Nebraska hopes to leave Big 12 with a title

DALLAS - This is it, folks, the last time around for the Big 12 as we have known it.

Nebraska is headed for the Big Ten next season. Colorado is going to the Pac-10, probably in 2011 as well. The remaining 10 schools are going to stick it out together, going "back to the future," as the commissioner describes it, with no championship game - but perhaps a new name.

All of that shuffling dominated conversations this summer and probably will generate more headlines this fall.

Yet there's plenty of intrigue on the field, too, starting with the Cornhuskers' bid to go out on top.

Coach Bo Pelini declared "Nebraska's back and we're here to stay" following a 33-0 victory over Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. "Here," apparently, meant national prominence and the Cornhuskers really could climb the polls if they get solid play at quarterback.

Nebraska's quarterback competition is between incumbent Zac Lee, who hopes to return better than ever following surgery on his passing elbow; last season's backup, Cody Green; and this season's spring sensation, Taylor Martinez.

"Any time you have great competition in any position, quarterback position included, it's going to make everybody better," Pelini said. "It will be interesting to see how that competition plays out."

The South race - surprise, surprise - should come down to Oklahoma and Texas.

Both powerhouses lost high-profile quarterbacks, the Sooners sending Sam Bradford off as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and the Longhorns parting with Colt McCoy, winner of the most career game by any Division I-A quarterback.

No biggie, though. Both already have replacements broken in.

Landry Jones played most of last season because Bradford was hurt.

"We've won championships, six of them, with five different quarterbacks," coach Bob Stoops said. "That says a lot. And he's in that mold of all those guys."

Oklahoma is favored to regain the South crown.

NORTH

NEBRASKA - Key players: RBs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead, DT Jared Crick, Prince Amukamara. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Three of last season's losses were by a total of four points. ... Pelini is taking a peculiar approach to Nebraska's departure from the Big 12, treating it as a non-issue. He's sure to be reminded otherwise during conference road games.

MISSOURI - Key players: QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Derrick Washington, DE Aldon Smith. Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Smith had 11 1/2 sacks last season and was the AP Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year. ... Among Gabbert's backups is his younger brother, Tyler, a freshman.

KANSAS STATE - Key players: RB Daniel Thomas, S Tysyn Hartman, QBs Carson Coffman or Collin Klein. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Thomas was the only Big 12 RB to average more than 100 rushing yards per game last season; he also was the AP Big 12 offensive newcomer of the year. ... Four offensive line starters return.

KANSAS - Key players: TB Toben Opurum, LT Tanner Hawkinson, CB Chris Harris. Returning starters: offense 7, defense 6.

Notes: New Coach Turner Gill went 20-30 over four years at Buffalo and was twice named MAC coach of the year. He replaces Mark Mangino, ousted after allegations of player mistreatment.

IOWA STATE - Key players: RB Alexander Robinson, QB Austen Arnaud, CB Leonard Johnson. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: After turning 2-10 team he inherited into bowl winners, what will Paul Rhoads do in his second season? It'd be easier if he could avoid Oklahoma and Texas again. Instead, the Cylones play Sooners and Longhorns on the road in consecutive October weeks.

COLORADO - Key players: WR Scotty McKnight. QBs Tyler Hansen, Jr. and Cody Hawkins. Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Coach Dan Hawkins must drastically improve his 16-33 record if he's going to stick around for the move to the Pac-10, er, Pac-12.

SOUTH

OKLAHOMA - Key players: RB DeMarco Murray, WR Ryan Broyles, QB Landry Jones, DE Jeremy Beal. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Three of the first four players in the NFL draft were Sooners, yet they aren't expected to miss a beat; heck they should even improve on last year's injury-plagued 8-5 season. ... Jones threw for 3,198 yards with 26 TD passes and 14 interceptions.

TEXAS - Key players: QB Garrett Gilbert, RBs Trey Newton and Fozzy Whittaker, DE Sam Acho, CB Curtis Brown. Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: WRs James Kirkendoll, Marquise Goodwin and Malcolm Williams to try replacing Jordan Shipley as the go-to guy. ... Although defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is coach-in-waiting, coach Mack Brown not even thinking about retirement.

TEXAS A&M - Key players: QB Jerrod Johnson, LB Von Miller, RB Christine Michael. Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Johnson could run, throw the Aggies back into prominence. ... A return to the 3-4 defense, under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter, also should help A&M's potential revival.

TEXAS TECH - Key players: QBs Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield, DT Colby Whitlock, WR Detron Lewis. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: The Red Raiders are the only school never to have a losing season in Big 12 play. ... Mike Leach is gone after a messy divorce and Tommy Tuberville replaces him as coach. Tuberville is sticking with the pass-happy spread offense Red Raiders fans love.

BAYLOR - Key players: QB Robert Griffin, LB Antonio Johnson, WR Terrance Williams. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Griffin's return from a knee injury and a soft early schedule (Sam Houston State, Buffalo, Rice) could have Bears fans thinking about a bowl berth.

OKLAHOMA STATE - Key players: QB Brandon Weeden, RB Kendall Hunter, S Markelle Martin, Jr.; Returning starters: offense 5, defense 5.

Notes: With Leach gone from the league and his former right-hand man Dana Holgorsen now calling plays for the Cowboys, coach Mike Gundy is hoping to have the league's most-difficult-to-prepare-for offense.