Scott’s injury-filled career in Boulder ended Tuesday when the sophomore tailback texted his position coach to tell him he had decided to transfer. The No. 1 prep running back in the nation two years ago, Scott plans to join his uncle, former Buffaloes wide receiver Josh Smith, at UCLA next year.

His impact on the field during his 11/2 seasons in Boulder was limited mostly to kickoff returns, so the Buffs’ special teams will probably miss him more than the offense will.

A series of injuries and an inability to quickly adapt to the college game kept Scott from ever living up to the hype in Boulder.

His legacy, however, will surely be pointed out by other schools the next time the Buffs try to lure a big-time recruit.

It’s also fodder right now for the growing ranks of critics who want coach Dan Hawkins to be the next one to leave town, and fast. Fed-up Buffs fans are planning a protest today when the Buffaloes (2-6, 1-3 Big 12) host Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2).

A student launched a Facebook challenge for fans to wear powder-blue to the game instead of their usual yellow and black. Powder blue is the color the football team wore from 1981-84, when they went 10-34 overall during one of the worst stretches in school history, one rivaled by the last 31/2 seasons during which they are 15-30 under Hawkins.

Scott, who packs 215 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame, signed to much fanfare in 2008, the crown jewel of Hawkins’ recruiting efforts. But he showed up out of shape as a freshman after picking Colorado over Texas, Florida State and LSU and was quickly beaten out by Rodney Stewart, a 5-foot-6, 175-pound fellow freshman, who beat him out again this season.

Scott was slowed by injuries for much of his time at Colorado, where he started just four games in two seasons. He rushed for 95 yards on 23 carries this season, and most of that came in Week 2, when he gained 85 yards on a dozen carries at Toledo.

It was in that game that he banged up a knee that would slow him down and eventually require arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 22. He hadn’t played since but was expected back soon when his decision to bolt Boulder sucker-punched the Buffs.

At first, Hawkins decided to stay silent on the matter. But on his weekly radio show, he said: “I like Darrell and he’s a good kid, and any time a kid leaves, I feel bad for a number of reasons. One is I don’t think that quitting is always the answer. … I feel bad when I’m not able to touch a kid or reach a kid and there’s those things that happen.

“Now again, I’m not perfect and I’m not going to save everybody. But our kids are great. They understand the nature of it and they practiced great and we wish Darrell nothing but the best,” Hawkins said.

Scott, who ranked second in the Big 12 with 564 kick return yards, said he sends the same wishes to his former teammates.

Stewart stands to get most of the carries again today against the Aggies, who can become bowl eligible with a win.

“It’s something that obviously is hanging out there, but at the same time we’ll worry about that once that happens, or if that happens,” second-year Aggies coach Mike Sherman said.

Although the Aggies have struggled on defense this season, allowing 400 yards and 30 points per game, pass-rusher Von Miller leads the nation with 131/2 sacks, and the Aggies have blown out Texas Tech and Iowa State the last two weeks.

Miller must be licking his chops watching film of the Buffaloes’ 36-17 loss at Missouri last week. Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen was sacked eight times by the Tigers, including once for a safety, while also losing three fumbles and throwing an interception.

• Baylor at Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – After hobbling on a sprained right ankle for three weeks, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is feeling a lot better.

Same goes for his team, although it’s still pretty deep in a hole.

The Tigers will try to build on their first Big 12 victory that was easy on Gabbert’s legs and further distance themselves from an 0-3 conference mark on today against Baylor. They’re two-touchdown favorites against a team that’s scuffled since losing quarterback Robert Griffin for the season in late September.

Coach Gary Pinkel reminds players there’s still plenty of work ahead if Missouri (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) has any shot of winning its third straight North title. Even if the Tigers are 7-0 against Baylor in Big 12 play.

“Nothing’s changed,” Pinkel said. “I tell our players ‘You think everything’s going good now, if you want to accomplish our goals it’s going to get tougher. I guarantee you that.’”

