Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Colorado hung on with two late interceptions to escape with a 31-24 victory over Eastern Washington, keeping the Buffaloes from losing again to a Football Championship Series opponent for the second-straight time.

Cha'pelle Brown's 29-yard interception return with less than two minutes remaining providing the winning touchdown for the Buffaloes. And Daniel Dykes iced the victory with an interception with three seconds left to salt away the victory.

Texas A&M is surging with backup QB Jerrod Johnson to claim a 21-10 lead over New Mexico and the 6 p.m. games have started around the conference.

With victories by Oklahoma and Colorado, the Big 12 is 3-0 so far. Their perfect streak is alive -- but barely after the Buffaloes victory.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Colorado is struggling against a Football Championship Series opponent as Eastern Washington has raced to a 21-14 lead over the Buffaloes late in the third quarter.

Eastern Washington QB Matt Nichols and an opportunistic defense has proved troublesome for Colorado. Nichols has passed for 193 yards and J.C. Sherritt added a 48-yard interception return that extended the Eagles' lead to 14 points at the half.

Colorado suffered a similarly demoralizing loss to a FCS school in their last game when the Buffaloes lost to Montana State in Dan Hawkins' first game in 2006.

Texas A&M utilized a couple of big plays to jump to a quick 14-7 lead over New Mexico, despite losing QB Stephen McGee to an apparent shoulder injury. Backup Jerrod Johnson hooked up on a 21-yard scoring pass to freshman Jeff Fuller in his first pass to account for A&M's second TD.

And Oklahoma is facing a tougher-than-expected battle in Norman with a 21-13 lead over Cincinnati.

I'm headed for Mackey Stadium, so this will be the last report for awhile. Talk to you guys later.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Sorry about the delay, but a trip through the drive-through at the nearby In-and-Out turned into a 40-minute ordeal. But I love the fries.

As we advance into the late afternoon games, Nebraska's late rally enabled the Cornhuskers to subdue a plucky San Jose State by running off 21 late points en route to a 35-12 triumph.

Niles Paul's 84-yard kick return for a touchdown kick-started the late rally. But the Cornhuskers allowed San Jose State to hang around for more than three quarters and produced only 99 yards rushing. Not a good performance by an offensive line that was thought to be one of the Cornhuskers' major strengths.

I'll leave it up to fellow blogger Brian Bennett in Norman to put the Oklahoma game in perspective -- particularly since it's not available on television here. But the Sooners seem like they are making a statement to the rest of the country with their quick start that included two TD passes by Sam Bradford. Ryan Broyles has emerged as an early big-time threat with a couple of long receptions for more than 27 yards apiece.

The most notable trend of the afternoon games might be struggles that Colorado's green cornerbacks are having with Eastern Washington QB Matt Nichols, who completed 10 of his first 13 passes. The same Eastern Washington offense gave Texas Tech a lot of troubles and it looks like the same could be in store for another Big 12 team this week as they've battled to a 7-7 deadlock early in the second quarter.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Niles Paul's 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter appears to have given Nebraska a little breathing room with a 21-12 lead over San Jose State with about 11 minutes left the game.

The biggest concern for the Cornhuskers appears to be San Jose's domination -- the Spartans have dominated time of possession, outgained them and appeared on the verge of notching their first victory over a Big 12 team since beating Baylor in 1980.

Despite a deep stable of backs, Nebraska has been unable to run the ball consistently against a San Jose State defense that was lucky to beat California-Davis last week.

The Cornhuskers need senior QB Joe Ganz to emerge with some big plays down the stretch to help ice the victory. Ganz has had a pedestrian game so far, failing to show the form that enabled him to throw for at least 345 yards in his last four starts.  

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

The Big 12 has a chance to make history Saturday, but could be facing long odds because of the nature of college football.

My research indicates that the Big 12 never has had a week in its previous 11-plus seasons as a conference where all 12 of its teams won. It's the same concept as a parlay card at a casino. It becomes increasingly tough to win more games in a row -- even if all the teams are favored as they are in the Big 12 today.

With only one opponent from a BCS-affiliated conference this week, it would appear that the conference has a chance at its first weekly sweep.

I think the Big 12 teams that will have the toughest games (in order) are Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Iowa State.

And the way that college football seems to be these days, it wouldn't surprise me if one Big 12 teams throws a clunker and loses today -- if not more.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Even while Nebraska fans are cheering the scoreboard updates from Columbus featuring Ohio University coach and former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, the Cornhuskers were battling through their own struggles against San Jose State.

The Spartans showed they meant business early in the game, notching two sacks to end Nebraska's first possession. San Jose State then marched 59 yards on five plays to take a quick 6-0 lead on Kyle Reed's 12-yard TD run as the conversion was missed.

