From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Posted on Wed, Oct. 16, 2002
BIG 12
AT THE HALF
Star-Telegram
For those scoring along at home, keeping up with the early surprises in the Big 12 football race, here's a handful of unexpected developments since the close of August two-a-days:
Colorado's starting quarterback has left school and announced plans to transfer to Montana. Texas A&M's offensive coordinator no longer calls the Aggies' plays. Iowa State, one of the league's traditional doormats, tops the North Division standings , and three teams (Oklahoma State, Missouri and Kansas) own longer losing streaks in league play than Baylor, which broke a 29-game skid against Big 12 foes Oct. 5.
And we still have seven weeks left for more twists and turns before the Big 12 title game. What's next? Does anyone really know?
Midseason honorees
Coach of the Half-Season: Dan McCarney, Iowa State. The Cyclones (6-1, 3-0) rank ninth in this week's Associated Press poll, their highest perch in school history.
Offensive Player of the Half-Season: Seneca Wallace, Iowa State. The Cyclones' quarterback completes 64.6 percent of his passes and averages 279 yards in total offense.
Defensive Player of the Half-Season: Terence Newman, Kansas State. A standout cover man, he ranks third on his team in solo tackles (19), with two interceptions, eight breakups, two tackles for losses and a forced fumble. He's scored touchdowns on a punt return, a kickoff return and a pass reception.
Newcomer of the Half-Season: Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma. The Sooners' linebacker has a team-high 81 tackles (19 against Texas) and 11 stops for losses.
Biggest disappointments
1. Nebraska. The Cornhuskers (5-2, 1-1), who played for last year's national championship, are unranked heading into Saturday's game at Oklahoma State.
2. Texas A&M's Mark Farris. The Aggies' quarterback, a senior and third-year starter, was benched for ineffectiveness by the third game and is now No. 3 on the depth chart.
Biggest surprises
1. Iowa State. The Cyclones' rise to prominence is the feel-good story of the season in college football.
2. Missouri's Brad Smith. The redshirt freshman has been spectacular as the Tigers' starting quarterback, averaging 302.8 yards of total offense and providing hope for years to come.
Best games so far
1. Texas Tech 48, Texas A&M 47 (OT). An instant classic, even if network television cameras were not around to chronicle it.
2. Oklahoma 35, Texas 24. Riveting excitement, high stakes and suspense until the final three minutes.
3. Iowa State 36, Nebraska 14. Not a nail-biter. But the historic implications make it special.
Best games yet unplayed
1. Any of Iowa State's remaining road games at No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 8 Texas, No. 17 Kansas State and No. 23 Colorado.
2. No. 23 Colorado at No. 2 Oklahoma, Nov. 2.
3. No. 8 Texas at No. 17 Kansas State, Saturday.
Probable title game matchup
Kansas State vs. Oklahoma. If the Wildcats lose Saturday to Texas, change that to Colorado vs. Oklahoma on Dec. 7 in Houston.
By the numbers
0 Victories or touchdown passes by Texas QB Chris Simms in four career starts against Top-10 teams.
1 Remaining undefeated team: Oklahoma (6-0, 2-0).
3 Punts returned for TDs by Nebraska's DeJuan Groce, the national leader.
Posted on Wed, Oct. 16, 2002
BIG 12
AT THE HALF
Star-Telegram
For those scoring along at home, keeping up with the early surprises in the Big 12 football race, here's a handful of unexpected developments since the close of August two-a-days:
Colorado's starting quarterback has left school and announced plans to transfer to Montana. Texas A&M's offensive coordinator no longer calls the Aggies' plays. Iowa State, one of the league's traditional doormats, tops the North Division standings , and three teams (Oklahoma State, Missouri and Kansas) own longer losing streaks in league play than Baylor, which broke a 29-game skid against Big 12 foes Oct. 5.
And we still have seven weeks left for more twists and turns before the Big 12 title game. What's next? Does anyone really know?
Midseason honorees
Coach of the Half-Season: Dan McCarney, Iowa State. The Cyclones (6-1, 3-0) rank ninth in this week's Associated Press poll, their highest perch in school history.
Offensive Player of the Half-Season: Seneca Wallace, Iowa State. The Cyclones' quarterback completes 64.6 percent of his passes and averages 279 yards in total offense.
Defensive Player of the Half-Season: Terence Newman, Kansas State. A standout cover man, he ranks third on his team in solo tackles (19), with two interceptions, eight breakups, two tackles for losses and a forced fumble. He's scored touchdowns on a punt return, a kickoff return and a pass reception.
Newcomer of the Half-Season: Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma. The Sooners' linebacker has a team-high 81 tackles (19 against Texas) and 11 stops for losses.
Biggest disappointments
1. Nebraska. The Cornhuskers (5-2, 1-1), who played for last year's national championship, are unranked heading into Saturday's game at Oklahoma State.
2. Texas A&M's Mark Farris. The Aggies' quarterback, a senior and third-year starter, was benched for ineffectiveness by the third game and is now No. 3 on the depth chart.
Biggest surprises
1. Iowa State. The Cyclones' rise to prominence is the feel-good story of the season in college football.
2. Missouri's Brad Smith. The redshirt freshman has been spectacular as the Tigers' starting quarterback, averaging 302.8 yards of total offense and providing hope for years to come.
Best games so far
1. Texas Tech 48, Texas A&M 47 (OT). An instant classic, even if network television cameras were not around to chronicle it.
2. Oklahoma 35, Texas 24. Riveting excitement, high stakes and suspense until the final three minutes.
3. Iowa State 36, Nebraska 14. Not a nail-biter. But the historic implications make it special.
Best games yet unplayed
1. Any of Iowa State's remaining road games at No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 8 Texas, No. 17 Kansas State and No. 23 Colorado.
2. No. 23 Colorado at No. 2 Oklahoma, Nov. 2.
3. No. 8 Texas at No. 17 Kansas State, Saturday.
Probable title game matchup
Kansas State vs. Oklahoma. If the Wildcats lose Saturday to Texas, change that to Colorado vs. Oklahoma on Dec. 7 in Houston.
By the numbers
0 Victories or touchdown passes by Texas QB Chris Simms in four career starts against Top-10 teams.
1 Remaining undefeated team: Oklahoma (6-0, 2-0).
3 Punts returned for TDs by Nebraska's DeJuan Groce, the national leader.
