ESPN College Football

We did it last year, and it's time to rev up the engines one more time.

The Big 12 had five passers top 3,000 yards in 2011. WVU's Geno Smith also topped 3,000 yards, but Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill did, too. The league breaks even in that sense.

College football had 39 passers top 3,000 yards last year, up from 27 in 2010.

Which ones will crack the mark in the Big 12 next year? I'm glad you asked.

Remember: This isn't so much a ranking of the Big 12's best quarterbacks, but the QBs with the best chance to break the benchmark for a great season.

1. Geno Smith, West Virginia: Smith had his first season over 3,000 yards last year, and did it by a long ways, racking up 4,385 yards, which was 1,781 more than any other Big East QB. That's nuts. He may throw for more yards than any Big 12 QB this year, but it won't be that wide of a margin. He's got one of the best receiving corps in the league. Injury would be the only thing that could keep him under 3,000.

2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma: Jones has big question marks at receiver. Three of his top four returning targets are currently suspended. Still, he has Kenny Stills and hyped newcomer Trey Metoyer headlining the best class of incoming receivers in the country. He'll top 4,000 yards for the third consecutive season, and 3,000 for the fourth.

3. Seth Doege, Texas Tech: Doege took his place as the next in a long line of successful Tech QBs, throwing for 4,004 yards despite losing the heart of his running game and his two most talented receivers. Tech will throw it enough as always to make this one a no-doubter.

4. Nick Florence, Baylor: Florence will top 3,000 yards in his first full year as a starter with time to prepare for becoming one. He earned seven sudden starts when Robert Griffin III tore his ACL in 2009, Florence's true freshman season. He's got more experience now and arguably the best receiving corps in the league. That's a heck of a combo.

5. Wes Lunt, Oklahoma State: Lunt is a true freshman who better brace for growing pains, but he'll have plenty of great moments in OSU's loaded, pass-first offense. He'll top 3,000 yards by a narrow margin, but the biggest key for Lunt will be keeping his interception total low. If he does that, OSU could be scary.

6. Casey Pachall, TCU: Pachall will have to balance out TCU's running game, which should take advantage of some Big 12 defenses' weak interiors. He'll need to chuck it a whole lot more this season if TCU gets into shootouts or needs to come from behind. That'll happen a lot more in the Big 12 than in the Mountain West.

Just missed: Dayne Crist, Kansas. (Simply put, not enough offensive weapons to top 3,000 yards.)

The Big 12 season is approaching, and there's no league in which the quarterback position is more important. Want success? Experience is a good place to start. How do the QBs rank in experience? Let's take a look.

1. Landry Jones, Oklahoma (37 starts): Jones is the league's elder statesman by a long, long ways. He took over as a redshirt freshman in 2009 when Sam Bradford injured his shoulder, and didn't miss any of his 27 starts in 2010 and 2011.

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia (26 starts): Smith has been the team's unquestioned starter for each of the past two seasons, and should be ready for a big 2012 after topping 4,000 yards in 2011.

3. Collin Klein, Kansas State (15 starts): Klein had two more starts at receiver earlier in his career, but we're not counting those. Klein was a gadget QB in 2010, but took over as the team's offensive workhorse in 2011, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the team's total offense.

4. Casey Pachall, TCU (13 starts): Pachall played well in his first year as a starter, but often relied on his three star running backs in the offense and didn't top 3,000 yards. He's ready for more responsibility if necessary this year.

5. Seth Doege, Texas Tech (13 starts): Doege earned one start all the way back in 2009, but ceded that spot by the end of the game. He did no such thing in a strong 2011 season, though Tech missed a bowl game and had a losing season (5-7) for the first time in almost two decades.

6. Dayne Crist, Kansas (10 starts): Crist's 10 starts all came at Notre Dame, but there doesn't look to be much challenge from any other QBs on the roster this season. Does he have the offensive weapons to be productive?

7. Nick Florence, Baylor (seven starts): Florence started seven games in 2009 when Robert Griffin III suffered a knee injury, and earned a half of playing time last season against Texas Tech that cost him his redshirt season.

