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If I wanted to run a monkey hotel, I'd install a banana buffet.

• Does the recent Big 12-SEC partnership inspire some buyer's remorse at Mizzou? Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star examines the issue.
• Texas AD DeLoss Dodds is against expansion, but openly courted Notre Dame, writes Brett McMurphy of CBSSports.
• The Big East and ACC had their chance and missed it. The Big 12-SEC deal has shut the window on the lesser conferences, writes Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports.
• Recent suspensions bring about a comparison to Bob Stoops' first team at Oklahoma, writes Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman.
• Florida State was supposed to save the ACC. When it moves to the Big 12, it will kill the ACC, writes Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com.
• TCU players had a big impact on a local eight-year-old boy's life.
• KU running back James Sims entered into a diversion agreement for his OWI arrest earlier this spring.
• Here's an update on Iowa State's brand-new facility.
• Is a KU offensive lineman commit angling to move to BYU?
• Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal introduces you to the newest Red Raider, Baylen Brown.
• Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman breaks down Tracy Moore's assault on the record book.
• K-State AD John Currie talks a bit more about the Big 12-SEC bowl game that will begin at the end of the 2014 season.
• OSU DT Christian Littlehead was arrested for public intoxication, his second arrest in six months.
• Iowa State receiver Albert Gary was sentenced after a robbery incident, and four teammates were with him during the arrest.
• What about a scheduling alliance with the SEC for the Big 12? Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman pitches the idea.

Miss the Pokes' spring game on Saturday? We've got you covered.

What happened:

• The Cowboys' on-field quarterback derby came to an end: J.W. Walsh completed 16 of 27 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Clint Chelf completed 18 of 31 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. True freshman Wes Lunt completed 15 of 23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys didn't announce a starter after the game. More on that later.
• Junior receiver Charlie Moore broke out with nine catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns, highlighting the offense's day.
• Defensive end Tyler Johnson made five tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and recovered a fumble. Linebacker Caleb Lavey had five tackles and two tackles for loss.
• Gray won, 31-21, whatever that means. The 24-0 score at halftime was flipped in favor of the Gray.

What we learned:

• Oklahoma State's going to be just fine at quarterback. Oklahoma State's not sure who's going to grab the reins just yet. Coach Mike Gundy says the coaches will meet on Wednesday, and after that? "It should be shortly after that when we feel like we’ll have our quarterback," he said. Let's just say I have my doubts about an official announcement coming, but how can you not feel great about what you've got at quarterback after Saturday, and really, all spring? OSU's not going to have an All-Big 12 first-teamer behind center, but it'll certainly have a guy in the top half of the conference -- maybe even better. There is a lot of uncertainty, but in this offense all three can produce and have room for growth -- more so wit hWalsh and Lunt. My pick for the OSU quarteback race remains Walsh.
• We may have our breakout receiver in Stillwater. Everybody knew to watch Tracy Moore. The more-informed folks knew to keep an eye on sophomore Josh Stewart, arguably the best receiver in the spring for the Cowboys, and plenty more knew to watch juco transfer Blake Jackson. But Charlie Moore? A junior with seven catches, 114 yards and one touchdown in two seasons? I'd heard buzz that he'd excelled this spring, but no way anybody expected what he did on Saturday. He'll get plenty of hype in fall camp, and I'd caution the hype machine that Saturday was only a spring game. Doing that against teammates on a Saturday in spring is different from doing it every Saturday against Big 12 defenses. We'll see, but if a guy shows that kind of potential, it's hard to see him not being a major contributor.

They said it:

"I have an opinion on what I think is best. I mentioned to the offensive staff before prior to us starting that I didn't want to sway them one way or the other. I want to know what they have to say and then make a comparison. We'd like to name a quarterback this upcoming this week. That way we can move forward and know who our leader is this summer. I think that's best for our team."

-- Gundy, on his quarterback race

"There is an eyeball test. You look at something and you have to be careful of rushing to judgment without watching the tape. There are a lot of beautiful girls out there with terrible personalities. We'll have to see once we see the tape.”

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken, on the quarterback race. Monken also added that Walsh's day Saturday was his best of the spring after struggling in the middle of the 15 practices.

"You bet it does. Even though it's an orange and gray game and your teams are split and I'm blowing a whistle and it's not a real game, there's still competition out there. Players compete and the guys that really want to make plays, they don't care what the situation is -- they go out and play the game. It means a lot to me, the players that make plays out here today because this is as close as we can get to a game setting."

-- Gundy, on if Moore's performance means anything.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- We've only scratched the surface of my notebook after my visit to Stillwater on Wednesday. Lots, lots, lots more to come. Here's a few spare thoughts, notes and quotes from my day with the reigning Big 12 champs.

