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IRVING, Texas -- Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe began his response with a joke, but it had some truth to it.

"I'm in communication with [Big Ten] commissioner Jim Delany now about a swap," Beebe said of his conference's name.

I get a bit annoyed at fans and writers who like to jokingly note the irony of the Big Ten's 12 teams and the Big 12's 10, but I'll admit Beebe made me laugh with that one. Also, I was surprised that the league wasn't 100 percent certain of its brand strength, and would consider a name change.

"I'm going to spend the next eight to nine months, prior to our next year when we have 10 members, fully exploring what we want to do in that regard," he said.

That may mean keeping the name. It would seem the "Big Ten" would be off the table, and the everyman confusion of a switch would make college football's recent switch from Division I and Division I-A to FBS and FCS forgettable.

I can't say I have any good suggestions, and I think the league will eventually keep its name, but Beebe sounds ready to do some homework.

"I've heard of conferences that have not had the exact numbers they have in their names actually be representing their membership," Beebe deadpanned in the direction of the Big Ten, which has had 11 members since the addition of Penn State in 1993. (Significantly funnier than his opening joke, even if the room of reporters was a few seconds behind on the reference.) "I think we need to look at not just whether we change our name or our brand, but what are the messages we want to convey going forward? We'll engage in a process to do that and hopefully in the spring, early summer next year, we'll have a better idea of what we want to do going forward."

IRVING, Texas -- Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe spent the final portion of his formal Q&A with the media dispelling misinformation. This came in response to a question about how much more money Texas would be receiving in comparison to the rest of the conference after the conference trims to 10 teams.

"I think there's such a leap to get to the airwaves or the Internet that it was, frankly, somewhat disappointing about how little attention was given to whether something was true or not," Beebe said. "We have not changed our revenue distribution formula whatsoever. Whatever institutions at any level in our conference were able to achieve before, they still have the same ability. There's no different -- nobody got more money."

The five teams looking like they may be left behind, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor, did offer to sacrifice their portion of Nebraska and Colorado's withdrawal fees to Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma in order to keep money from being a factor in either's decision to leave. That offer was rejected.

"They all said 'Look, we think you're going to achieve $20 million a year in total revenue distribution.' Another big misnomer is all television. Total revenue distribution in 2012-13. 'So we're going to make a calculated judgment that we're not going to have to worry about it, but we will guarantee you that you won't be lower than that in '12-'13,'" Beebe said.

With the financial troubles that may come with a repopulated or disintegrated Big 12, the schools presumably decided that they would be better off sacrificing the withdrawal fees while maintaining the revenue distribution structure to keep the Big 12 as a viable option for teams looking to leave for a theoretical Pac-16.

"You've heard a couple of institutions say that's a kind, generous, thoughtful offer, but it's not something we're going to take advantage of," Beebe said. "The board hasn't treated that offer, hasn't been finalized. It's something that's been a good-faith offer that was in the course of a very heated, difficult and scary time for some of the institutions about what was going to remain for them if we didn't continue."

IRVING, Texas -- In a 10-team Big 12, the league's marquee game should annually, unquestionably be Oklahoma and Texas. The two programs have the past six Big 12 championships and also competed in the national title game six times in the past 10 years.

But without a Big 12 championship game to serve as a second nationally relevant contest, the Red River Rivalry being played on the first weekend of October, could cause the Big 12 title to be decided by Thanksgiving -- or earlier -- in favor of the team holding the tie break.

Though it's in the Big 12's interest to possibly move the game to December, commissioner Dan Beebe says he won't be touching the game's tradition of being hosted at the Texas State Fair for the better part of a century.

"The major consideration is to keep the traditions of the conference as well as we can, and the tradition of the game that game has been around the state fair of Texas," Beebe said. "I don't see that really being something we would want to mess with. It's just too important to those institutions, this region and so forth."

He'll leave that decision up to the schools, who may also look into whether leaving Fair Park is in the best interest of both schools. The game is contracted at through 2015, so at least until then, the matchup will remain at the Cotton Bowl during the fair.

"I don't think we can foreclose anything," Beebe said. "Institutions may change their minds, but I think we're looking at continuing what we've had traditionally in a lot of those relationships."

