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I've done it. You've done it.

"Hey, is that guy still around?"

Even with two fewer teams, it's hard to keep track. Our next series, which we did last year, too, takes a look at two key players for every team in the league who are taking their talents elsewhere, returning to campus, or arriving to try to write a legacy of their own.

So really, this series isn't so much for the fans of the teams in the posts, but more for everyone else. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bookmark these.

Today, we wrap up the series with the Bears of Waco.

Going:

Jay Finley, RB

Finley emerged as a huge threat for the Bears running game, ending the season as one of the Big 12's most underrated talents. He rushed for 1,218 yards -- fourth in the Big 12 -- and 12 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Corsicana, Texas, native battled back from an injury-plagued 2009 season to stake a claim as one of the Big 12's best, leaving Baylor with a big hole to fill after being drafted in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Danny Watkins, LT

Watkins was a constant for two seasons at left tackle for the Bears, and had one of the most interesting stories of any player in the Big 12. A former fireman from British Columbia, Canada, Watkins first took up football at junior college in California, and after just a few years playing the game, became a first-round pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's the third first-round pick in three years for Baylor and coach Art Briles. Jason Smith went No. 2 overall in 2010 and teammate Phil Taylor was drafted in the first round in 2011.

Staying:

Robert Griffin III, QB

Griffin answered any questions about lingering effects from his 2009 knee injury, returning as a better quarterback than ever and leading Baylor to its first bowl game since 1994, ending a maddening streak. He threw for 3,501 yards, 22 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while running for 635 yards and eight scores. The Bears have bigger things in mind for 2011 than last year's 7-6 finish, and if they're going to get there, Griffin will be the guy to take them.

Kendall Wright, WR

Wright returns as Griffin's top target after catching 78 balls for 952 yards and seven scores in 2010. He's been the Bears' top receiver during all three of his seasons on the field, and don't look for that to change in 2011, even with the likely rise of Josh Gordon, a bigger target. Wright is just 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, but though he's unlikely to jump over many defenders, he'll run past most. The speedy big-play receiver is apt to beat defenses deep for the big play.

Coming:

Spencer Drango, OT

Drango was the nation's No. 14 offensive tackle and the Bears' top prospect in the 2011 class. The offensive line looks fairly set for this year, so don't look for the 6-foot-6, 264-pounder to contribute right away, but he'll add good depth and learn behind a good line in 2011.

Phil Bennett, defensive coordinator

Baylor's freshman class didn't have a lot of headline makers, but Bennett made a few by coming to Waco after engineering a top 10 defense at Pittsburgh last season. The coaching veteran has been the head man at SMU and made stops at Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and LSU before landing on Art Briles' staff. Briles made a big effort to bring Bennett in, and we'll see how fast he can shape up a defense that needed a lot of help in 2010.

Click here for more from The Revolving Door.

A year ago, Danny Watkins was selected fourth overall in the Canadian Football League draft by the British Columbia Lions.

After this weekend, it's clear the Lions wasted their first-round pick. Watkins stuck around Baylor for his senior year, and on Thursday night, was selected 23rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, one of two Bears first-rounders this year.

But according to Baylor, he's not the first player to pull the double dip.

Back in 1986, Mike Schad of Queen's University in Ontario was drafted fourth overall by Ottawa. He was also selected with the 23rd pick of the NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. (For our younger readers, yes, L.A. did have an NFL team once. Two of 'em, in fact. Now, they have to settle for USC being the only pro football team in town.)

Quite the coincidence that both players were selected with the same picks in both drafts: fourth in the CFL and 23rd in the NFL.

Watkins can't begin his career until the NFL lockout is lifted, but he'll do so as just the fourth Canadian first-round NFL draft pick ever.

Schad was the first. Famed offensive line bust Tony Mandarich is still the nation's highest pick ever after being selected second overall by the Green Bay Packers in 1989.

The Carolina Panthers selected Michigan running back Tim Biakabutuka with the sixth overall pick in the 1998 draft.

Watkins, a 26-year-old British Columbia native, was pegged by some as the most NFL-ready of the draft-eligible linemen. Here's a bit more on the humorous circumstances surrounding his selection.

Before Art Briles' arrival, Baylor hadn't had a first-round pick in the Big 12 era. After Phil Taylor and Watkins were drafted this year, the Bears have had three in three years. Offensive lineman Jason Smith went No. 2 overall in the 2009 draft.

The last time Texas and Oklahoma didn't have a first-round pick?

That was 1998.

The following year, Kansas State and Texas A&M battled for the Big 12 title, with the Aggies earning a berth in the Sugar Bowl.

Every year since, the Sooners or Longhorns have played for a Big 12 title -- winning nine of 12 championships -- and at least one program had a first-rounder the following April.

That streak ended on Thursday night. In a new 10-team Big 12, could we see a new champion come fall? Texas or Oklahoma have won every Big 12 title since 2004.

Oklahoma will be a tough out next year, likely to open the season atop the polls. Next year, they're sure to have at least one first-round pick, and perhaps more. Texas struggled to a 5-7 season in 2010 and will start anew with a handful of fresh faces on the coaching staff in 2011.

But Oklahoma and Texas aside, it's impossible to ignore the rise that other programs in the Big 12 have experienced, culminating in a historic night for three programs.

Excusing Texas' last season, this year's first round is more about Big 12 programs building something big than Oklahoma or Texas eroding.

Want to give your program added credibility? Draft picks are second only to wins in doing so. Nights like these schools had will pay off on the recruiting trail in the future.

Baylor topped the list, adding its second and third first-round picks in Big 12 history. Before Jason Smith in 2009, the Bears hadn't had one. The last time two players from the program were picked in the first round in the same year? 1957.

Phil Taylor and Danny Watkins both were drafted earlier than projected, with Taylor headed to the Cleveland Browns and Watkins the Philadelphia Eagles. Along the way, Watkins provided one of the night's signature moments when his five Canadian firefighter buddies cheered him on from the stands with Watkins pointing in their direction from the stage.

Missouri is further along in its own rise, adding a pair of top 10 picks after having none since Justin Smith went fourth overall in 2001. Aldon Smith pulled a surprise, going seventh overall to the San Francisco 49ers, significantly earlier than most mock drafts had placed him, and shockingly, ahead of his quarterback. Blaine Gabbert followed three picks later, when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him at No. 10.