• You've heard enough about Oklahoma State's QBs for today (Part 1, Part 2), with more to come on that trio, but whoever wins the job won't be short for targets. Receiver Josh Stewart's made the biggest improvement this offseason, but Tracy Moore has come on strong on the outside, too. Inside, you really do have to watch out for Blake Jackson. I regret not putting him on my "Top Newcomers in the Big 12" list from earlier this week. He's playing inside, but he's basically a tight end, and was the best of the junior college ranks last year. He's also a man. He's a huge target with great, great hands. Look for him to get some run on the goal line, but in this offense, he may actually be my frontrunner for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. I'd almost guarantee him getting a high volume of touches, and he's going to be tough to bring down at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds. He's every bit of that, too. "He's a big body guy and has really good hands. If it's in the general area of him, he's going to catch it," quarterback J.W. Walsh said. "He's got really good leaping ability and great ball skills."
• Speaking of newcomers, you don't hear as much hype around him, but defensive coordinator Bill Young is hopeful that Calvin Barnett can have a big impact on the defensive line. Plenty of folks were after the one-time OSU commit, turned Arkansas signee, turned juco All-American, turned Cowboy signee. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder has big-time potential, but he has to pick up the speed of the game and focus on technique. OSU's defense may ultimately depend on strength at the defensive tackle spot. "He's a very talented guy, he's really strong and powerful. Weight coaches have raved about what he's done in the weight room," said Young. "He's a big guy who can run and change direction. We're fortunate to have him." Big impact? "We're hoping he can," Young said.
• Fired Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, an Oklahoma State alum, was back on OSU's campus on Wednesday visiting with the coaching staff. Colorado coach Jon Embree also showed up unannounced earlier this spring to meet with Gundy, who granted the request.
• Oklahoma State's corners and running backs are both having great springs, as expected. Those two spots might be the biggest strength on the team. OSU has a great case as the Big 12's best set of running backs, and is second to only Texas at cornerback.
• Defensively, Mike Gundy feels like this year's team is the most talented and deepest of any team he's had dating all the way back to even when Gundy was an assistant under Les Miles.
• Oklahoma State may be hurt the most of anyone with the new rule changes in special teams. Kickoffs have been moved up to the 35-yard line and touchbacks are now brought out to the 25-yard line. That negates two huge advantages OSU has had the past two season. Quinn Sharp boomed 61 touchbacks last season. No other kicker had more than 40. Meanwhile, Justin Gilbert is one of the most dynamic return men in the league, but he'll have fewer opportunities. He says he'll still plan on taking it out when he gets a chance, but he'll have to dial it back some and take the unselfish route a whole lot more. Sad to see that. He's electrifying.
• Oklahoma State moved safety Daytawion Lowe to nickel back and Lavocheya Cooper is holding down the free safety spot. The void at strong safety will be filled by committee, Young said. Zack Craig will be part of it, as and Shamiel Gary and Deion Imade will get a shot, too. "The good thing about is we have all the backups back," Young said.
• OSU is missing center Evan Epstein this week. He's out with pneumonia.
• Former OSU lineman Levy Adcock showed up briefly to Oklahoma State' facilities on Wednesday. I can confirm he's shaved his mullet, just like he said he would.

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.

Oklahoma State (aka the Big 12 champs) opens up spring practice later today. Here's a look at what to expect.

Schedule: Oklahoma State kicks off the first of its NCAA-allowed 15 practices Monday, leading up to the spring game on April 21. Practices are closed to fans and media.

What's new: The major characters in the story of the Cowboys' 2011 Big 12 title run (and subsequent Fiesta Bowl win) are gone. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon hooked up for 232 completions and 38 touchdowns the past two seasons, carrying Oklahoma State to 23 wins in consecutive years that were each the best in school history. Replacing both is the primary issue in the spring.

New faces: Special teams coordinator Joe DeForest left after 12 years in Stillwater and leaves a big void of his own. New assistant Van Malone will coach OSU's safeties, but coach Mike Gundy won't decide who fills the special teams role until after the spring. Malone comes to OSU via Tulsa. Oklahoma State also welcomes four early enrollees: QB Wes Lunt, TE Blake Jackson, DT Calvin Barnett and LB Jeremiah Tshimanga.

Big shoes to fill: OSU's receiving corps. Blackmon is gone, but the search goes a lot deeper than just for OSU's No. 1. No. 2 receiver Josh Cooper graduated, as did No. 4 receiver Hubert Anyiam. The team's receiver with perhaps the most potential, Michael Harrison, also left the team after being suspended by the NCAA for the 2012 season. Last year, nine OSU players caught at least 19 passes for 200 yards. There's a lot of receptions to go around. Receivers have to step up this spring. Tracy Moore, Josh Stewart and Isaiah Anderson are the most likely candidates to grab 80-100 balls next year.

All eyes on: The quarterback battle, obviously. Gundy says junior Clint Chelf hasn't done enough to make the job his to lose. Freshman J.W. Walsh has a full year in the system under his belt, but can the dual-threat prove his mettle as a passer? Lunt enters this spring with what's likely the biggest arm of the three, but can he pick the system up fast enough to earn the job? Gundy says he wants to know his starter at the end of the spring, but all three will receive equal reps to begin practice today.

Breaking out: Jackson. We mentioned him earlier, and the early-enrolling tight end is already making a splash. He opens the spring at the top of OSU's depth chart at inside receiver. You don't see that every day. The 6-foot-3 juco transfer was an All-American last year and is already up to 238 pounds from 220 earlier this year. Don't be surprised if he makes major waves in the coming weeks.