Without the fair and with the addition of cold weather, a move to December could also mean a move to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, accompanied, possibly, by a much larger check.

IRVING, Texas -- Kansas State and Texas Tech were the only two schools so far to show up in suits and ties, rather than team polos. Big picture, I don't think it matters or influences much past the way players approach the day, but there's no doubt the Red Raiders carried themselves professionally, and coach Tommy Tuberville's answer to why they did it was impressive and indicative of the type of coach he is.

"You're representing not just you, but all your teammates and all the people that love Texas Tech that have either given money or spent a lot of time," Tuberville said. "We're not trying to impress anybody. It's just, hey, this is what's expected of us. The more that you expect, the more you usually get out of it."

Before coming to media days, he told his players if they didn't have a suit, they better get one.

Here's a few other thoughts, observations and notes from Day 2 at Big 12 media days:

• Commissioner Dan Beebe remained pretty consistent in his Q&A on Tuesday afternoon. The three biggest points: The new Big 12 loves the idea of playing a round-robin schedule in both basketball and football, so there's no plans to expand in the future. I'll say what I've said before again on the issue: The only thing that's going to change that is Oklahoma or Texas being left out of the national title game based on the strength of the Big 12. Who knows if that will ever happen. There also almost surely won't be a title game, although the league is looking to move some games to December as a replacement -- just not Oklahoma vs. Texas.
• Also, Colorado seems likely to leave in 2011, but the details of that -- as well as the withdrawal fees for Nebraska and the Buffaloes -- are still being finalized. Beebe has no plans to disclose any of the details of those ... details to the media until they're finished. Although, once camps start, my guess is the media's going to be too busy with actual football to try to hunt them down.
• The Big 12 will assess raising withdrawal fees for any team attempting to leave the conference in the future.
• Beebe attacked the idea that he and the Big 12 were reactive rather than proactive during this summer's realignment mess. "We got great information that was produced by outside consultants on a number of programs in case we had to repopulate the conference or if there was interest in expansion. I didn't sit there and just bury my head about expansion," he said. There will be a least a few people who won't believe that, but I heard from plenty who didn't think much of Beebe's secretive "process" to save the conference, either. And that worked out way better than anyone thought it would after hearing him refuse to explain it.
• Tuberville admitted he was really surprised at how talented the running backs he inherited were, and expressed a hope that they'll allow the Red Raiders to run the ball more effectively than they have in the past. "I'm thinking we're going to have a couple of running backs that are probably 5-foot-8, 150 pounds because you don't think of a running game," he said. "We've got two running backs that can play. We've got Eric Stephens and Baron Batch. We're going to use those guys. Might be on screens. Might be draw plays. We're going to have some plays that are drawn up where we're going to be more physical. We'll take some snaps (Ed. note: Gasp!) under center, but we have to get those guys involved to run play-action, to keep them off the quarterback."
• Kansas State officially joined Nebraska as a team who got little clarity in its quarterback situation after the spring. The Wildcats also have three guys competing, although coach Bill Snyder said Carson Coffman, who began last year as the starter, has a slight lead. "We just do not have a clear-cut No. 1 right now," Snyder said. "We'll make a selection as it's clear cut in our minds." Snyder expressed some faith that either Coffman, Collin Klein of Sammuel Lamur will emerge to help that occur, and he better hope he's right. I'm a firm believer -- as most are, I'm sure -- that quarterback controversies can't end too early. Although, it does give people like me something to write about.
• Missouri's not shying away from the gravity of this season's matchup in Lincoln, the last game between Missouri and Nebraska for some time. Missouri running back Derrick Washington told reporters he wants that bell (the rivalry trophy) back in Columbia this year, and it could find a permanent home on the winner's campus after 2010.
• Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy weighed in on the recent Dez Bryant controversy with some interesting comments. In regards to RoyWilliams'PadsAndDezBryant-gate, there's obviously a lot of room for debate between the anti-hazing folks and the people who think carrying some plastic pads 50 yards isn't pretty far behind the line of assault or harassment. "I don't think that's ever been a question with Dez Bryant -- his drive to have success when he crosses the white lines, there's no question about it. He is not going to be intimidated by anybody at any time, and whatever he has to do in order to have success on that field he's going to do it," Gundy said. "I don't know Roy Williams. I don't know what goes on. I don't really think it's important for me to comment on that. I think the only thing that's important or maybe what you're looking for is he is serious about football and he doesn't like distractions. Dez got caught up in a difficult situation, made a poor decision and paid a very dear price [ineligibility for the final nine games] for it. But, I don't think anybody's ever questioned his want to have success on the field and his willingness to pay the price in practice and do whatever it takes to give himself a chance to have success." Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips sided with Bryant on the issue on Tuesday, and his opinion is the one that counts in the matter, but that won't end the debate.
• One final note: At least one player at media days I'll keep anonymous had some Gucci sunglasses out in plain view of the media for his interview session. I'm not at all suggesting any improprieties, but with all the talk of agents and improper benefits lately, flashing high-end, expensive sunglasses in front of the media is probably not a prudent decision.

