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The NFL draft has come and gone, and I hope you're all prepared for no more NFL anything for awhile. I know I'm not.

Anyway, here's how the Big 12 shook out over the weekend, with a few thoughts to follow.

First round (8)

• No. 2: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Denver)
• No. 7: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (San Francisco)
• No. 10: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Jacksonville)
• No. 17: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (New England)
• No. 19: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (New York Giants)
• No. 21: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (Cleveland)
• No. 23: Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor (Philadelphia)
• No. 27: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (Baltimore)

Second round (2)

• No. 34: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas (Buffalo)
• No. 62: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State (Miami)

Third round (2)

• No. 71: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (Dallas)
• No. 95: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas (Pittsburgh)

Fourth round (6)

• No. 103: Sam Acho, DE, Texas (Arizona)
• No. 105: Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 108: Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma (Denver)
• No. 115: Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State (San Francisco)
• No. 118: Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado (Kansas City)
• No. 120: Alex Henery, K, Nebraska (Philadelphia)

Fifth round (3)

• No. 146: DeJon Gomes, S, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 155: Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 164: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas (Baltimore)

Sixth round (1)

• No. 196: Keith Williams, OL, Nebraska (Pittsburgh)

Seventh round (8)

• No. 216: Mikail Baker, CB, Baylor (St. Louis)
• No. 227: Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado (New York Jets)
• No. 229: Jonathan Nelson, DB, Oklahoma (St. Louis)
• No. 232: Baron Batch, RB, Texas Tech (Pittsburgh)
• No. 234: Andrew Gachkar, LB, Missouri (San Diego)
• No. 246: Jay Finley, RB, Baylor (Cincinnati)
• No. 247: Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma (Denver)
• No. 248: Eric Hagg, S, Nebraska (Cleveland)

Here's how the Big 12 teams ranked in terms of total draftees:

1. Nebraska - 7
2. Baylor - 4
2. Colorado - 4
2. Oklahoma - 4
2. Texas - 4
6. Missouri - 3
7. Kansas State -1
7. Oklahoma State - 1
7. Texas A&M - 1
7. Texas Tech - 1
11. Iowa State - 0
11. Kansas - 0

And the major conferences (counting where players actually played):

SEC - 38
Pac-12 - 33
Big 12 - 30
Big Ten - 29
ACC - 35
Big East - 22

• Texas A&M had just one player drafted, but the Aggies will have plenty next year, including a handful of possible first-rounders. Cyrus Gray, Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller could all go very early in 2012, depending on what happens between now and then.
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireOklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal was drafted in the seventh round by Denver.
• Interesting that Miller went 245 selections before the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year, according to the media, Jeremy Beal. Also an interesting coincidence? The same team drafted both. I do think Beal will have a productive NFL career, and there's no denying what he did at Oklahoma, but the measurables were never quite there for Beal. What's not measurable? How difficult he is to block. That said, Miller was my vote for the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year.
• Good to see some hard-working, perhaps under-respected guys get drafted. This was an important year for that, considering those left over won't be able to get into NFL minicamps until the lockout ends and won't be able to do anything to further their NFL careers besides work out on their own. I'll have a post later today on some of those snubs. There's no guarantee that late-drafted guys like Baron Batch, Scotty McKnight, Jay Finley or Eric Hagg will catch on in the the pros, but I'd be willing to guarantee they'll do everything in their power to maximize what opportunities they get.
• One of the most interesting selections? Mikail Baker. He wasn't invited to the combine, and played just one full season on defense at Baylor after working as a kick returner and a cornerback in 2009 before a season-ending knee injury. You don't see that kind of impressive athleticism at Baylor traditionally.
• Let the debate continue: Kendall Hunter vs. DeMarco Murray. Murray getting drafted 40-some spots earlier only intensified that discussion, if you ask me.
• Also, what's more impressive from Art Briles? That Baylor had four picks, the most in school history since 1996? Or that despite those four picks, Baylor's returning an even better team than last season, when it ended a 16-year bowl drought?
• Colorado's draft, meanwhile? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Dan Hawkins' coaching job in Boulder.
• Alex Henery didn't win the Lou Groza Award, but his fourth-round selection makes him the earliest kicker draft pick since 2006. Will that end the state of Nebraska's blood feud against respectable OSU kicker Dan Bailey, who did win the Lou Groza Award? I doubt it. (Save your emails. For the 100th time, I agree, Nebraska fans. Henery > Bailey.)
• A few guys who went way lower than I thought they would. In order of my surprise level: Beal, Gabbert, Amukamara, Hagg, Hunter.
• A few guys who went way higher than I thought, in the same order: Aldon Smith, Batch, Gachkar, Baker.

We kicked off our top 25 list today, but unfortunately, it's only a top 25 list.