8. Steele Jantz, Iowa State (seven starts): Jantz got off to a strong start, but never figured out his very serious turnover issues. That cost him his starting job in midseason, despite three fourth-quarter comebacks to begin the 2011 season 3-0.

9. David Ash, Texas (six starts): Ash was the fourth-string QB last summer, but when Garrett Gilbert and Connor Wood transferred, it was up to him and Case McCoy to carry the load. By season's end, Ash had established himself as the future at the position, at least immediately, but Texas' coaches haven't given him the official designation yet.

10. Jared Barnett, Iowa State (six starts): Barnett took over for Jantz in the middle of the season and engineered wins over Texas Tech, Kansas and a historic win over No. 2 Oklahoma State, but struggled with inconsistency late and opened up the competition to Jantz in a Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rutgers. There's no assurance for either to be the starter after the spring.

11. Case McCoy, Texas (five starts): McCoy's gutsiest performance came in a comeback win over Texas A&M, but his lack of arm strength limited what the Longhorns could do in 2011. McCoy's got all the heart you could ask for, but his physical attributes bring about plenty of questions about his ability to carry the team over the course of his career.

12. Wes Lunt, Oklahoma State (zero starts): Lunt shocked even his own offensive coordinator by beating out junior Clint Chelf and redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh in the spring to earn the starting job. He still has to validate that spot in the fall, but Lunt is in a class of his own at the bottom of the Big 12 when it comes to experience. He's a big, NFL-sized QB with a big arm, though. Can his mind catch up fast enough to help the Cowboys defend a Big 12 title?

As part of “College Football Live’s” 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, here’s a look at the top 10 players in the Big 12.

Note: This is a separate list from our preseason top 25 players. We'll tackle that later. It might be a lot different. It might be much of the same.

1. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Geno's a newcomer to the Big 12, but putting up big numbers is nothing new for the senior, who threw for 4,385 yards last season. Only one quarterback threw for more, but Smith had two more touchdown passes and eight fewer interceptions than the No. 2 quarterback on this list. Smith also completed nearly 3 percent more of his passes.

2. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Jones checks in at No. 2 as the Big 12's leading returning passer, and will try to climb back in 2012 to give the Sooners another Big 12 title. Jones is the Big 12's most experienced quarterback, which should pay off the fall.

3. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State: Klein was the league's No. 4 rusher and threw for 1,900 yards? You can't argue with that production, and Klein accounted for 69.8 percent of the Wildcats' offense. That's insane. His importance to K-State can't be understated.

4. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: Austin's the most dangerous playmaker in the Big 12, a true triple threat as a receiver, runner and kick/punt returner. He's the Big 12's No. 2 returning receiver, but he also returned two kicks for touchdowns in 2011, joining two other Big 12 returners who duplicated that feat last season.

5. Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State: Knott was outplayed by teammate A.J. Klein last season, but not by much. Knott was also playing through injuries. He's a superior talent, and like Klein, there's no arguing with his production. He's made 244 tackles in the past two seasons.

6. Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State: Randle is the Big 12's leading returning rusher and should see an increased workload from his 208 carries last season. He turned those into 24 touchdowns to come three short of the Big 12 record.

7. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State: Brown's one of the league's most impressive freak athletes, a cruise missile of a linebacker who doesn't miss tackles in the open field and gets there faster than any true linebacker in the league. (You nickelbacks don't count.)

8. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Vaccaro's the most versatile talent on a loaded Texas defense, and as a roaming nickelback, offenses must account for where he is on every snap. He's also got a case as the hardest hitter in the Big 12.

9. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas: Who has two last names and is the Big 12's returning sack leader? This guy. His 8.5 sacks were 1.5 more than any other returner in the Big 12, and he made four more tackles for loss (17) than any other returner, too.

10. Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia: Bailey's a more traditional receiver in WVU's offense and he's taken advantage. He's the league's leading returning receiver and offers the Mountaineers a steady, dangerous target with sure hands who will help make WVU arguably the league's most dangerous offense.

