ESPN College Football

NORMAN, Okla. -- Expect plenty from Oklahoma in the days and weeks to come, but here's a few spare notes and thoughts from my time on campus Tuesday.

• The hype machine shows no signs of slowing around incoming receiver Trey Metoyer. Coach Bob Stoops said the incoming freshman "absolutely" could start for the Sooners; co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, who coaches receivers, laughed when he was asked if Metoyer could start. Look for more on him from SoonerNation soon. Metoyer will be a big piece for the Sooners. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is speedy with great hands and jumping ability, a rare combo. Oklahoma needs a big, productive receiver, and Metoyer's proving early on that he could have the same kind of impact as a freshman that Kenny Stills did in 2010, when he broke the school's freshman record for receiving yards, with 786.
• Trey Millard's best known for his work at fullback, but he's earned the nickname "Slash" from Stoops for his work at tight end, H-back and tailback, too. "I don't even know how he remembers it all, but he does," Stoops said. New defensive coaches Mike Stoops and Tim Kish have told stoops on multiple occasions that Millard "may be the best player on the team." His role reminds me a bit of Brody Eldridge's during the injury-plagued 2009 season. Eldridge was mostly a tight end, but played some fullback and about every position on the offensive line -- despite being just 260 pounds -- for the Sooners. You heard similar praise thrown his way.
• Dominique Whaley was the team's top rusher a year ago before his season ended with a fractured ankle. Stoops called Whaley's progress to this point "very encouraging," adding he didn't know how exactly to quantify the senior-to-be's healing process from the injury.
• What does Norvell think about younger receivers having to compete with a possible impact player in Metoyer? "That's Oklahoma," he said. Despite having four inches on the elder receiver Trey Franks, it's Metoyer who's earned the nickname "Little Trey." Such is life as a young gun. "That's how it goes," laughed fellow receiver Stills.
• Stills also opened up about life after losing team leader Ryan Broyles, the FBS career leader in receptions. Stills' production slowed and the whole receiving corps suddenly started dropping passes as the Sooners lost two of their final three regular-season games. "Everything without Ryan was hard. I feel like everybody saw that," Stills said. "I hope that I can go in and step up and make the plays Ryan did."
• Coverage wasn't different on Stills, but he was playing an unfamiliar slot position and struggled to maintain his production, much less fill the void Broyles left behind. "I was in a position I'd never played and then it was like, 'Kenny didn't step up,' which was true," he said. "I've got to make the plays when the ball comes to me."

Lots of good Oklahoma questions this week. Much appreciated. Had to cut out a bunch of solid ones.

Here's the rest of the teams we've covered so far:

• Texas Tech
• Texas A&M
• Texas
• Oklahoma State

Timm Decker in Louisville, Ky. asks: Do you prefer OU or Texas' method of scheduling? OU takes risk and schedules some big names which can help out in tie breaker situations and overall status, but that doesn't help if you don't win those games. I contend that had OU scheduled like Texas and played cupcakes, then Bradford probably wouldn't have been hurt and they meet Texas undefeated. People rip Texas's schedule but that didn't seem to matter last year as they played for the title. Over the course of many years, I think you are more likely to gain from the benefits of a Texas-like schedule (small chance of non-conference losses) vs. the benefits of an OU-like schedule (advantage in team comparisons / tie-breakers). What are your thoughts?

TBowman88 in Derby, Kan. asks: Why does Bob Stoops and David Boren continue to make one of the toughest schedules for themselves year after year while watching the majority or the other Big 12 powers play a cream puff non-conference schedule which in UT's case has sometimes help them go to a BCS game.

David Ubben: I’m not sure you can definitively say one is better than the other. I don’t have a strong preference, although Oklahoma earns a lot more street cred in the way they schedule. With the strength of the Big 12 in the past few years, any extremely difficult nonconference games were just gravy, but the tough schedule definitely helped push Oklahoma into the title game in 2008.

Oklahoma’s reasoning for scheduling the way it does is a desire to put a quality product on the field for fans to watch, and it obviously helps in December, too. But like last year, playing teams like BYU and Miami early in the season can hurt you (and your quarterback) pretty badly. Oklahoma doesn’t sound like it has any intention of changing the way it schedules, and they’ve got games with Tennessee, Notre Dame and Ohio State on the schedule in the future, in addition to Florida State and Cincinnati this season.

The one thing you have to watch out for is if Texas gets left out of a championship game, and the nonconference schedule becomes a reason, their nonconference scheduling strategy might change playing in a Big 12 without Nebraska, even if they’re playing an additional conference game.

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Coop-@-loop in McMinnville, Tenn. asks: So my wifes b-day is comin up, what should i get her, flowers and perfume or a #4 (Kenny Stills) jersey?

DU: Coop, I’m hardly an expert on the fairer sex, but you’d forever regret buying her a Kenny Stills jersey for her birthday. Trust me on this one.

Go with the classic Landry Jones QB jersey for the birthday. Save Stills for an anniversary. You know, a young guy with a future, just like your relationship.

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Vgg in OK asks: Do you think OU is just kind of sitting back happily and listening to all this UT/NEB stuff, and just quietly going under the radar a little bit? I know everyone is on this NEB bandwagon and maybe rightfully so, and i know they arent on OU's schedule. But it took 5 picks at home to barely beat my sooners. my point is, i guess, is that the biggest game on texas' schedule is not nebraska nor is it the toughest game.

