Things I know and things I think I know:
* I like Nebraska's chances to capture the Big 12 title much better than I did three weeks ago.
I don't base that on the ease with which Nebraska dismantled Washington on a gorgeous Saturday in Seattle. The Huskies' defense is pillowy soft, as was Idaho's and Western Kentucky's. Give Nebraska credit, though. The Huskers generally battered those lesser teams as expected -- which many of NU's conference brethren can't say of their nonconference competition to this point.
Even Oklahoma has been surprisingly inconsistent.
Let's face it, Nebraska's stock in the Big 12 is rising rapidly because:
1. The meteoric rise of Husker redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez. Before the season began, we didn't even know if he'd be the starter. Now he's becoming an intriguing story nationally. More on Martinez in a second.
2. Nebraska's league schedule is even more manageable than I thought, especially within the North Division.
On a Saturday during which Nebraska rolled Washington 56-21, Missouri had to rally in the final minute to defeat San Diego State 27-24 in Columbia, Mo. The Tigers have looked ordinary this season. Plus, their spread offense plays right into the Huskers' strengths on defense.
Meanwhile, Kansas State is 3-0 for the first time since 2006, including an impressive opening win against UCLA and a not-so-impressive 27-20 triumph against Iowa State on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.
Nebraska begins Big 12 play at K-State on Oct. 7, a Thursday night. The nation will be watching (ESPN). It'll be billed as Daniel Thomas versus NU's excellent defense. Of course, it's not that simple. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Thomas is a load at running back, no question. The best (only?) way to attack NU is to run right at it. But K-State needs more production elsewhere -- especially from quarterback Carson Coffman -- if it hopes to pull off the startling upset.
Yes, it'd be startling. Bottom line, the Wildcats simply can't match the Huskers' overall talent level. Yet Bill Snyder's crew appears to be the North Division team that has the best chance to topple Big Red.
Meanwhile, the South Division isn't exactly setting the world on fire.
Texas (3-0), the class of the division, feels great about its defense. The Longhorns' line is playing better than many expected. They're loaded with talent and speed in the back seven. But the offense has taken a step back. Mack Brown is determined to develop a downhill running game, but it's been a slow work in progress. To wit: The Hook'ems mustered only 93 rushing yards on 43 carries (2.2 per rush) during Saturday night's 24-14 triumph at Texas Tech.
Quarterback Garrett Gilbert threw three interceptions. Still, it was an impressive victory for Texas, something to which the Longhorns can point as proof they can prevail in hostile territory.
Do you think Lubbock was as loud and daunting as Lincoln will be come Oct.16?
Mack's got plenty of other things to worry about for now.
* Never mind Martinez's gaudy statistics Saturday. The poise he showed is what you take from that game. Trust me, the atmosphere was intense on the field. Nebraska and Washington assistants sparred verbally for a bit during warmups. The crowd was extremely loud early. And Martinez never flinched.
* Martinez said the genesis of his nickname, "T-Magic," occurred six years ago when his family was going through a hard time. He said his father would sometimes help motivate the family during the period by exclaiming, "It's Martinez Magic time."
* Martinez is an advertising major. Is he a rare case of a player who's actually better than advertised?
Check back a month from now.
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