Holdovers from the title teams haven’t forgotten Pinkel’s oft-stated belief that they’re starting the month that’ll determine their season. Another victory, and Missouri is bowl-eligible for the fifth straight season.

Baylor (3-5, 0-4) has lost four in a row and is averaging only 8.5 points in conference play. The Bears haven’t scored a first-half touchdown the last three games, getting an interception return for their only TD last week against Nebraska.

“We haven’t remedied the problem,” coach Art Briles said. “It’s our job to score and we haven’t been doing it.”

Baylor’s hope for an upset lies with a stout defense that held Nebraska to 11 first downs and no second-half points in a 20-10 loss last week.

“Watching tape on them, it’s a winnable game,” senior defensive end Jason Lamb said. “We’ve just got to come out from a defensive standpoint and just play like we did the whole second half against Nebraska.”

The first half was another story. Baylor surrendered points on Nebraska’s first three drives and also had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown while falling behind 20-0.

A gimpy Gabbert, whose accuracy and mobility suffered during Missouri’s three-game skid, would give Baylor some reason to be confident. But the strapping sophomore was stepping lightly against Colorado, especially in the first half when he threw two touchdown passes to Alexander and helped Missouri score the first 33 points of a 36-17 victory.

“It felt good,” Gabbert said. “That’s a nice feeling.”

Gabbert wasn’t hit at all late in the first half and felt frisky enough to rush for 26 yards on six carries, although he did have an interception returned for a touchdown as Colorado mounted a bit of a threat in the second half.

“If he gets his speed back, that’ll impact our offense and allow us to do some more things,” Pinkel said. “We’ve been restricted with some things on offense because we didn’t want to put him in a vulnerable position.”

More production from running back Derrick Washington would help keep Gabbert healthy. Washington rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown last week.

Baylor gave Missouri a scare last year when the Tigers were ranked 14th, losing 31-28 in Waco, Texas. But this time the quarterback is Nick Florence, one of nine freshmen to play this season and three to start for the school.

He quickly dispatches uniformed officers who climb stairs and bleachers, only to discover it’s nothing but a harmless, oversized purse that belongs to a woman taking pictures with her family one row away.

No harm done, but it was a clear example of how the high-tech eyes of Texas are always watching the huge crowd at Longhorns football games.

“Big Brother is watching,” Pieper said.

Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium has been outfitted with 43 surveillance cameras to keep an eye on the 101,000 who fill the seats and hallways and spill into the perimeter on game days.

The cameras can focus close enough to see facial expressions or catch someone sticking a bottle of alcohol under the bleachers.

“They can zoom in on people drinking and boom, we’ve got officers there,” campus police chief Robert Dahlstrom said. “An officer will reach down, wave the bottle for the camera and off they go.”

Texas used to have just four cameras watching. The security upgrade cost about $400,000 and was done as part of a $175 million stadium expansion and renovation in recent years. The new cameras were put in before this season.

University officials had been wanting to make major upgrades ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington in 2001.

“That changed everything,” athletic director DeLoss Dodds said. “It’s just something you have to do today.”

Earlier this football season, federal officials issued warnings saying terrorists would like to attack stadiums. Michigan banned bags and purses, other than those needed for medical reasons with supporting documentation, and other schools also beefed up security.

At Texas, university police allowed The Associated Press access to their game-day security control room about 90 minutes before the Longhorns’ game against Colorado on Oct. 10.

From his spot in front of the monitors, Pieper can see just about everything that moves in and around the stadium.

Two children carefully negotiate stairs while carrying drinks to their seats. A family of five poses for pictures. Their problem was they left the purse about 10 feet away.

When he called for the officers to check it out, Pieper trained several cameras on the bag to get as many angles as possible, still leaving dozens to keep scanning the rest of the stadium.

Game day is a much more controlled environment than it used to be. Long gone are the days of taking tickets until halftime, then letting everyone come and go as they please. Bomb-sniffing dogs sweep through before the gates are open.

