With 10 of its top 12 quarterbacks returning, the Big 12 Conference should be anything but boring during the upcoming college football season.

Some of the best quarterbacks in the country play in the Big 12, as evidenced from the "Mt. Passmore" feature showcased on page 1B of today's sports section.

But what about the guys that complete the highlight reel?

The running backs who turn busted plays into chunks of yardage. The wide receivers who turn five-yard screen passes into 80-yard touchdowns. These guys deserve similar glory.

The Big 12 football dream team started with quarterbacks Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, Graham Harrell and Todd Reesing.

It's time to expand the list to include the best game-breaking playmakers in the conference.

The mission is simple: Find the players who can change a game's outcome in a single play. In the era of quick strikes, spread offenses and 76-point outbursts, it has become incredibly important for offenses to be able to light up the scoreboard.

The Big 12's primetime playmakers:

WR - Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

WR - Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

WR - Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

WR - Deon Murphy, Kansas State

RB - Marlon Lucky, Nebraska

KR - Marcus Herford, Kansas

PR - Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Operating out of the spread offense, which typically features four receivers, would easily be the best way to utilize the speed of this dream team.

Crabtree, a sophomore from Dallas, shattered the NCAA freshman touchdown record (previously 16) with 22 last season, to go along with 134 catches and 1,962 yards. Red Raiders coach Mike Leach utilizes Crabtree as a deep threat and a possession receiver. There will be times when Harrell tosses a quick screen pass to Crabtree to let him maneuver in the open field. Several of his touchdowns in 2007 came from this scenario. When defenses move up to anticipate that, Crabtree has the speed to burn secondaries deep. Either way, he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

Maclin, a sophomore from St. Louis, defines this dream team. He's a quadruple threat who can score from his natural wide receiver spot, from the backfield or on kickoff and punt returns. Maclin set an NCAA freshman record with 2,776 all-purpose yards in 2007. Just get this guy the ball, sit back and enjoy the show.

Briscoe, a sophomore (unreal sophomore receiving class in the Big 12, no?) from Dallas, proved he had a knack for the end zone last season as a freshman, scoring in four of his first six games in a KU uniform. Near the end of the season, Reesing looked for Briscoe considerably more as a deep threat. Briscoe's 2007 numbers (43 catches, 496 yards, seven TDs) were as a No. 3 receiver. Imagine what's ahead in 2008 as a No. 2 receiver. Playmaker city.

Murphy, a senior from Houston, is like Maclin, minus a level or two of the highest gear. However, don't underestimate the big-play potential of Murphy, who has the ability to take passes or punts the distance. In fact, K-State led the nation in punt returns a year ago. Murphy's 17.5 yards per return were a big reason why.

Lucky, a senior from North Hollywood, Calif., fits in as the ideal running back because of his versatility. Imagine the different looks this offense could provide with Lucky, who led the nation in receptions by a running back with 75 last season. Combine that with his 1,019 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and we're on the verge of danger with his abilities.

Herford, a senior from DeSoto, Texas, would handle kickoff return duties. His ability to escape from large packs of would-be tacklers makes the KU speedster a threat to reach the end zone on every kickoff. Herford averaged 28.6 yards per return last year (15th in the nation) and provides this group with a huge advantage in the field position battle.

Then again, with this many playmakers in the Big 12, will field position even matter in the fall?