That gave the Tigers five first-round picks in three years after Smith had previously been the lone first-rounder for Mizzou since the Big 12 began in 1996.

Von Miller went No. 2 to the Denver Broncos, the Aggies first first-round pick since 2003.

Missouri's come the closest of any team in that group to a Big 12 title, reaching the Big 12 title game in 2007 and 2008, where it lost to Oklahoma.

Will either of the three teams eventually reach a Big 12 title? Who knows. But it's clear that all three programs have coaches that are getting them closer and closer.

All three teams are deeper than ever, well-equipped to weather this talent drain. Texas A&M should start the season in the top 15 and looks like a title contender. Despite losing Gabbert, Missouri is better than ever nearly everywhere else. Baylor is building on its first bowl appearance since 1994 and has a great chance to exceed its seven wins from 2010.

Texas and Oklahoma have run the Big 12 on the field for a long time. There are no guarantees in this game, but last night's draft is more evidence that their monopoly could be in jeopardy.

Five years ago, Danny Watkins was a fireman in Canada.

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles made him the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft. Five of his Canadian firefighter friends were at the draft with him, voicing their support.

Like his teammate, Phil Taylor, Watkins went higher than expected and gives the Bears two first-round picks in 2010 after having just one in Big 12 history (2009, Jason Smith).

Watkins is a solid tackle that some have called the safest pick in the draft. From the hockey rink to the fire station in Canada to junior college in California and eventually major college football in Waco, Texas, it's been quite a ride for the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder.

The next step starts in Philadelphia.

For just the second time ever, the first round of the NFL draft will be the only part of the draft's first day, set for primetime on Thursday night.

This year, the Big 12 could have as many as five first-round picks, and five players from the league are in New York for the draft.

So, let's take a look back. Since the first NFL draft of the Big 12 era, who has the most first-rounders?

Texas: 16

• 2010: S Earl Thomas, 14th overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2009: DE Brian Orakpo, 13th overall, Washington Redskins
• 2007: S Michael Griffin, 19th overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2007: CB Aaron Ross, 20th overall, New York Giants
• 2006: QB Vince Young, third overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2006: CB Michael Huff, seventh overall, Oakland Raiders
• 2005: RB Cedric Benson, fourth overall, Chicago Bears
• 2005: LB Derrick Johnson, 15th overall, Kansas City Chiefs
• 2004: WR Roy Williams, seventh overall, Detroit Lions
• 2004: DT Marcus Tubbs, 23rd overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2002: OL Mike Williams, fourth overall, Buffalo Bills
• 2002: CB Quentin Jammer, fifth overall, San Diego Chargers
• 2001: OL Leonard Davis, second overall, Arizona Cardinals
• 2001: DT Casey Hampton, 19th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 1999: RB Ricky Williams, fifth overall, New Orleans Saints
• 1997: CB Bryant Westbrook, fifth overall, Detroit Lions

Oklahoma: 12

• 2010: QB Sam Bradford, first overall, St. Louis Rams
• 2010: DT Gerald McCoy, third overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2010: OT Trent Williams, fourth overall, Washington Redskins
• 2010: TE Jermaine Gresham, 21st overall, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2007: RB Adrian Peterson, seventh overall, Minnesota Vikings
• 2006: OL Davin Joseph, 23rd overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2005: OL Jammal Brown, 13th overall, New Orleans Saints
• 2005: WR Mark Clayton, 22nd overall, Baltimore Ravens
• 2004: DT Tommie Harris, 14th overall, Chicago Bears
• 2003: CB Andre Woolfolk, 28th overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2002: S Roy Williams, eighth overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 2001: Stockar McDougle, 20th overall, Detroit Lions

Oklahoma State: 6

• 2010: OL Russell Okung, sixth overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2010: WR Dez Bryant, 24th overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 2009: TE Brandon Pettigrew, 20th overall, Detroit Lions
• 2004: WR Rashaun Woods, 31st overall, San Francisco 49ers
• 2003: DE Kevin Williams, ninth overall, Minnesota Vikings
• 1998: CB R.W. McQuarters, 28th overall, San Francisco 49ers

Missouri: 4

• 2010: LB Sean Weatherspoon, 19th overall, Atlanta Falcons
• 2009: WR Jeremy Maclin, 19th overall, Philadelphia Eagles
• 2009: DT Ziggy Hood, 32nd overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2001: DE Justin Smith, fourth overall, Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas State: 3

• 2009: QB Josh Freeman, 17th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2003: CB Terence Newman, fifth overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 1997: DB Chris Canty, 29th overall, New England Patriots

Texas A&M: 2

• 2003: DT Ty Warren, 13th overall, New England Patriots
• 2003: DB Sammy Davis, 30th overall, San Diego Chargers

Texas Tech: 1

• 2009: WR Michael Crabtree, 10th overall, San Francisco 49ers

Kansas: 1

• 2008: CB Aqib Talib, 20th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baylor: 1

• 2009: OL Jason Smith, 2nd overall, St. Louis Rams

Iowa State: none since 1973 (George Amundson)

A few thoughts and observations:

• I doubt many would be surprised that this list is also a reasonably accurate reflection of overall success since the Big 12's inception in 1996. Obviously, Texas and Oklahoma have dominated. Since 2000, Texas has the nation's fourth-most first-rounders. Oklahoma is No. 6. Their success has paralleled that, along with recruiting rankings.
• In that same breath, it's impossible to look at this list and not once again be impressed with what Mike Leach did. He obviously has the reputation as an overachiever, but looking big picture, he was able to do it with one first-round pick. Nobody beat Texas and Oklahoma more and Leach helped put together what is still the Big 12's longest bowl streak.
• Texas' consistency sticks out, too. Since just 2001, Texas has had two first-rounders in six different seasons. If you've got two first-rounders on your team, you're probably going to be pretty good. The Longhorns, if you haven't noticed, have been. Those two first-rounders in six seasons are more or as many as half the league has in the history of the Big 12. What else you should note? Texas is unlikely to have a first rounder this year, and after Aaron Williams is drafted, Sam Acho probably will be the next to go, which won't be until the third or fourth round.
• Oklahoma State and Missouri's rise over the past three seasons has paid off in the NFL draft. Missouri had three first-rounders in the last two seasons and figures to add two more this year after having just one in the 12-year history of the league before 2009. That's quite a streak, and even more proof of what Gary Pinkel has built at Missouri. One more piece of evidence? Despite losing those two first-rounders, Missouri should be back in the preseason polls next year after losing two of its top players. That's definitely something new in Columbia. The Cowboys figure to add more soon with Justin Blackmon at least. As long as Pinkel and Gundy are at the helm for their respective programs, expect them to continue to rise.
• Don't be surprised by Texas A&M's swoon following R.C. Slocum's departure. From 1990-1998, the Aggies won nine games every season but one. From 1990-96, the Aggies had eight first-round picks. Since 1998? Two seasons with at least nine wins and just two first-round picks.
• More evidence you can't underestimate the importance of having first-round picks? None for Baylor in the history of the Big 12 before Art Briles. In just three years, Briles may have three if the Bears add two more this year with Phil Taylor and Danny Watkins. Taylor and Watkins both came from unlikely sources. Taylor was a Penn State transfer and Watkins a juco transfer that formerly worked as a fireman in Canada.

WACO, Texas -- Baylor practiced for about two hours in full pads on Tuesday, the second practice in two days after a week-long intermission for spring break. It was their fifth of 15 spring workouts.

The big story at Baylor on the field is the progress of its defense. And based on the early returns, it has a good ways to go. Most of the practice was spent in team drills, both in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11. They were constantly beat over the middle, on the outside and over the top and running backs gashed the defense in the middle.

Keep in mind, however, that the Bears' offense has been at it awhile and is also one of the Big 12's best. The defense under Phil Bennett is in practice No. 5. The depth chart is still fluid, and every player on the roster is getting a chance to run with the first or second team at some point, according to Bennett. That accounts for some of the mistakes, surely. Their work is clearly cut out for them, but they've got the rest of spring and fall camp to make it happen. The talent and athletic ability are there, and the only guys getting beat physically were the corners. Most of the other mistakes looked like mental ones that Bennett and new linebackers coach Jim Gush were animatedly trying to correct throughout the practice.

For now, it looks like there's a lot more thinking than playing going on, but that's to be expected five practices in. I'll be writing more about the defense on Friday, but I do think Baylor fans can take some encouragement in the progress made in just one season by Texas A&M. The Baylor coaches I talked to aren't so sure about that comparison, but it could happen. Texas A&M's defense in 2009 was a lot worse than Baylor's in 2010.

A few other observations:

• Robert Griffin III continues to throw one of the league's most accurate deep balls. He was on all practice. It's probably not too encouraging how often guys were wide open, but don't worry about him regressing in 2011. If the defense helps the Bears win a few more games and they get to 8-10 wins, don't count out Griffin as a possible Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. No team in the Big 12 is more reliant on one guy to do so much, but he fills those duties well. The defense couldn't contain him as a runner, either. He's made a lot of progress in his zone read fake. At least a few times he had the defense completely shifted to cover the running back while he went the other way for a 3-on-2 with his receivers blocking corners on the outside and safeties committed to the running back, who didn't have the ball.
• Former left tackle Danny Watkins was back on campus. The likely first- or second-rounder in next month's draft took in the practice, and his presence, along with others who preceded him in heading to the NFL, is a welcome sight. "Everybody wants to go pro, but the reality is, a very, very small percentage of guys do go pro," Griffin said. "So when you see Danny, Phil [Taylor], [No. 2 pick in 2009] Jason [Smith], guys that have been up there even since I've been here, it's great. You see them up there. There we are, guys. We can make it. There's nothing holding us back. If you help this team win, it makes all of us shine and it helps all of our chances at making it."
• Former blue-chip recruit Ahmad Dixon looks like he's progressing nicely. I like his chances at winning a starting spot this year. He practiced a bit during 11-on-11 drills at nickel back, and looked like a good fit, but he also looks like he's got a nose for the ball that makes a great safety. On at least three occasions, he went around a receiver to slap a ball away without making too much contact that would draw a flag.
• Heads up for Josh Gordon. I'll be writing about him for Friday as well, but I didn't realize just how big he was until I got a good look at him up close on Tuesday. I thought he was a bit lankier just from seeing him come onto the scene this year, but he only had one catch as a freshman and I get a chance to see him up close during the season. My original thought couldn't have been further from the truth. He comes in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, compared to Jeff Fuller at Texas A&M, who is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. Griffin had a lot of interesting stuff to say about him. He feels really comfortable throwing him a jump ball in the red zone after last year. Fuller made his big leap with his first 1,000-yard season as a junior last year. Gordon is a junior this year. With a year of real experience in Baylor's offense behind him, we might see a similar breakout year from the big guy in 2011. Among actual contributors from last year, no receivers in the league are bigger than Fuller and Gordon.
• Other guys to watch: wide receiver Darius Jones and running back Terrance Ganaway. Most know Ganaway as the guy who picked up that onside kick and ran it back for a touchdown against Texas Tech while a few Red Raiders loitered nearby. This year he's competing for a starting job with Jarred Salubi. I think they'll end up splitting carries, but Ganaway's got quite a bit of pop to him. He was running people over and seeing the way Big 12 teams defending big backs in bowl games last year, that could be a pretty valuable asset to have. Everybody in the league seems to have a back like Salubi. Not many have one like the 6-foot, 240-pound Ganaway, who's got decent speed, too. Jones, meanwhile, is a burner. He caught just two balls last year, but he was everywhere on Tuesday. Maybe it was just one good practice, but he was getting open in the slot, open behind the linebackers and in front of safeties over the middle, and burning guys deep. Griffin already has a ton of established weapons in Kendall Wright, Gordon and three other receivers who caught at least 40 balls last year, as well as a tight end with 26. Everyone but Taylor, the tight end, is back. Has he found another reliable receiver? It's pretty clear at this point: Baylor's skill position talent from top to bottom is as good as anyone else's in the country. That's a credit to Art Briles' recruiting and development. Now everything else just has to follow suit. The offensive line has been pretty good, but as I mentioned early, if the defense can it pick up, it could turn Baylor into a real contender.
• I can confirm that after a year in the program, the other Robert Griffin goes by "Big Griff" and Robert Griffin III goes by "Griff."
• Kendall Wright, by the way, has let his hair grow out and is sporting a solid, sizable afro. Two thumbs up from this blogger.