The university also has partnered with AT&T for a special text messaging system that allows fans to report emergencies, drinking or fights, or any unruly behavior.

“Usually the crowd itself will tell us about a problem,” Dahlstrom said.

Police eject about 40 people per game and average two or three arrests. When Texas played Texas Tech at night on Sept. 19 and won 34-24, the number of arrests spiked to about 12.

“Most are alcohol related,” Dahlstrom said. “People get drunk or are belligerent.”

The college football season hasn’t stopped entirely, however. There’s still several intriguing matchups in the Big 12 and elsewhere, so feel free to sit on the couch and take in the action.

Here’s what’s on tap, with all times Central and all games played on Saturday unless otherwise noted. I’m coming off my best week of the season – 14-4 – which puts me at 97-43 for the year.

No. 7 Boise State (8-0, 3-0 WAC) at Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3), 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2: This should be a gimme for the Broncos, who are in a virtual first-place tie with Nevada. They’re also locked in a style-points battle with TCU for the right to crash the BCS party, so this is their chance to shine in front of a national audience. … Boise State 41-10.

Syracuse (3-5, 0-3 Big East) at No. 13 Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0), 11 a.m.: The Greg Paulus experiment hasn’t panned out well for the last-place Orange, who have once again been reduced to playing spoiler. But against the Panthers, who are tied with Cincinnati for first place, they don’t have a chance. … Pitt 35-14.

Central Florida (5-3) at No. 2 Texas (8-0), 11 a.m.: The Knights nearly knocked off the Longhorns two years ago in Orlando, losing by only three points. This time, they’ll be lucky if it’s a three-point game at the end of the first quarter. … Texas 55-7.

Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) at No. 4 Iowa (9-0, 5-0), 11 a.m., ESPN: Can the Wildcats ride into Iowa City and shock the unbeaten Hawkeyes? It’s not likely, but I have a strange feeling this will be closer than the Hawks would prefer. … Iowa 27-23.

Virginia (3-5, 2-2 ACC) at No. 17 Miami (6-2, 3-2), 11 a.m.: Both teams have been shaky as of late. The Cavaliers have lost two in a row, and the Hurricanes barely beat Wake Forest after losing to Clemson in overtime. Look for Miami’s superior talent to prevail. … Miami 31-24.

Kansas (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) at Kansas State (5-4, 3-2), 11:30 a.m.: It’s hard to believe the Jayhawks are chasing the Wildcats as they prepare for their annual grudge match. I’m thinking the tide will begin to turn, though, because Kansas is desperate to snap its three-game losing skid. … Kansas 24-21.

Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) at Colorado (2-6, 1-3), 2:30 p.m.: The Buffaloes were bad enough as it was, and now they’re without RB Darrell Scott, who announced this week that he’s transferring. The Aggies, meanwhile, are on the up and up. … A&M 49-14.

Baylor (3-5, 0-4) at Missouri (5-3, 1-3), 1 p.m.: The Tigers finally got their first conference victory last week, beating lowly Colorado. After this week, the Bears will still be searching for theirs. … Mizzou 34-21.

BYU (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) at Wyoming (4-4, 2-2), 1 p.m.: The Cougars looked like world-beaters at the start of the season, taking down mighty Oklahoma in the opener. After this one, though, they’ll be tied with the Cowboys in conference play. … Wyoming 17-14.

No. 8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0 Pac-10) at Stanford (5-3, 4-2), 2:30 p.m.: Are the Ducks ripe for a letdown a week after walloping USC, which left them all alone atop the conference standings? I’ll say yes, but I still think they’ll find a way to hold off the Cardinal. … Oregon 35-31.

No. 19 Oklahoma State (6-2, 3-1 Big 12) at Iowa State (5-4, 2-3), 2:30 p.m., ABC: The Cowboys are reeling after last week’s blowout loss at home against Texas. The Cyclones get QB Austen Arnaud back this week, and coach Paul Rhoads says RB Alexander Robinson is back to full strength. Sounds like an upset, doesn’t it? … Iowa State 24-20.

