Arrowhead downer

If you’re keeping track, the Border War at Arrowhead II drew fewer fans than the inaugural Kansas-Missouri game at the Kansas City facility. Saturday’s announced attendance was 79,123. School officials called last year’s crowd 80,537.

Sooners run, too

So dominant is Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford-fueled passing attack that most people overlook the Sooners’ two-pronged running game. Tailbacks DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown rank 2-3, respectively, in Big 12 rushing. Murray has run for 1,002 yards and Brown 988.

Don’t forget Texas D

Sure Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has thrown for nearly 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, but how can the Longhorns be 11-1 with an almost invisible running game? Answer: Texas is the only Big 12 school that ranks in the NCAA top 50 in scoring defense. UT ranks No. 21 by allowing 18.6 points a game.

Kansas, O-State twins?

Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant and Kansas’ Dezmon Briscoe, who rank 1-2, respectively, in Big 12 reception yardage per game stats, have more in common than just the similarity of their first names. Both are sophomores and both are Texas high school products — Bryant from Lufkin and Briscoe from Cedar Hill.

Iowa State upheaval

When teams lose, heads roll. Further evidence: Iowa State coach Gene Chizik demoted his offensive and defensive coordinators, and fired two other assistants after the Cyclones won their first two games, then dropped their next 10.

Remember Dawgs?

Anybody remember which football team was ranked No. 1 in most preseason polls? It was Georgia. The Dawgs finished 9-3, losing to Alabama (41-30), Florida (49-10) and Georgia Tech (45-42). Georgia is No. 16 in this week’s BCS poll.

Points aplenty

Half of the nation’s top eight scoring teams are from the Big 12 — No. 1 Oklahoma (53.3), No. 4 Missouri (45.0), No. 5 Texas Tech (44.6), No. 6 Texas (43.9) and No. 8 Oklahoma State (41.6).

Parrish resurfaces

Anybody remember Stan Parrish? From 1986-88, Parrish was Kansas State’s head football coach. Today he’s offensive coordinator at Ball State and one of five finalists for the Broyles Award that goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.