Nebraska reclaimed the lead on their next possession as backup I-back Roy Helu accounted for 48 yards on three plays. Quentin Castille scored two plays later to give Nebraska the lead.

Perhaps the best sign of the first half for Nebraska coach Bo Pelini came on the next drive. NT Ndamukong Suh, who underachieved badly last season as he struggled with injuries, returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown to extend Nebraska's lead to 14-6.

But San Jose State pulled within 14-9 on a 41-yard field goal by Louis Schuman. It could have been much closer with San Jose twice having the ball inside the Nebraska 25, but Schuman misfired on two field goals in the second half, including a 32-yard attempt to end the first half.

San Jose State coach Dick Tomey told San Jose reporters earlier this week that he backed out of a game against Tennessee in favor of one against Nebraska because he thought the Cornhuskers were easier. The Spartans responded by dominating the first half offensively with a 13-7 edge in first downs, 221-111 in total offense, 107 yards rushing and three sacks of Nebraska QB Joe Ganz.

At the end of the first half, the Cornhuskers were fortunate to be ahead even by five points.      

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

It was a different era 22 years ago.

How different you might ask? Two Big 12 teams (then Big Eight) were ranked among the top 8 teams nationally. But most impressively, their opponents on that date were both ranked among the nation's top 11 teams.

As we slog through today's morass of nonconference games, those challenges of the past have never looked more appealing.

Sept. 6, 1986 -- No. 1 Oklahoma 38, No. 4 UCLA 3 (Norman, Okla.): The Sooners administered UCLA's worst opening-game loss in 56 years, gashing them for 470 yards. QB Jamelle Holloway ran for a team-high 83 yards and backup QB Eric Mitchel added a pair of TD runs.

Sept. 6, 1986 -- No. 8 Nebraska 34, No. 11 Florida State 17 (Lincoln, Neb.): QB Steve Taylor rushed for 139 yards and two TDs and passed for 130 more yards and two more scores to lead the Cornhuskers to victory in the first night game in Memorial Stadium history. After trailing 14-10 at the half, Taylor fired both touchdowns passes as the Seminoles were limited to minus-2 yards in the second half.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

RENO, Nev. -- Sorry for the delay this morning, but the sun was barely creeping over the nearby Sierra Nevadas when I started this. Also, with only four games played in the conference before this evening, most fans should be taking a similarly leisurely game-day routine.

With most Big 12 teams taking a trip to the pastry wagon this week, here are some delectable links almost tasty as the cupcakes being served at most places around the conference.

• The multifaceted Oklahoma offense is described by the Oklahoman's Jake Trotter as college football's version of the Swiss army knife. The Sooners' offensive versatility will be tested by Cincinnati, even if many Sooners don't know which conference the Bearcats are members of.
• Renovated Boone Pickens Stadium is officially a big house -- at least in Big 12 terms -- with 60,000 seats. The new configuration should result in increased reverberation Saturday night against Houston because of the configuration of the new seats.
• New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp led his team through a Sunday night walkthrough, something that hadn't been done around Austin before. That came after an impressive opening-game victory that had UTEP coach Mike Price thinking the Longhorns had 14 defenders as he watched the game film.
• Texas A&M is seeking redemption this week at New Mexico, despite a frustrating recent history of struggling in nonconference road games.
• Nebraska remains confident in its running game, despite producing the second-lowest rushing total in an opener in 30 years last week and netting 3 or more yards on only 13 of 31 carries. Maybe that's why San Jose State coach Dick Tomey admitted to the San Jose Mercury News this week that he dropped Tennessee and added Nebraska to the schedule because he thought it's a more winnable game.
• Nevada's pass defense shouldn't be intimidated against Texas Tech's high-powered aerial attack, considering the Wolf Pack played four of the nation's top 11 passing offenses last season.
• Missouri fans are excited about the Tigers' home opener against Southeast Missouri State -- to the tune of a record 40,000 season tickets sold. One of the more intriguing story lines today will be who gets the snaps behind QB Chase Daniel once the Tigers get the game under control. 
• Baylor players know they can't overlook any opponent, especially after their first-game struggles. Their nine-game losing streak heading into Saturday's game against Northwestern State ties the school's longest since dropping 10 straight in 1998-99.
• The Boulder Daily Camera's Neill Woelk says it's time to forget about the last time Colorado played a Football Championship Subdivision opponent -- even if ESPN the Magazine still expects a rough game for the Buffaloes today against Eastern Washington.
• The Topeka Capital Journal's Austin Meek writes about how a Montana State kicker once converted 17 field goals in a game. I guess that's not a surprise from a school that produced NFL Hall of Fame K Jan Stenerud.
• Times have changed at Memorial Stadium for Kansas games, where Louisiana Tech players who played there in 2005 will hardly recognize the place since the Jayhawks' recent success.
• Iowa State CB Devin McDowell has waited a long time to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, former All-Big 12 CB DeAndre Jackson. His Cyclones are intent on gaining revenge Saturday for last year's loss to Kent State.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- You've got to love free wi-fi, don't you?