Best tie: Tie, Bill Snyder, Kansas State and Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State

Snyder wins in school spirit with a gray tie that featured a tiled watermark of the K-State Wildcat logo, but Gundy's bright orange was complemented by an orange handkerchief with white polka dots. Hard not to notice both.

Best proponent of democracy: Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech, regarding his quarterback situation.

"At the end of the day we'll have a vote," Tuberville said to the media days attendants on Tuesday morning. "And we'll let you pick out the starter. That will make it a little easier on me."

Best thinly-veiled Big 12 criticism: Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech

"Great to be back at a media day, out for a year working on you guys' side of the ball a little bit," he said, beginning to crack a smile. "In television, they taught us to speak our mind. I forgot to get that out of my mind a few weeks ago, so got to get back on the coaching side."

Best target for easy jokes: Missouri, who had air travel troubles and arrived for their turn at the podium 20 minutes late on Tuesday morning. ESPN's Pat Forde investigated the situation and debunked the rumor that the team had originally landed in Chicago for Big Ten media days. One hundred percent false.

Most convincing player/conference shill: Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, on the future of his conference

"I can say this over and over again, and I still see many of you writing statements about not believing that this isn't really going to hold together. Other than just sitting here telling you that and you observing others in our league saying that, you're going to have to see it happen over time. I don't think, in the course of human affairs, that you go through this type of very careful exploration of your future and perhaps consider going to other places and then conclude you're going to be together and turn around and do it again in 24 months. There's just so much time, energy, effort and even some difficulty, that that doesn't lend itself to just quickly doing it again. Those decisions were made for the long term.

Least likely suggestion to occur: "I'm not sure what else we need to do. I guess we could get all the athletics directors and board members up here and sing Kumbaya, and maybe that would help some of you." -- Dan Beebe, Big 12 commissioner

Talking with Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas at Big 12 media days in Irving, Texas.

Talking with Texas Tech quarterback Steven Sheffield at Big 12 media days in Irving, Texas.

IRVING, Texas -- Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy was prepared to hand over playcalling duties to Dana Holgorsen, his new offensive coordinator. He was prepared to hand over his offense's identity, too, in favor of the Air Raid system Texas Tech ran while Holgorsen served as offensive coordinator, the same system that produced the nation's best offense at Houston in 2009. But he was also prepared for the transition to take time, and for it to be, "a little chaotic."

By the third or fourth practice of the spring, by Gundy's estimation, the offense's organization was intact. Now it's nearly fall and he's looking for more progression.

"It's gone much smoother than what I would have thought it would have gone," Gundy said. "Obviously they prepared well throughout the summer, from what I've been told. So, I'm looking forward to starting practice and seeing how it goes in the first week."

Tasked with running the offense on the field is 26-year-old junior Brandon Weeden, who'll have a healthy running back in Kendall Hunter alongside him, in front of four new starters on the offensive line. Despite the new terminology and schemes in the offense, none of them had the most difficult time making the transition.