Wow, what an ordeal. And I know a lot about suffering, because I work out. A lot. I think we have a clip.

• Florida State to the Big 12? Where were the Seminoles during the West Virginia/Louisville debate, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• Former Seminoles coaching legend Bobby Bowden says FSU should stay in the ACC.
• Are you ready to see the WVU Mountaineer and Dana Holgorsen in an ESPN commercial? You better be.
• West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck isn't leaving for Stanford, reports Mitch Vingle of the Charleston Gazette. To do so, the Mountaineers had to get pretty creative.
• If you missed it, here's RG3's appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
• Have y'all heard anything about this? Baylor's having a crazy year after being not very good at the major sports for a very long time.
• All of a sudden, the Big 12 looks quite attractive, writes Mike Finger of the Houston Chronicle.
• An Athlon panel weighs in: Is Geno Smith the best QB in the Big 12?

NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. broke down his top-five prospects at each position among juniors and seniors entering the 2013 draft.

You'll need ESPN Insider to see both (here are the juniors) (and here are the seniors), but here's a taste of what you can find among the seniors.

Quarterbacks

• No. 3: Landry Jones, Oklahoma
• No. 5: Geno Smith, West Virginia

Fullbacks

• No. 1: Braden Wilson, Kansas State

Receivers

• No. 2: Terrance Williams, Baylor
• No. 4: Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Offensive tackles

• No. 5: Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas

Centers

• No. 5: Ben Habern, Oklahoma

Inside linebackers

• No. 3: Arthur Brown, Kansas State

Cornerbacks

• No. 5: Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma

Punters

• No. 2: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

2011 overall record: 10-3

2011 conference record: 5-2

Returning starters: Offense (8), Defense (6), P/K (2)

Top returners: QB Geno Smith, WR Stedman Bailey, WR Tavon Austin, RB Dustin Garrison, RB Shawne Alston, S Darwin Cook, S Terence Garvin

Key losses: DE Bruce Irvin, LB Najee Goode, DE Julian Miller, S Eain Smith, CB Keith Tandy

2011 statistical leaders (*returners):

Rushing: Dustin Garrison* (742 yards)

Passing: Geno Smith* (4,385 yards)

Receiving: Stedman Bailey* (1,279 yards)

Tackles: Najee Goode (87)

Sacks: Bruce Irvin (8)

Interceptions: Keith Tandy (4)

Three spring answers

1. A clear defensive vision: Jeff Casteel packed up for Arizona and rejoined former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez in Tucson. He took the 3-3-5 with him. On the way to the Big 12, coach Dana Holgorsen went away from the defense that made a name for the Mountaineers. Now, he's got co-defensive coordinators Keith Patterson and Joe DeForest getting his team ready to utilize a 3-4 with a pass rush built to confuse and fluster Big 12 quarterbacks.

2. Wealth overflows at receiver: Bailey and Austin make a great case for being the Big 12's No. 1 and 2 receivers entering the 2012 season, but now true freshman Jordan Thompson adds even more depth to the position. He provides another target for Smith.

3. No worries on offense: WVU is already one of the most productive offenses, and any doubt was eliminated during a quiet spring in West Virginia before one of the most anticipated seasons in school history. The passing game should be fine, but Shawne Alston filled in well for Garrison, who was out this spring after seriously spraining a knee during practices for the Orange Bowl.

Three fall questions:

1. Can the Mountaineers handle the heat? West Virginia is no stranger to big games. Its played LSU and Auburn in recent years and is 3-0 on the BCS stage. Can WVU handle the week-to-week grind of the Big 12 and difficult venues every week? The step up from the Big East won't be as great as TCU's from the Mountain West, but it's still going to be more difficult. WVU was the only Big East team ranked in the top 25 for most of the 2011 season. Six Big 12 teams will likely be ranked in the preseason.

2. How explosive is this offense in Year 2? Holgorsen can work some magic with his offense, and he'll have lots and lots of toys in 2012. Brandon Weeden didn't get a second year with the offensive wizard, but Holgorsen has high hopes for special talents in Smith and Austin, two players he can't complement enough. Is West Virginia the best offense in its new conference?

