ESPN College Football

College football guru Phil Steele is previewing his must-read offseason magazine, and with it, he's releasing his all-conference and All-America teams.

Here's who he slated as his first-team All-Big 12 squad:

OFFENSE

QB: Landry Jones, Oklahoma
RB: Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State
RB: Malcolm Brown, Texas
WR: Tavon Austin, West Virginia
WR: Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
WR: Stedman Bailey, West Virginia
TE: Jordan Najvar, Baylor
C: Ben Habern, Oklahoma
OL: Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State
OL: Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
OL: LaAdrian Waddle, Texas Tech
OL: Cyril Richardson, Baylor

• I'd probably go with Geno Smith ahead of Jones, but it's close. You could definitely make a compelling case for both.
• I'd also lean more toward Terrance Williams at Baylor for that third receiver spot ahead of Stills. Stills' upside is still really high, but again, it's close between those two.
• Good grief, the tight end spot in the Big 12 is a rough. Navjar is a good selection. Travis Tannahill at Kansas State could grab that spot, too. You're almost better off picking a sixth offensive lineman or a fullback like Trey Millard at Oklahoma, who's more valuable than any of the league's tight ends.

DEFENSE

DL: Alex Okafor, Texas
DL: Stansly Maponga, TCU
DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DL: Jamarkus McFarland, Oklahoma
LB: Jake Knott, Iowa State
LB: Tom Wort, Oklahoma
LB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State
LB: Arthur Brown, Kansas State
CB: Nigel Malone, Kansas State
CB: Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State
S: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
S: Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma

SPECIALISTS

P: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
K: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
PR: Tavon Austin, West Virginia
KR: Tyler Lockett, Kansas State

• No complaints among the specialists, but I'd definitely have kept a more traditional three linebackers. You could afford to leave Tom Wort off that list. Not so with the other three.
• After a sad group of cornerbacks in 2011, the position looks pretty loaded this year. There's no fewer than five guys in my book who deserve strong consideration and probably a spot on the first team. It's too bad there are only two spots. Clearly, Malone and Brown are deserving, but so are Justin Gilbert, Carrington Byndom and Quandre Diggs.
• Safeties are both loaded. Maybe two of the best defenders in the league.

Here's who Steele tabbed as All-Americans, too.

FIRST TEAM

• Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

SECOND TEAM

• Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
• Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
• Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
• Quinn Sharp, K, Oklahoma State

THIRD TEAM

• Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
• Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia
• Lane Taylor, OL, Oklahoma State
• Quinn Sharp, P, Oklahoma State
• Tyler Lockett, KR, Kansas State

FOURTH TEAM

• Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
• Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State
• Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
• Gabe Ikard, OL, Oklahoma
• Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
• A.J. Klein, LB, Iowa State
• Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
• Tavon Austin, KR, West Virginia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quarterbacks

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

Fullbacks

• No. 1: Braden Wilson, Kansas State

Receivers

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

Offensive tackles

• No. 5: Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas

Centers

• No. 5: Ben Habern, Oklahoma

Inside linebackers

• No. 3: Arthur Brown, Kansas State

Cornerbacks

• No. 5: Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma

Punters

• No. 2: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

2011 overall record: 10-3

2011 conference record: 5-2

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

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

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

2011 statistical leaders (*returners):

Rushing: Dustin Garrison* (742 yards)

Passing: Geno Smith* (4,385 yards)

Receiving: Stedman Bailey* (1,279 yards)

Tackles: Najee Goode (87)

Sacks: Bruce Irvin (8)

Interceptions: Keith Tandy (4)

Three spring answers

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

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

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

Three fall questions:

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

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

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

Thanks for all your questions in today's chat. It was a fun one. Here's the link to the full transcript.

Have more to say? Reach me here.

Time for a few highlights.

Daniel (Dodge City): What do you think of K-State this year? Is 8 or 9 wins just right or too much for them?

David Ubben: If I had to guess, I'd say nine wins, but I do that with a lot of reservation. I'm not quite sure what to think. I'm certainly skeptical of their ability to duplicate last year's results, but I'm also very leery of doubting a Bill Snyder team that brings back as much talent as this 2012 squad does. Not sure I have a great feel for the Cats this year.