DU: In some ways, Oklahoma might be. But it’s clear (judging by Texas’ lack of a response to any of the Nebraska talk) that Nebraska is taking this game much more seriously than Texas is. That’s not to say Texas is taking Nebraska lightly, but when you’ve had so many recent, memorable close losses to one team and so much controversy at the top of the decision-making chain, that’s pretty natural on Nebraska’s end. It also helps that the game is in Lincoln, and it helps Nebraska to further hype the game to its fans. But Texas knows who its historical rival is, even if the Huskers are gunning for them in 2010. No one has to tell them they’re responsible for showing up to both.

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Paul Johnstone in Chicago, Ill. writes: David: Many Sooner fans are concerned about the offensive line after last year. While it concerns me, with the rash of injuries, there was a new line every game last year giving the team as a unit this year invaluable experience. My real concern is breaking in 2 new CB's in a pass happy league. What is do you feel is the team's biggest question mark going into the 2010 season?

DU: Definitely the offensive line. They’ve got some talented guys in Stephen Good and Cory Brandon, but they really couldn’t ever put it together last year. In addition, they lose the three best blockers from last year’s team in Trent Williams, Brody Eldridge and Brian Simmons. The corners should do really well; they’ve got a lot of depth there. I expect Demontre Hurst to be everything Bob Stoops thinks he is. Jonathan Nelson and Jamell Fleming have a lot of game experience, especially Nelson, even if a lot of that experience came at safety last year for Nelson and on special teams for Fleming. Gabe Lynn has a lot of potential, too, and should get some valuable playing time this season.

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Jacob in Nebraska asks: Are you as high on Oklahoma's depth at Wide out as I am? There is experience all the way from Broyles to Reynolds. Plus you add on young guy's like Mccay and Stills.

DU: I’m not. I don’t have a lot of faith in any of those guys. Ryan Broyles is obviously a superstar, but past him, Oklahoma had an ever-spinning rotation of No. 2 guys in 2009. Dejuan Miller looks like the most likely guy to step into that role after finishing strong last year, but him becoming a non-factor like he was for most of the first half of the season wouldn’t shock me. There’s a lot of potential there in guys like Miller and Jaz Reynolds and the young receivers like Kenny Stills and Justin McCay, but they have to prove they can be consistent contributors on the field before I start claiming Oklahoma has any depth at receiver. Brandon Caleb has been underwhelming, but as a senior, he might even end up being the guy who Jones can count on opposite Broyles.

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Travis in Norman, Okla. asks: I'm hearing rumors that another quarterback (possibly Drew Allen) is the front-runner to become the Sooners' playmaker this fall. Any truth?

DU: Not much. It would take a monumental meltdown for Landry Jones to lose his starting job, but Drew Allen and incoming freshman Blake Bell should both be solid backups.

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Jon in Dallas, Texas asks: How realistic was the possibility of Oklahoma joining the SEC during the realignment talks?

DU: President David Boren said the Sooners had an offer, but like I wrote earlier today, Oklahoma didn’t sound real eager to break up with Texas. It's what was best for both schools.

Mark Schlabach has Oklahoma at No. 12 in his post-spring top 25. The Sporting News' top 100 lists the Sooners at No. 10. Most other early rankings had them just inside or outside that mark.

So when Phil Steele and his preseason magazine crew put the Sooners as their preseason No. 1, they had to know it'd garner some attention. Mission accomplished.

But even if Steele is overrating the Sooners, who finished last season 8-5, it's far from an insane pick. Call it a leap of faith in a group of five guys.

It's not hard to see why they're a top-10 team. They have a deep group of running backs with an experienced feature back. They have a quarterback in Landry Jones who threw for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns while being thrust into sudden action when Sam Bradford played only sparingly after suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener. He could be set for a big year.

They also have the conference's best receiver in Ryan Broyles, who caught 15 touchdowns in 2009, second-most in college football. He also emerged as Jones' safety blanket, catching 89 passes and notching fewer than seven receptions in just three games, including a loss to Miami when he was injured after a 37-yard reception on the opening drive.

The defense should have one of the best front fours in the country, headlined by defensive end Jeremy Beal. Junior linebacker Travis Lewis has taken control of the Sooners' leadership role after leading the team in tackles as a freshman and sophomore, and will line up next to a pair of promising young linebackers in Tom Wort and Ronnell Lewis, or experienced junior Austin Box.

The same goes for the secondary, which returns both safeties and should be deep at corner with Demontre Hurst, Jonathan Nelson, Jamell Fleming and Gabe Lynn.

In short, Oklahoma is well above average at nearly every unit.

But there's a unit missing from that breakdown, the unit Steele clearly must have faith in: the offensive line.

I can't speak for Steele's reasons, but if the offensive line doesn't improve -- and that's a big if -- then Steele's prediction is outrageous.

Oklahoma's current offensive line consists of Jarvis Jones, Stephen Good, Ben Habern, Tyler Evans and Cory Brandon. That's absent two NFL draft picks in Trent Williams and Brody Eldridge, along with outgoing senior Brian Simmons.

If last year is any indication, that lineup will change. The Sooners started nine different combinations on the offensive line in 2009, in part because of injury and in part because of injury.

Steele put Good, who started just seven games last season, on his All-Big 12 first team. He put Brandon on his second team. Habern made the third team and Jones, who missed the last four games of last season with a fractured heel, was on his fourth team.