Duke (5-3, 3-1 ACC) at North Carolina (5-3, 1-3), 2:30 p.m.: The Blue Devils have great guard play and are solid down low, but the Tar Heels have too much athleticism in the open court and will be tough to … Oh wait, this is a football game. Then I’ll give the edge to Duke. … Duke 28-21.

No. 16 Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) at No. 11 Penn State (8-1, 4-1), 2:30 p.m., ABC: This figures to be one of the best games of the week, even though it’s just for second place in the Big Ten. A year after the Nittany Lions won in Columbus, I’ll say  Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes make Happy Valley a sad place. … Ohio State 21-17.

No. 9 LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC) at No. 3 Alabama (8-0, 5-0), 2:30 p.m., CBS: The Crimson Tide, who barely beat Tennessee two weeks ago, could be a little rusty after a bye. And the Tigers, who nearly knocked off Bama a year ago, have bounced back from their loss to Florida with two straight blowout wins. … LSU 27-24.

No. 6 TCU (8-0, 4-0 Mountain West) at San Diego State (4-4, 2-2), 3 p.m.: Wouldn’t it be great if the Horned Frogs were part of the Big 12? I’m pretty sure Texas and Oklahoma don’t think so, but it should would be fun for the rest of us. … TCU 38-13.

Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5 SEC) at No. 1 Florida (8-0, 6-0), 6:45 p.m., ESPN2: The Gators’ defense could have a tough time without suspended LB Brandon Spikes. They might actually let the Commodores score. … Florida 47-3.

Connecticut (4-4, 1-3 Big East) at No. 5 Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0), 7 p.m., ABC: The Huskies have lost two in a row and three of their last four, but each loss was by four points or fewer. The Bearcats are on a roll, though, so UConn will be lucky to keep it close. … Cincy 35-20.

No. 24 Oklahoma (5-3, 3-1 Big 12) at Nebraska (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m., ABC: The story lines are abundant. A historic rivalry is renewed, and head coaches Bob Stoops and Bo Pelini were boyhood friends in Youngstown, Ohio. This game also features two of the country’s best defenses, so look for an intense, low-scoring game that comes down to the wire. … Nebraska 14-13.

Let the games begin!

He’s exaggerating, of course, but not by much.

Davis

Crockett turned 18 on Oct. 16, the first official day of practice for Texas Tech basketball. It’s been less than three weeks since he and fellow freshman Mike Davis had their first taste of preseason practice.

At the time, coach Pat Knight said there was no way his team would have the depth necessary to redshirt one of the pair. Now though, Knight says Tech has made enough progress since last season that the Red Raiders may save a freshman for the next four years.

“We haven’t been able to do that in a while,” Knight said, “but I like what I’ve seen.”

Crockett

Coaches generally redshirt freshmen they expect would waste a year playing throwaway minutes but have the potential to become key contributors later in their careers. If Knight thinks Crockett or Davis will benefit more from practicing than playing, he may ask one of them to sit out the season.

If Crockett plays this year, he’ll fight juniors Theron Jenkins, Brad Reese and D’walyn Roberts for minutes. Knight said he would hate to throw away potential down the road just to keep Crockett eligible now.

“His best basketball is ahead of him, and I’d hate to have him waste a year where he didn’t play as much, where if he’d just redshirt he’s got four years of playing ahead of him,” Knight said.

Crockett said his biggest disadvantage right now is his size and speed. As a senior at Clovis High School in New Mexico, Crockett was one of the strongest players on the court; now he wants to regain that power.

“It’s like the transition from ninth grade to 10th grade, or even sixth grade to seventh,” he said. “It’s just another step I have to adjust to.”

Davis said the competition level even in practice has been a surprise. He felt exhausted and sore after the first few practice sessions, but is slowly adjusting.