Nick (Ames): Do you think AJ Klein and Jake Knott will translate to good NFL linebackers? How much harder is it to get recognized by nfl scouts at a school like Iowa State compared to a tradionally power football school like Texas?

David Ubben: These days, exposure isn't much of a problem. The only thing I question from those two is their speed and coverage ability. They're both sure tacklers and tough as nails. But is their athleticism up to par? I haven't talked to many scouts about them, but I'd like to get a sense of how NFL teams see them. Something for the future, I think.

Chris (Houston): What games does Texas lose this year? Why does Texas lose those games?

David Ubben: Oklahoma. West Virginia. Kansas State. Not enough offense in the first two. Kansas State's spell over the Longhorns in the third.

chris sunny south alabama [via mobile]: Hey Ubbs! I think the Texas Tech offense is going to be unstoppable this season. Neal Brown has added a few plays to the offense similar to the Oregon Ducks Offense. They are tryin to get the ball in the hands of the speedy guys like Ben McRoy and Jakeem Grant. Do you think this will make the offense better

David Ubben: I don't know about unstoppable, but I do like Tech's idea of using running backs like Oregon has used guys like DeAnthony Thomas. Those jet sweeps and shovels are really tough to defend when you get the ball to speedsters.

andy (texas): 2 years ago it was justin blackmon, last year it was collin klein, who's this years break out player on offense?

David Ubben: Nick Florence.

Chris (Dallas): David with the shift of power and the landscape in the conference, do you think it's safe to say that we wont see the same sort of dominance from the UT's and OU's of the world?

David Ubben: I'll be writing about that tomorrow. Stay tuned. It's a big, big day on the blog on Wednesday, actually. That's all I'll say for now.

Nemo Cowbell (Pasture, TX): Do you think Bob Bowlsby was the wisest choice for Big 12 Commissioner?

David Ubben: There's no way to know right now, but I like the move. He's proven himself in college athletics, though only John Swofford has a history as an AD among commissioners. He's a bright guy, but understanding the dynamics between schools might take a little bit of getting used to. Bringing in someone from the outside was the best move, but it's too early to get any real read on what will happen in his tenure.

Brent A. Carter (Victoria, TX): Do you agree with me that OSU is due for a massive letdown in 2012? They are a program that is barely .500 over the life of their program and I just believe in the law of averages.

David Ubben: No. 8-9 wins with upside for 10-11 wins.

Kenny Little Rock [via mobile]: Best special teams player in the conference? ,ost important?

David Ubben: 1) Quinn Sharp by a mile. 2) Quinn Sharp by a mile.

Devon Shes. (Austin, TX): What penalties are on the horizon for Vaccaro, Okafor and Matthews after this past arrest on 6th St.?

David Ubben: This deal sounds like a whole lot of nothing. Nothing worth legitimate punishment unless new information surfaces. Some extra running for letting it reach the point where cops had to be called, but take it and move on.

Ed (Houston): How long does the Big12 boycott last? Will Baylor break first? Is the money just too good?

David Ubben: Now this is a great, great question. Ultimately, I think the money will be too much. Texas isn't like Nebraska. They're too close to everyone. I'd say the scheduling boycott ends with an announcement in five years. Games in 7-8 years with somebody in the Big 12.

Rob (Boise, ID): Regarding an earlier question, what boycott are you talking about? I hadn't heard anything about any boycott surrounding the Big12. Maybe you could write an article about it.

David Ubben: It's not a "boycott" per se, but nobody from the Big 12 is real keen on scheduling A&M in football. That's basically what we're talking about.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most indispensable player: QB Geno Smith

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

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

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

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

He pegged four from the Big 12.

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

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

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

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

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

If you're ordering me an edible arrangement to say thanks, I'd prefer a meat one.