Baylor believed in offensive tackle Danny Watkins' potential. Now, so does Canada.

The British Columbia Lions selected Watkins, a senior-to-be, with the fourth overall pick in the CFL draft on Sunday.

Watkins became a JUCO All-American at Butte (Calif.) College before coming to Baylor, after he didn't play high school football. Of course, the British Columbia native played hockey. Before playing football in California, he was working as a fireman in his native country.

Now, even if the NFL doesn't come calling for the 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman, he can go back home to continue his career.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected in the CFL draft,” Watkins said in a release. “It’s definitely an exciting time for me and I’m anxious to see what awaits as I head into my senior year here at Baylor.”

Watkins was named to the Lombardi Award watch list last week, and is gearing up for his second season starting for the Bears.

Watkins is the second player from the Big 12 in two years to be selected in the draft, which is six rounds long and 48 total picks. Last year, Kansas safety Tang Bacheyie was drafted, also by the Lions, in the fourth round. Bacheyie is a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Before that, no player from the conference had been picked since 2003, when Nebraska defensive tackle and Zaire native Patrick Kabongo was drafted in the third round by Edmonton Eskimos.

To go along with our look at the past decade in the Big 12, I'll also be releasing my own all-decade team for each Big 12 school.

I'll do four each day, starting with Baylor.

Along with my all-decade team, I'll also pick an offensive and defensive player of the decade, the top coach and the most memorable moment for each Big 12 school.

First will be Baylor.

OFFENSE:

QB: Robert Griffin

RB: Rashad Armstrong

RB: Brandon Whitaker

WR: Dominque Ziegler

WR: Kendall Wright

WR: Reggie Newhouse

OL: Jason Smith

OL: Don Gay

OL: Greg Jerman

OL: Will Blaylock

C: J.D. Walton

DEFENSE:

DL: Khari Long

DL: Jason Lamb

DL: Marcus Foreman

DL: Ethan Kelly

LB: Joe Pawelek

LB: John Garrett

LB: A.C. Collier

DB: Jordan Lake

DB: Willie Andrews

DB: Gary Baxter

DB: C.J. Wilson

P: Daniel Sepulveda

K: Ryan Havens

KR: Robert Quiroga

Offensive player of the decade: Robert Griffin. Spectacular player who won the award with barely a season of production.

Defensive player of the decade: Joe Pawelek. Most consistent Baylor defensive player of his era.

Coach of the decade: Art Briles. Had the Bears pointed to their first bowl game before Griffin's 2009 injury. He'll break that streak before too long.

Moment of the decade: Shawn Bell's overtime touchdown pass and dramatic two-point pass to Dominique Ziegler led the Bears to a wild 35-34 victory over Texas A&M in 2004, snapping an 18-game winless streak to the Aggies.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

It was a debut that couldn’t have gone much worse.

Robert Griffin hoped to lead Baylor’s first game last season against Wake Forest. Instead, he sat helplessly on the bench watching his team fall into a huge early deficit before he was ever inserted into his first college game.

After battling Kirby Freeman all summer long for playing time, Coach Art Briles went with experience with the safe choice of starting Freeman against the Demon Deacons in his first game coaching the Bears.

“Last year was very uncomfortable,” Griffin said. “There were a lot of unknowns for us. We had a new quarterback, a new coach, just a whole new philosophy and system. It was pretty tough.”

By the time Griffin entered early in the second quarter, the Demon Deacons had charged to a 17-0 lead. The freshman had a credible appearance with flashes of productivity, but it was too late as Wake claimed a decisive 41-13 victory.

Only a year later, those bad memories are in the past for the Bears as they come into the season a fashionable pick as one of the nation’s surprise teams.

Before any of that comes about, Baylor and Griffin will face an immediate challenge. Their first task in trying to change the culture of a program with the Big 12's longest bowl streak will come Saturday at Wake Forest.

The difference between now and last year’s opener is stunning, Griffin said.

“We’re a lot more confident going into this game,” Griffin said. “We know the quarterback. We know the philosophy. We know what the other team is going to try and do so we’re hoping to go out there and get a win.”

The Bears made strong progress under Griffin as the season went on. Their offense perked up as they rushed for at least 200 yards in four of the last five games in the season.

And they should be able to build on that late surge with an improved cast of surrounding players on offense with their sophomore quarterback.

Leading rusher Jay Finley is back at I-back after rushing for a team-best 865 yards, capped by back-to-back 100-yard games to finish the season. He’ll be supported in the backfield by transfer running back Terrance Ganaway and redshirt freshman Jarred Salubi.

Kendall Wright led the Bears with 50 catches last seasons, but coaches have been raving about the progress of 6-foot-6 freshman Willie Jefferson throughout fall camp.

The biggest question for the Bears’ offensive success remains their offensive line and in particularly their new pair of starting tackles to replace Jason Smith and Dan Gay. How well they protect Griffin, who accounted for a school-record 28 touchdowns last season, could determine if the Bears will go bowling.

“Last year, I had confidence but not really experience,” Griffin said. “And that wasn’t only myself but the rest of the team. That’s something we’ve been building. There's a big difference when we go out now with all of the weapons I have around me.”

The Bears repeatedly came close last season, losing three games by a touchdown or less in a 4-8 season that could have turned on a couple of plays.

After those close finishes, the Bears are hopeful of being better prepared during Griffin’s second season as a starter.

“We might have opened some eyes and turned heads, but we didn’t finish many people off,” Briles said. “To have total respect, you have to win some of those games. People will pat you on the back and say you played well if you play somebody close. We don’t want that. We just want to win.”

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
Here's a look at how I rank the Big 12 offenses heading into the season.


1. Oklahoma State – The conference’s most balanced offense also features the best rushing/receiving combination in Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant and one of the Big 12's best offensive linemen in Russell Okung. Zac Robinson still has meltdown moments, but he’s gotten much better with experience. The big questions will be finding a No. 2 receiver and a tight end to replace Brandon Pettigrew.