Question mark: Markelle Martin wasn't the fastest safety in the league, but he provided valuable leadership, had tons of experience and was arguably the Big 12's biggest hitter. Lavocheya Cooper gets the first crack at replacing him, but will he be good enough? In the pass-happy Big 12, there's no overstating the importance of safeties that get in receivers' heads and prevent the big play.

Spring football is already under way at Texas Tech, but in the coming weeks, the Big 12's other nine programs will join the Red Raiders in taking the field as a team for the first time since January, December or November for some.

Here's a preview of what to expect:

BAYLOR BEARS

Spring practice start date: March 19
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Nick Florence: It's not official, but the Baylor quarterback job is Florence's to lose. That means he inherits the unenviable task of replacing the school's first Heisman winner. He replaced RG3 in 2009 with mixed results, but showed some major potential in a win over Texas Tech when RG3 took a shot to the head and sat out the second half. Can he keep the bowl streak alive at Baylor? We'll get an idea this spring.
• The defense's progression: You didn't need to see much more than the 67-56 Alamo Bowl win over Washington to know the Bears needed some work on defense. In the month of November, Baylor became the first team in FBS history to win four consecutive games in a single season while also giving up at least 30 points in each of those games. The defense can't make Florence pick up the slack to that level. Year 2 under Phil Bennett must be better. Baylor has no excuses. The Bears have the athletes on campus necessary to be at least a decent defense.
• The team's attitude/motivation: Baylor played with a lot of purpose the past two seasons, and made history in both, cracking a 16-year bowl drought and winning 10 games this year. Is that fire still there? Baylor has to prove it is without RG3 (and Kendall Wright) carrying the team on the field, emotionally and mentally.

IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Spring practice start date: March 20
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• The quarterback battle: Or is it? Jared Barnett looked like the man of the future in Ames late in the season, leading the Cyclones to an historic upset of No. 2 Oklahoma State. But in the ugly Pinstripe Bowl loss to a mediocre Rutgers team, Barnett's inaccuracy posed big questions. He was benched and Steele Jantz stepped in, though he didn't play much better than Barnett. Turnovers were an issue for Jantz early on, but Barnett has to bounce back in the spring to make sure the job doesn't come open.
• The receivers: Darius Reynolds was the big-play man for the Cyclones, but he's gone. It's going to be tough to replace him. Slot receivers Aaron Horne and Josh Lenz were productive, but did little to stretch defenses like Reynolds did. Can ISU find someone to fill the void?
• The new man at left tackle: Iowa State had the luxury of having a future pro, Kelechi Osemele, at left tackle for the past three seasons. He earned All-Big 12 nods in each of those seasons, but he's gone now. Junior Carter Bykowski was behind Osemele on the depth chart, but will the converted tight end be the new man at tackle for the Cyclones?

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Spring practice start date: March 27
Spring game: April 28

What to watch:

• Uh, everything?: I mean, what's not to watch at KU? Charlie Weis steps in for the fired Turner Gill and tries to build KU up from nothing. The Jayhawks were one of the worst teams in Big 12 history last season, losing six games by at least 30 points. Weis will speak his mind and watching him rebuilding the Jayhawks is going to be fun. It all starts next month -- on the field, at least.
• KU's new pass-catch combo: Dayne Crist is on campus, and so is Oklahoma transfer Justin McCay, a former blue-chip recruit who didn't quite catch on in Norman. Quarterback and receiver were arguably the two biggest positions of need for KU last year, and we'll get a preview of what could be a productive combo next season. McCay isn't officially eligible for the 2012 season yet -- he needs the NCAA to waive its mandated redshirt year after a transfer -- but the coaching staff is confident he'll have it granted.
• The uncertainty on the depth chart: When a new staff comes in, you never know what to expect. Kansas' leading rusher in its final season under Mark Mangino, Toben Opurum, is now one of its best defensive linemen. Look for Weis to shake things up, too. Where? Who knows?

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Spring practice start date: April 4
Spring game: April 28

What to watch:

• Collin Klein's maturation: Kansas State's quarterback could be fun to watch this spring and next fall. His throwing motion isn't pretty, but his accuracy improved in a big way throughout the season. If that continues at a pace anything close to what we saw last year, K-State's going to be a load for everyone. Look out.
• Developing depth at running back: John Hubert is back, and so is seldom-used Angelo Pease. Bryce Brown is gone, though. Klein handles a lot of the heavy lifting in the running game, but it'd be some nice insurance if K-State could establish some more depth in the backfield. Making Klein carry the ball 300 times again is tempting fate.
• Stars becoming superstars: Kansas State brings back more starters than all but seven teams in college football, so this team is going to look remarkably similar in 2012 to the way it did last year. However, it should get better. And its two transfers could look dominant this spring. Cornerback Nigel Malone and linebacker Arthur Brown emerged as stars last year, but we could see the duo emerge as true game-changers this spring. Look out, Big 12 offenses.