• Will Oklahoma State have a starting quarterback this summer? Mike Gundy says he wants to stick to his original plan. True freshman Wes Lunt is complicating that decision, and impressing coaches. "He's further along passing the ball now than really any freshman I've ever been around," Gundy said.
• The move to the Big 12 means donations are way up for West Virginia, reports Jared Hunt of the Charleston Daily Mail. "As of April 1 last year, we were just over $3.5 million; this year we're over $4.9 million."
• Sad story here: Oklahoma tight end Laith Harlow's career is over before it even began. Bob Przybylo of SoonerNation explains.
• WVU coach Dana Holgorsen likes to use the media to motivate his team, writes Dave Hickman of the Charleston Gazette.
• Those geographically inaccurate SEC shirts from Texas A&M? Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman says it's indicative of a new problem in College Station. He also says interschool spring games are a bad idea.
• Tavon Austin will be gone after 2012, but WVU may already have his replacement on the roster, writes Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail.
• Here's a look at the new adidas ad from Robert Griffin III. It's a good spot.
• The NCAA may be changing the requirements for juco transfers to enter FBS schools. Prepare your battleships, K-State.
• The battle for the backup quarterback spot is heating up at Kansas State.
• Kansas released its plans for the spring game next Saturday.
• Gundy talked more about his experience playing QB at OSU as a true freshman.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia's not going to apologize for it.

Simply put: With five months and two weeks before the Mountaineers' first Big 12 game against Baylor, West Virginia's players aren't exactly experts on their new conference home.

"I know that it’s one of the more dominant conferences. They’ve got a lot of good teams," receiver Stedman Bailey said. "That’s pretty much all I can say."

Bailey has never stepped foot in Oklahoma or Texas, where six Big 12 teams -- more than half the new league -- reside.

"I know of a couple receivers from Oklahoma, and that’s about it. I really don’t know much of who’s who in the Big 12," he said.

West Virginia's players know they're in the Big 12. What else, though?

"I haven’t really heard anything about it. I really don’t pay attention to it," receiver Tavon Austin said.

Said running back Shawne Alston: "I knew Coach [Dana] Holgorsen used to coach there, and Texas was there. Not really too much else."

Linebacker Jared Barber's favorite team was Texas growing up, but since he signed with West Virginia, his focus has been on the Big East, where WVU took home a league title in 2010.

Said quarterback Geno Smith: "Aside from watching like Vince Young, I don’t know much about it."

It's no accident. That's exactly the way Holgorsen designed it this spring.

"It’s about us right now, it’s not about who we play," he said. "Once the Maryland game is over, we’ll be solely focused on Baylor."

Baylor alone, though. Holgorsen won't be sitting his team down to talk big-picture issues about the move to the Big 12. Every week, it'll get a crash course on what to expect on the weekend.

"We’ll talk about our opponent from a familiarity standpoint," Holgorsen said. "From a venue standpoint, if we’re playing them there, to what color their uniforms are, how big their stadium is, how loud their fans are to what their schemes are, some familiarity with who their players are. All that stuff will take place when we’re going to play that opponent."

That stands in contrast to TCU coach Gary Patterson, who lacks Holgorsen's nine years of experience coaching in the Big 12 but said earlier this spring that he has every 2011 Big 12 game on a DVD, and watches them constantly.

Not so much for Holgorsen.

"That’s just his confidence," Smith said. "I believe we’re not to that stage right now, worrying about other people. Right now, we’re focusing on getting better as a team and everyone getting better individually."

Once he broaches their new opponents each week, Holgorsen's evaluation to his team will be extensive, beyond just what to expect between the white lines once the game starts.

"The more information we can give them to know your opponent, the better prepared they’re going to be. That’s the whole deal," Holgorsen said. "This is what the airport’s going to look like in Lubbock, Texas. Here’s what the drive’s going to look like. Here’s what the fans are gonna say. All that stuff gets your team focused on what to expect."

Players like Austin might not know much about the Big 12, but they know one big truth about what's going on in Morgantown this spring.

"This is our chance to go in and do the one thing that West Virginia never did before: win the Big 12," he said.

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- Dana Holgorsen's seen what quarterbacks in his offense can do.

There was Graham Harrell at Texas Tech. There was Case Keenum at Houston. In 2010, there was Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State.

Now, there's Geno Smith.