"Part of the reason that we changed systems at this time was because we lost a number of offensive linemen, and we're changing the quarterback," Gundy said. "I would say the returning receivers, Justin Blackmon, Hubert Anyiam, those guys went through an adjustment. But for your quarterback and your offensive linemen, they didn't play last year, so they didn't have to make as much of an adjustment. They just had to learn the scheme."

Talking with Missouri running back Derrick Washington at Big 12 media days in Irving, Texas.

IRVING, Texas -- Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville had a plan for the spring. An injured finger and a broken foot scrapped it. Now, entering fall practice, he's got another one to decide his starting quarterback, and part of it took place on Tuesday at Big 12 media days. Tuberville brought both seniors, Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield, to face the media as part of the competition that will climax -- he hopes -- by the second scrimmage of the fall.

"I wanted to see how they handled themselves in front of you and the TV cameras," Tuberville told a room of reporters. "Your quarterback is your team leader, not your head coach. Your quarterback has to have the respect of every player on the team."

The two split time a season ago under former coach Mike Leach, but Sheffield re-broke his foot early on in spring practice. Potts followed suit a day later with a broken and lacerated finger on his throwing hand. Tuberville spent most of his time addressing their similarities rather than their differences when discussing his evaluation of the pair.

"They've both been starters in the Big 12. They've both been backups in the Big 12. They've both been injured. They've won games," he said. "They've gone through some tough situations, and both can play."

But only one can play when the season opener against SMU kicks off on September 5 in a nationally televised Sunday game. And he's remained consistent on his stance this spring: His starter won't be temporary.

"We look at everything from how they handle the pregame all the way to how they handle the meeting at the end of the scrimmage," he said. "You can look at a guy and you can think that they might be the guy to get the job done and throw them the football, 40-yard out route or 60-yard deep pass, but there's a lot more to a quarterback. They've got to make decisions. And decisions of winning games. If I'm at the end of a game and we're trying to drive the ball down, and I can run it, but I can also think I can throw a pass in there 30 yards to get the first down … will they make the right decision to do that?"

IRVING, Texas -- Baylor brought three players to Big 12 media days this week. The team's quarterback, Robert Griffin III, who missed the final nine games of the 2009 season after being named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2008, wasn't one of them.

The team marketed its 2009 campaign around the star, and brought him to media days as a sophomore in 2009.

"I talked to Robert about coming today," coach Art Briles said. "You know, there's a lot of really good football players at Baylor University. Everybody knows Robert Griffin. A lot of people don't know [linebacker] Antonio Johnson -- that his nickname's 'Cuddy.' They don't know Danny Watkins, that he was a firefighter and a hockey player before he ever played football. They may not know about Phil Taylor, that he's a transfer from Penn State and that he's transformed himself into what we think he needs to be as a football player to contribute to our football team."

Taylor was voted Big 12 preseason Newcomer of the Year in 2009, an honor given to Colorado receiver Toney Clemons before this season. Taylor proved inconsistent and overweight, but he's lost 25 pounds this offseason and Briles hopes his defensive tackle can plug the middle of the defense more efficiently.

"He really didn't do the things he needed to do," Briles said. "So I told him this year, we're going to pass judgment after six ballgames. After six games, we'll see where he's at. I think I know where he's at, but I thought I knew a year ago, too, and I found out I wasn't as smart as I thought I was."

Watkins, the Bears' starting left tackle, had to turn down an offer from the Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions, who drafted the lineman in May.

"Quite honestly, I wasn't concerned about him going to the CFL, even though he is from Canada," Briles said. "He understands where his potential could lead him, and that's going to be in the NFL. But first of all, being a great player for Baylor this fall."

Here's a few things that didn't make our coverage of Day 1 of Big 12 media days.

• Nebraska's situation at quarterback looks muddled, and even more so after coach Bo Pelini's comments on Monday. He says he has three qualified candidates in last year's most-used passer, Zac Lee, and the less-experienced Cody Green and Taylor Martinez.
  