Jones earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention nod, but the others on Steele's list didn't make any postseason lists.

As his preseason poll indicates, he disagrees with those assessments.

And we'll have to wait three more months to find out if he's right. And I'll wait for e-mails from Alabama fans ripping me for not calling Steele a houndstooth-hating fool.

Here's where the rest of the Big 12 sits on Steele's top 25:

1. Oklahoma

5. Nebraska

11. Texas

No dice for the Tigers or Aggies, who've slipped into the top 25 in a few pre-preseason polls.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops made his way to Tulsa last night for the Sooner Caravan, giving him and other coaches within the program a chance to meet and speak with fans.

Though plenty was made of his comments about Oklahoma as it relates to possible realignment, he also had an interesting comment about running back DeMarco Murray.

From The Oklahoman:

In his first season as the team's primary ball-carrier, Murray has set a goal for himself to rush for 1,500 yards, which would be a career high.

OU coach Bob Stoops has even greater expectations.

"I don't think that's enough," Stoops said Tuesday during an OU carvan stop in Tulsa. "I'd sure like to see him at 1,900. Not like we haven't done it. Adrian (Peterson) and Quentin Griffin both were over 1,900. We'll see. Hopefully he can do something like that."

I've talked about Murray plenty on the blog. I think you'd have a tough time finding a more talented running back in the conference. An easier task: finding a more productive back. He's topped 1,000 yards just once in his career, and that was in 2008 when he sat out the Big 12 and national championship games with an injured hamstring. Murray and Chris Brown complemented each other well, but Murray never seemed to get enough touches. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he wanted DeMarco to touch the ball 25 times a game last season. There's a lot that goes into that number, but Murray got 25 touches in a game just twice, and eclipsed 20 in just two other games.

If he's going to flirt with 2,000 yards (1,000 more than the number I think he flirts with this season) three things have to happen:

1) He has to stay healthy. He did that, for the most part, last season. He missed just one game (a road win over Kansas) with an ankle injury. That's been the biggest knock on him throughout his career, and if he goes down again, that knock will continue. It's worth noting that the injury criticisms are probably a little unfair. In three seasons, he's missed six games. The problem has been when he's missed games. In 2007, he missed the Bedlam game, the Big 12 championship and the Fiesta Bowl loss to West Virginia. In 2008, like I mentioned earlier, it was the Big 12 and national championships.

2) He needs more carries. With a struggling offensive line in 2009, Oklahoma constantly worked the flats against good defenses with Murray and receiver Ryan Broyles, their two biggest playmakers in space. He can get receptions there whenever he wants them, but Stoops sounds like he wants to pound it with Murray, who isn't lacking for size at 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds.

He only carried the ball 171 times in 2009. He'd have to average 11.1 yards per carry with that number of carries to hit 1,900 yards. Good luck with that.

But he has to prove he's productive enough to warrant those additional carries. Stoops isn't going to give him the ball because he's DeMarco Murray. He'll have to earn them with his play in games and in practice, and if he doesn't, there's plenty of backs behind him such as Jermie Calhoun or Mossis Madu ready to pick up the slack, not to mention incoming freshmen Roy Finch and Brennan Clay.

3) The offensive line has to improve. This is far from a given, especially after losing their three best blockers from last year's team in Trent Williams, Brody Eldridge and Brian Simmons. But Ben Habern and Tyler Evans have to stay healthy and consistent, and they need help from guys like Donald Stephenson, Jarvis Jones and Cory Brandon.

2009 overall record: 8-5

2009 conference record: 5-3

Returning starters: Offense (9), Defense(4) P/K (2)

Top returners: QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, LB Travis Lewis, S Quinton Carter, WR Ryan Broyles, DE Jeremy Beal, DE Frank Alexander

Key losses: DT Gerald McCoy, OL Trent Williams, QB Sam Bradford, RB Chris Brown, DE Auston English, OL Brian Simmons, OL Brody Eldridge


2009 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Chris Brown (774 yards)

Passing: Landry Jones* (3,198 yards)

Receiving: Ryan Broyles* (1,120 yards)

Tackles: Travis Lewis* (108)

Sacks: Jeremy Beal* (11)

Interceptions: Brian Jackson (4)

Three spring answers

1. O-line no longer offensive. Coach Bob Stoops tabbed his offensive and defensive lines as two of the most improved units on the team, a big difference from a year ago when Stoops called out his offensive linemen for not working hard enough. Part of the problem last season was injuries, and right guard Eric Mensik was lost for six weeks with an MCL injury, but even without their three best blockers from a season ago, the line is further ahead as a unit than they were last spring.

2. Young talent rising. Plenty of young players didn’t get on the field in 2009, for various reasons, whether it be injury, more experienced talent, or still being in high school. But linebackers Tom Wort and Ronnell Lewis, along with cornerback Demontre Hurst and receiver Kenny Stills could be big parts of Oklahoma’s 2010 team. Lewis will help replace one of the linebacker positions vacated by Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayon, but moved around in the spring. Wort is a likely starter as well after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Hurst will help replace one of the corner positions vacated by Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson. And Stills could start for a receiving corps that struggled in 2009.

3. Lewis takes the reins. Oklahoma’s defense won’t be short on talent, headlined by defensive ends Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander. But junior linebacker Travis Lewis, the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore, is ready to take over as the voice of the team, talking plenty of trash before the spring game and backing it up with his play, helping his team pitch a shutout. Gerald McCoy was the heart of the defense last season. This year, it’s Travis Lewis.