All had at least one thing in common: prodigious production.

Smith racked up 4,385 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season in Holgorsen's offense. Only three quarterbacks in college football last season had more, and two -- Weeden and Keenum -- played in the systems Holgorsen left behind.

Another thing Holgorsen's passers have in common? Year 2 has been even better.

"Everything is easier," Holgorsen said.

More yards, more points and most importantly, more wins. Smith should be right at home in the quarterback-heavy Big 12.

Harrell and Keenum are sons of coaches, cerebral players with an exceptional understanding of the game. Weeden has his cannon arm that Holgorsen said is "something I'd never seen before."

"They’re so different in lots of different ways, but the one thing that exists in all of them is leading your team to wins," Holgorsen said.

That's to be expected in Year 2 in Holgorsen's system, but this is Year 1 for West Virginia in the Big 12, where the expectation is nothing less than sky-high.

"Heisman," said receiver Tavon Austin, who caught 101 passes for 1,186 yards and eight scores in 2011.

Smith is 19-7 as West Virginia's starter and figures to add plenty of wins for the Mountaineers, who should start 2012 near the top 10.

"He expects to be successful, going back to his high school career," Holgorsen said. "Three years as a starting quarterback, very few losses, state championship. He can will his team to win, and has proven to do that the two years that he’s been a starter."

Smith may will his team to wins this year, but he'll get plenty of help. Along with Austin, who may be the Big 12's best playmaker with the ball in his hands, Smith has longtime friend Stedman Bailey, a second 1,000-yard receiver who led the team in receiving and touchdowns last season. The two have played together since sixth grade in Miami.

As high school sophomores, Smith explained to Bailey how to read the field like a quarterback. Almost seven years later, in games, on game tape or after practice, Bailey can offer his take from a receiver who knows what the field looks like for a quarterback.

"It’s amazing to have the kind of chemistry with these guys that I do. I’ve been with them for four years now," Smith said. "Me and Stedman have been playing together forever, so it’s just a great opportunity to be in, especially in this offense, because we have a lot of freedom and we have a chance to go out there and play the game we love."

As for all that Heisman talk? Smith just wants wins.

"That’s always my goal going into the season. I could care less about anything else every year," he said. "If anything, I’m rooting for [Austin] to win the Heisman more than myself or anyone else. I’m happy about it, but at the same time, I’m focused on winning games."

Fact is, it’s a possibility. Smith may even be the Big 12's best shot to bring home a second consecutive Heisman after Baylor's dual-threat quarterback, Robert Griffin III, did it in 2011.

"The second year, as coach Holgorsen says, is always the best one because I’m not out there figuring out what he wants," Smith said. "Also, he’s giving me the freedom to be myself in this offense, but at the same time, run the offense the way he wants us to, and that makes it even better, because I feel like I’m a gifted athlete, but I feel like this offense is one of the best in the country."

Holgorsen's trail of potent offense proves that. And with his Big 12 knowledge, he knows he has a quarterback who can help the Mountaineers navigate the transition from the Big East to the Big 12.

"He’s as good as any of ‘em, and has the potential to be as good as any of ‘em," Holgorsen said of Smith's place among the Big 12's elite quarterbacks in 2012. "Ultimately, it’s head-to-head battles, and that’s what I think makes Brandon Weeden tremendous. His head-to-head against every QB you can name was pretty stellar."

Smith will be the reason West Virginia looks like a perfect fit for the Big 12 on the field.

"I’ve paid attention to what guys like Brandon Weeden and Graham Harrell and Case Keenum have done, and I want to live up to what those guys have done," Smith said. "I have big shoes to fill."

Heisman Pundit is exactly that. Chris Huston knows his stuff about the Heisman, and famously penned The 10 Heismandments, which outline what has to happen for players to earn the greatest individual honor in sports.

He looked at his top 10 candidates from the Big 12, ranking them from top to bottom.

Topping the list?

West Virginia's Geno Smith. Huston pegged Oklahoma's Landry Jones as the No. 3 candidate, but had a moderate surprise at No. 2 with Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein on his list of "Contenders"

"Klein was probably the toughest player in college football last year, pound for pound," wrote Huston. "I can’t remember the last time I saw a player improve as much as Klein did between his sophomore and junior seasons."