3. A clear vision, but will it work? West Virginia recruited to build a 3-3-5 scheme, but it'll try and piece together the 3-4 in a defense that lost its top three pass-rushers from 2011. Holgorsen knows what he wants to do schematically on defense, but there's certainly reason to doubt whether it can handle the huge jump in quality of offenses from the Big East to the Big 12.

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen could list plenty of advantages of leaving the Big East for the Big 12.

The Mountaineers will be cashing bigger checks. They'll cash in on fan excitement for newer, big-name opponents making their way to Morgantown, too.

But for Holgorsen, what excites him most is making sure his players get a chance to be recognized for their efforts as deserved.

"Having guys like Tavon Austin and Geno [Smith] be in front of that many more eyes, they’ll get the credit they deserve if they can produce and win football games," Holgorsen said.

West Virginia played each of its 13 games in 2011 on television, but the television exposure gap between the Big East and Big 12 is large.

"We understand the exposure, although it was limited to the Northeast," Holgorsen said. "The thing that I’m excited about for West Virginia, and not only football but basketball and the university and the state is the Big 12 is viewed West Coast to East Coast because of the time zone."

The Big East can put games on TV, but as a league that's struggled to consistently field top-25 teams in recent years, it can't make fans watch.

One game in 2011 influenced public opinion about West Virginia more than any other. When people think West Virginia in 2011, the lasting image will be its 70-point explosion in the Orange Bowl win over Clemson.

That's closer to what West Virginia can expect in the Big 12, versus its weekly viewing audience in the Big East.

Today, we'll kick off a new series on the Big 12 Blog pegging the single player each team in the Big 12 can't afford to lose. He's also the player that will be most responsible for the team's ultimate success. We'll start from the bottom of the alphabet for this one. First up, those 'Eers out East.

Most indispensable player: QB Geno Smith

2011 stats: Completed 346-of-526 passes (65.8 percent) for 4,385 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Why West Virginia can't afford to lose him: Geno's simply the man who makes it all go for West Virginia. You'll see a lot of quarterbacks on this list from the Big 12, and Smith has arguably the league's top receiving corps, but it's his decision-making and arm that hold the offense together. Like many others, he blew up in his first year in Dana Holgorsen's offense, throwing for 1,600 more yards than his sophomore season in 2010. Despite throwing the ball nearly 150 more times, Smith still threw just seven interceptions in 2011, the exact same he threw in 2010. He's efficient, smart and does exactly what Holgorsen's offense is designed to do: get the ball in the hands of his playmakers. In Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey alone, Smith has plenty. That's not even considering the solid depth WVU has in the rest of its receiving corps.

Paul Millard would be Smith's backup, but there's no question, Smith has to stay healthy. Without him, WVU would go from a Big 12 title contender to what's likely a middling eight-win team. Heisman voters know that, too. If Smith puts up more big numbers in 2012 and WVU wins 11 or so games, Smith's going to be a very, very serious candidate for the most hallowed individual award in sports.

Dana Holgorsen is the only Big 12 coach entering his second year at the helm, and it should be an intriguing one.

He has a good team and he's bringing his new team into his old league, the Big 12.

The biggest need he has? Improving the running game , writes colleague Ryan McGee.

Now back in the land of his offensive ancestry -- the Big 12 -- Holgerson has just closed his first spring feeling like the program is actually his to do with it what he wants to do with it. Believe it or not, the offense should be able to finally move into the overdrive that Holgerson wants it to use.

Despite losing eight starters on offense, much will be expected of a unit that tended to get bogged down in the early stages of 2011. Why? Because Geno Smith is back at quarterback, his second season in the system. Now the 'Neers need someone to step in as a true featured back. That could be Shawne Alston, the '11 goal line specialist who got most of the spring touches with injured Dustin Garrison on the sideline.

You'll need ESPN Insider to see the rest of what McGee has to say, but what else does Holgorsen have to do to weather the 2012 season and return to the BCS?

