Random musings from the Oct. 15 Big 12 coaches’ conference call:
IT was interesting to see Cody Hawkins and Josh Freeman chatting it up during pre-game warm-up tosses. Hawkins and Freeman were both EA Sports Elite 11 quarterbacks in 2005, which helps explain the acquaintance — and it also might explain Hawkins’ four turnovers in K-State’s 47-20 victory Saturday. Perhaps he was pressing, wanting to impress a peer? Hold on, Cody’s dad said Monday. “I think, for the first time, he was trying to force some things,” the CU coach said. “But the guy’s a freshman. … The other thing is, he got drilled a bit. They got after him.” Have to love Hawk… On a whim, I dug up the rest of the 2005 Elite 11 list, and it’s impressive – Georgia’s Matt Stafford, Florida’s Tim Tebow, Illinois’ Juice Williams, and Washington’s Jake Locker. There are transfers: Mitch Mustain, formerly of Arkansas and now at USC; Zach Frazier, formerly of Notre Dame and now at UConn; and Jevan Snead, formerly of Texas and currently at Ole Miss. The others – Neil Caudle (Auburn), Pat Devlin (Penn State) and Kevin Riley (California) – are currently stuck behind veterans.
NO one is better at spouting more clichés in a 10-minute span than Iowa State’s Gene Chizik.
OKLAHOMA State coach Mike Gundy loves Adarius Bowman, who many assumed would be the best receiver in the conference. Then Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and K-State’s Jordy Nelson blew up. No doubt Bowman has the highest NFL upside of the group, but which receiver would you like as your No. 1? Regardless of system, Crabtree is ridiculous. And Nelson is beating constant attention every Saturday. Bowman is a man among boys.
BILL Callahan said he didn’t anticipate making any changes to his staff Monday, but that was before news spread that Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson was fired. Asked about his relationship with the former A.D., Callahan said, “We talk just about every day. We continue to talk about ways to improve our program.” Might want to start looking for a mover, Bill.
BOB Stoops said defensive end Auston English “has played better or as well as anybody we’ve had at the position.” Works for us.
ENOUGH. Graham Harrell’s numbers can’t be overlooked any longer. Or they shouldn’t be, at least. But even within his own conference, there seems to be a stigma in playing for Tech’s pass-happy system. “He’s a phenomenal quarterback in a system that allows him to be really good,” Chizik said. “… He’ll shatter every record that place has ever known. On sheer numbers, I don’t know how his name wouldn’t be up for some of those awards.” Maybe it’s that Leach doesn’t pump him up enough. “He’s really good,” Leach said Monday. “He’s really good, only a junior. He continues to get better.” He wouldn’t say he’s the best quarterback he’s had in Lubbock, which would probably help the cause. It’s what Gary Pinkel has done in consecutive weeks in regard to Chase Daniel, who has vaulted himself into Heisman consideration.