Knight said he recruited Davis as a potential replacement for Alan Voskuil; if he plays as a freshman, it will be in a fourth- or fifth-guard role.

“Everybody’s good here,” Davis said. “Everybody can do unbelievable things at any time.”

Knight won’t have to decide until the season opener against South Dakota on Nov. 13. Even then, he can burn a redshirt at any time just by subbing a player into a game.

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Lytle, who led the nation in assists most of the season, joined Jennifer Hamm as Tech’s only first-team selections all-time. The sophomore from Las Cruces, N.M., finished the season with a school-record 11 assists and scored four goals.

Tech’s Morgan Johnson, Tiffini Smith and Dawn Ward’s selections to the all-newcomer team gave Tech the most of any school. Ward scored 13 goals, tied for third on the Tech single-season list, and one assist. Her 27 points tied for fourth.

Texas Tech tennis player Raony Carvalho qualified for the men's indoor tennis nationals at Yale University in West Haven, Conn. Carvalho is the No. 25-ranked college player in the country. (John A. Bowersmith)

“Please, nobody talk to me,” he’d think. “I don’t know how to answer.”

Carvalho arrived from Brazil a little more than one year ago, speaking no English and having little idea what to expect at an American university. He’d enrolled at Texas Tech to play tennis, but with no knowledge of NCAA competition couldn’t predict much about the college game, either.

In a little more than 12 months, the sophomore has reined in his emotional court presence enough to embrace his roll as Tech tennis’ No. 1 singles player. He climbed the college rankings throughout the fall and this weekend competes at the indoor national championship at Yale University.

“It’s a tough tournament, but if I am there, that means I am tough, too,” Carvalho said. “This is the only one where you can say the No. 1 player is not the favorite to win. I could go there and play against the No. 1, play against the No. 5, and still beat them.”

Which is just what Carvalho will attempt this afternoon. Although he is ranked No. 25 nationally, Carvalho was the wildcard selection because he is neither a top-12 player or a district champion. He drew a first round match with No. 1 ranked Oleksandr Nedovyesov of Oklahoma State.

Texas Tech tennis player Raony Carvalho qualified for the men's indoor tennis nationals at Yale University in West Haven, Conn. Carvalho is the No. 25-ranked college player in the country. (John A. Bowersmith)

Carvalho said he would have had no hope of winning had they faced off a year ago.

The 22-year-old had been playing tennis for more than a decade when he decided to try life as a full-time athlete. He’d been the top-ranked player in his age group throughout his teens. He ranked in the top 10 internationally in the 16-and-under and 18-and-under divisions.

When Tech assistant coach Marcelo Ferreira, another Brazilian, offered him a scholarship, Carvalho said no. But he soon he became bored with the South American cicuit, and saw moving to the U.S. as a challenge.

“I really thought I could improve a lot here,” Carvalho said. “I really believed I could improve here more than in Brazil.”

Learning English became his first struggle. He said the language barrier left him lonely; he missed his home, his friends, and speaking comfortably in his native Portuguese. Even his student apartment felt foreign.

The frustration snuck through on the court. Coach Tim Siegel says the freshman Carvalho was impatient, always swatting the ball as hard as possible in an effort to win the point.

It often worked; he played No. 1 singles and doubles as a freshman, was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was the ITA South Central Rookie of the Year.

“I like to hit the ball really hard,” Carvalho said. “Sometimes you have to work the point, hit five, 10, 15 balls. I always thought I had to win the point on the first shot. If the ball comes I have to hit it as hard as I can, and if I don’t hit a winner it doesn’t count. Now I know I have to make a beautiful point so I feel good with myself.”

Slowly, though, both his English and his tennis improved.

He began dating women’s tennis player Stefanie Peana, who helped him become more comfortable with the language.

“I speak better English when I’m with her,” he said, “and it sounds to me like she is speaking Portuguese.”