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Spring practice start date: March 8
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• New faces on, off the field: Mike Stoops' arrival as the defensive coordinator was the biggest news this offseason in the Big 12, and Brent Venables, who had been at OU for all of Bob Stoops' tenure, left for Clemson rather than become co-defensive coordinator. Hopes are high that Stoops can revitalize Oklahoma's defense. He was in charge when the Sooners rode a dominant D to the 2000 national title, and the Sooners have the talent to win it all in 2012. Receiver Trey Metoyer joins the team this spring, and could be a major contributor immediately. Two of the team's four new tight ends are also enrolled early.
• QB Blake Bell's role: The Belldozer is back … but so is full-time quarterback Landry Jones. How will the balance between the duo look this spring? And what new wrinkles will we see in Oklahoma's simple, yet near-unstoppable short-yardage formation that scored 13 touchdowns in the second half of 2011?
• The battle at defensive end: Oklahoma must fill two huge holes at defensive end. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Frank Alexander is gone, as is possible first-round pick Ronnell Lewis. R.J. Washington contributed late and has potential, but David King filled in for Lewis in the final three games of the season. The duo could be great, but it could also be pretty pedestrian. We'll get an idea this spring, but Lewis and Alexander set a high, high bar.

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Spring practice start date: March 12
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• The quarterback battle: This will easily be the highest-profile, highest-quality quarterback battle in the Big 12. It won't be at the level of Texas Tech in 2010, but it won't be too far off. Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh and Wes Lunt will go head to head. All have plenty of potential, though Lunt may have the most. The big-armed true freshman also has the least experience. Anything could happen here.
• Which receivers rise: Justin Blackmon and Josh Cooper leave huge holes behind. It's not every day a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner walks on campus. Hubert Anyiam is gone, too. Michael Harrison is unlikely to play for the 2012 season, but the school has offered no confirmation on his status. He had the most potential, but OSU is deep at the position. Who emerges as the top target? Isaiah Anderson? Tracy Moore? Josh Stewart? Anything could happen there, too.
• Defense needs a leader: Safety Markelle Martin has been the heart of the defense the past two seasons, but his big-hitting days are over. Who becomes the new voice of the defense? It needs to find leadership this spring heading into summer voluntary workouts.

TEXAS LONGHORNS

Spring practice start date: Feb. 23
Spring game: April 1

What to watch:

• The quarterback competition: I still think having a competition at the spot, which Texas says it will, isn't the best option, but David Ash and Case McCoy will go at it alongside early-enrolling freshman Connor Brewer. If Ash secures the job, expect an announcement heading into summer officially anointing the sophomore.
• More sophistication on both sides of the ball: The progression is natural and likely. Offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz had good first years in Austin, but this is Year 2. The spring won't be devoted to learning the playbook. It's time to master it. Both units could look markedly different, and much more refined next fall. Deny it all you like: Texas is back on its way to the top after a rough two years.
• Maturing offensive weapons: Last season, the Longhorns relied on two true freshman running backs (Malcolm Brown/Joe Bergeron), a freshman/sophomore rotation at quarterback and its top receiver (Jaxon Shipley) was a true freshman. No. 2 (Mike Davis) was a sophomore. I hope I don't have to tell you what freshmen and sophomores do in college football. Look. Out.

TCU HORNED FROGS

Spring practice start date: Feb. 25
Spring end date: April 5

What to watch:

• Can TCU shut out the scandal? Four team members were arrested in a recent drug sting and kicked off the team. How much of a distraction will that be for a program undergoing the most monumental change in its history? Quantifying the effects of the scandal will be pretty impossible, and we've got no idea how they'll handle the change, but will it be on players' minds?
• The offense tightens up: The Horned Frogs' offense is absolutely loaded and ready to go for 2012. Quarterback Casey Pachall returns and brings his top three weapons (Josh Boyce, Skye Dawson and Brandon Carter) with him. Running backs Waymon James, Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker each topped 700 yards rushing in 2011 and all return. The spring will be all about fine-tuning an already stellar offense, and it'll be fun to watch.
• Replacing departed starters: All-America linebacker Tanner Brock was among the four football players arrested and booted from the team, as was all-conference defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey and likely starting safety Devin Johnson. Those were unforeseen losses, but TCU can't feel sorry for itself. Gary Patterson has no choice but to find new faces to fill those holes.

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Spring practice start date: Feb. 17
Spring game: March 24

What to watch:

• Once again, a new defense: Texas Tech sounds like a broken record these days when it comes to defensive coordinators. This time, Art Kaufman will be stepping to the microphone as the fourth defensive coordinator in Lubbock in four years. He's bringing a 4-3, a shift back to what Ruffin McNeil ran in 2009. Chad Glasgow's 4-2-5 and James Willis' 3-4 failed miserably in 2011 and 2010, respectively, the first two years under Tommy Tuberville.
• The battle at running back: No one knows yet if Eric Stephens will be back next season. There's still a long way to go in his rehab from a dislocated knee he suffered last season in a loss to Texas A&M. DeAndre Washington is also out this spring after tearing his ACL against Missouri. Harrison Jeffers hung up his cleats. Who will prove to be reliable this spring? Look for the Red Raiders to try to use sophomore Bradley Marquez, freshman Javares McRoy and junior SaDale Foster in a manner similar to the way Oregon uses scatback De'Anthony Thomas, with lots of short passes and bubble screens to get them the ball in space, where they can use their speed and shiftiness to make plays.
• Team health: Tuberville said earlier this month that the team is missing 15 players this spring. It can't afford any more injuries. It's already going to be tough to get enough done this spring, but Tech can't start getting banged up.