2. Oklahoma: The Sooners have the most productive quarterback in school history in Sam Bradford with the conference’s best backfield combination in Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray and college football’s best tight end in Jermaine Gresham. The offensive line, however, isn’t nearly as good as some from the program's past. The line's development will largely determine if the Sooners can claim four-straight Big 12 titles.


3. Texas: Colt McCoy is back for his fourth season as starter and Jordan Shipley seemingly has been around long enough to collect a pension. That’s a great start. Vondrell McGee has emerged as a steady back who might end up earning the majority of carries running behind a deep offensive line. It will be interesting to see if they can find a tight end who will block consistently enough to keep the team from running multiple wide-receiver sets down the stretch. Developing that bruising running game will be the biggest challenge for the Longhorns.


4. Kansas: Todd Reesing might be the nation’s most underrated quarterback and the development of a tandem backfield in Jake Sharp and Toben Opurum will provide balance to the conference’s best receiving corps. It will be interesting to see how much better Kerry Meier can become by concentrating on offense. He adds with top deep threat Dezmon Briscoe, the underrated Jonathan Wilson and freshman addition Bradley McDougald. The Jayhawks’ title hopes will hinge on better pass blocking, particularly from new left tackle Tanner Hawkinson, a converted high school tight end.


5. Texas Tech: There are more questions with the loss of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, although Mike Leach seems very happy with Taylor Potts and his current group. The Red Raiders might be deeper at wide receiver with a collection of players than when Crabtree commandeered most of the catches. Baron Batch’s recovery from an elbow injury will be critical, but the Red Raiders have a big nasty offensive front keyed by All-Big 12 candidate Brandon Carter and the underrated Marlon Winn.


6. Baylor: Robert Griffin makes these guys go and he should be even more comfortable in his second season as a starter. Jay Finley might be one of the least-appreciated backs in the league and a deep collection of wide receivers will help boost production. The biggest concern will be the play of tackles Danny Watkins and Phillip Blake, who will be replacing decorated former starters Jason Smith and Dan Gay.


7. Missouri: This offense will be different from the attack in the Chase Daniel era. Look for new coordinator David Yost to utilize a strong running game keyed by Derrick Washington, who is finally healthy after being hurt most of the second half of 2008. New quarterback Blaine Gabbert obviously doesn’t have the experience in the Tigers’ offense as Daniel, but he might have a better deep arm which will give Yost more chances to attack with long passes. It’s a typically deep collection of receivers with Danario Alexander poised for a breakout season if he can stay healthy.


8. Colorado: Other than the fact that Dan Hawkins can’t decide on a starting quarterback, this unit might be a little underrated and ready to blossom. I really like their collection of running backs with Darrell Scott poised to fulfill his recruiting promise. Rodney Stewart and Demetrius Sumler add different running styles behind a nice line keyed by Ryan Miller, Nate Solder and Mike Iltis. The passing game might sputter early as Markques Simas misses the first two games and Andre Simmons plays his way into the rotation after missing most of fall practice. But it might be surprisingly productive by the time conference play rolls around.


9. Nebraska: Lack of an experienced quarterback and tested running backs behind Roy Helu Jr. cause them to drop a little after Quentin Castille’s dismissal. I’m hearing the Cornhuskers will feature more deep passing with Zac Lee, which might allow receivers Menelik Holt and Niles Paul a chance to go deep. The best part of their offense is their five-headed monster at tight end keyed by Mike McNeill and Dreu Young. Ricky Henry’s emergence at right guard has enabled Jacob Hickman to stay at center where he’ll anchor a developing line.


10. Texas A&M: Jerrod Johnson won the starting quarterback job this summer, but I was surprised that Ryan Tannehill will remain behind him as a backup rather than a wide receiver where he was the team’s leading receiver this season. Jeff Fuller might be one of the Big 12’s most underrated wide receivers and Jamie McCoy is a productive, pass-catching tight end. A bigger, stronger Cyrus Gray will get the start at tailback, although heralded freshman Christine Michael will push him for playing time. The biggest question remains an offensive line that struggled with injuries and produced only 89 yards rushing and 39 sacks. If they are healthy, they might be a surprise after last year’s consistent struggles.


11. Iowa State: New coordinator Tom Herman will attempt to retrofit his no-huddle attack that was so successful at Rice for the Cyclones. He has a tough, savvy quarterback in Austen Arnaud and a multi-talented running back in Alexander Robinson. Keep an eye out for Darius Reynolds who has emerged as the team’s slot receiver as Darius Darks overcomes a training-camp injury. The largest offensive line in FBS will be protecting Arnaud, but needs to do a better job of dominating at the point of attack.


12. Kansas State: Carson Coffman and Daniel Thomas were named as starters today by Bill Snyder. Coffman was effective at times last season as Josh Freeman’s backup, but remains a question mark as he takes over the starting job. The position changes of Lamark Brown and Logan Dold opened up the running back job in training camp and the 227-pound Thomas took advantage. Brandon Banks is a strong player who belies his size as a receiver and kick returner. The offensive line remains a question after a season-ending injury to Brock Unruh leaves only Nick Stringer and a cast of unknowns to share playing time.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Let's throw open the mailbag on a Friday afternoon and see what you the readers are thinking and asking me about.

W. Dawson of Dallas writes: Tim, have you looked at Oklahoma State's schedule yet? How can they get away with having eight home games? I can't believe the Big 12 allowed this to happen, much less their competition. This is an incredible advantage, especially given the narrow margins that separate various Big 12 foes. Talk about running downhill before anyone else has snapped the ball.

Tim Griffin: Obviously, Mike Holder and Mike Gundy can do anything they want with their schedule. And it's a good home schedule with the four Big 12 games and home non-conference games against Georgia, Houston, Grambling and Rice. I guess the risk/reward is this. Most coaches want their team to face a non-conference challenge of some kind before they head into conference play. It doesn't have to be especially taxing - Texas going to Wyoming, Kansas to UTEP -- but most coaches believe that kind of experience is good before they head into conference play.

Obviously, Gundy doesn't think like that. The Cowboys will get a huge boost after playing four home games, but he won't know much about how ready his team will be to play on the road for their first trip to Texas A&M on Oct. 10. If I was coaching, I'd like a little more piece of mind before that first conference road game. And I bet Gundy will be thinking that way the week before the game.