Three fall questions

1. Can the Sooners stay healthy? The theme for last season was injuries everywhere for the Sooners. Stoops says confidently he isn’t changing a thing, and it’s the right move. But it won’t stop fans—and maybe a couple of coaches—from cringing every time a player goes down awkwardly. Injuries turned the Sooners from a national title contender into an eight-win team a year ago, and another year of getting beat up could add to the frustration.

2. How much better will Landry Jones be? Jones played well when forced into action early by Sam Bradford’s injured shoulder. He played poorly in games against Texas and Nebraska, but finished the season with a career-high 418 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford. Jones is loaded with potential, and Stoops is optimistic at how Jones will look after a full spring and fall as starter.

3. Do the Sooners have a kicker? Jimmy Stevens lost his job to walk-on Patrick O’Hara late last season, but the two combined were just 1-of-8 from beyond 40 yards last season. A rainy spring game did little to settle the spring debate, and a couple misses on reasonable kicks by whoever wins the job in the fall could lead to another switch.

The Big 12 had 30 players drafted over the weekend, fifth most among the major six conferences.


Here's a look at who went where when:

First round (9):

1. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (St. Louis)

2. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Detroit)

3. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (Tampa Bay)

4. Trent Williams, OL, Oklahoma (Washington)

6. Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State (Seattle)

14. Earl Thomas, DB, Texas (Seattle)

19. Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri (Atlanta)

21. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma (Cincinnati)

24. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (Dallas)

Second round (2):

43. Sergio Kindle, DE, Texas (Baltimore)

44. Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas (Oakland)

Third round (3):

80. J.D. Walton, C, Baylor (Denver)

84. Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas (Cincinnati)

85. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (Cleveland)

Fourth round (4):

110. Darrell Stuckey, FS, Kansas (San Diego)

115. Phillip Dillard, LB, Nebraska (New York Giants)

121. Keenan Clayton, LB, Oklahoma (Philadelphia)

131. Roddrick Muckelroy, LB, Texas (Cincinnati)

Fifth round (6):

135. Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma (Atlanta)

137. Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State (Denver)

141. Joshua Moore, DB, Kansas State (Chicago)

160. Larry Asante, SS, Nebraska (Cleveland)

162. Brody Eldridge, TE, Oklahoma (Indianapolis)

165. Kerry Meier, WR, Kansas (Atlanta)

Sixth round (4):

191. Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas (Cincinnati)

196. Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech (Dallas)

198. David Gettis, WR, Baylor (Carolina)

202. Jordan Pugh, DB, Texas A&M (Carolina)

Seventh round (2):

228. Reggie Stephens, OL, Iowa State (Cincinnati)

250. Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State (New England)

When you arrange those by team, Oklahoma comes out on top, with seven selections.

1. Oklahoma (7)

2. Texas (6)

3. Oklahoma State (4)

T-4. Nebraska (3)

T-4. Kansas (3)

6. Baylor (2)

T-7. Iowa State (1)

T-7. Kansas State (1)

T-7. Missouri (1)

T-7. Texas Tech (1)

T-7. Texas A&M (1)

12. Colorado (0)

Weak: Offensive line

The only thing the 2009 Oklahoma offensive line did more than get penalized was get injured.

In a season filled with disappointment, the offensive line began the season as a concern, and remained one throughout. Thinning numbers at nearly every position didn’t help, and after Trent Williams suffered a concussion before the season finale, Oklahoma was forced to start walk-on Brian Lepak, though he did perform well.

But the struggling line will lose its three best blockers from last season: Williams, Brian Simmons and Brody Eldridge.

For improvement, the Sooners need players like junior Stephen Good and sophomore Tyler Evans to fulfill their potential. Freshman Bronson Irwin enrolled early and will be in spring camp for the Sooners, and junior Donald Stephenson returns from a year-long suspension. He's drawn praise from Bob Stoops for his early work.

Strong: Defensive end

Oklahoma could once again contend for the best defensive line in college football, but its real strength is on the ends.

Senior Jeremy Beal had 11 sacks (fourth-most in school history) last season after grabbing 8.5 as a sophomore. Now, his senior season will be his third as starter after two consecutive appearances on the All-Big 12 first team.

Frank Alexander played extensively (nine starts) in his first two seasons and likely assumes a permanent starting role as a junior. Seven of his 23 tackles last season were for a loss and he also notched 1.5 sacks.

As a freshman, Alexander was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention performer and had five tackles as a starter in the national title game.
More Weak & Strong:

• Baylor
• Colorado
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Missouri
• Nebraska
  

The NFL has released its final list of late additions to its annual pre-draft player combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 24 to March 2.

The Big 12 is well represented on the list of invited players, with every team but Iowa State and Texas A&M having at least one representative.

Here's the final list. The late invitations, typically from underclassmen who declared for the draft, are listed in bold.