Narrowing it down was incredibly difficult, and there were a ton of talents that didn't quite make the cut.

For that, I'm sorry. I legitimately feel awful about all of them.

Every guy on this list is a top-25 caliber player who just couldn't get inside my list. If somebody else made one, I'd be fine with them being on it. But this time, they didn't make mine. There are a lot of great players in this league, and I could only recognize 25.

But here are the rest who came so, so close, in no particular order.

Rodney Stewart, RB, Colorado: Rushed for 1,316 yards to rank third in the Big 12. My biggest reason for leaving him off? His 4.54 yards per carry ranks 17th in the Big 12. He got it done this year, but he got 290 carries to do it. Other backs were more deserving.

Ricky Henry, OG, Nebraska: Nebraska's running offense was fearsome early this year, and despite some late struggles, still finished No. 1 in the Big 12. Henry was a big reason why, but other linemen slid on the list before him.

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: His 68 tackles were second on the team, and he broke up four passes, but it was hard to put Smith on the list over the cornerbacks who made it, even though the position is extremely important in the Big 12.

Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska : Helu finished with another 1,000-yard season, but I didn't have very many running backs on the list. Helu had a great year, and I don't mean this as a knock on him, but I was more impressed with his 1,145 yards last year without much help. Defenses spent so much time defending Taylor Martinez, holes for Helu formed that weren't there in 2009.

T.J. Moe, WR, Missouri: Moe has my title as the toughest cover in the Big 12, and his time in the top 25 is coming. Just not yet.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: Wright's production might have been higher had Baylor not found other receivers to give Robert Griffin III some help, but other emerging receivers pushed Wright off the list after he made our preseason list.

Colby Whitlock, DT, Texas Tech: Whitlock had a nice year with 57 stops and two tackles for loss, but it wasn't a great year for defensive tackles in the Big 12.

Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M and Jay Finley, RB, Baylor: Great years, obviously, but like I said, I just didn't put a lot of running backs on the list.

Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska: Never would have believed in October that he wouldn't make this list, but he wasn't a top 25 player in conference play. He works well for Nebraska in its offense, but plenty of other quarterbacks are above the freshman.

Andrew McGee, CB, Oklahoma State: Led the Big 12 in interceptions, with five, but defending the pass is about blanketing receivers, not picking off passes. That's not to say picking them off is a bad thing, but other corners were better at shutting down opposing receivers.

Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State: Racked up plenty of tackles, third in the Big 12 with 130, and he's a great player, but the book on how to beat Iowa State was out early. Running the ball against the Cyclones weak front four was effective, and opponents did it 512 times this year. Only 22 teams in college football faced more rushing attempts, and no Iowa State lineman made more than 40 tackles this year.

Michael Hodges, LB, Texas A&M: Hodges was the heart of Texas A&M's defense, and racked up 115 tackles, but other linebackers slid above him on the list.

Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma: Fleming was all over the place after some early season struggles, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the list next year.

So, that's my list of close calls. Again, I felt terrible about not including every single one of those players, and if you want to make your own top 25 list and put them on it, they all definitely deserve it. But I can only fit 25 guys on my list, and putting one of these players on it would only mean another got snubbed.

Colorado is new to the Pac-12 but old to the Big 12, so it makes sense to check in with Big 12 blogger David Ubben to get his take on the state of the Buffaloes as they welcome new coach Jon Embree.

Just who are these Buffaloes? What are their strengths and weaknesses and how will they fit into the Pac-12, specifically the Pac-12 South?

We went looking for insights and Ubben obliged.

Ted Miller: Well, David you -- and the Big 12 -- have to say goodbye to Colorado, with the Buffaloes looking to their future out West in the Pac-12. First of all, give Pac-12 fans a CliffsNotes description of the state of the program. Things haven’t gone so well in Boulder lately. Why?

David Ubben: Colorado is certainly in rebuilding mode as they kick off a new start under coach Jon Embree after firing Dan Hawkins in the middle of the 2010 season. They bring back two stars in quarterback Tyler Hansen and running back Rodney Stewart. But fitting those guys into Embree's new system and greatly improving from their 5-7 record seems like asking a lot.

Hawkins came to Boulder promising big things but never delivered. As for why it didn't go well? Any number of reasons. One that angered fans is Hawkins' tendency to play less talented players who knew the system well over more talented players that maybe didn't have as solid of a grasp of what they wanted to do on the field. Embree has said he'll do essentially the opposite, so I guess that's a start in the eyes of fans.

TM: OK, let’s look forward then. Tell Pac-12 folks about Embree, his new staff and the talent the Buffaloes have returning. What are strengths and what are question marks heading into the 2011 season?