No arguments here. The guy carried the ball 317 times, 67 more times than anybody else in the Big 12 and third-most in the nation. He took a beating every week and kept improving, kept running and kept growing as a passer.

I might have Jones ahead of both Klein and Smith, but it's definitely close. Klein needs wins and production to gain some more name recognition, but he's everything to Kansas State's offense.

I liked Huston's picks as the three dark horses, too.

TCU quarterback Casey Pachall topped that list, ahead of running back Joseph Randle at Oklahoma State and receiver Tavon Austin from West Virginia.

I think it'll be tough for Austin to legitimately win as a receiver, but if OSU and TCU start racking up wins by the bushelful, Randle will make an appearance on the short list, as will Pachall, who has three outstanding targets in Josh Boyce, Skye Dawson and Brandon Carter.

Check out Huston's blog for his list of longshots, which includes four boys in burnt orange from Texas.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Maybe it's silly, but I feel a bit like a trailblazer of sorts here in Mountaineers country. Those of us who hail from the Midwest or the South haven't had much reason to head to West Virginia, and I'd never been until yesterday. For most Big 12 fans and media, I'd say that's the case. Alas, I'll start there before moving to matters on the field.

• The rumors you've heard are true. This campus and area is beautiful, just as advertised by West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen and just about anybody else who's been here. The drive from the Denver airport to Boulder used to be my favorite in the Big 12, but it's now been replaced by the drive from Pittsburgh to Morgantown. I had heard it was two hours. It's not. It's in the ballpark of an hour to 90 minutes. Easily doable. Unlike Boulder, there isn't one big looming mountain, though. The campus and surrounding area is set among rolling hills unlike anything you'll see in the Big 12, save some parts of Austin, Texas. The drive over gives you a sense of the landscape, and there are plenty of gorgeous views. You'll love the first time you make it. I grew up in Northwest Arkansas in the thick of the Ozark Mountains, and it reminded me of that area a lot. No huge peaks, but lots of gorgeous scenery. I can only imagine how it will look in the fall.
• As for travel, I have some advice for airlines: Add more flights on fall weekends between Pittsburgh and Kansas City, Dallas and Houston, the three biggest hubs for Big 12 fans. If you get a direct flight into Pittsburgh, the travel won't be much different than trying to get to Texas A&M, Mizzou or Kansas State. I had to connect through Philadelphia, though, and it was a legitimate half-day of travel. It might take a little out of you heading into a game weekend.
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Andrew Weber/US PresswireWest Virginia's Geno Smith is as physically imposing as any of his new Big 12 QB counterparts.
• Unfortunately, I was on hand for the coldest day of the spring in West Virginia. Imagine my surprise when I woke up Wednesday morning to very legitimate snowfall. Dorothy, you're not in Texas anymore. It had been in the 70s and 80s for much of the workouts, but it was overcast and 50 degrees with blustery winds throughout Tuesday's two-plus-hour session, which included plenty of team drills. Holgorsen's teams typically don't tackle much, but players were going full contact on Tuesday, tackling to the ground during team drills, a rarity in the spring for some programs. Running back Ryan Clarke went down with an ankle injury, but his status is pending more examination from doctors.
• I was struck by Geno Smith's physical prowess. I'm not sure I realized just how big he is. He's every bit of 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, and maybe more. To me, he was more physically imposing than Landry Jones, who checks in at 6-4, 229. Other than Collin Klein, you won't see any Big 12 passers with the kind of physique Jones and Smith have, save newcomer Dayne Crist at Kansas.
• Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin? Good grief, those two are as advertised. Nobody in the Big 12 is going to be able to cover Austin with any consistency. Bailey and Smith have been friends since growing up in South Florida, and Bailey will be productive, too. Smith's throwing reps were limited on Tuesday to give his shoulder a little rest, but he hit Bailey and Austin for rainbow 40- to 50-yard passes on consecutive plays during 11-on-11 drills Tuesday. Bailey isn't quite as physically impressive as Austin (namely his quickness), but he's really smart and coordinated, and he'll be able to get open and make plays like he did last year.
• The quarterbacks behind Smith, by the way? Both Texas natives who I'm sure are itching to go up against some familiar faces. Sophomore Paul Millard is from Flower Mound, a Dallas suburb, and Ford Childress (6-5, 224) is from Houston. Both looked strong, and Millard hooked up with Ivan McCartney on a deep ball while working some with the first team early in practice. Honestly, WVU might have the best full set of QBs in the league right now, beyond starters.
• The scariest thing about WVU right now? You probably know the skill-position players -- specifically at QB and receiver -- are as good as if not better than any in the Big 12. But look out for the youngsters, too. WVU is deep and have a lot of guys who keep on coming. One name already turning heads this spring: True freshman early enrollee Jordan Thompson, a Katy, Texas, native who made plenty of plays during Tuesday's practice, and took a huge hit from a pair of defenders. "They've been waiting to do that for a long time," yelled a teammate as another picked Thompson up and Holgorsen smiled at his "Welcome to Division I football" moment.
• You know about Bailey and Austin, but look out for J.D. Woods, too. He looked the part of playmaker in Tuesday's practice, and the senior could finally be turning a corner after a quiet junior season.
• I'll have plenty more through the week -- I'm here until Thursday -- so keep checking back for more from my trip to West Virginia.