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Ocean from Kemah, Texas, writes: Tim, I'm very interested to hear if there has been any shift of momentum due to freshman Chris Whaley's arrival this summer. Also an update on the other Big 12's other freshman prospects would be greatly appreciated.

Tim Griffin: Whaley has struggled keeping up with the other Texas backs after reporting to training camp with an ankle injury that was aggravated playing basketball before he ever arrived. It set him back in his battle for playing time in a crowded Longhorn backfield.

From what I'm hearing, Fozzy Whittaker will be the leading candidate to have more of the carries in the Texas backfield. But he's got to remain healthy, which is something he hasn't been able to do so far. Then, look for veteran Vondrell McGee to have the next shot. Cody Johnson will also be there along with Tre' Newton and Whaley. I look for Whaley to get more playing time as he shows coaches he is more comfortable with his role in the offense and particularly in pass-protection schemes. We'll see that later, rather than sooner for the Longhorns.

And also, look for a post early next week where I'll break down the conference's leading freshman producers so far in training camps.

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Mark M. from Arlington, Texas, writes: I know Baylor is pegged as your eighth team in the conference, but I think even that might be overrated! Why is no one talking about how incredible of a job Jason Smith did protecting Robert Griffin last year? Without his protection, combined with a very challenging non-conference schedule, I think Griffin takes a lot more hits and goes through a sophomore slump. I think they finish last in the Big 12 South as a result. Am I wrong?

Tim Griffin: Your scenario could very easily happen, although I do have the Bears winning six games and making a bowl trip. But I think that watching the Bears' left tackle position will be one of the most interesting positions in the conference.

Obviously, Smith was the best lineman in the conference last season, as evidenced by his No. 2 selection in the NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. I've heard some great things about his replacement, muscular 6-foot-4, 315 pound former Canadian fireman Danny Watkins. But we won't know anything until he starts hooking up with players like Jeremy Beal, Sergio Kindle and all of the others.  

Watkins' inexperience will be one of Baylor's biggest question marks. And one missed blitz assignment could end the Bears' season in a hurty. Coach Art Briles has to hope that Watkins is ready for the challenge.

But we'll see how he does. It might be the major factor if the Bears are able to go 6-6 and make that elusive bowl trip, or end up in the Big 12 cellar and you hint. The margin between the two is very slim - particularly with the balance in the Big 12.

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Ross Jackman from Sioux Falls, S.D., writes: Tim, I saw the story you linked earlier this week about the conference's most underrated and overrated coaches from that guy in Lincoln. Who is your selection, as the most underrated head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator in the Big 12?

Tim Griffin: Ross, good question. For a head coach, I'll take Kansas' Mark Mangino, who quietly has taken the Jayhawks on their most successful, consistent run in school history. The Jayhawks made back-to-back bowl trips for the first time in school history the last two years and are poised for much more this season.

For my offensive coordinator, I'll take Nebraska's Shawn Watson. The work he did with Joe Ganz the last two seasons was simply phenomenal. Earlier work at Colorado with Gary Barnett's team was outstanding as well. Watson's past history is one of the reasons I think Zac Lee might be better than a lot of people expect for the Cornhuskers. I know he'll be ready, considering Watson's track record.

And for my most underrated defensive coordinator, I'll choose Texas Tech's Ruffin McNeill. The work he did with the Red Raiders to help develop their defense was a big reason the Red Raiders were able to forge a three-way tie for the South Division title last season. He'll have his work cut out trying to replace pass-rushing specialists like McKinner Dixon and Brandon Williams and safeties Darcel McBath and Daniel Charbonnet, but I expect McNeill will have another strong unit again this season.

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Mitch Nelson from Kansas City, Mo., writes: Tim, the Big 12 has four high-profile quarterbacks this year in Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Zac Robinson and Todd Reesing who will probably finish their college careers after this season. Can you break down who their possible replacements will be and which team has the best chance to not miss a step with a new quarterback next year?

Tim Griffin: I really am hesitant to pick which team has the best quarterback situation in the future because so many of these players don't have any game action. I'd like to reserve my decisions until I get to see some of the young kids play in a little bit of game action. But here's how I see those four schools in the future.

Oklahoma: The leader as far as experience would appear to be redshirt freshman Landry Jones, along with junior John Nimmo and Ben Sherrard. I've heard some good things about Drew Allen, a tall 6-foot-6 thrower from San Antonio Alamo Heights High School. But especially keep an eye out for Blake Bell of Wichita, Kan., a dual-threat thrower/runner who is one of the prizes of the Sooners' 2010 recruiting class. He will be the most heralded quarterback to enter the Oklahoma program since Rhett Bomar.

Texas: As far as promise goes, the Longhorns would appear to have it with Garrett Gilbert who I expect to play as a freshman and beat out Sherrod Harris for the backup role this season. And they also have two more quarterbacks coming in the 2010 recruiting class - Connor Wood of Second Baptist High School in Houston and Case McCoy, the 6-foot-2, 169-pound little brother of Colt McCoy.

Oklahoma State: I know that Gundy actually wasn't that disappointed with Zac Robinson's injury last week because it forced the action in the backu quarterback battle
between junior Alex Case and sophomore Brandon Weeden. Gundy told me he was a little angry that one of the two players hadn't jumped out and taken the backup role. Whoever wins that would appear to be in line to replace Robinson.

Weeden has a little bit more maturity because of his five-season career in minor-league baseball. But Cate has more game experience and comfort in the OSU offense. And the Cowboys also have a commitment from 2010 recruit Johnny Deaton of Sand Spring, Okla., who might be their long-term answer.

Kansas: I think the fact that redshirt freshman Kale Pick has won the backup job is significant here. First, it will enable Kerry Meier to move to wide receiver full time. It will also get Pick more snaps in practice and have him ready in the spring when the opportunity to replace Reesing will materialize for him.

Mangino is also high on a couple of freshmen quarterbacks he has in Christian Matthews, a taller, skinner thrower and Jordan Webb, who kind of looks like Reesing and followed his route by graduating early and reporting to college a semester early to boost his early assimilation into Ed Warinner's offense.