BAYLOR (2)

WR David Gettis

C J.D. Walton

COLORADO (1)

TE Riar Geer

KANSAS (3)

WR Dezmon Briscoe

WR Kerry Meier

S Darrell Stuckey

KANSAS STATE (3)

WR Brandon Banks

TE Jeron Mastrud

CB Joshua Moore

MISSOURI (4)

WR Danario Alexander

G Kurtis Gregory

WR Jared Perry

LB Sean Weatherspoon

NEBRASKA (4)

S Larry Asante

LB Phillip Dillard

C Jacob Hickman

DT Ndamukong Suh

OKLAHOMA (9)

QB Sam Bradford

RB Chris Brown

OLB Keenan Clayton

TE Brody Eldridge

CB Dominique Franks

TE Jermaine Gresham

CB Brian Jackson

DT Gerald McCoy

T Trent Williams

OKLAHOMA STATE (6)

S Lucien Antoine

WR Dez Bryant

CB Perrish Cox

T Russell Okung

QB Zac Robinson

RB Keith Toston

TEXAS (7)

DT Lamarr Houston

DE Sergio Kindle

QB Colt McCoy

LB Roddrick Muckelroy

WR Jordan Shipley

S Earl Thomas

T Adam Ulatoski

TEXAS TECH (2)

G Brandon Carter

CB Jamar Wall

As we all pore over the recruiting ratings of each school for the next few days, it's wise to take all of these rankings and ratings with a healthy grain of salt.

Recruiting is, always has been and always will be an inexact science. For every can't miss product, there are others who emerge out of nowhere to become standout players.

This trend was shown after I analyzed the first- and second-team All-Big 12 teams from the 2009 season and went back to check their original ESPNU grades. On some, the service hit. But on many others, it missed like Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.

Both had scores of 40 when they came out in their recruiting class. Weatherspoon weighed 195 pounds. Alexander was projected as a safety. And both put aside their dubious recruiting marks to develop into two of the best players in the country at their position over the course of their college career. I thought it was interesting to go back and look at the best players in the conference and see where they were ranked coming into college.

The ESPNU ratings database goes back only to 2006. That does not allow us to get ratings for players who took a redshirt year during their college careers. But it gives a pretty accurate picture about the crap shoot that college recruiting really is.

Here's a look at the Big 12's coaches' first and second teams for 2009. The positional rankings, typically listed second for most players, are national rankings.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Colt McCoy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.

RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2009.

RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State: 77 rating; ranked 44th among all safeties; ranked 73rd in state.

FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State: Walk-on.

WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas: Class of 2004, no information available.

WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri: 40 rating (as safety), ranked 229th in state.

WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas: 40 rating, ranked 363rd in state.

TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State: 40 rating, ranked 13th in state.

OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: 73 rating, ranked 61st among all tackles, 138th in state.

OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma: 76 rating, ranked 22nd among all guards, 78th in state.

OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Nate Solder, Colorado: 40 rating (as tight end), ranked 48th in state.

PK: Grant Ressel, Missouri: Walk-on.

KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.

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FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.

DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: 89 rating, ranked 2nd among all defensive tackle, ranked first in state, ranked 21st in nation.

DL:Von Miller, Texas A&M: 77 rating, ranked 37th among all defensive ends, ranked 52nd in state.

DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech: Junior-college class of 2007.

DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 86th among all defensive ends, ranked seventh in state.

LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State: Class of 2005, no information available.

LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: 40 rating, ranked 294th in state.

LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: 75 rating, ranked 86th among all running backs, ranked 96th in state.

DB: Earl Thomas, Texas: 71 rating, ranked 75th among all cornerbacks, ranked 170th in state.

DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.

DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma: 74 rating, ranked 53rd among all cornerbacks, ranked 15th in state.

DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska: 78 rating, ranked 31st among all running backs, ranked fifth in state.

DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska: Junior college class of 2007.

P: Derek Epperson, Baylor: 76 rating, ranked 15th among all kickers, ranked 87th in state.

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SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: 79 rating, ranked first among all athletes, ranked 29th in state.

RB Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 113th among all running backs, ranked 97th in state.

RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 92 rating, ranked first among all running backs, ranked first in state, ranked sixth in nation.

FB: Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.

WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 58th among all wide receivers, ranked fourth in state.

WR: Kerry Meier, Kansas: Class of 2005 , no information available.

WR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.

TE: Riar Geer, Colorado: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: J.D. Walton, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available (transfer from Arizona State).

OL: Chris Hall, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Kurtis Gregory, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Adam Ulatoski, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.

OL: Lee Grimes, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.

PK: Alex Henery, Nebraska: Walk-on.

KR/PR: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.

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SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Sergio Kindle, Texas: 92 rating, ranked first among all outside linebackers, ranked second in state, ranked seventh in nation.

DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas: 78 rating, ranked seventh among all fullbacks, ranked fourth in state.

DL: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma: 80 rating, ranked 11th among all defensive ends, ranked 17th in state, ranked 137th nationally.

DL: Jaron Baston, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.

DL: Daniel Howard, Texas Tech: Junior college class of 2007

LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.

LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.

LB: Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.

DB: Jamar Wall, Texas Tech: 72 rating, ranked 79th among all safeties, ranked 142nd in state.

DB: Quinton Carter, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 39th among all safeties, ranked third in state.

DB: Brian Jackson, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.

DB: Jordan Lake, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.

DB: Cha’pelle Brown, Colorado: 40 rating, ranked 287th in state.

DB: Trent Hunter, Texas A&M: 68 rating, ranked 90th among all cornerbacks, ranked 250th in state.

P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: 78 rating, ranked sixth among all kickers, ranked sixth in state.

It's interesting to note that only four members of the two teams were ESPNU top 150 selections: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Beal and Texas' Sergio Kindle.

The Big 12 will be well represented when the NFL holds its scouting combine in Indianapolis.