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Spring practice start date: March 11
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• Dana Holgorsen's offense in Year 2: Holgorsen didn't get a chance to coach his talented offense at Oklahoma State in its second year. The results could have been crazy. They might be at West Virginia in 2012, and the beginning steps will be taken this spring as Geno Smith & Co. get more and more comfortable with the system and Holgorsen adds more wrinkles.
• The battle at running back: Sophomore Dustin Garrison hurt his knee in practices leading up to the Mountaineers' 70-33 Orange Bowl win over Clemson, and won't be there for the spring. What does senior Shawne Alston have in store for the spring? Garrison was the featured back last season, but a big spring could help Alston earn a few carries next year.
• Defense needs help: Najee Goode leaves a big hole at linebacker, and defensive back Eain Smith's exit means the Mountaineers enter the season without two of their top three tacklers from a year ago. Bruce Irvin and Julian Miller's talents on the defensive line will be tough to replace, and in a league that requires a great pass rush, Irvin, Goode and Miller's 19 combined sacks must be replaced somehow.

Thanks for all the questions in today's chat.

Here's where you can send me more mail if you didn't get your question answered in the chat.

And time for a few highlights.

mike (WV): best O in B12 next year - including WVU? Does Smith have a shot at the Heisman?

David Ubben: He's got a shot, sure. The Big 12 should be deep next year, though. It's going to tough for Geno to win it. As for the best offense in the Big 12 next year, certainly WVU will be in the mix. Don't overlook OSU or Baylor, too, even with new quarterbacks. I'll lean Oklahoma for now, but we'll see how the spring shakes out.

Kyle (St. Louis): As a Missouri fan we have seen great tight ends in recent memory (rucker, coffman, and now egnew) but there game hasn't translated to the NFL. Do you see egnew making an impact at the next level?

David Ubben: To me, it's all about the fit. Coffman and Rucker didn't land in situations that sort of fit their receiving talents. Ultimately, I think that's what will decide Egnew's fate. I don't know if he'll ever develop into the blocker needed in the NFL, but there's room for receiving tight ends in this league, as we've seen in these playoffs. Why can't Egnew be that kind of guy?

Chris (BCS, TX): Ok Ubbs... Honestly... how bad are my Aggies going to get killed in the SEC... I didn't like the idea from the begining but here we are so what do you think?

David Ubben: Ha. It's a trap! Here's the thing: The West is going to be tough on A&M in the immediate future. The Aggies are young. Finishing 6-6 in 2012 would be a good start. Meanwhile, Missouri is experienced and in a much less difficult division. I could see Mizzou winning 9-10 games in Year One. Over time, A&M should improve a bit, depending on how Sumlin works out. As for Mizzou, sustaining success is going to be a little more difficult.

Candice (Tulsa): If Clint Chelf comes out and plays a lot better than everyone expects him to, do you think OSU could win the Big 12? I'm an optimistic so I would like to think so. Plus, I would like all the haters (ahem, OU and Texas fans) to realize OSU is on the rise, and will be an elite team from here on out. Thoughts?

David Ubben: It's possible. OSU's got a good team coming back. The running backs should allow Chelf's margin of error to be a little bit larger. I'm not betting on it, but like I've written before: The Big 12 is wide open this year. There are easily 6-7 teams who could realistically win the Big 12 this year. Last year, there were only three. OSU's fortunate to be in both groups.

Jamie (Dallas): If Baylor's new stadium gets built in, say, the next 3 seasons, is that a game changer for the Bears in the recruiting field and if re-alignment evers rears its ugly head again?

David Ubben: Yeah, it could be. Realignment seems like it'll be quiet in the Big 12 until 2017 or so, but it can't hurt. More valuable for Baylor than any stadium? Keeping Art Briles.

Jeff (Columbia, MO): Is there any indication on when more information will come out on the WVU v. Big East? Is there still a chance the Big East could hold WVU to the 27 month 'we'll be here in case you change your mind' period?

David Ubben: They're undergoing non-binding mediation in the near future. There's a belief that said mediation could result in a deal that allows WVU to leave early but pay additional damages beyond the $5 million exit fee in the Big East.

danan (albuquerque): is tim kish a good hire for ou

David Ubben: I don't know the guy, but it's always a good thing when you can bring in an experienced guy who's dealt with more responsibilities at other times in his career to come be a position coach.