DU: He's stocked his coaching staff with quite a few Buffaloes, but most of the names would be more recognizable as players. The biggest name is his offensive coordinator, former Buffs great Eric Bieniemy, who spent the past few years coaching Adrian Peterson as the running backs coach at the Minnesota Vikings. They also swiped Bobby Kennedy, a Boulder native, from Texas to coach receivers.

Last year, they ran the ball pretty well, and Stewart is back. He's a small, shifty back that seems way, way underrated. He rushed for more than 1,300 yards last year, and the only Big 12 backs who had more were Daniel Thomas and Kendall Hunter, who should be drafted this year. They lose tackle Nate Solder, another first-round pick, but Ryan Miller is back, and he's an all-conference level guard.

The big question for them next season will be if their defense can stop the pass -- which my sources tell me, is pretty important in the Pac-12. Maybe not as important as in the Big 12, but still necessary for big success. Both corners from last year, Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith, should be drafted. They weren't great at stopping the pass last year (9th in the Big 12) so it's hard to see them being better at it next year.

TM: OK. Good stuff. Let’s wind it up. How would you have projected them in the Big 12 next fall? And do you have any feeling for how they might do in the new Pac-12 South?

DU: They definitely looked like a team in the bottom third of the Big 12 next year, and it seems like it'll be tough for them to finish in the top half of the Pac-12 South in 2011.

Right now, it's just about being competitive and maybe stealing a game or two that people didn't think they'd win. If that happens enough, a bowl game isn't out of the question. We don't have any idea what to expect out of an Embree-coached team, and that could be a good or a bad thing. We won't know for sure until next year, but if Embree can bottle up whatever Colorado had inside of them the way they played down the stretch last season after Hawkins was fired, it could be a real surprise 2011 for the Buffs.

• The days of Nice Mack Brown should be over, writes Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Brown admits he contributed to an environment of arrogance and entitlement.
• The NCAA ruled that 77 self-reported, secondary violations by Missouri were inadvertent and isolated, and not a systemic problem, reports Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star.
• John Henderson of the Denver Post has an inside look at cornerback Jimmy Smith's eight-week, pre-draft program in California to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Former Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson has gone from small town to the big time, writes Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star from the Super Bowl.
• Legendary Allen Fieldhouse helps Turner Gill recruit at Kansas, writes Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Don't expect Scott Frost to head back to Nebraska, thanks to a Facebook update, among other things, reports Steve Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star.
• Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World offers five Oklahoma State signees to watch.
• Brandon Chatmon of The Oklahoman takes some time to talk to Matt Green, Oklahoma State's new kicker.
• In his latest journal entry for Sporting News, former Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith says he'd glad to have escaped the Missouri snow out in Arizona.
• Beware, Turner Gill. Oklahoma is developing a reputation for stealing some of the top talent in Kansas the past few years, writes Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman. Trotter also says regardless of the Big 12's future, Oklahoma's new network could provide a sunny future for the program.
• Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman says TCU is pushing its way into being a player in the annual Oklahoma-Texas recruiting skirmishes.

The NFL released its list of invitations to the scouting combine late this month, and plenty of Big 12 players should be taking part.

Here's who got invitations:

• Sam Acho, DE, Texas
• Pierre Allen, DE, Nebraska
• Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
• Dan Bailey, K, Oklahoma State
• Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
• Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
• Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
• Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado (I hadn't realized it until just now. Were there really three NFL-caliber players in the Big 12 with the same last name at the same position in 2010? Seems so. And none of them are related. Odds, anyone?)
• Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma
• Ugo Chinasa, DE, Oklahoma State
• Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
• DeJon Gomes, DB, Nebraska
• Eric Hagg, DB, Nebraska
• Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska
• Alex Henery, K, Nebraska
• Ricky Henry, OL, Nebraska
• Kyle Hix, OL, Texas
• Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
• Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
• Orie Lemon, LB, Oklahoma State
• Andrew McGee, CB, Oklahoma State
• Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
• DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
• Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska
• Kevin Rutland, CB, Missouri
• David Sims, S, Iowa State
• Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
• Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
• Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
• Adrian Taylor, DT, Oklahoma
• Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
• Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
• Danny Watkins, OT, Baylor
• Colby Whitlock, DT, Texas Tech
• Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
• Keith Williams, OL, Nebraska

That's a pretty solid (and lengthy) list. Add it up, and it's 36 players from 11 of 12 Big 12 schools, excluding Kansas. It's a little surprising that Missouri center Tim Barnes wasn't on the list. It's possible it was a mistake, but the first-team All-Big 12er and Rimington Trophy watch lister was named as one of the top centers in the draft last spring by Mel Kiper. Barnes had also earned some favorable reviews at the NFLPA Bowl this week.

It was good to see Aggies quarterback Jerrod Johnson get a shot to show scouts if he's regained any more strength in his arm, too.

Here's how it ranks by team, as well.