On the court he teammed up with Christian Rojmar at No. 1 doubles. The pair went 6-4 in the fall an 4-1 against nationally ranked teams. They advanced to last year’s national indoor championships in doubles, where they played against, and defeated, Oklahoma State’s Nathan Byrnes and Nedovyesov, Carvalho’s singles opponent this afternoon.

Carvalho says he once would have psyched himself out against a higher-ranked opponent. If he lost the first set, he would lose faith that he might rally to win the second.

At last month’s ITA All-American he upset No. 13 Just Kronauge from Ohio State 7-6 (4), 6-7 (9), 6-3. Carvalho was winning 5-4 and fought through seven match points before losing the second set, but came back in the third for the biggest win of his Tech career.

“He now is much more mature, much more focused, more disciplined,” Siegel said. “He has the ability in a lot of areas to be able to handle the No. 1 position better than he did last year.”

Today Carvalho becomes just the second Red Raider to qualify for the singles draw at the ITA Indoor Nationals. It’s a field of the top 32 tennis players in the college game, and Carvalho was the last man in even after finishing 7-2 in just two tournaments and upsetting the No. 13 and No. 20 players in the country.
He said he refuses to consider himself an underdog.

“I have big expectations,” he said. “I’m really prepared; I’m feeling mentally stronger, physically stronger. I’m ready to go there and beat a lot of guys.”

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BCS Championship Game: Texas vs. Alabama (Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Pasadena, Calif.)

Alamo Bowl: Nebraska vs. Michigan (Jan. 2, 8 p.m., San Antonio)

Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Auburn (Jan. 2, 1 p.m., Dallas)

Insight Bowl: Missouri vs. Michigan State (Dec. 31, 5 p.m., Tempe, Ariz.)

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Navy (Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m., Houston)

Sun Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Arizona (Dec. 31, 1 p.m., El Paso, Texas)

Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. California (Dec. 30, 7 p.m., San Diego)

Independence Bowl: Kansas vs. Georgia (Dec. 28, 4 p.m., Shreveport, La.)

Do we have different thoughts?

zuvanich

The first half of the Big 12 Conference football season has been a little schizophrenic, and I’m not just talking about Mike Leach’s postgame news conferences.

Teams get blown out one week only to dish out punishment the next – see Kansas State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech – and most of the league’s high-flying offenses have been grounded by sack-happy, turnover-forcing defenses.

In the North Division, especially, there’s just no telling who’s good anymore. Nebraska has gone from great to awful to a half-game out of first place in the span of a month, while fellow preseason favorites Kansas and Missouri are tied for last place. And they’re all chasing a Kansas State team that lost to Louisiana-Lafayette.

The second half of conference play figures to be just as wild, wacky and unpredictable, but at least we know where everybody stands at the midway mark. Here’s a look at who’s up, who’s down and who can’t figure out where they want to be:

Rising

• Texas: The second-ranked Longhorns got scares from Texas Tech, Oklahoma and even Colorado, and their offense looked pretty average in the first half of the season. But the defense has been among the nation’s best, and Texas is right where it expected to be – undefeated and on top of the South Division.

The ‘Horns appear to be hitting their stride after beating Missouri and Oklahoma State by a combined 82-21 the last two weeks, and the meat of the schedule is behind them. A Thanksgiving date with rival Texas A&M is no gimme, but look for Texas to still be unbeaten as it two-steps into the conference title game.

• Kansas State: At this point, 70-year-old Bill Snyder should be a lock for Big 12 coach of the year. He inherited a team that finished 2-6 in conference play a year ago and has quickly turned the Wildcats into winners again.

K-State will have a tough time staying atop the North – its remaining games are against Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska – but last week’s loss to Oklahoma proved the Wildcats are for real. After falling behind 21-0 against a good team on its home field, they got within five points early in the fourth quarter.

• Oklahoma: Although the Sooners haven’t played up to their lofty standards, Bob Stoops might be doing his best coaching job in 2009. He lost two non-conference games and his Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Sam Bradford, but OU is still the second-best team in the Big 12.