Ubben For President (Irving, TX): David, Do you think KSU's 10 win season this year was a fluke, or do you think that next year's season will sure up 2011's close wins?... Thanks for keeping me entertained during a slow day at work.!-Jacob

David Ubben: Here's how K-State looks: Was this year a fluke? Yeah, a little bit. The performance in close games (8-1) was insane. But next year, they bring back a TON and will be a better team. They'll have a good shot to win 10 games again. The odds are probably against that happening a little bit, but they'll come close.

Pete (Georgia): Which schools seriously would like to go back to 12 teams?

David Ubben: Not really much momentum to make it happen in the Big 12 for now. I could certainly see that changing in the future.

Tony (Richmond, CA): Who will Mike Gundy lean on to fill the big shoes left by Blackmon's depature to the NFL?

David Ubben: A lot of receivers. Won't be just one guy. Tracy Moore could slide in. Mike Harrison. Josh Stewart. They've got a lot of guys with a lot of potential.

A long time ago, in a small Oklahoma town far, far away from Phoenix, a bunch of people told Oklahoma State it would finish fifth in something once known as the Big 12 South.

That was back in August 2010, 16 months ago.

Since then, Oklahoma State won a share of the Big 12 South with a whole lot of guys nobody outside Stillwater had ever heard of.

A three-star recruit with 20 career catches won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver. A former walk-on won the nod as the Big 12's best quarterback. An offensive line with four new starters emerged as the Big 12's best.

That means this year, OSU won the Big 12 with a whole bunch of stars, including receiver Justin Blackmon, quarterback Brandon Weeden and one of the nation's best position coaches, OSU offensive line coach Joe Wickline.

Before the season, OSU coach Mike Gundy reflected on that dream, 11-win season that served as a precursor to 2011, an even dreamier season capped by a win over Oklahoma, the first since 2002.

It happened, Gundy says, because of his system that had been in place for five years, with improvement each year serving as the proof that persuaded players to buy in.

"It allows us to perform better than we should when maybe we’re not as talented or we’re not as experienced," he said before beginning a year that ended with the school's first Big 12 title. "We didn’t have hardly any experience coming back last year, and we stuck with what we believed in, and I am somewhat convinced that that’s the reason we were able to start playing pretty good and have a productive year in somewhat of a rebuilding phase."

Well, guess what?

It's time to test that theory once again.

We know how 2011 will end: With 11 or 12 wins and a Fiesta Bowl win or loss. The Cowboys finish their season against Stanford on Monday night.

The bigger unknown?

... What will happen next year?

Weeden will be gone. Blackmon will be, too. The Cowboys' No. 2 target, Josh Cooper, will relinquish his title as one of the Big 12's most underrated players upon graduating. Three offensive linemen will end their college careers, too.

The defense will lose both defensive ends and its leader, safety Markelle Martin.

That system of Gundy's? It's time for another big test.

In his seventh season in Stillwater, Gundy has the rare distinction of equaling or improving on the previous year's win total in every single year.

Next season undoubtedly will be a rebuilding year, but so was 2010. What will it mean on the field?

The Cowboys will host a quarterback competition for the right to throw to a group of talented receivers nobody outside Stillwater, as in 2010, has ever heard of.

Recruiting has improved every year under Gundy, and we'll see how those new faces have fit into his burgeoning program.

This time next year, will Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh or newcomer Wes Lunt be a household name and an All-Big 12 quarterback?

Will Michael Harrison, Isaiah Anderson, Tracy Moore or Josh Stewart be on the short list for the Biletnikoff?

As in 2010, the Cowboys will have a solid running game to depend on. Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith have combined for more than 1,800 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns with a game still left to play. They'll both be back, as Kendall Hunter, a 2008 All-American, was in 2010.

This year, Oklahoma State proved it can get over the hump.

Next year, we'll find out whether the Cowboys are capable of staying on top.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma tried using defensive back Javon Harris.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and receiver Kendall Wright made it obvious that wasn't going to work earlier in the season. Apparently, neither will using experienced senior Sam Proctor.

Oklahoma's Tony Jefferson, who most often plays a nickel back position, is playing deep safety, something Bob Stoops has said a handful of times he has no intention of doing. Joseph Ibiloye replaced Jefferson underneath at the nickel back.

Jefferson might be Oklahoma's most instinctive defender outside of lineback Travis Lewis, and having him back there could help. Brandon Weeden hit Tracy Moore underneath for a 52-yard gain to set up a touchdown, but so far, Oklahoma's been solid over the top, where the Bears gave the Sooners big trouble.

It's definitely something to keep an eye on.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- What a half.

Up and down and lots of big plays. Basically, the exact opposite of that tussle in Tuscaloosa.

Different strokes for different folks.

Here's some quick analysis of the first half, where Oklahoma State leads, 27-24.

Turning point I: Trailing 17-14, Brandon Weeden was intercepted by Allen Chapman and couldn't chase down the defensive back, who returned the pick 60 yards for a touchdown to put K-State up 10.

Turning point II: Weeden marched the offense down the field for a field goal, and two plays later, James Thomas returned a tipped interception to K-State's five-yard line that definitively put momentum back in the hands of the Cowboys.

Stat of the half: Uh, pretty simple. K-State and Oklahoma State combined for 51 points in the half. That's a whole lot, and a whole lot of fun.