1. Nebraska - 9
2. Oklahoma State - 5
2. Texas - 5
4. Oklahoma - 4
5. Colorado - 3
5. Missouri - 3
7. Baylor - 2
7. Texas A&M - 2
9. Iowa State - 1
9. Kansas State - 1
9. Texas Tech - 1

Signing day is exactly a week from today, and it's time to take a look at who needs what in its 2011 class.

Some schools have addressed these with their current class. Some haven't. Others are still trying.

We'll kick things off with the artists formerly known as the Big 12 North and examine the South later today.

COLORADO

Cornerback: Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith were pretty reliable for the Buffaloes, but both are headed to the NFL, and the Buffaloes could definitely use some depth behind their first-year starters. It's not quite as pressing of an issue considering their move to the less pass-happy Pac-12, but they still like to sling it out west.

Receiver: Colorado isn't exactly starving anywhere on offense, but receiver sticks out a bit. Toney Clemons was good, but maybe not quite what the Buffaloes hoped he'd be in 2010, but they caught a break in getting Paul Richardson back after a great freshman season. The Buffaloes need some complementary pieces around Clemons and Richardson to replace departed pass-catchers Scotty McKnight and Travon Patterson. Next year, that should be tight end Ryan Deehan and receiver Will Jefferson.

IOWA STATE

Receiver: It's been a struggle for Iowa State in recent years, but they have to get better outside to help out their quarterback. Sedrick Johnson's transfer only worsens the Cyclones depth at the position, but Jake Williams and tight end Collin Franklin, the team's leading receiver, are gone. Shontrelle Johnson looks ready to become a big factor in the offense, but the Cyclones filling the space at receiver will make it easier for Johnson to replace running back Alexander Robinson.

Safety: Both starters, David Sims and Zac Sandvig, are gone. So is the Cyclones top reserve at the position, Michael O'Connell. Sims was a top-notch talent that will be tough to replace, but Iowa State needs more depth here. They should be solid at corner with Leonard Johnson, Ter'ran Benton, Jeremy Reeves and Anthony Young, which could make the new safeties' jobs easier.

KANSAS

Defensive line: KU is losing three of four starters on the line, including the team's only All-Big 12 talent, defensive end Jake Laptad. Turner Gill wants more speed, and this is a place to install it. Tackles that tip the scales at 320 pounds aren't too necessary in this league, but speed on the edge can go a long way in stopping the pass.

Quarterback: Neither Jordan Webb or Quinn Mecham look like long-term answers at quarterback for the Jayhawks. Mecham will be a senior, and Webb might develop into a better player as a sophomore next year, but Kansas needs other options. The Jayhawks hope Brock Berglund, the top-rated recruit in Colorado, is the solution to the problem.

KANSAS STATE

Running back: I hear your cries for Bryce Brown, Wildcats fans, but K-State can't expect to hitch their wagon to the former blue-chip recruit turned Tennessee transfer in the same way it did for Daniel Thomas. Thomas and his backup, William Powell, are gone, and the Wildcats need some depth at running back to show up.

Interior offensive linemen: K-State loses both guards and its center from an offense that produced the Big 12's leading rusher in 2010. Don't expect them to do it again in 2011 without Wade Weibert, Kenneth Mayfield and Zach Kendall, as well as Thomas and Powell, but finding some new talent behind them will help them come close.

Cornerback: David Garrett emerged as a budding star in 2010 ready for a breakout senior year in 2011, but the Wildcats lose Terrance Sweeney and Stephen Harrison, as well as safety Troy Butler. Like we've mentioned earlier, good secondaries are a must for success in the Big 12, and K-State had one of the league's worst in 2010.

MISSOURI

Receiver: Missouri has some good ones ready to suit up in 2011, namely Wes Kemp, Jerrell Jackson and T.J. Moe, but the Tigers don't have a true gamebreaker. They have some younger players in Marcus Lucas and Jimmie Hunt who they hope will develop into big-time, All-American caliber receivers, a la Jeremy Maclin and Danario Alexander. In Missouri's system, though, adding a few receivers is always a good idea. They certainly don't need any more running backs.

Defensive backs: Mizzou doesn't have any huge holes that need to be filled with recruiting, but the Tigers lose both corners, Carl Gettis and Kevin Rutland from their 2010 team. Kip Edwards and E.J. Gaines look likely to fill those roles, but the Tigers could use some depth and keep recruiting in the secondary to help add some talent around Tavon Bolden and Matt White, safeties who will replace departed Jarrell Harrison, who actually had to play some linebacker in 2010 because of injuries.

NEBRASKA

Every kind of kicker: Alex Henery, the team's punter and kicker is gone. So is kickoff specialist and lover/producer of touchbacks, Adi Kunalic. Fan favorite Henery was hardly underappreciated by the Nebraska faithful, but they'll miss him even more if the Huskers can't find a suitable placekicker and punter. Bo Pelini was reportedly after Wake Forest commit Mauro Bondi this week.