  
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  AP Photo/Chris ParkNebraska quarterback Zac Lee was iimpressive in a 33-0 win over Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.
  Lee had a nice game against Arizona in the Huskers 33-0 win in the Holiday Bowl, completing 13 of 23 passes for 173 yards and a 74-yard touchdown to Niles Paul, but missed all of spring after undergoing surgery on his throwing arm. "Him being out allowed those guys to close the gap a little bit," Pelini said. He plans to split the reps evenly between the three when camp begins early next month.
• A couple interesting Iowa State notes: Backup defensive lineman Austin Alburtis earned his degree this summer and instead of playing another season of football, elected to leave school to enter the workforce. Coach Paul Rhoads also had little new information on the status of the Big 12's Defensive Newcomer of the Year, defensive back David Sims, who is under investigation for unauthorized use of a credit card. "Hopefully there will be some light shed on the matter here within the next 24 to 48 hours," Rhoads said.
• Didn't have a spot for it yesterday, but here's the full transcript of Pelini's thoughts on the Red Out Around the World video yesterday:"To be honest, somebody asked me about the Red Out video and I was on vacation. I didn't know anything about it. It was actually a mistake. It was really intended to -- each year our marketing department picks one football game where they kind of take the alumni throughout the country and try to make it a designated alumni game. They picked the Texas game, and they really made the mistake of putting Beat Texas down on it. "To be honest with you, I wasn't real happy about it. I mean, I like the idea. I like what they do, and I really appreciate the fact that our -- that we reach out to our alumni, and we try to make a special game for our alumni because, obviously, Texas will be a nationally televised game, and it's across the nation a game that's probably going to be looked at pretty closely. So they chose that football game. I didn't like the message it sent to our football team especially because, you know, that's way down the road. We have a lot of things to do before we even consider Texas or worry about that football game. We've got a lot of work to do in the meantime."So it was regrettable, but obviously, we're going to keep the Red Out across the nation. But they took the Beat Texas off of it because it was never intended to be that way in the first place. But it really came as a surprise to me because I didn't really know much about it. It comes from the marketing department."
• Texas A&M reminds me a little bit of Oklahoma's 2009 team. So much talent everywhere offensively, but if the offensive line doesn't gel, they'll just be good -- not great. The Aggies may start a pair of freshmen on the line as well as a first-year starter who may also end up being a true freshman, and coach Mike Sherman's not hiding from that obvious possible hiccup moving forward."There are no guarantees that you can have success one year and it just automatically carries over because everybody is coming back on the skill positions, so you have to work twice as hard," Sherman said. "People are going to be twice as ready to defend you this year than they were a year ago, and it's not going to be easy, so you have to elevate your game. In order for us to be successful on offense, the offensive line has to click."

A few quotes that don't need much context:

"I think it's very realistic to say that Von [Miller] may very easily have diminished statistics from last year in relation to stats, but be a more capable player. My whole objective with him is that he distracts an offense -- that he causes concern for a quarterback."
-- Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman on Miller, who led the nation with 16.5 sacks in 2009

"We're really jacked about the season. We really feel good about it. I really think, without a doubt, it will be the most complete team we've been able to put on the field since we've been at Baylor, which started in 2008."
-- Baylor coach Art Briles

Why not hand out a few awards from Day 1? Your trophies are in the mail, coaches.

Best response to an Internet viral video: Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, on the "Red Out Around the World" video

"I didn't know anything about it. It was actually a mistake. ...To be honest with you, I wasn't real happy about it. I mean, I like the idea. ... I didn't like the message it sent to our football team, especially because that's way down the road. We have a lot of things to do before we even consider Texas or worry about that football game."

Best deadpan response to a repetitive question: Baylor coach Art Briles, asked about the rehab of his QB, Robert Griffin III

"I haven't been asked that one much."

Most convincing player shill: Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads, on running back Alexander Robinson

"I wouldn't trade him for another back in this league. I think he ranks right up there with all of them. He runs it. He catches it. He blocks. He's intelligent. He's a leader. And I think you'll continue to see that out of him if he remains healthy as we go through 2010."

Best grammar lesson: Baylor coach Art Briles, on successes versus success'

"[Robert Griffin III]'s going to be an integral part of any successes we have this year. I can say it -- not sure I can spell it. What do you do after that? Is that s-s ... then apostrophe? Or do you go the 'es?' I mean, I know you don't, I actually taught English for two years, but what do you do? Just 'e-s?' S-u-c-c-e-s-s-e-s? Like that? OK, thank you."