Taking advantage of the generosity of the good folks at the San Diego International Airport, here are some quick links before I board for Reno, Nev., in a few minutes.

• Everybody's favorite Texas student, actor Matthew McConaughey, is doing some voice-over work for something called the "Baby Longhorn DVD." The Austin American-Statesman has linked to some of the outtakes.
• ESPN's Chris Fowler speculates to the Kansas City Star that a potential Iowa-Nebraska game at Arrowhead Stadium could be an intriguing future nonconference matchup.
• The Big Red Zone at the Omaha World-Herald discusses Alex Henery's streak of 12 straight field goals. Henery still needs six to break the school and Big 12 record of 18 set by Kris Brown in 1997-98.
• Check out what Oklahoman beat writers Scott Wright and Jake Trotter have to say about Oklahoma's and Oklahoma State's games this week. It's more than nine minutes long, but well worth the time. It sure beats watching "Judge Judy" here, anyway.
• Manhattan Mercury sports editor Joshua Kinder said he almost forgot about Kansas State's original opponent for this week -- Fresno State. I haven't. Instead, the Wildcats are playing Football Championship Series opponent Montana State and I'm headed to Reno. The blog Bring on the Cats provides a quick look at the Bobcats.
• USA Today provides an extensive, handy preview of this week's Big 12 games. I wouldn't jump on an airplane without a copy.
• For readers in the Denver area, the Ralphie Report provides a way for fans to score two free tickets for tomorrow's Colorado-Eastern Washington game.

Guys, gotta run, because the A group is boarding. Talk to you tomorrow.

tg 

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Starting Texas G Charlie Tanner will miss Saturday's game against UTEP with a left ankle injury, Texas athletic trainer Kenny Boyd said. Tanner will be replaced in the Longhorns' starting lineup by sophomore Michael Huey at left guard against the Miners.

Backup LB Keenan Robinson will miss the game as well.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

College recruiters have probably taken note of San Antonio Madison High School RB Aaron Green.

After last night, the rest of us probably need to keep up with him, too.

Green, the cousin of Kansas WR Gary Green and nephew of former Baylor All-American Gary Green, made history in San Antonio Thursday night by rushing for nine touchdowns in his team's 69-56 victory over Kerrville Tivy. And it wasn't played indoors either.

In only his second career start, Aaron Green scored on TD runs of 1, 7, 12, 80, 13, 57, 12, 55 and 6 yards. He finished the night with 428 yards on 33 carries.

The most amazing thing of all is that Aaron Green is only 15 years old. Something tells me we'll be hearing a lot more about him in the future.

The story also has another notable connection to the Big 12 -- it was written by Dan McCarney, the nephew of former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

I just can't seem to make those guys over at the Bring on the Cats blog happy.

After their recent laments about my analysis of the relative merits of the Kansas State coaching job, they've jumped on me again.

My recent comments about the need for some forward thinking in the Big 12 about Thursday night games prompted a blast this morning that I feel like I need to reply to.

My point was that the Big 12 needs to start thinking -- begging might be a better word -- to get more national exposure by playing on Thursday nights.

Guys, there's a reason why the SEC has hop-scotched past the Big 12 and maybe even the Big Ten as far as being the cash cow among college football powers.

I'm betting that the average football fan knows a little bit more about Bobby Johnson and his program at Vanderbilt this morning than they might have a day or so earlier.

I'm sorry, but I think schools like Virginia Tech, Virginia and West Virginia have benefitted because they've been willing to play Thursday night home games for the good of their conferences. Their programs are a lot better known because of the exposure they've received by playing on Thursday nights. If the Hokies and Frank Beamer hadn't thought like that, I'm betting they wouldn't be in the ACC today.

I also noticed by looking at your population charts that all three of them are in smaller cities than Manhattan, Kan.

Bring on the Cats brings up that it would be difficult for fans to travel to games on Thursday nights rather than Saturdays. True, but how much of a sacrifice is that?

The concept of Saturday afternoon games is one of my favorite in all of sports. I love the smell of cheeseburgers wafting through the air on a pristine afternoon walking into the stadium. None has quite the ambiance of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. And I hate the idea of a tight Thursday night deadline as one of society's greatest ills.