Best player in the half: Tracy Moore, WR, Oklahoma State. Moore's already surpassed his career high with 123 yards and a game-tying touchdown on seven catches. His previous career high was 112 yards.

What Oklahoma State needs to do: It's pretty clear that Oklahoma State's offense is going to roll more often than it's going to stumble. Cut down on the turnovers and don't make risky throws, and OSU should win this game by double digits. Turn it over, especially in game-changing fashion like muffed punts deep in their own territory and interceptions returned by touchdowns, and this turns to an upset pretty quick.

What Kansas State needs to do: The running game hasn't been as solid as K-State would like. The Wildcats have 128 yards on 22 carries, but 57 of them came on a double reverse to Tyler Lockett. That's 67 yards on the other 20 carries. Not good. So much for a ball control offense. The offensive line has to assert itself, but Collin Klein has been solid, completing a handful of clutch throws, despite his forced interception that changed the game and had no business being attempted.

Force a couple three and outs, get the running game going like it's been all year and K-State will be in this game late. As we learned in wins over Baylor, Miami and Eastern Kentucky, this team knows how to win in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma State hasn't trailed in the fourth quarter of a game this year. The advantage in that situation is obvious.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State's been here before.

It shouldn't be too big of a surprise.

It was a smaller hole, but the Cowboys climbed out of it in the exact same way.

Oklahoma State erased a 10-point lead against Kansas State to tie the game at 24 midway through the second quarter.

Brandon Weeden had an interception returned 60 yards by Allen Chapman that injected a bit of panic into Boone Pickens Stadium.

Everywhere, it seemed, but the Oklahoma State sideline. Weeden walked back on the field and threw five consecutive completions for double-digit yardage to move the Cowboys in for a field goal.

And, yes, the defense cashed in another turnover. James Thomas picked off a pass on the second play of the next drive and took it to the 5-yard line. Weeden hit Tracy Moore for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a fifth touchdown drive of just one play in the past two games.

Back against Texas A&M in September, Oklahoma State fell behind by 17 points at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, it was in the lead. It did it with precision passing and forced turnovers.

Once again, we see the same tonight.

A mature team with lots of wins under its belt making mature plays and continuing to do what it does best.

Oklahoma State receiver Hubert Anyiam will miss the rest of the season after he broke his foot in Saturday's 45-24 win over Missouri.

Anyiam caught one pass for 31 yards, but spent the second half on the sidelines in a boot after the injury.

You hate to see that for Anyiam, who played through a painful ankle injury for much of 2010. This, after leading the team in receiving in 2009 when Dez Bryant missed the season's final 10 games with an NCAA suspension.

This season, he had finally gotten going again, catching 10 passes in a game against Texas A&M and grabbing two touchdown passes against Kansas. He was third on the team with 27 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the senior's career at Oklahoma is presumably over.

Oklahoma State's receiving corps is deep. Talents like Tracy Moore, Michael Harrison and Josh Stewart will have to be relied on as the next option behind Justin Blackmon and Josh Cooper. They can handle it.

Still, this is a hit for the Cowboys' offense and a tough break for Anyiam.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Kyle Field was rocking through halftime. Texas A&M looked dominant and the 12th Man towels were furiously waving.

All of a sudden, the stands have gotten very uncomfortable for the Aggies, who trail 24-20 late in the third quarter after leading by 17 at halftime.

OSU has scored 21 points on its first three drives of the half, while A&M handed the ball back to OSU on a fumble after a long catch by Kenric McNeal. Safety Daytawion Lowe forced the fumble, and cornerback Justin Gilbert recovered.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden took the lead when he found Tracy Moore in the back of the end zone for a four-yard score.

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill turned it over with an interception on the following possession when Brodrick Brown cut off an out route.

The A&M defense suddenly looks like it badly misses cornerback Coryell Judie after a strong first half.

It's reminiscent of last year's game, but this one is far from over. Both of these offenses can put up a lot of points. Should be a classic finish.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- There was no bigger question surrounding Oklahoma State's program. Yeah, last season was fun, but did your offense pack up and move to Morgantown?

Former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen revived an offense that a year ago looked like it was tentatively piecing together building blocks for a marginal run in years to come. But by season's end, the Cowboys were near the top of the college football world offensively -- looking up at only Oregon and Boise State. But as quickly as he came, he left for West Virginia, where he's now the head coach.

Back in what is, at least for now, Big 12 country? So far so good. Oklahoma State beat Arizona 37-14 just months after doing the same in the Alamo Bowl in Holgorsen's last hurrah while wearing orange.

"It's still the same guys blocking, catching, throwing, running," quarterback Brandon Weeden said. "I think [Dana] is one of the best playcallers in college football, but you've still got to execute. ... The transition's been really smooth."

Everyone knew that Oklahoma State returned much of last season's team, which won a school-record 11 games. But who deserved the credit for the rise with so little experience and even lower expectations?

Holgorsen's offense hung 34 points on Marshall in its Morgantown opener, but it's pretty clear by now that he didn't string together a record-setting offense in Stillwater with a bunch of scrubs.