Receiver: Niles Paul and Mike McNeill are gone. The Huskers need Brandon Kinnie to come through with another good year and it'd be nice if Quincy Enunwa broke through in 2011, but Taylor Martinez needs some more help at wide out, and a couple new recruits could provide it as Martinez's passing prowess matures.

The Senior Bowl won't be played until Jan. 29 in Mobile, Ala., but the roster is beginning to take shape. Players can be added or subtracted to the roster between now and game week when NFL scouts flood to the South, but here's who's playing from the Big 12.

Baylor

• Danny Watkins, OT
• Phil Taylor, DT

Colorado

• Nate Solder, OT
• Jimmy Smith, CB
• Jalil Brown, CB

Kansas State

• Daniel Thomas, RB

Nebraska (UPDATED 4:17 p.m.)

• Niles Paul, WR
• Prince Amukamara, CB
• Mike McNeill, WR
• Roy Helu Jr., RB
• Alex Henery, K

Oklahoma

• DeMarco Murray, RB
• Jeremy Beal, DE
• Quinton Carter, S

Oklahoma State

• Kendall Hunter, RB

Texas

• Sam Acho, DE
• Curtis Brown, CB

Here's the collection of facts and tidbits for this weekend's games, courtesy of various sports information departments around the Big 12, as well as ESPN Stats & Info.

• Last season, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones completed 25 percent of his throws of 20 yards or longer, with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
• This season, Jones is completing 44 percent of those throws for nine touchdowns and one interception.
• Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is completing 48.6 of his passes of 20 yards or longer in seven conference games, with six touchdowns and one interception.
• In conference play, when defenses have blitzed, Jones is 11-of-11 for 221 yards and two touchdowns ... when he throws to Ryan Broyles.
• In conference play, when defenses have blitzed, Weeden is 8-of-8 for 103 yards and two touchdowns ... when he throws to Justin Blackmon.
• Blackmon leads the nation with 58 catches of at least 10 yards.
• Broyles is fourth in the nation with 50 catches of at least 10 yards.
• Oklahoma State's offense has 16 drives of over 60 yards this season that have lasted less than 90 seconds. That's more than any offense in the country. Oregon is second, with just 12.
• Colorado has 15 sacks in its past two games, both wins. It had 18 sacks in its first nine games, and was 3-6.
• Kansas will play its third consecutive game against a top 20 team this week when it meets No. 15 Missouri. That's only the second time in 32 years for the Jayhawks, and first since 1998.
• Kansas and Missouri's series in Big 12 play is even at 7-all.
• Nebraska kicker Alex Henery is nine points short of the Nebraska career scoring record held by Kris Brown, with 388 points.
• Saturday will be second consecutive Bedlam matchup in Stillwater attended by ESPN's "College GameDay."
• Texas A&M's five-game winning streak in Big 12 play is its first since 1998, when they won the Big 12 Championship. That's also the last time any team other than Texas or Oklahoma has represented the South in the Big 12 title game.
• Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith has allowed just 10 receptions while playing man coverage in two seasons. Only one of those receptions was for a first down.
• Colorado' Brian Cabral is the only coach since 1932, other than Rick Neuheisel, to win his debut as Buffaloes coach.
• Nebraska receiver Niles Paul, who will miss Friday's game against Colorado, is one of just six Nebraska receivers with at least 100 career catches. He finished with 103 catches after a four-reception performance last week.
• An Oklahoma game will be the site of "College GameDay" for the 25th time. That's third-most all-time, behind Ohio State (28) and Florida (32)
• Oklahoma finished 2009 with eight healthy offensive linemen on scholarship. The Sooners enter their season finale this year with 16.
• Texas Tech and Houston, former Southwest Conference foes, are playing for just the second time since the league's breakup in 1996.
• Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray's 223 yards last night were the most ever by an Aggies back against Texas.
• Saturday will be the fourth time ever that Oklahoma State enters Bedlam ranked higher than Oklahoma.
• Missouri and Kansas' last three games have been decided by eight points or less.
• The last time the Border Showdown had four consecutive games decided by eight points or less was in 1955-59, which was a streak of five games.

» Predictions: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Non-AQ

I'm making my way to Manhattan, Kan. today for tonight's game between the Wildcats and Huskers, but I'll be back in Dallas in time to see the Aggies and Hogs go at it in The House That Jerry (or some guys he paid) Built.

Last week was a rough one for the Big 12 Blog, with my missed picks equaling my total from the previous four weeks. You knew the breakdown had to come sometime.

I missed my upset pick of Texas A&M over Oklahoma State and whiffed on a couple of swing games in Ames and Boulder.