Best metaphor: Baylor coach Art Briles, on the Big 12 being held together by word, not contract

"If I tell you I'm going to go out and buy you lunch today, it's my day to buy lunch, forget your billfold. So, verbal works for me."

IRVING, Texas -- Pretty fun day on Day 1 of Big 12 media days yesterday. Our Day 1 wrap is readily available on the website with dispatches from yours truly and columnist Pat Forde, both in text and video.

Here's the lineup for Day 2: (all times ET)

10:00 Missouri: Coach Gary Pinkel, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Derrick Washington, CB Kevin Rutland

10:45 Oklahoma State: Coach Mike Gundy, QB Brandon Weeden, LB Orie Lemon, DE Jamie Blatnick

11:30 Kansas State: Coach Bill Snyder, RB Daniel Thomas, S Tysyn Hartman, OL Zach Kendall

12:15 Texas Tech: Coach Tommy Tuberville, QB Taylor Potts, QB Steven Sheffield, DL Colby Whitlock

You can watch a live feed of the proceedings from Big12Sports.com, and the site also has archived video from earlier in the week. Nebraska, Baylor, Iowa State and Texas A&M took their turn on Monday.

Here's a look at what to expect on Tuesday:

• Missouri looks like a solid contender in the North to knock off Nebraska, so expect plenty of questions about that game -- especially since it's the last time it'll be played for awhile. Pinkel might even be peppered with questions about Missouri's historical struggles in Lincoln; its 30-year drought at Memorial Stadium came to an end in 2008. The secondary gave up plenty of big plays in 2009 and will try to improve in 2010. If they do, Rutland -- one of four returning starters in the secondary -- will be a big reason why. Look for questions for Rutland and Pinkel about how they'll do it.
• For Mike Gundy, it wouldn't shock me if he left the stage without a question about his defense, despite bringing two defenders into the one-on-one interview room next door. Believe it or not, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini accomplished that feat in Monday's formal Q&A. The story for the Cowboys is their new offense: how well Brandon Weeden knows it and can run it, how well Kendall Hunter fits into it, which receivers have meshed into it. I expect Oklahoma State's defense to be solid, probably somewhere in the 5-9 range in points allowed. Call it faith in Bill Young. But my hunch is the offense -- in both yardage and points -- looks like a big-swinging winner or loser in 2010. Top three or bottom three, depending on who figures what out when. I last visited Stillwater on the first day of spring camp. Everyone was still feeling everything out. There's surely been plenty of progression since then, but we won't get a sense of just how much until the first weekend in September.
• Kansas State is short on big names -- only Daniel Thomas made the media's All-Big 12 team -- but Hartman might be the most well-known defender and one of the best. Snyder will surely be asked his thoughts about the seemingly imminent round-robin schedule he's opposed in favor of two five-team divisions. As one of the vulnerable Forgotten Five in this summer's realignment, expect to revisit the events of June as well.
• The Red Raiders are probably the most interesting team to take the stage on Tuesday, and they'll end the day for Big 12 teams. Tuberville will hear about plenty on Tuesday, like what his defense getting torched by the team's third and fourth-string QBs this spring means in the big picture and perhaps being asked for general comments about his recent recruiting successes, since coaches can't refer to unsigned recruits by name. This should definitely be an entertaining session, and Tuberville's a pretty compelling speaker. Don't look for an encore of his comments that earned him a reprimand earlier this summer. He's already spoken on the issue a second time, and toned it down significantly.
• BCS director Bill Hancock, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and the conference's coordinator of football officials, Walt Anderson, will all be answering questions on Tuesday afternoon. Beebe will surely face more questions about realignment--both in the past and future -- and Anderson should hear more questions about the controversial call at the end of the Big 12 championship. In addition, he may get a few questions about the rule changes college football faces after this season. Beyond that is anyone's guess.
• Internet issues at the Westin Hotel forced some delays for our content on Monday, and there's reason to believe that'll be the case for most of today. But be sure, we will deliver the goods eventually.

Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller talks about the team's expectations for this fall, and his impaired vision.