I’d like to start this Conference Chatter Labor Day edition with a shout-out to an infamous Internet icon. Remember Brian Collins, the nervous sports anchor on Ball State University’s campus TV newscast? _Later he gets the rebound…passes it to the man…shoots it…aaand, boom goes the dynamite._Despite this painful appearance, Collins apparently stuck to broadcasting. Just recently, [KXXV television in Waco, Texas, hired Collins][1] as a news anchor. I’m happy for the guy. So here’s to you, Mr. Collins. On this Labor Day, may your hard work and dedication to a dream be an inspiration to all of us. Amen.**On to Big 12-related items. The conference went 10-2 to open the season**. There were teams representing the conference well on neutral sites (Oklahoma State, Colorado), and another team (Texas A&M) that got off to a disastrous start.To get this week going, here are some awards from the weekend that was:**Performer of the week: Graham Harrell, Texas Tech** I have a feeling this won’t be the last time the Brownwood, Texas, native will take this spot; completed 43 of 58 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns (one rushing) in Tech’s 49-24 victory over Eastern Washington; TTU’s defense giving up 24 points a bit concerning.**Big 12 victory of the week: No. 6 Missouri defeating No. 20 Illinois, 52-42** Statement game against the Big Ten Conference, which is undoubtedly weaker than the Big 12 this year; Missouri defense, however, is nowhere near mid-season form. Before the game, if I heard Juice Williams’ line would read 451 passing yards and five TD’s, I would have thought Missouri had lost.**Surprise of the week: Colt McCoy’s feat in UT’s 52-10 victory over Florida Atlantic** McCoy rushed for a career-high 492 yards all of last season; he racked up 103 rushing yards and a touchdown in Game 1 of 2008. With unproven backs and the departure of Jamaal Charles, perhaps the Longhorns will look to McCoy considerably more on the ground this season. **Disappointment of the week: Texas A&M’s loss to Arkansas State, 18-14** Unacceptable. Mike Sherman’s pro-style offense didn’t click with Stephen McGee (19-of-27, 170 yards and two INT’s) in Game 1. I know it’s the first week, but a Big 12 school should never lose to a Sun Belt school at home. Ever. The Sun Belt went 2-8 in Week 1. The local Houston Astros outscored the Aggies’ second-half output last Saturday, 8-0. Aggies fans are some of the most supporting in the nation and deserved a better showing.**Injury update: Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin, despite being carted off** the field in St. Louis with a left ankle sprain, could play on Saturday against Southeast Missouri State.”If he’s healthy, he’ll play,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said on Monday’s Big 12 teleconference. “Our training staff will make that decision. A decision will be made mid-week to the end of the week.”If I’m Pinkel, Maclin doesn’t play Saturday. Honestly, Missouri could start each possession from its own 5-yard line and still win this game by at least three touchdowns. The Tigers will need Maclin for field-position wars in conference play. Not this week.**Elsewhere, Rivals.com has ranked the best** college football quarterback tandems in the country. [ The Big 12 crashes the party][2] with four spots in the top ten.Not so sure about Kansas at No. 8. Kerry Meier may not be Zeus-like at the quarterback position, but I see the Jayhawks in as good a situation as anyone in the country, as far as having a backup plan at the position. KU should be higher on the list.That’s about all for now. As always, discuss. And Happy Labor Day. [1]: http://deadspin.com/5039901/brian-collins-career-finally-gets-a-boom [2]: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=841555
