it off with a tsk, a shake of the head and a practiced response.
"I've got a brand-new set of wheels, man," Michael Crabtree said Thursday night. "That's the way I look at it."
The Texas Tech receiver, a likely top-10 pick in this weekend's NFL draft, was making the interview rounds at the premiere party for EA Sports' NCAA Football 10 video game. (He's on the cover of the Xbox 360 version.) He's looking forward to finally finding out which team he's going to, and the stress fracture in his foot is healed, thank you very much, and he's not real keen on talking about it.
What he does like talking about is college football. Which is something he's going to miss.
The Big 12 stood up and challenged the SEC for the title of One Conference to Rule Them All in 2008. They didn't exactly succeed, but the conference gave us a lot of great football last season.
However, that was then and this is now. The postseason was not entirely successful for the conference, with a 4-3 overall record in bowl games. How will that carry over into this fall? Who's on the rise? Who's hitting the skids? We'll talk about the big stories after the jump.
College football fans often use the promise on display during a spring game to get them the through the dark days of the off-season. If Saturday's performance is any indication, the off-season might actually be the only bright spot for Baylor fans. Case in point, the Green and Gold teams managed to score just 7 points in the finale to Baylor's spring practices, and the lone touchdown came in the game's last five minutes.
"That's kind of been our M.O.," Morriss said. "It's the (lack of) consistency with some new things that we're doing this spring that's got them thinking a little too much. We really would have liked to see them be a little more crisp and sharp than we were, but we've still got some time to work on all that."
While I'm sure Baylor fans have to come to expect this type of deficiency, you'd think the offense could at least muster a little spunk in the spring game. Optimistic fans will point out the strong play of the Baylor defense. The first-team defense of the Green team shut out the Whites, and tallied six sacks. Baylor managed just 11 sacks all of 2007. But despite their performance, Baylor defenders are displaying an incredible level of modesty hyperbole:
"Man, it's an incredible feeling to know that you've got a push like that in the middle," said senior defensive end Geoff Nelson. "When we start doing stunts, it's going to be amazing to watch."
Shutting out Baylor just feels right. Even when you play for ... Baylor.
"He is certainly not game ready and ready to win a football game, but he does some really good things," A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. "When he pulls it down with that size and runs with the football, he reminds of you of a lot of different guys that can do things with his arm and those feet."
The reason for the delay is Junior Stephen McGee who remains the clear number one for the Aggies. McGee was 8 for 14 for 72 on Saturday, while wearing a "no contact" jersey. I'm sure we will all get tired of hearing the inevitable Vince Young comparisons with every tall, athletic quarterback that comes on the scene. But the fact that Jerrod Johnson plays for the rival of Young's college team makes the comparison even more convenient. This will likely produce an absurd number of shots of Johnson standing on the Aggie sideline throughout the 2007 season.
The emergence of Britton and Crabtree could be an important development for Texas Tech fans. The Red Raiders are trying to replace a talented trio of 2006 seniors in Joel Filani, Jarrett Hicks and Robert Johnson. The offense is also relying on a young, first-year wide receivers coach in Lincoln Riley. Riley was pleased with what he saw on Saturday.
"Every guy that we have right now is pretty good after the catch as far as making things happen," Riley said. "That's exciting, knowing that if we can get completions and make routine plays, those guys have a chance to take it the distance."
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the wide receiver play, the Texas Tech quarterbacks also enjoyed solid days. Incumbent Graham Harrell finished the day 16-25 for 317 yards and three touchdowns. The only negatives to Harrell's performance were his two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Taylor Potts who is challenging for Harrell's job completed 16-27 passes for 139 yards and also threw one interception.
No one is really sure what the 54,288 fans that were in attendance learned by watching Saturday's mismatch. It showed that Nebraska has some playmakers, not only at quarterback, but also at wide receiver, running back and various places among the first-team defense. It also could provide evidence of a lack of depth, given the White team's inability to compete. But little was decided on Saturday, including the quarterback race.