For now, 2011 looks very much like a carbon copy of 2010.

Score 60 points in the season opener? Check.

Justin Blackmon racking up 100 yards receiving? Check.

Keep Weeden above 300 yards passing in both? Check, and he didn't even do that in 2010.

Beat Arizona by four touchdowns? Check, give or take a few points.

New coordinator Todd Monken's biggest tests are on the way, but the warmups? He's aced them all.

"Todd's doing fine," said coach Mike Gundy.

Out-of-character penalties stalled a few drives that could have put even more points on the board, but Oklahoma State has shown signs that it might be even better in 2011 armed with the experience from last year's overachieving season.

Weeden broke his own school record for completions on Thursday night with his 35th, and that was before the fourth quarter even began. He finished 42-of-53 for 397 yards and two touchdowns, both on goal-line fade routes to Blackmon.

Oklahoma State's top two backs, Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith, combined for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.

Volume and balance, two very good words coaches like Monken want associated with their offenses.

"I was just focused from the minute I ran out of the tunnel," Weeden said. "The confidence when you get a couple short ones and you hit a long one and then a couple more short ones, you just get that confidence. You get in the flow of the game and that's kind of how it went."

Expectations were high. For now, Monken's taken a more experienced offense higher.

"I want to be somewhere where the expectations are high and there's good players. So, if you're afraid of that, you'll never go any place where they've got good players and you're afraid of following in someone's footsteps," Monken said. "I'm not really worried about that. I came here because I knew the place was different when I was here before and has got good football players that give us a chance to win every week."

Oklahoma State might do exactly that this season. Early on, at least, it looked capable. And for as much well-deserved attention as Weeden and Blackmon draw, they're far from alone.

"Last year, it was kind of like Kendall [Hunter], Blackmon and Brandon," Blackmon said. "Now, you've got Joseph and Jeremy back in the backfield. You got receivers Hubert [Anyiam] and Josh [Cooper] on one side with Tracy [Moore] on the other. And you've also got Mike Harrison out there making plays. Overall, you've just got more people out there making plays."

Weeden completed a pass to 11 receivers on Thursday. Even the punter, Quinn Sharp, had more rushing yards than any single Arizona running back. His 23-yard scamper on a third-quarter fake was more than the 22 and 19 yards Arizona's top backs finished with.

Penalties plagued Oklahoma State, in part because of confusion surrounding what a new rule stipulates receivers can and can't do on cut blocks. But Gundy's well aware of what he has.

"One concern I have with this team, is they're so experienced on offense, and they're so confident in themselves, that I don't want them to think they can just go out there and it's going to happen," Gundy said.

That didn't happen Thursday night, despite a mid-game lull with a comfortable 21-7 lead.

But as the season progresses, Weeden, Blackmon & Co. will go out there. And it probably will happen.

But trust that both will do what's necessary to make it happen. Regardless of who's up in the booth.

Time to hand out some awards for a job well done in Week 1.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: Griffin had the biggest stage of any team in the Big 12 so far this season, and he seized it with a career game. He played the best team with the best defense of any Big 12 opponent this week and still racked up five gorgeous touchdown passes and 359 yards on 21-of-27 passes. Outstanding in a 50-48 win that included a game-changing 15-yard reception to convert a third-down on the go-ahead drive.

Todd Monken, OC, Oklahoma State: Simply put, if you hang 60 on anybody in your first game, and have a 300-yard passer (Brandon Weeden), a 100-yard rusher (Joe Randle) and two 100-yard receivers (Justin Blackmon, Tracy Moore), you deserve some credit. Monken's got a lot of talent to work with, but he has to be great for Oklahoma State to reach its goals. Tonight's 61-34 win was a good start.

Dominique Whaley, RB, Oklahoma: Whaley became the first walk-on at Oklahoma to rush for 100 yards since Jim Culbreath in 1974. Stoops has been lauding the back all preseason, but most figured the more highly recruited backs like Brennan Clay and Roy Finch would eventually be the guys the Sooners relied on. Not so. Whaley rushed 18 times for 131 yards and four scores. Nicely done.

Darrin Moore, WR, Texas Tech: Moore had earned plenty of buzz over the offseason, and he validated it with the best game of any receiver in the league this week. Moore caught 12 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, making life easy for his quarterback, Seth Doege, who was making his second career start. His night, in Tech's 50-10 win, was more than every other receiver in the game combined.

Steele Jantz, QB, Iowa State: Here's the deal: The helmet stickers aren't just about numbers. They're about being a difference maker. Jantz was exactly that. He threw three picks, sure, but he had the gutsiest performance of any player in the league besides Griffin this week. On fourth-and-10 and his team down six with just over four minutes to play, he threw a 26-yard touchdown pass, only to watch his defense give up an 80-yard touchdown pass on the ensuring drive. His answer? A nine-play, 60-yard drive to earn the lead back for good in the final minute, capping his night of 267 total yards with the game winning sneak.

Bonus points for being provocative: Rice's band, nicknamed "The Mob," which spelled out $-E-C on the field during its halftime performance. Troll hard, Owl trumpeters.