Everybody, the Kentucky Derby is tomorrow!

Sorry, I can't do it. I really can't stand horse racing. Alas, our boys on the Big Ten blog handicapped the league title race, and for those of you who do like horse racing, here's how I'd slot the Big 12 if all 10 teams were making the nervous walk to the track right now.

We'll take it from the top.

Oklahoma: 8-to-1 odds

As I've written before, this thing is wide open, and nobody's going to walk into the 2012 season feeling too confident about their chances. That said, Oklahoma has the closest thing to a truly complete team. The Sooners have an experienced quarterback with lots of weapons around him at the skill positions, along with a solid offensive line. OU's defense should be one of the league's best, and the Sooners have been in this position plenty of times. They are a narrow favorite in a loaded Big 12, but the Sooners have enough upside to sneak into the national title game, too.

Kansas State: 10-to-1

Deep down, I don't think I truly believe Kansas State is the Big 12's second-best team (WVU), but I do believe in Bill Snyder, and the Wildcats have very, very few variables. That's a far cry from the two new teams in the league, who both have huge questions on defense and bigger questions about their ability to handle a more difficult schedule. That considered, there's no doubt in my mind Kansas State has the second-best chance to take home the league title. Kansas State is the little engine that could -- that keeps on chugging, seemingly oblivious to the spread offenses all around it.

West Virginia: 12-to-1

Speaking of high-powered offenses, West Virginia might well have the best in the entire Big 12. It's loaded at receiver and running back, and Geno Smith might be the best quarterback in the league. He'll get a chance to prove it this fall. In the meantime, WVU's got to make sure its defense is ready to give its offense a chance to outscore folks across the Big 12.

TCU: 15-to-1

TCU has plenty of question marks on a depleted defense without projected starters, but its offense will be as good as any in the Big 12. The Horned Frogs still can't answer their biggest question -- How will they handle the jump from non-AQ to a major conference? -- until they actually do it. TCU's floor seems pretty high, but can it actually win the Big 12 in its first season?

Texas: 15-to-1

Texas has the most upside of any team in the Big 12, but 2012 seems more likely as a set up for a title run in 2013. It's hard to see Texas running the table or going 11-1, but if the top of the league gets muddled and 9-3 is good enough to win the league? These Longhorns will be physical mudders. Pray for losses raining down on everybody, UT fans. There's nobody in the Big 12 Texas can't beat, but does it have enough offense to beat them all?

Oklahoma State: 20-to-1

Oklahoma State's defense, an underrated unit in 2011, will be much better, and its running backs will be some of the best in the league. Emerging weapons like Josh Stewart, Blake Jackson and Charlie Moore will make names for themselves in 2012, but how far can OSU really get with a true freshman at quarterback? Look out for OSU and Texas in 2013, though.

Baylor: 45-to-1

Aaaaand here's your big drop-off from the legitimate Big 12 title contenders. Baylor's a good team. It might even be a borderline top 25 team. But the Big 12 is so, so stacked at the top. You don't win 10 games, lose a Heisman winner, the Big 12's leading rusher and receiver, and then go win the Big 12. I'd be pretty surprised if Baylor didn't make a bowl game, though.

Texas Tech: 55-to-1

Tech wants to prove it's back, but find me a spot where Tech is better than Baylor. The quarterbacks are close, and Seth Doege's been better when he's played, but Nick Florence is due for a big year at Baylor. Tech's focus for now needs to be staying healthy and getting back into bowl games, not fighting for a Big 12 title.

Iowa State: 75-to-1

Iowa State might sneak into a bowl game again, too. They're good enough. This is still a team that's come pretty close to maxing out its talent the past few seasons and won seven games twice. That's legitimately impressive, but not anything close to Big 12 title contention. This season's team should be solid, though. The battle between Baylor, Tech and Iowa State to grab the last bowl bid or two is going to be really heated.

Kansas: 125-to-1

Charlie Weis has made some nice moves to get KU moving in the right direction, but if the Jayhawks go from 2-10 to Big 12 champs, I'll get a three-foot tattoo of a Jayhawk on my chest. That's a promise.