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• Now is the time for Alex Okafor to become a wrecking ball in the Texas defense, writes Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman.
• West Virginia's passing game gets lots of attention, but coach Dana Holgorsen loves what his running game is doing, too.
• New KU coach Charlie Weis is focusing on fixing an eye-popping problem in the classroom, writes Tom Keegan of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Once again, Kansas' Toben Opurum is dealing with change at KU, writes Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Clemson doesn't practice on Saturdays this spring, and coach Dabo Swinney says its an idea he stole from Mike Gundy on a recent visit to OSU.
• What's West Virginia doing to prepare for Big 12 defenses? Bob Hertzel of the Times West Virginian says it's focusing on the Mountaineers' offense.
• The man at the center of Oklahoma State's offense showcases his brains with Gina Mizell of The Oklahoman. She also takes you inside OSU's unorthodox approach to coaching special teams.
• This could be a very, very special year for Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, writes Austin Meek of the Topeka Capital-Journal.
• WVU speedster Tavon Austin might be playing even faster this spring, writes Dave Hickman of The Charleston Gazette.
• Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World takes you into Joseph Ibiloye's transition to a new position coach.
• Iowa State defensive end David Irving is trying to turn physical prowess into production, writes Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register.
• Trey Metoyer could have the same impact that Kenny Stills had as a freshman, writes Mike Baldwin of The Oklahoman.
• Oklahoma State wants to sell 50,000 season tickets for the upcoming season, writes Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World.
• Clint Bowen is coming back to KU, a place he says is special.
• You'll see this get plenty of attention in the coming future.

Final leg of the trip today.

• The Dallas City Council unanimously endorsed a move to spend $25.5 million on upgrades to the Cotton Bowl.
• Remember the WVU player who pummeled the Orange Bowl mascot in the Mountaineers' big win over Clemson? Well, even if you didn't see it, it happened. And Dave Hickman of the Charleston Gazette rehashes the embarrassing incident. (The orange was a girl, by the way.)
• Oklahoma missed out on the nation's top quarterback on Wednesday night, after he committed to USC.
• Juco linebacker Josh Francis had a tough first year at WVU. He's back and ready for a better outcome this spring, writes Mitch Vingle of the Charleston Gazette.
• Oklahoma State receiver Tracy Moore is impressing after moving outside, writes Gina Mizell of The Oklahoman.
• Iowa State players made a visit to a children's hospital this week.
• Tavon Austin had a big year in Morgantown, but it wasn't enough. Coach Dana Holgorsen wants more, writes Bob Hertzel of the Times West Virginian.
• Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World gets in touch with the center of OSU's recent offensive success.
• Baylor's recent rise is nothing short of magical, punctuated by a national championship, writes Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News.