The official list has not been released, although SportingNews.com has accounted for most of the early players. The list does not include juniors and other players who might be invited late to the festivities, which will begin Feb. 24 in Indianapolis.

I would think Baylor linebacker Joe Pawelek, Baylor safety Jordan Lake and Texas center Chris Hall all will be invited later.

And I would expect eligible juniors such as Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant to get their opportunity at the combine.

Baylor: WR David Gettis, C J.D. Walton.

Colorado: TE Riar Geer.

Iowa State: None.

Kansas: WR Kerry Meier, S Darrell Stuckey.

Kansas State: WR Brandon Banks, TE Jeron Mastrud.

Missouri: WR Danario Alexander, G Kurtis Gregory, WR Jared Perry, LB Sean Weatherspoon.

Nebraska: S Larry Asante, LB Phillip Dillard, C Jacob Hickman, DT Ndamukong Suh.

Oklahoma: RB Chris Brown, TE Brody Eldridge, TE Jermaine Gresham, CB Brian Jackson, T Trent Williams.

Oklahoma State: CB Perrish Cox, T Russell Okung, QB Zac Robinson, RB Keith Toston.

Texas: DT Lamarr Houston, DE Sergio Kindle, QB Colt McCoy, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, WR Jordan Shipley, OT Adam Ulatoski.

Texas A&M: None.

Texas Tech: G Brandon Carter, DB Jamar Wall.

Brian Lepak's injury will keep yet another Oklahoma center out of action.

But the most surprising element of the story will be his replacement.

Senior All-America tackle Trent Williams will slide from left tackle into the starting position at center after Lepak sustained a sprained knee in bowl practice that will keep him out of the Sooners' Dec. 31 Sun Bowl against Stanford.

Earlier this season, Ben Habern and Brody Eldridge started at center for the Sooners.

"I'm done counting them," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops told reporters about the many injuries at the position this season. "Too many."

Williams worked there during summer practice and showed strong intuitive abilities at the position. But Sooners coaches preferred to keep him at tackle where he was one of the best players in the nation.

The Sooners will start the same tackle rotation in the bowl game as in their 27-0 victory over Oklahoma State in their final regular season game. Williams missed that game with a concussion suffered earlier that week, with Cory Brandon starting at Williams' left tackle and converted tight end Eric Mensik starting on the right side. That group helped the Sooners produce 143 yards rushing against an OSU defense that came into the game ranked fourth nationally against the run.

And while it's not an ideal situation against the Cardinal, Williams is one of the Big 12's most versatile athletes along the offensive line. Look for him to thrive at his new position as he's been able to do most of his college career.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Here are some trends I'll be watching across the Big 12 in Saturday's games:

1. Bowl eligibility beckons: Six Big 12 teams can earn bowl eligibility by winning on Saturday. Kansas State needs a victory to get to seven wins because the Wildcats played two FCS schools in nonconference play. They can get there by beating Missouri, which also become bowl eligible with a win. Iowa State and Kansas can similarly earn their sixth wins of the season. And the winner of the Oklahoma-Texas A&M game will get their sixth win and a likely chance to go bowling. It would be the latest point of the season that Bob Stoops has ever earned his way into bowl eligibility and the first time for Mike Sherman.

2. Can Baylor’s surprising recent passing surge continue against Texas’ strong secondary? Baylor quarterback Nick Florence set a school record by passing for 427 yards last week and blistering Missouri for three touchdown passes -- more than the two TD passes he had thrown in his previous 147 pass attempts of his career. Can his burgeoning confidence continue against an emerging Texas pass defense that has limited opponents to an average of 106 passing yards in the last three weeks, including two touchdown passes and six interceptions?

3. Can Cody Johnson emerge in his first start at running back for Texas? All signs point to the bullish 240-pound sophomore getting his first starting opportunity against the Bears. He’s already emerged as the Longhorns’ most consistent running threat among those in their struggling backfield. Will that carry over from the start of the game against a Baylor unit that ranks 82nd nationally in rush defense but is coming off a season-best performance after limiting Missouri to 10 yards rushing last week?

4. Kansas redshirt freshman starting guard Trevor Marrongelli: He’ll get his second career start against Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. It will be a tall order against Suh, who had 12 tackles, three tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks last season against a blocker with far more experience for Kansas. Suh even added a rushing touchdown late in the game last year to punctuate his breakout game. His candidacy for the Outland Trophy, other individual awards and maybe even the Heisman Trophy might hit overdrive Saturday competing against such a novice opponent.

5. Which Nebraska quarterback emerges against Kansas? Cody Green struggled in five three-and-out possessions against Oklahoma before he was pulled by Bo Pelini. Zac Lee wasn’t much better, but the Cornhuskers moved the ball well enough to score 10 points with him in control to claim the gritty victory. Will Pelini go back to Lee after starting Green for the last two games? Or will he continue to start the more athletic Green, who should be able to run better against the less-imposing Kansas defense than against the Sooners. Whoever starts will be vital as the Cornhuskers attempt to claim their fourth straight conference road game for the first time since 1999-2000 and take another step to their first Big 12 North title since 2006.

