No argument here over your comments. But the Big 6, 7, 8, and 12 has always been top-heavy. And you're right...passers with ability are flashes in the pan (Grogan is the only Big 8 quarterback that comes to mind that spent any time at all in the pros).

Good point about how it starts at the high schools. With the exception of Jenks, Union, and a few other "mega" powers, most high schools in this region are still running the tired wishbone or the ancient veer. The Big XII needs their coaches to educate the high school coaches on how to run a modern offense.

It really is amazing that in a mega-conference like the Big 12, there hasn't been a quarterback who could hit the broad side of the barn from the inside.

The job-keeping comment is excellent as it relates to college and pros, why take a chance when you can pound it; but anymore, neglecting the passing game is doing a disservice to the players when it comes to college, linemen and quarterbacks, alike.

The style of play still reflects the personality of the the area, conservative heartland, passers from east and west.

you forgot chris simms, although I dont really like him, he did start last season in the NFL, even if it was for tampa bay.

I dont know if the passing game is all to blame as although the big 12 hasnt put out quality quarterbacks into the nfl, they have put out some pretty good wide recievers, i.e. Roy Williams, Mark Clayton. Anyway, just because a quarterback doesnt go on and be successful in the nfl doesnt mean they were not good quarterbacks in college, i.e. Jason White. Alot of colleges are now going to a run first, pass second type of quarterback now anyway and having alot of success like a West Virginia. Now Im not disagreeing with the fact that overall the Big 12 needs to get better passing, although that also would take better players, but there are other ways to win. And considering that the lower teams in Big 12 cant always get the best players, they might have to use a gimmicky offense to win like Tech.

Of course as recruiters you want future pros, but predicting that maybe a little hard. Lots alot of kids that are stars in high school are duds in college. And the Big 12 doesnt have the least effective quarterbacks in america with quarterbacks like colt mccoy, chase daniels, sam keller, bobby reid and several others that arent too bad either.

The SEC probably has more quarterbacks in the pros than any other conference.

This isn't bashing the Big 12, it's simply expressing amazement at how few good quarterbacks there are around; you're right, it's better, the Missouri fellow looks very capable.

You don't recruit to throw the ball, you'll be in big trouble fast.

Well Mr. P, you've finally hit a topic that I'll spend a little time on. Anyone who knows me well (at least my blogger side) knows that I am a huge supporter of team defense when it comes to winning championships in football. So...just for all of you guys...I did a little research.

I looked at several statistical categories from the past 7 BCS National Champions...which goes back to OU in 2000. For those of you with short memories, these teams are: 2000-OU, 2001-Miami, 2002-Ohio St., 2003-LSU, 2004-USC, 2005-Texas, and 2006-Florida.

Here are the team stats that I looked up for each champion as they ranked nationally: rushing offense (yds per game), passing offense (yds per game), passing efficiency rating, scoring offense (pts per game), rushing defense, passing defense, total defense, and scoring defense.

I'll give you some numbers in a bit...but allow me to tell you up front that the single most important team stat BY FAR was scoring defense! The seven champs had an average rank in this category of 4!

The highest offensive category by average ranking was passing efficiency, at 13.86. Scoring offense was close at 14.3. In 2002, Ohio St. won the NC with a passing eff. ranking of 17, scoring offense ranking of 41 (wow), BUT were ranked #2 in scoring defense.

Here are all the average rankings of the past seven BCS champs by statistical category:

Rushing offense-31.4 (low of #68 by OU in 2000 and a high of #2 by Texas in 2005).

Passing offense-37.7 (low of #92 by Ohio St. in 2002 and a high of #13 by OU and USC in 2004).

Pass efficiency rating-13.86 (low of #24 by Florida in 2006 and a high of #7 by USC in 2004).

Scoring offense-14.3 (low of #41 by Ohio St. in 2002 and high of #1 by Texas in 2005).

Rushing defense-15.6 (low of #40 by Miami in 2001 and high of #1 by USC in 2004).

Passing defense-21.6 (low of #95 by Ohio St. in 2002...which makes this average bigger than it should be, and a high of #2 by Miami in 2001).

Total Defense-9.14 (low of #23 by Ohio St. in 2002 and high of #1 by LSU in 2003).

Scoring defense-4 (low of #8 by Texas in 2005 and high of #1 by Miami in 2001 and LSU in 2003.

Now that everyone is sleeping, let me summarize. The picker is correct in passing efficiency being very important, as it is the highest average ranking among the champions. Overall, passing is more important OFFENSIVELY, as the rushing average was only 31.4. But, I'll contend as long as anyone will listen that DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. Period. Not one single champion since 2000 has had a scoring defense ranking outside the top 10 nationally. Four of them were in the top 4, and two led the nation. Total defense (yds per game) is a clear second.

It ain't sexy...but if you want to have a chance at the title, you better haver a solid defense first. I'd say a QB that has a hig passer rating is 2nd. So Mr. P...I am agreeing with you here...but placing an emphasis on defense.

Well, your post got me interested in the most important aspect of winning in college football. I had the time (it only took an hour), so I did it. I might look at the pros later, just to see how the numbers stack up. But I suspect you are correct about the pro game.

It could be argued that my sample space was small (7 years is not much)...but I feel that it is relevant because of the recent trends to throw the football. If I went all the way back to the 80's and 90's, I'll be that defensive rankings are even more important.

I think the secret to winning it all, in order of importance, includes: 1. a great defense, 2. a high efficiency passer, and 3. some good luck along the way (this brings in turnovers, penalties, bad calls, schedules, etc.)

Actually, the most successful former Big12 QB in the pros may be Josh Fields...in um...baseball.