HeismanPundit's already talked Big 12 Heisman candidates, but how many are legitimate candidates when it comes to the national scene?

He pegged four from the Big 12.

The more I see of Geno Smith, the more I like his chances. Call me crazy, but I think there's a case to be made for Big East defenses being better than Big 12 defenses. West Virginia may tell us for sure next season. I may take Geno as the favorite from the Big 12.

Landry Jones checks in as one more from Chris Huston's list of the top 18 prospects. He's my No. 2 or 3 in the Big 12, behind Smith.

Collin Klein could be No. 2 or 3 as well, and he makes Huston's list, too. Ultimately, the games will tell us who's better.

Tavon Austin is the fourth player on the list. He may be the most dangerous player in the Big 12, and could make it to New York for the ceremony, but no way is he better than Michael Crabtree or Justin Blackmon, who didn't get very close to winning the best individual award in college sports.

How would you rank the Big 12 prospects? Did Huston miss anyone?

Thanks for all the questions in today's chat. It was one of the most fun in awhile. Here's the full transcript.

Got more to say? Reach me here.

Time for some highlights from today's chat.

Nick (Ames): Heard anything on the QB situation here? Steele Jantz looked real good in the spring game but Barnett lead the Cyclones down the stretch last year. High expectations here for this season!

David Ubben: Yeah, I still think Barnett is the guy for ISU. The difference is negligible, but the Cyclones need to keep building for the future. The 2012 team won't be all that different either way, but if you play Barnett, the 2013 team gets a whole lot better, without a doubt. That has to be taken into consideration. My expectations aren't too high, but ISU's going to be a good team. That said, it seems to me like the Big 12's depth is going to make it really difficult for the Cyclones to crack a bowl game.

Justin (Stillwater, OK): 41 wins in 4 years for an OSU program that has never experienced that much success. Give us your 3 keys to sustain that success over the next several years. Record wise, what would you consider to be a successful season next year for the Cowboys?

David Ubben: 1) Above all, make sure you have a QB and at least one more (preferably two) preparing to take over. 2) Keep instilling the idea that OSU can't do this without developing players and working. They're never going to bring in top 10 recruiting classes annually. 3) Give Mike Gundy everything he wants. As for this year, success would be probably nine wins.

W (Anaheim): D - What are the odds K-State repeats as the State of Texas football champs?

David Ubben: Not great. But here's hoping the Cats make "Back to Back Texas State Champs" shirts if they repeat.

David (Somewhere in Sooner Nation): I know it's highly unlikely, but let's say that OU runs the table in the Big 12, USC runs the table in the Pac 12, someone runs the table in the Big 10, and ditto on the SEC. Other than being a perfect argument for a 4 team playoff, who gets left out?

David Ubben: Ouch, that's tough. USC and the SEC team would probably play, for the simple reason that they started higher in the polls. It would depend on what each team's strength of schedule shook out to, but if it was close, the preseason polls would hold. Sad, but true.

Miles (Austin, TX): Do you think Texas can win the Big 12 with its new offensive identity? How about the SEC as it is more in the power run style that the horns are running now?

David Ubben: Yes. Its defense is going to be absolutely nasty. If they run it as well as they think they'll be able to by next year or so, Texas should be very, very scary.

Jason (Tyler): Are Coach Brown and Coach Stoops still by far the top 2 coaches in the Big 12 or are Coach Gundy and Coach Snyder catching up?

David Ubben: You could easily make the case Snyder is better than all of them. Gundy is knocking on the door of the nation's elite for sure. Big 12 lost a really good one in Pinkel, too. He was just behind Gundy in my book.

State43 (Iowa State): Have you been to a Big 12 game at your Father's Alma Mater yet in your capacity as Big12 Blogger? We would love to have you and will treat you like family.

David Ubben: Ha, I haven't as Big 12 blogger, but I've been to games there twice. Would have loved to have seen the field stormings last year vs. Iowa and Oklahoma State. Keep winning, Clones. I'll be there soon.