New quarterback Landry Jones, a product of Artesia, N.M., gets better every week, and the Sooners’ defense will keep them in every game. They nearly beat Texas and have since won three in a row, and they just might win a share of the South if the Longhorns slip up.

Falling

• Kansas: The Jayhawks were 5-0 less than a month ago, when head coach Mark Mangino tabbed quarterback Todd Reesing as a Heisman Trophy candidate. They haven’t won again since, and Reesing – who has committed seven turnovers during the three-game skid – was pulled for backup Kale Pick in Saturday’s loss at Texas Tech.

Kansas can gain plenty of ground with remaining games against Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas and Missouri, or it could fall deeper into the tank.

• Baylor: The Bears had their sights sets on a bowl game when the season started, but everything has come crashing down since quarterback Robert Griffin suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sept. 26. Baylor is the only team without a Big 12 win, and it hasn’t scored more than 10 points in a conference game.

With only one remaining home game, and three matchups against South foes, don’t expect the Bears to win again until Griffin returns to the field next fall.

• Colorado: The win against Kansas was nice, and the Buffaloes put up a fight in Austin. Other than that, it’s been nothing but disappointment in Boulder.

The Buffs have the Big 12’s worst overall record at 2-6, and they still lack an offensive identity. That’s partly because coach Dan Hawkins has once again waffled between his son, Cody, and Tyler Hansen at the quarterback position.

Somewhere in between

• Texas Tech: The Texas A&M game notwithstanding, the Red Raiders have put together a solid season. Their defense might be even better than it was last year, and the offense has remained productive despite having three different starting quarterbacks in the last three games.

Tech is now fourth in the South at 3-2, and depending on which team shows up every week, it could finish anywhere from second to fifth.

• Texas A&M: The Aggies could be considered a team on the rise. After starting Big 12 play with two losses, including an embarrassing defeat at Kansas State, they’ve won two in a row by a combined 47 points.

Jerrod Johnson has grown into one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, and arguably the nation, and A&M has plenty of talent around him. The key for the Aggies will be maintaining an even keel, which is no small feat for a team with 18 freshmen on the field.

• Iowa State and Nebraska: The Cyclones have been better than expected, while the offensively challenged Cornhuskers have been worse. At this point, though, about the only thing that separates them is Iowa State’s 9-7 win in Lincoln two weeks ago.

Both teams are right behind Kansas State and still have legitimate chances to win the North. The Cyclones need Austen Arnaud and Alexander Robinson to stay healthy, and the Cornhuskers need to keep playing well defensively – and hope either Cody Green or Zac Lee can emerge as a reliable quarterback.

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But since Tech started an open week on Sunday, and that was the same day of the Texas Senior Games track and field competition in Houston, McVay made it this time. He finished second in the 50, 100 and 200 meters in the 65-69 age division.

“With this bye week, I had the opportunity to go down there and see how I stacked up against all those people,” he said. “I really thought I could win them all. But not being there before, it was a real good experience.”

McVay, 65, was a three-time conference champion quartermiler in college at Southeastern Oklahoma State, where is a member of the university’s athletic hall of fame.

On Sunday, he ran 7.04 seconds in the 50 meters, 12.97 in the 100 and 29.2 in the 200. He said he was hoping to break 13 seconds in the 100 and 30 seconds in the 200, which he did, but it wasn’t good enough to win.

“I didn’t feel as good as what I anticipated,” he said. “Standing on my feet all day long Saturday at the ball game (Tech’s 42-21 victory over Kansas) didn’t help. My legs weren’t really up to par, but it was fine, really.”

Compiled by Don Williams

The Red Raiders tied Kansas 1-1 in a play-in match Monday for the final spot in the conference tourney, but the Jayhawks advanced on penalty kicks, 5-4. Tiffini Smith scored the lone goal for Tech, which finished the year 8-8-4.