For the latest edition of ConferenceChatterTV, Clinton Lake style, check out the video below, which includes my picks for each Big 12 game in week 11:
• I can’t remember a time when the Heisman Trophy race was so wide open. It begs the question: If the season ended today, who would win the Heisman?
In SI.com’s latest Heisman watch, Alabama running back Mark Ingram leads the rather uninspiring field of candidates.
The Big 12 has two names in the top 10. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is No. 2, while Texas receiver Jordan Shipley checks in at No. 9.
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If Nebraska had half an offense and was ranked, Suh would be in prime position to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson in 1997. Suh is probably the best player in college football. But everyone knows it’s an offensive award.
Also, kind of odd not to see Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy in the top 10. I suppose neither quarterback is having a Heisman season, though.
• This just (not) in: The Big 12 North is not a good division this season.
The numbers back up this theory, which took about three seconds to formulate. The South holds an 11-5 advantage against the North this season.
• The Big 12’s instability at the quarterback position is my reasoning for the conference’s drop in scoring this season.
Last year, Big 12 teams averaged 35.22 points per game. This season, conference teams are only putting up 29.98 per game.
It was the year of the quarterbacks last season: Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Zac Robinson, Graham Harrell, Todd Reesing, Chase Daniel, Robert Griffin, Josh Freeman, Joe Ganz, etc.
This season, Bradford and Griffin had their seasons ended early by injuries. Nebraska is using the dreaded two-quarterback system. For the first time in Mike Leach’s coaching tenure, Texas Tech has used three quarterbacks. The starting quarterbacks at Kansas State (Grant Gregory) and Colorado (Tyler Hansen) rode the pine to start the season.
As a result, Big 12 defenses are taking advantage.
Last season, Texas was the only conference team ranked in the top 50 — 50! — in scoring defense. This year, the Big 12 has three teams ranked in the top 10:
• Random YouTube clip of the day: Kansas sophomore forward Marcus Morris posterizing Pittsburg State. Our own D.J. Whetter of 6News with a nice call. If you haven’t seen it yet (or want to watch it again, again and again), see below:
That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