Curtis (Dallas): Percentage that everything can fall right and Texas can will the Big 12 this year? Percentage for 2013?

David Ubben: Eight percent. 37 percent.

Coty (WV): Best Football/Basketball school in Big12?

David Ubben: I mean, there's no question it has to be Baylor in 2011-12, right? It's not really even close.

Tony (Richmond, CA): Geno Smith is receiving most of the preseason love for 1st team All Big XII. Do you think the offseason work Landry Jones has put in with George Whitfield is enough to tighten up his footwork, leading him to a monster senior year, and first team honors?

David Ubben: That race will be really, really interesting. I'll have to do a lot of thinking on my ballot. I probably lean Geno for now, but man, I could see that vote getting split and them sharing first-team honors.

John (Tulsa, OK): Ubbernator. Does Lunt win the starting job in Stillwater? He seems to have the most long-term upside.

David Ubben: I don't know what to think anymore. I've talked myself into all three guys. For now, I'm sticking with my pick of Walsh.

Miss the new guys' spring game on Saturday? No worries, we've got you covered.

What happened:

• Quarterback Geno Smith completed 23 of 29 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
• Receiver Tavon Austin caught five passes for 47 yards. Receiver Stedman Bailey caught three passes for 51 yards and a 45-yard touchdown, which cracked No. 7 on ESPN's Top Ten plays on Saturday night.
• Terrence Gourdine had a game-high 118 yards on three catches with an 82-yard catch and run from Smith.
• Redshirt freshman Isaiah Bruce had a game-high eight tackles.
• True freshman Jordan Thompson had a game-high eight receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
• Reserve freshman quarterback Ford Childress did not play after a DUI arrest last week.

What we learned:

• There wasn't much to learn about the offense, but it's good to see Thompson find his spot in the unit. He's got lots of promise. I wrote about him after my visit to Morgantown and look at the Mountaineers, and he could definitely mature into the next Tavon Austin.
• The new 3-4 defense debuted, but I still think it's too early to get any real read on what we can expect come fall. Coach Dana Holgorsen wasn't pleased at the offense's turnovers, but in a zero-sum game like a spring game, he's got to be at least somewhat pleased with Keith Patterson and Joe DeForest's unit. "To sum it up, we’re about 33 percent into how we’re going to look before we play our first game. Our depth isn’t very good right now, but that will change after we’re able to evaluate everyone."
• Spring games are fun for teams with lots of turnover, but there's not much on offense for WVU. Defensively, there's lots in the front seven and a whole scheme change, but when the changes are that wide ranging, there's still a lot that's going to change by fall.

They said it:

-- Holgorsen, on the spring game

"Coach DeForest has simplified the defense for us, and he just keeps sayingthat as long as I listen to him and the coaches that we will just be a great defense overall. I don’t everlook at it as being an individual but as a unit, and our defense has continued to improve."

-- Defensive back Matt Moro, on the defense

Kevin Garnett helped me move once. Kevin Costner cooked me dinner after a bad breakup. Kevin Sorbo introduced me to his podiatrist.

• Big 12 expansion is still a possibility, says TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte. “Once a commissioner and television contract are finalized, then you take a deep breath and look at all the possibilities out there. You could remain at 10 or you could expand," he said.
• Here's your must-see video of the day. Charlie Weis is trying to teach his team how to do everything, including celebrate a win. He goes on a very frank rant, and Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star has video of the whole entertaining exchange. Dodd also updates one of the Big 12's best Cinderella stories: Kansas linebacker Steven Johnson is hoping to be drafted.
• Bob Stoops isn't happy, and believes his quarterback, Landry Jones, doesn't get the recognition he deserves.
• Austin Meek of the Topeka-Capital Journal has more from the 6 a.m. practice open to media.
• SI.com's Peter King says this year's NFL draft is a flashback to 1998, with two franchise quarterbacks at the top.
• RG3 isn't in Washington D.C. yet, but he's already having an impact on the franchise and its fans, writes SI.com's Don Banks.
• West Virginia backup quarterback Ford Childress, 18, was arrested for driving under the influence, and a preliminary breath test revealed a blood alcohol content of .189.
• Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News examines an alternate universe in which Texas AD DeLoss Dodds hired all the wrong coaches.
• TCU fans and teams will save a whole lot of money on travel in the Big 12.
• Oklahoma State is playing the name game with its "spring game," writes Gina Mizell of The Oklahoman.
• Dallas' mayor and Texas AD DeLoss Dodds met to discuss the Red River Rivalry in the city.
• West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith opens up about why his practice reps have been limited this spring practice.
• The Fort Worth Star-Telegram wants to know what you think about TCU's new uniforms.
• Here's another look at the work the Texas Tech football team did to aid tornado victims in Lancaster, Texas.
• TCU sold 22,000 season tickets last season. It has 15,700 so far this year, and is shooting for a school-record 30,000.
• Former Texas center Dallas Griffin is battling MS, but Tully Corcoran of Fox Sports explains Griffin's hobby to help stay positive.
• Rowan Kavner of the Dallas Morning News breaks down TCU's offensive line this year.