That's all the questions I have time for this week.

Thanks again and have a great weekend.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

WACO, Texas -- It's supposed to be the thought that keeps Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin awake at night: Who will be protecting his blind side from the headhunters playing defensive end in the Big 12?

Griffin developed a level of comfort and confidence in his freshman season when he was protected by Jason Smith and Dan Gay, two experienced players who combined for 73 starts in their careers with the Bears. They were the bookends who helped Griffin produce 2,934 total yards and 28 touchdowns last season, including 843 rushing yards that led all Big 12 quarterbacks.

His concern might be intensified considering that Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the most recent NFL draft, will be replaced by a player with more experience putting out fires and playing hockey than withstanding bull rushes from defensive ends.

If Griffin is worried that Danny Watkins, a 23-year-old native of Kelowna, B.C., with barely two years of experience playing American football is taking over, he isn't letting on. In fact, Griffin is confident that Watkins and another new starter at right tackle are ready to withstand the challenges of playing in the Big 12.

"I trust those guys," Griffin said. "I know if they make a mistake in one game or one play, they'll recover and make up for it on the next. It's not a problem like I'll be looking over my shoulder on every play to check and see somebody is coming."

The two new tackles will be the Bears' biggest offensive question marks and perhaps the biggest determining factor in whether Baylor can break a 15-season bowl drought that ranks as the longest in the conference.

Baylor coach Art Briles realizes the magnitude of the personnel losses at the tackle positions. But he is confident in his incoming tackles after watching them develop over the spring.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was named the Big 12's male athlete of the year.

Nominees from each Big 12 school were selected by a media panel based on athletic performance, citizenship and academic achievement. Another element was a vote of fans at Big12sports.com.

Destinee Hooker, the Texas volleyball and track and field standout, earned the conference's female athlete of the year.

Bradford won the Heisman Trophy last season as a sophomore, directing the Sooners to their third straight Big 12 championship and a berth in the BCS national championship game. He was also a consensus All-American, the Big 12 offensive player of the year and was presented the Davey O'Brien, Sammy Bauch and Chick Harley awards.

Bradford's academics have been a prominent part of his education, failing to make an A in only two classes in his three-year career. He was an academic All-Big 12 selection in 2007 and 2008 and also was a CoSIDA academic All-American.

Other Big 12 football players who were nominated by their respective schools included Baylor tackle Jason Smith, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

Bradford becomes the eighth Big 12 football player to be selected and fifth quarterback to be honored. Other previous players who were selected include Missouri's Chase Daniel (2007-08), Texas' Vince Young (2005-06), Texas' Derrick Johnson (2004-05), Oklahoma's Jason White (2003-04), Oklahoma's Josh Heupel (2000-01), Texas' Ricky Williams (1998-99) and Nebraska's Grant Wistrom (1997-98).

It's hard to argue with Bradford's credentials. And the fact that his off-the-field work might be stronger than what he's accomplished on the football field makes him an extremely worthy honoree.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

After getting a chance to talk to all of the Big 12's coaches and many of its most important players over the past few days, I'm emboldened to make some predictions on the upcoming season and beyond. Over the next several days, I'll gaze into my crystal ball and make three predictions about each team from some of the observations I gleaned from Big 12 media days.

First up will be Baylor.

1. Baylor will be better than last season, and still might not make a bowl game. The Bears have the most explosive player in the conference in Robert Griffin, an underrated runner in Jay Finley and three of the league's pivotal defensive players in defensive tackle Phil Taylor, linebacker Joe Pawelek and safety Jordan Lake.

And it still might not be enough.

The Bears are facing a brutal schedule and one that has been exacerbated by greed. They have given away a home game and a strong potential victory at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco against Texas Tech, for a game over Thanksgiving weekend at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Sure, that big-screen television is nice and that stadium has every bell and whistle known to mankind. But something tells me that if Baylor is sitting at 5-6 heading into that game, Art Briles sure would rather be playing the Red Raiders where the Dr Pepper flows than in some modernistic football palace where soda will be $8 a cup.

And for all of the talk about Baylor being ahead of Texas A&M, people forget the Bears still haven't won in College Station since 1984. Kyle Field at one time was one of the most intimidating locales in all of college football. Even with a talent edge for the Bears, strange things sometimes happen to visiting teams when they visit there. Baylor needs to win there for a bowl berth.

We'll know something after the first two games of the season. The Bears absolutely, positively need at least one victory from their early start against Wake Forest and Connecticut, which for my mind is the toughest start of any Big 12 team. Their bowl hopes would be much better with two triumphs. If they start 0-2, I don't like the Bears' chances of halting the longest bowl drought in the conference.

2. The biggest hole to fill in the Big 12 won't be Brian Orakpo, Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell or Chase Daniel. I think the toughest replacement will be Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith, the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft. Those other schools have incoming players with much more football experience than the Bears will have for their loss of Smith. The critical job of protecting Griffin's blind side will go to Canadian fireman Danny Watkins, who is set to start at left tackle with minimal American football experience. That's quite a drop, particularly considering that's he's sheltering Baylor's "franchise" on every snap.

3. Griffin will be running for the American track team in the 2012 Olympics in London. I know this sounds like a wild stab. But after hearing Griffin talk and knowing his ability, I'm convinced he can make that can make that jump as a track competitor. If he can maintain his health, nothing is out of the question for this world-class athlete.

And the good thing for Baylor is that it still has a couple of years for him to play quarterback for the Bears.

Coming Friday: Colorado

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Davison's dramatic grab keeps Nebraska's winning streak alive

Date: Nov. 8, 1997
Place: Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo.
Score: Nebraska 45, Missouri 38 (OT)

Nebraska needed a huge break to keep its 1997 national title hopes alive.

The Cornhuskers got that and more when freshman receiver Matt Davison grabbed a kicked ball for a game-tying touchdown against Missouri. His dramatic play forced overtime and resuscitated the Cornhuskers' national title hopes.

The dramatic score is one of the most memorable play in the Cornhuskers' Big 12 history and certainly ranks with Johnny Rodgers' dramatic 1971 punt return against Oklahoma and Tommie Frazier's 75-yard scoring run against Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.

The New York Times described Davison's heroics the following day in a headline as a "fluke score."