Here's how I stand:

Last week: 2-3 (.400)

Overall: 41-6 (.872)

Let's get to this week's picks:

THURSDAY

No. 7 Nebraska 31, Kansas State 21: This thing smells like another possible upset, and Kansas State should be able to move the ball pretty well with Daniel Thomas, but the Wildcats don't have the talent or speed in the front seven to slow Taylor Martinez's legs. Look for defensive backs Emmanuel Lamur, Troy Butler and Tysyn Hartman to make a lot of tackles, on Martinez and receivers Brandon Kinnie and Mike McNeill. That's not a good thing. Martinez wasn't rattled in the passing game in his first road start, and him throwing a couple of costly interceptions is the only thing that turns this in Kansas State's favor.

FRIDAY

No. 22 Oklahoma State 51, Louisiana-Lafayette 20: The Sun Belt has some good teams. The Ragin' Cajuns are not one of them. Georgia lost at Colorado on Saturday night, but beat these guys 55-7 in Athens for its only win of the season. Puntos, puntos, golly.

SATURDAY

Baylor 27, Texas Tech 24: This is definitely the toughest pick of the week. Comparing the depth charts, Texas Tech looks like the better team, but Baylor is getting it done and has all the momentum and confidence. Texas Tech looks lost on defense and inconsistent on offense. In 2008, the Bears almost took down the best Tech team in recent history, losing 35-28 after taking a lead into the fourth quarter. They almost did it again in 2009 in Cowboys Stadium. With Robert Griffin back, they get it done this time. Enjoy the corny dogs, Bears.

No. 11 Arkansas 38, Texas A&M 28: Come back later today for a video of me explaining my pick of the week.

No. 24 Missouri 41, Colorado 17: Colorado says it's sick of getting blown out by the Tigers. They'll still be sick on Saturday night after hitting the road for the first time since a 52-7 loss at Cal. All of the Buffaloes' wins have come over mediocre teams. Missouri's running backs have carried the load so far this year, but Blaine Gabbert has his first big game, staying away from big-time corners Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown in favor of more bubble screens to the flats and underneath routes to T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew. The Buffaloes can stop Wes Kemp and Jerrell Jackson. Good luck with the rest of the Tigers' offense.

No. 10 Utah 24, Iowa State 21: I really do think Iowa State has a great chance to upset the Utes. I just don't have the guts to pick it. Iowa State's offense is better, but it's not "hang 52 points every week" better. Two of the Cyclones' touchdown drives were less than 40 yards, and another score came on an onside kick return. One other scoring drive was a one-play, 61-yard run by Shontrelle Johnson. Can't count on those every week.

Idle: Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas.

Thanks to Nebraska forcing a 4-for-20 performance, Washington quarterback Jake Locker has surrendered his spot on the top of Mel Kiper's Big Board.

There's plenty of other Big 12 flavor, too, on his updated draft forecast released on Tuesady.

• Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara is the Big 12's top overall prospect, at No. 5.
• Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas is No. 20 on the list, Colorado left tackle Nate Solder checks in at No. 21.

Other notes:

Position rankings: Seniors

• Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson is the No. 5 quarterback.
• Daniel Thomas (KSU), DeMarco Murray (OU) and Kendall Hunter (OSU) are still 1-2-3 on the top of the running back list.
• Nebraska's Niles Paul is the No. 1 receiver.
• Nebraska's Mike McNeill is the No. 5 tight end.
• Solder is the No. 2 offensive tackle.
• Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal is the No. 5 defensive end.
• Texas A&M's Von Miller is the No. 2 outside linebacker.
• Oklahoma's Quinton Carter is the No. 3 safety.
• Nebraska's Alex Henery is the No. 2 kicker.
• Baylor's Derek Epperson is the No. 4 punter.
• Prince Amukamara (NU), Jimmy Smith (CU) and Curtis Brown (UT) are 1-3-5 among cornerbacks.

Position rankings: Non-seniors

• Missouri's Blaine Gabbert is the No. 3 quarterback.
• Texas' Cody Johnson is the No. 2 fullback.
• Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles is the No. 5 receiver.
• Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele is the No. 5 offensive tackle.
• Colorado's Ryan Miller is the No. 3 guard.
• Oklahoma's Frank Alexander is the No. 5 defensive end.
• Jared Crick (NU) and Kheeston Randall (UT) are the Nos. 1 and 4 defensive tackles.
• Oklahoma's Travis Lewis is the No. 2 inside linebacker.
• Texas' Aaron Williams is the No. 5 cornerback.
• Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin is the No. 5 safety.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper revised his list of the top five seniors at each position for the 2011 NFL Draft, and the Big 12 is heavily represented, but nowhere as noticeably as at running back.

Kiper's top three senior running backs are Daniel Thomas, DeMarco Murray and Kendall Hunter, who wasn't on his top 5 in April, but has moved on with an impressive return.