The spring is nearing its end with just a little over a week remaining for some.

Oklahoma State and West Virginia will wrap up their spring practices this weekend. Until then, it's time to break down where we stand in the quarterback competitions around the league.

Baylor: Bears coach Art Briles said it was Nick Florence's job to lose entering the spring, and Florence did nothing to let Briles down. Instead, he seized the job ahead of talented backup Bryce Petty, who has a bright future ahead of himself. Florence gave up his redshirt last season by playing the second half against Texas Tech, but he'll try to make his senior season count. For now, this is his team.

Iowa State: Nothing's been settled after Iowa State's spring game last Saturday. Steele Jantz got back into the race when Jared Barnett struggled in the bowl game, and the competition was too close to call at the end of spring. ISU coach Paul Rhoads even said redshirt freshman Sam Richardson isn't out of the race. Former QB Jerome Tiller is, though. He was in the four-man competition last spring, which Jantz eventually won, but missed the season because of academic issues. He's a receiver now, and doing well at the position.

Kansas: Charlie Weis brought in his guy, Dayne Crist, from Notre Dame, and last year's starter, Jordan Webb, transferred. Crist has entrenched himself as the starter midway through spring practice, which ends with the spring game on April 28. BYU transfer Jake Heaps is taking reps with the second team now, but he'll be phased out in the fall while he sits out his NCAA-mandated redshirt season after transferring.

Kansas State: Collin Klein is still developing as a passer, but he is K-State's offense. Moving on ...

Oklahoma: Landry Jones returned for his senior season, but with a healthy set of running backs, the Belldozer, a power formation named after big-bodied backup Blake Bell, may be phased out this season. Bell, though, showcased his arm in the spring game and outperformed the older Drew Allen. The backup QB race should be interesting to watch this fall.

Oklahoma State: Coach Mike Gundy really wanted to name a starter by the end of spring, but it doesn't look likely to happen. No quarterback has established any distance, but they'll have a huge chance in Saturday's spring game. For now, true freshman Wes Lunt is still in the race, though dual-threat man J.W. Walsh may be the favorite ahead of junior Clint Chelf, who has some game experience the past two seasons. This is the league's best race, but also its most difficult to predict. Just about anything could happen.

Texas: Coach Mack Brown isn't making anything official, but sophomore David Ash was getting nearly all the first-team reps in the spring, ahead of Case McCoy. There's no official title yet, but there would be major shock if anyone but Ash starts the season opener. Now, if Ash struggles...

TCU: Casey Pachall had a great first year, and brings back his top three targets in Josh Boyce, Skye Dawson and Brandon Carter. The sky is the limit for Pachall.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders' staff liked what Seth Doege did as a first-year starter, but the defense and injuries to his offense put too much strain on him in 2011. He'll look a lot better if his receivers and running backs can stay healthy.

West Virginia: Geno Smith may be the league's best quarterback, and coach Dana Holgorsen can't quit calling him "special." That's not to say he should. It could be a special season for him and the Mountaineers as they join the Big 12.