Nebraska was trailing by seven points with 12 seconds left when Davison's made the big play.

Quarterback Scott Frost's pass to the end zone was knocked out of wide receiver Shevin Wiggins' grasp. Missouri defensive back Harold Piersey appeared poised to intercept the ball, but Wiggins inadvertently kicked the ball into the air on his way down. Davison was ready to make a diving grab in the end zone, pouncing on it just before it hit the turf for the touchdown.

The dramatics shocked Missouri fans who had stormed the field. Those fans appeared ready to rip down the goal posts to celebrate what would have been the Tigers' first victory over Nebraska since 1978. Instead, they had to get ready for overtime.

Frost made the most of the break, scoring three plays into overtime on a 12-yard scamper for his fourth touchdown run of the game. Missouri had two incomplete passes and a 3-yard gain before quarterback Corby Jones was sacked by Grant Wistrom and Mike Rucker to preserve the victory.

Nebraska, which came into the game as a 29-point favorite, had to work hard to escape with the victory as Missouri dominated most of the game.

Jones jolted the No. 3 defense for three touchdown passes and also rushed for 60 yards, although he was sacked five times by the Cornhuskers.

He was effective early in the game, but Frost's touchdown runs of 16 yards and 1 yard before the end of the first quarter gave the Cornhuskers a 14-7 lead.

Missouri reclaimed the lead at 24-21 at the half after striking for 10 late points. Scott Knickman's 39-yard field goal and a 39-yard touchdown pass from Jones to tailback Brock Olivo gave the Tigers the lead.

Frost boosted Nebraska back into the lead late in the third quarter on a 1-yard keeper, but Missouri answered with Devin West's 62-yard kickoff return on the ensuing play for good field position. Jones then scored on a 6-yard run to enable the Tigers to reclaim the lead at 31-28.

The Cornhuskers tied the game on Kris Brown's 44-yard field goal with 10:50 left in the game. But Missouri responded after Piersey's interception to the Nebraska 30. Jones then hit H-back Eddie Brooks on a 15-yard scoring pass with 4:38 left, boosting Missouri to a 38-31 lead.

Missouri squandered a chance to ice the victory in regulation when Jones was stuffed on a third-and-3 option play. Jason Smith's ensuing punt pinned Nebraska at its own 33 with 1:02 left before the dramatic game-tying possession.

It was just enough time for a miracle. And Nebraska made the most of its opportunity.

They said it, part I: "One stinking play," Missouri coach Larry Smith, expressing his disgust to reporters after the game.

They said it, part II: "We wanted to shock the world tonight. But the end of that game shocked us. We should have won that game. That's all there is to it," Missouri guard Craig Heimburger, in his postgame comments to the Columbia Daily Tribune.

They said it, part III: "It was floating like a punt, kind of end over end. It seemed like it took forever for the ball to get there," Nebraska wide receiver Matt Davison, telling reporters about his recollection of the play.

They said it, part IV: "We fought our (butts) off and came up short. It hurts so bad. We could have had it, should have had it," Missouri fullback Ron Janes, expressing his disappointment to the Columbia Daily Tribune after the loss.

They said it, part V: "He told me, 'We got lucky.' And he's right, they did," Smith, telling reporters of his postgame conversation with Nebraska coach Tom Osborne.

Factoids: Frost rushed for 141 yards on 23 carries and passed for 175 yards by completing 11-of-24 passes ... Jones completed 12 of 20 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns with one interception ... Missouri failed in its bid for its first upset over a No. 1 ranked team in school history ... The Cornhuskers' victory extended their winning streak of 37 consecutive conference games and 19 straight victories over Missouri ... Brown's fourth-quarter field goal was his 10th straight -- a then-Nebraska school record ... Nebraska produced 353 rushing yards, paced by a game-high 189 rushing yards by Ahman Green on 30 carries ... Nebraska had a 528-386 edge in total yards ... Davison had caught only seven passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns before his memorable reception.

The upshot: Nebraska fell from No. 1 to No. 3 in the polls the following week. But they returned to No. 2 two weeks later and remained there, even after a smashing 54-15 victory over Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game in San Antonio. The Cornhuskers then whipped No. 3 Tennessee in the Orange Bowl, 42-17 in the Bowl Alliance's top game.

That victory enabled Osborne to finish his career with a 14-game winning streak as the Cornhuskers spoiled Peyton Manning's final college game. Nebraska (13-0) finished No. 2 behind Michigan in the Associated Press media poll, but nosed out the Wolverines in the coaches' poll for a share of the national title.

Missouri finished the season with a 35-24 loss to Colorado State in the Holiday Bowl. The Tigers were 7-5 and No. 23 in the final Associated Press poll, the first time they had been ranked at season's end since finishing No. 19 in 1981.

The countdown:

5. Bamboozled three times. Boise State's gadget plays doom Oklahoma.
6. Yes, Sirr. Parker's' dramatic catches lead A&M to first Big 12 title.
7. Crouch's TD catch cements Heisman bid, beats Oklahoma.
8. Sproles and Roberson stun top-ranked OU, leading KSU to its first Big 12 title.
9. Emotional A&M victory brings closure after Bonfire tragedy.
10. Roll left: James Brown guarantees victory and then backs it up.
11. When BCS meant "Boo Chris Simms" in Colorado's first Big 12 title.
12. A Buffalo stampede: Six
Chris Brown TDs lead Colorado past Nebraska.
13. Run, Ricky, run. Ricky Williams breaks NCAA career rushing record.
14. Wild game, wilder post-game rants when Gundy and Leach meet in 2007.
15. Rout 66: No, that score wasn't a typo.
16. KSU finally slays the Cornhuskers.
17. Kingsbury and Long hook up in a passing duel for the ages.
18. Henery and Suh make Colorado blue.
19. Stunning OSU rally leads to Stoops' first home loss.
20. It's never over for Texas Tech until it's over.
21. Reesing to Meier. Again and again.
22. A Texas-sized comeback -- Texas over Oklahoma State in 2004.
23. A Border War unlike any of the rest -- Missouri over Kansas in 2007.
24. Seneca Wallace's wild TD run vs. Texas Tech in 2001.
25. Baylor's "So Much for Taking a Knee" against UNLV in 1999.