Here's what Kiper had to say:

Thomas isn't the top overall back in the draft class -- he's behind Mark Ingram -- but he could move up the charts with a similar level of productivity in his senior year. So far, so good. He's off to a monster start after shredding UCLA.

You'll need ESPN Insider to read the whole thing, but here are a few other Big 12 notes. Again, this list is only for seniors:

• Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson has moved up to Kiper's fourth-best quarterback. No. 5 is Idaho's Nathan Enderle, who Nebraska got a look at last weekend, but they'll face No. 1 this weekend, Jake Locker. Oklahoma saw his No. 2, Christian Ponder, last weekend.
• Nebraska's Niles Paul tops the list of receivers and Mike McNeill is Kiper's No. 3 tight end.
• Colorado's Nate Solder is the No. 2 tackle prospect.
• Three Big 12 cornerbacks made the list: Nebraska's Prince Amukamara (No. 1), Colorado's Jimmy Smith (No. 3) and Texas' Curtis Brown (No. 5).
• Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal is the No. 5 defensive end and Adrian Taylor is the No. 5 defensive tackle.
• Von Miller is the Big 12's only representative at outside linebacker. Kiper ranks him No. 2.
• Oklahoma's Quinton Carter ranks as the No. 3 safety.
• Special teams representatives were Nebraska's Alex Henery (No. 2 kicker) and Baylor's Derek Epperson (No. 2 punter).

Here's what his list looked like back in April.

Colorado couldn't have started 2009 much worse. First came the season-opening loss to in-state rival and Mountain West member Colorado State. The Buffaloes let their in-state rivals score the game's first 17 points and made the final 23-17 score respectable with a touchdown in the final two minutes.

A week later, on a national stage, Colorado went to Toledo and fell behind 30-3 and 54-24 in the second half before losing 54-38.

The plan this time around: Don't do that.

The best way to avoid it: Get Rodney Stewart and the running game rolling.

"We did not run the ball well against Colorado State last year, to be sure," said coach Dan Hawkins.

The Buffaloes' running backs finished with just 68 yards on 16 carries. That will have to change, whether the offensive line can do it or quarterback Tyler Hansen can use his new receivers to relax the defense and open up lanes for his runners.

At least now they'll avoid the short week by facing Colorado State on Sunday and Toledo on Friday. This year, the game at Invesco Field against the Rams is on Saturday before the team travels to Berkley, Calif., to face future conference mate California.

Hawkins points to defensive changes as the reason for the early struggles last season.

"I think it took us a while to settle in that way," he said. "I think we’re just a little more acquainted with what we’re trying to do and have guys that have done that. I think experience is a big factor there."

Colorado State's top two running backs rushed for 151 yards on 34 carries. The problems against Toledo spread to the passing game.

"We had some huge gasher plays. I think momentum was not in our favor for sure the first couple games, and I think that dented us a little bit," Hawkins said.

Toledo's top two running backs helped the offense rack up 624 yards of total offense, rushing for 269 yards on just 28 carries. Rockets quarterback Aaron Opelt needed just 15 completions to reach 319 yards, and threw four touchdowns with no interceptions.

This year, one of Colorado's strengths should be the secondary, with a pair of corners who possess NFL potenttial in Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown, as well as experienced junior safety Anthony Perkins, who led the team with 77 tackles last season.

Though the biggest hope for the Buffaloes is quarterback Tyler Hansen, who didn't play until the conference season last year.

"You have a couple breaks go your way and just had some momentum issues. In the Colorado State game, we started coming back a little bit and then we had kind of a bang-bang play and instead of a big play for us, it ended up being a turnover for them," Hawkins said.

This year, the Buffaloes hope those plays go their way with Hansen under center. They'll need them too. After Colorado State and Cal, the schedule doesn't get any easier with Hawaii and top 25 SEC foe Georgia ready to invade Folsom Field in Boulder.

Scouts, Inc. has released its list of the top 150 NFL prospects for the 2011 draft, and it's got plenty of Big 12 talent from top to bottom. You'll need an Insider account to see the whole list, but here's a bit of how it relates to the Big 12. Three Big 12 teams were among the nation's top 10 in possessing the most players on the list. Here's where they stood: T-3. Nebraska. (6) T-3. Oklahoma (6) T-10. Texas (4) North Carolina and Ohio State topped the list, with seven total prospects in the top 150. But let's take a closer look. Here's a few notes/thoughts.