6. How much has Oklahoma State’s pass defense improved since last season? The Cowboys were singed for 516 passing yards and seven touchdown passes by Graham Harrell and Taylor Potts last season in Texas Tech’s 56-20 victory in Lubbock. But Harrell is gone and the Cowboys are much improved with an 11-to-11 touchdown pass to interception ratio and the nation’s 33rd ranked team in pass efficiency defense. Mike Leach isn’t saying who his starter will be, but whoever emerges will have a more difficult time against Bill Young’s retooled defense than last season.

7. Who will start and play for Texas Tech at quarterback? Leach has thrown out some not-so-subtle hints that Steven Sheffield might be ready to return to action after recovering from a broken foot in the Red Raiders’ Oct. 17 victory at Nebraska that originally was expected to sideline him for up to six weeks. Potts has received the majority of snaps this week at quarterback, making him appear to be the likely starter. But would Leach have a quick hook to replace him with Sheffield or Seth Doege if the Red Raiders sputter offensively?

8. Can Iowa State get its running game back against Colorado? The Cyclones were leading the league in rushing before producing a season-low 54 yards against Oklahoma State last week. They shouldn’t be as challenged against a Colorado defense that ranks 72nd nationally and ninth in the conference against the run. The Cyclones desperately need to get Alexander Robinson involved early to help boost a struggling offense that has produced only three touchdowns in its last 13 quarters. Bowl hopes might be riding on it.

9. How will Missouri contain Brandon Banks on kickoffs? The Tigers have struggled all season covering kickoffs, allowing 24.33 yards per return to rank 104th nationally. They will be supremely challenged against Kansas State’s Banks, who ranks sixth nationally with a 31.4 yard-per-return average and has already returned a Big 12-record four kicks for touchdowns this season. Banks is within one kick return for a touchdown of tying the NCAA single-season record of five, set by Tulsa’s Ashlan Davis in 2004. He also needs one more kick return for a TD to tie the national career record of six set by USC’s Anthony Davis from 1972-74 and Davis in 2004-05. Missouri has to do a better job against Banks, or it could be a long day for the Tigers -- especially as KSU coach Bill Snyder will be gunning for his 14th straight victory over the Tigers.

10. How will the makeshift Oklahoma offensive line play against Texas A&M? The loss of Brody Eldridge and Jarvis Jones to season-ending injuries further exacerbated the Sooners’ lack of depth along the offensive front. Oklahoma will likely have a rotation of only eight offensive linemen against the Aggies, who notched eight sacks against Colorado last week, are tied for third nationally in sacks and feature the nation’s sack leader in Von Miller. The Sooners’ line must do a better job of protecting Landry Jones, as well as staying away from the sloppy penalties that marked their loss to Nebraska last week.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Happy Tuesday. Here are some of the questions that filled my e-mail earlier this week.

Jack Patterson of Amarillo, Texas, writes: Tim, I am an avid reader of your blogs. I check them at least once a day for new updates on all the Big 12. Lately though, I have had an issue with all the talk of the Big 12 North.

With the exception of Oklahoma’s offensive production against Nebraska this past Saturday night, the South Division has absolutely dominated our Northern rivals. Yet, there has been almost no talk about the fight for a second-place finish in the South. Let's say Texas runs the table, the winner of the Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech game wins out, and the loser of that game wins their final two games. That would put the first, second and third place teams finishing above the first, second and possibly third place teams from the north.

Granted, the North Division has an exciting race to be played out over the next three weeks, but the South Division is playing solid football week in and week out. How will the bowls play out if this scenario occurs.

Tim Griffin: Victories by Nebraska over Oklahoma and Colorado over Texas A&M last week aside, the strength of the South looks much stronger than the strength of the North. Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are a combined 7-0 against the North. And if the rest of the season plays out as most would expect, it would be hard not to see those teams going perfect against the North.

I think the South Division will end up claiming three of the top four bowl spots. If Nebraska wins the North, their tradition and fan appeal will get them one of the top three bowls. But the other top two bowls will go to South teams when it’s all over.

---

Tyler Asche of Columbia, Mo., writes: Tim, this Heisman race is really starting to get on my nerves. First, ESPN takes Ndamukong Suh off as a viable option, and then doesn’t even recognize him as the leader in their weekly text message. Suh is having one of the most dominant season that a defensive tackle has EVER put up in the history of college football helping a struggling offensive team stay in and win games. The list is full of great names and players, but how many of those young men are putting up numbers better than anyone in history at their position? It's a shame how the media is closing the door on such a phenomenal athletes chances to have to win a once in a lifetime award. I'm starting the feel that the Heisman just isn't what it used to be.

Tim Griffin: There’s no debate about Suh’s abilities. But it’s hard to argue for a defensive tackle because their statistics are hard to quantify. But for whatever it’s worth, remember that Jared Crick leads Suh in total tackles, sacks and tackles for losses this season. So I don’t know if I necessarily would say that Suh has the best statistics for a defensive tackle ever.

He’s clearly one of the most valuable players in college football. And his statistics don’t tell his story.

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Matt Howard from Virginia writes: Tim, I'm a pretty big Oklahoma fan and all of these injuries are really depressing me. Jermaine Gresham, Sam Bradford, Ryan Broyles, Bradford again, and now Auston English, Brody Eldridge, and Jarvis Jones. Has anyone else been hit as hard in their starting lineup as OU this year?

Tim Griffin: In my recent history, I can’t remember a team that has struggled with injuries like the Sooners this season. And also don’t forget to include Broyles, Brandon Caleb, DeMarco Murray and Brian Simmons have missed a combined eight games with injuries. Freshman linebacker Tom Wort, one of the revelations of early training camp, was lost with a season-ending knee injury. And linebacker Mike Balogun was declared ineligible before the season started.