"You just can't make determinations too soon," Callahan said. "We let everything play out and we finalize as we move along. I think, by and large, by the time it gets to that point, I think most people know exactly where we're at as an offense and basically who's going to be the starter. It really kind of takes care of itself as you go through the normal progression of things."
So, we'll wait until the fall to hear more about that. Nebraska also saw two starters go down with injuries in the game. Running back Marlon Lucky apparently injured his MCL and right tackle Lydon Murtha injured his ankle on the game's first series. Both players are awaiting the results of MRIs.
"I did it all through junior high, all through high school," Talib said. "If they're throwing away from me during the game, (playing offense) keeps me in the game. It keeps me focused on the game and keeps me having fun."
Talib has All-American ability on the defensive side of the ball. A year ago he led the nation in passes defended with 28. He also notched six interceptions in 2006. He will need some help from his teammates, however, if the Jayhawk's pass defense is going to improve. Last season Kansas finished dead last among Division I-A teams in passing defense, giving up an astounding 269 yards per game. His role on the offensive side of the ball will likely be more specialized as new offensive coordinator Ed Warriner attempts to jump-start the Jayhawks passing game.
"They're going to throw me in there a couple of plays here and there," Talib said. "I'm not really sure, but the new offense? I kind of like it. It's more up-tempoed and more revolved around big plays. I think it'll be real good for us."
Colorado running back Thomas Perez will miss the 2007 season, not for Fulmer Cup-related hijinx, but instead due to poor classroom performance. Let this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of the "other" side of student-athlete. Perez was being counted on to help bolster Colorado's running attack. The coaches were hoping he would serve as the team's power back and offer a nice change up from the elusive running style of Hugh Charles.
Perez arrived in Boulder in the Fall of 2006 as a junior-college transfer from Compton Community College. After academic clearance issues delayed his availability, the coaches decided to redshirt him in 2006. Coach Dan Hawkins had been bullish on Perez last fall.
"I said when I watched him on tape that he's an angry runner. He's a violent runner," Hawkins said at the time. "We need that and that's a good thing."
Unfortunately, the Buffaloes will once again have to without the bruising play of the 6-1, 220-pound Perez in 2007.
"It's neck and neck," Prince said. "It's not one guy working to beat out the other, but they are pushing each other in performance. When you watch tape, it's real hard knowing the difference between how No. 8 [Johnson] is doing and No. 9 [Patton] is doing."
Patton is the smaller and more agile back in the mold of former Wildcat Darren Sproles. He started three games and rushed for 609 yards and six touchdowns during an impressive freshman campaign in 2006. Johnson, a 5-11, 200-pound senior, seems a bit more durable. He started the last five games and accumulated 403 yards rushing and two touchdowns a year ago. Coach Prince seems to appreciate the increased competition this spring. He's also in no hurry to name a starter and plans on using them both.
"I really don't know which one is better," Prince said. "They are both doing some terrific things in terms of ball security and route running."
The Wildcat coach added, "I don't see it changing much. I like to play two running backs. And, I'd like to have a third guy come in as a change up. Who that third guy is, I don't know." If either back can get the Wildcat running game going, it will help take the pressure off sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman who had six touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2006.
It's just three weeks into the full-swing of Big 12 play but the North Division is looking like any of the six teams could win the race.
College Football Spring Storylines 2009
College football fans often use the promise on display during a spring game to get them the through the dark days of the off-season. If Saturday's performance is any indication, the off-season might actually be the only bright spot for Baylor fans. Case in point, 
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Johnson 
In a game that was supposed to highlight 
The Red team - made up of the offensive and defensive first-teamers - cruised to a 38-0 "win" over the White team (comprised of the 2nd string and worse) in Nebraska's spring game on Saturday
Kansas junior Aqib Talib will spend time at both wide receiver and cornerback for the Jayhawks in 2007
Colorado running back Thomas Perez will miss the 2007 season
Kansas State head coach 