• [+] Enlarge
  AP Photo/Nati HarnikPrince Amukamara (21) is the Big 12's top NFL prospect -- and No. 3 overall -- according to Scouts, Inc.
  The Big 12's top overall prospect? Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, who is the No. 1 cornerback. That echoes what NFL scouts have been saying for the past few months, and it'll be interesting to see the battle between him and Aaron Williams (No. 6 cornerback) as the season moves on. They'll both see plenty of good offenses.
• For all the talk about Nebraska's offensive struggles, they placed three players in the top 150, including Mike McNeill, who is ranked as the No. 6 tight end, despite moving to receiver in the spring. Running back Roy Helu Jr. and receiver Niles Paul both rank in the top 150, at No. 12 for their respective positions. That should prove just how important Nebraska's quarterback situation is this year. Clearly, they've got some individual talent at the skill positions and a great offensive line, but without good quarterback play, they might not be much better than they were in 2009. If Zac Lee pulls a Joe Ganz and has a nice senior year, the Huskers are almost assured a finish in the top half of the Big 12 in scoring offense.
• Everyone wants to talk about Texas' defense, the list is a reflection of why. The Longhorns have three cornerbacks (Aaron Williams, Curtis Brown, Chykie Brown) in the top 150 and Williams and Brown are in the top 10 in their position. Sam Acho rounds out Texas' group as the No. 133 best overall prospect and No. 14 defensive end. That ranks as the best DE in the Big 12.
• Surprising that Oklahoma's Quinton Carter is rated as the No. 2 safety and a better projected pro than teammates Jeremy Beal, Ryan Broyles, Adrian Taylor and DeMarco Murray, all in the top 10 at their positions. No other safeties in the Big 12 rank in the top 10, but the next best is Nebraska's Eric Hagg.
• You can see how every prospect at your school is rated by Scouts, Inc. if you have Insider, but here's how the rest of the Big 12 ranked in players who made the top 150. If your school doesn't have a player in the top 150, here's a list of the top prospects for each team in the Big 12 from Mel Kiper.

4. Colorado - 2 (Nate Solder, No. 8; Jimmy Smith, No. 74) 5. Texas A&M - 1 (Von Miller, No. 20) 5. Baylor - 1 (Phil Taylor, No. 94) 6. Missouri - 1 (Blaine Gabbert, No. 39) 6. Kansas State - 1 (Daniel Thomas, No. 47) 7. Oklahoma State - 1 (Kendall Hunter, No. 147) 8. Iowa State - none 8. Kansas - none 8. Texas Tech - none

The Thorpe Award, given annually to college football's best defensive back, has released its watch list, and six players from the Big 12 have earned consideration for the award entering the 2010 season.

• Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
• Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
• Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma
• Blake Gideon, S, Texas
• Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
• Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Both Amukamara and Williams should be two of the favorites to win the award from the 35-man watch list. There's lots of talent at the top in the secondary across the Big 12; four of the six players on the watch list made our list of the Big 12's top 25 players from earlier this spring, and Oklahoma's Quinton Carter was one of the top players who just missed.

Aaron Ross of Texas in 2006 was the last Big 12 player to win the award, but from 2000-06, the Big 12 took home the award in five of six years.

Tennessee's Eric Berry won the award last year, and Texas' Earl Thomas was a finalist.

You can view the full list of watch listers here.

Colorado started the decade as one of the North Division's dominant teams, earning bowl berths in five of the first six seasons of the decade.

The Buffaloes have fallen on hard times recently, but they still have provided many outstanding players during the decade.

Here are my choices for Colorado's all-decade team.

OFFENSE

QB: Joel Klatt

RB: Chris Brown

RB: Bobby Purify

WR: Scotty McKnight

WR: Derek McCoy

TE: Daniel Graham

OL: Brian Daniels

OL: Andre Gurode

OL: Victor Rogers

OL: Justin Bates

C: Wayne Lucier

DEFENSE

DL: Abraham Wright

DL: Tyler Brayton

DL: George Hypolite

DL: Justin Bannan

LB: Jordon Dizon

LB: Sean Tufts

LB: Jeff Smart

DB: Michael Lewis

DB: Terrence Wheatley

DB: Jimmy Smith

DB: Donald Strickland

P: Mark Mariscal

K: Mason Crosby

KR: Jeremy Bloom

Offensive player of the decade: Chris Brown. He was the key player on Colorado’s Big 12 championship team in 2001 and was even better the following season before injuries derailed his Heisman hopes.

Defensive player of the decade: Jordon Dizon. Colorado’s only consensus All-American defensive player of the decade also was the Big 12’s defensive player of the year in 2007 after a four-year career as a starter for the Buffaloes.

Coach of the decade: Gary Barnett. Even with his unseemly departure, Barnett still coached Colorado to its only Big 12 championship and took the Buffaloes to four Big 12 title games in a five-season period. They haven't been back since.

Moment of the decade: Colorado stuns Texas for 2001 Big 12 title. The Buffaloes’ 39-37 victory was sparked by 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns by Brown, pushing them to their only Big 12 football championship and lone BCS bowl appearance of this decade.