It shows how good the current Oklahoma defense is, making them historical good for what will likely end up to be an 8-4 or 7-5 season.

This is a season that Bob Stoops will just choose to forget.

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Fred Dodge of Annapolis, Md., writes: Tim, I am Husker through and through and while I am really happy about the win over Oklahoma I see it as a different version of Iowa State's win over Nebraska. The gutty underdog getting a bunch of turnovers and beating an error-prone talented team. In truth, this does nothing to change my view that the Big 12 North is a second-tier division. Please compare the Big 12 North to the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences. Am I wrong (at least as far as football goes)? Does anybody in the North stack-up to TCU and Utah; and don't you think they would run the table in the North?

Tim Griffin: College football obviously is cyclical, but you have to admire the development in the Mountain West. TCU is 9-0 and Utah is 8-1 with only a loss at Oregon. BYU showed its strength earlier in the season by beating Oklahoma and has lost to only Florida State and TCU. All three of those teams I think are better than the Nebraska/Kansas State/Colorado concentration in the Big 12 North. The South, I’m not so sure about.

As far as the WAC, I’m not so sure if I would rank them with the Big 12 North. Remember that current WAC leader Nevada lost on its home field to Missouri, which is struggling to remain out of the Big 12 North cellar. Nevada has turned things around with a current six-game winning streak and Fresno has a five-game streak. Boise State is better than any Big 12 North team this season, but the rest of the WAC isn’t at that level.

And as far as running the table, I still think that those top Mountain West and WAC teams would have trouble winning consistently in the Big 12. But this season, TCU, Boise State and Utah would likely be at the top.

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Eric Owens of Orange, Texas, writes: Here’s a question about a hypothetical bowl scenario. Let’s assume Gator Bowl chooses a 10-2 Pitt over a 7-5 Notre Dame. Is the Sun Bowl obligated to take a Big 12 team, or could they still select Notre Dame and shut the Big 12 out of a bowl slot?

Tim Griffin: This is the final season of the combined Gator/Sun contract with the Big East/Notre Dame and the Big 12. The perimeters provided for two seasons for the bowl from each conference. The Big 12 has filled the Gator Bowl in each of the last two seasons with Texas Tech in 2007 and Nebraska last season. Under terms of the contract, the Gator Bowl is obligated to take a team from the Big East or Notre Dame this season. The Sun Bowl, which had Missouri in 2006, is obligated to take a Big 12 team this season.

The Sun Bowl won't have access to a Big 12 team after this season with its new contract beginning in 2010 when representatives from the Pac-10 and Atlantic Coast conferences meet.

Thanks again for all of the good questions. We’ll catch up again on Friday afternoon.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Seriously, I wonder if Bob Stoops thinks that he angered the football gods somewhere.

Oklahoma announced today that three more starters are out with season-ending injuries.

Offensive lineman Brody Eldridge is out with a neck injury that was initially diagnosed by Stoops as a shoulder injury.

Stoops announced that defensive end Auston English was scheduled to have surgery on an injured ankle tendon. And starting tackle Jarvis Jones sustained a fractured heel in the Sooners' 10-3 loss at Nebraska.

That's five starters who are out after including tight end Jermaine Gresham and quarterback Sam Bradford.

Despite those injuries, Stoops told reporters Tuesday that he doesn't plan any major changes in his offense for the rest of the season.

"In four days of practice, how much can you truly retool, ten games into it, with inexperienced guys?" Stoops told reporters. “Everybody was writing two weeks ago they were finally coming of age, guys were making plays and getting comfortable in the system. So, now, all of a sudden to scrap the system, I don’t believe that is the answer.”

The Sooners produced 325 yards in the Nebraska, were held without a touchdown for the first time in Stoops' coaching tenure. A struggling performance featured five interceptions thrown by Landry Jones and three missed field goals by Tress Way.

Oklahoma (5-4) still needs one victory to earn bowl eligibility. Their remaining schedule features home games against Texas A&M on Saturday and Oklahoma State, sandwiched around a road trip to Texas Tech.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Monday that versatile offensive lineman Brody Eldridge will miss Saturday's game against Texas A&M because of a shoulder injury sustained in the Sooners' 10-3 loss at Nebraska on Saturday.

His absence is another obstacle for Oklahoma's injury-riddled offense. The Sooners already are missing Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (shoulder) and preseason All-America tight end Jermaine Gresham (knee) with season-ending injuries.

Eldridge's absence will be particularly bad for an inexperienced Oklahoma offensive front struggling with penalties and productivity.

Both Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson have said that Eldridge has been the Sooners' highest-graded lineman since moving from tight end to guard before the Sooners' Oct. 17 game against Texas.

The Sooners could move right guard Stephen Good to left guard and move right tackle Jarvis Jones into Good's spot. Or they could insert freshman Tyler Evans, who has been struggling with an ankle injury since he claimed the starting job earlier in the season.

Or Tavaris Jeffries could be inserted back into the lineup. Jeffries started three games earlier this season before he was suspended before the Sooners' Oct. 24 victory at Kansas. Jeffries suited up the following week against Kansas State but missed the Nebraska game with a family emergency, team officials said.

Stoops also said that defensive end Auston English is questionable for the A&M game after injuring his ankle early in the Sooners' loss at Nebraska.