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Now that the Big 12 schedule is here and the league has positioned itself so that it'll be its own worst enemy come BCS bowl time, consider a few observations on it as well as the state of college football in general around these parts:

Comeback player of the year – Colt McCoy, Texas. Whatever went wrong last year, he got it out of his system. He looks like he did as a freshman, when he couldn't miss. Against woebegone Arkansas last week, he threw more touchdown passes (three) than incompletions (two). But if he continues to lead Texas in rushing, the Longhorns are in trouble.

Best hire –Art Briles, Baylor. He was a good hire on his own merits, but getting Robert Griffin in the package made it great. Clyde Hart provided a clue in the spring when he told us that Griffin might be the best track athlete he's ever coached. Griffin already has broken Baylor's single-game rushing record. Not half-bad as a passer, either. He gives Baylor a fighting chance in almost any game. Just not this week against Oklahoma.

Worst hire –Mike Sherman, Texas A&M, if only because he didn't bring Robert Griffin with him. Or much of anything else, other than Jeff Fuller. The Aggies are slow, slower and slowest, which is not all Sherman's fault. He'll get it turned around if he outlasts what could be a disastrous season. Had it not been for a 58-yard touchdown return of a fumble, the Aggies might have lost to Army. Outside a war zone, nobody loses to Army.

Best reason not to run –No league in the nation has undergone a transformation like the Big 12, land of the quarterback. Four of the nation's top five QBs in passing efficiency come from the Big 12, as well as six of the top 10 and 10 of the top 25. For some perspective, how many Pac 10 QBs rank in the top 25? Two.

Second-best comeback –Oklahoma's great defensive tackle out of Kimball, DeMarcus Granger, if he returns from a foot injury as expected in time for Texas next week.

Biggest surprise –Considering some of the scores, no coach has gone off on another at midfield or in the news conference afterward.

Least surprise –Texas Tech's Mike Leach complaining about his own offense.

Most overrated rivalry –TCU vs. SMU. Until June Jones gets it going, let's put a lid on the skillet.

Most humbling defeat –Todd Dodge has already had a few in his short tenure at North Texas, but when Rice hangs 77 points on you in three quarters, that's embarrassing. It's one thing when Oklahoma scores 79 points. But Rice? Maybe it just goes to show how far the Owls have come. In 1983, they were into their eighth game before they scored a total of 77 points.

Best schedule for a BCS contender from here on out –Missouri. The Tigers don't have to play Oklahoma or Texas Tech, and their only significantly tough road game is Texas on Oct. 18.

Worst schedule for a BCS contender from here on out –Texas. After this week's game in Boulder, the Longhorns play ranked teams four weeks in a row, ending with Tech in Lubbock.

Best imitation of Coach Fran –Sure, Jorvorskie Lane is overweight. For all we know, he may be a dog in practice. But, like Fran, who sometimes left his pile-driver on the bench in short-yardage situations, Sherman has often done the same. Hey, Mike: Give Lane the ball when you need a couple. He'll get the first down and the fans love him. Besides, you could use a little love yourself.

Best reason to make the State Fair on Oct. 11 –If it isn't the quality of the game, which OU should win, then try a corn dog. Or the chicken-fried bacon. Or the Tornado Taters. Let's see JerryWorld beat all that.