But contributing a home game or two a year for the greater good of the conference might get the Big 12 consistently mentioned in the same breath as the other national power conferences. Sometimes perception is more important than reality.

And a three-quarters-full stadium watching a game on Thursday night before a national television audience is a lot more impressive to a potential recruit or an advertiser than a stadium full of brat-eating fans two days later.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

We're learning some new nuggets about Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree every week in his missives for the New York Times' "The Quad," a blog about college football.

Crabtree writes this week about his in-season class load this semester including classes in RHIM (Restaurant and Hotel Management), atmospheric science, personal and family finance and sociology.

The Biletnikoff Award winner also describes his family barbecue after his game last week, while avoiding an explanation of how Eastern Washington limited him to 74 receiving yards. When you get to answer your own questions, you don't have to necessarily worry about answering tough ones, I guess.

And we also learned that this weekend will be Crabtree's first visit to Reno, home of the University of Nevada, although he's visited Las Vegas six times. Maybe he'll get to experience some of the charms of "The Biggest Little City in the World" this weekend, but I kind of doubt it.

I'll run into Crabtree and the Red Raiders out in Reno, too. I can't wait, and I imagine my schedule will allow for a tad more time in the casinos than his will.

But until then, here's a trimmed-down version of the morning links, more adaptable to those with breakfast-on-the-go plans.

Happy munching.

• Baylor QB Robert Griffin's plans for football and beyond are detailed in a strong feature by the Waco Tribune Herald's John Werner.
• The Topeka Capital-Journal's Rick Dean writes about the long and short of Big 12 quarterbacks.
• Austin American-Statesman columnist Cedric Golden is learning to be careful along the sidelines at Texas games.
• Look for massive Texas A&M FB Jorvorskie Lane to play more against New Mexico this week.
• Oklahoma will try to neutralize Cincinnati's no-huddle attack by utilizing three safeties against the Bearcats' quick-paced offense.
• Missouri DE Stryker Sulak explains the derivation of his unusually alliterative name for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Kathleen Nelson.
• The Austin American-Statesman's Alan Trubow describes Texas' visit to El Paso as the biggest home game in UTEP school history.
• Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star ranks this week's Big 12 games and details why four Big 12 teams will face Football Championship Series opponents on Saturday.
• Texas QB Colt McCoy has marked nine years since drinking his last Dr Pepper - ending what once was a sugary six-soda-a-day habit.
• Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is turning into quite the prankster at his post-practice news conferences. Maybe whoopee cushions will be next.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Here are 10 things to watch for in Saturday's games.

1. First-start jitters for Baylor QB Robert Griffin: The freshman played well when he entered the game early in the second quarter last week against Wake Forest. Griffin was named the starter for the Northwestern State game the next day. After thinking about it for more than a week, how will he react?

2. How will Texas' defensive line play without Lamarr Houston? The suspended defensive tackle is back home in Austin after his arrest on DWI charges following last week's game. Aaron Lewis will get the start in his place Saturday at UTEP. Pressure inside will be critical to take the heat off Texas' young secondary.

3. Improvement in Kansas' rushing game: The Jayhawks struggled against Florida International, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry and producing 128 yards. They need to progress Saturday against Louisiana Tech as they prepare for next week's critical game at South Florida.

4. Texas A&M responds to last week's upset: The Aggies failed to score on eight second-half possessions last week against Arkansas State. It will be interesting to see how A&M's young offensive line grows from those struggles and how it produces against New Mexico's wild collection of blitz packages.

5. Darrell Scott: Colorado's heralded freshman running back appeared to be getting more comfortable in the latter stages of his first game against Colorado State. The Buffs should have plenty of opportunities to build his confidence against Eastern Washington.

6. Iowa State's progress: Gene Chizik hasn't forgotten his ISU debut, a 23-14 loss to Kent State. The Cyclones will again face the Golden Flashes and have the opportunity to use this game as a kind of litmus test of their growth since his arrival.

7. The Oklahoma State secondary: The Cowboys had a big game last week against Washington State, but will be stepping up in class against Houston QB Case Keenum. Look for OSU to try a variety of coverages to confuse Keenum, who passed for a career-high 392 yards and threw for five TDs last week against Southern.

8. Get out your calculators: Saturday night's battle in Reno between Nevada and Texas Tech will match two of the nation's four most prolific offensive attacks. Considering the two teams combined for 1,268 yards last week, this game might last forever.

9. Will Jeremy Maclin and William Moore play for Missouri? Both key players are listed as probable for Saturday's game against Southeast Missouri State. But considering the wide talent gap, it might be wise for Gary Pinkel to allow both key players extra time to recuperate. They shouldn't be needed on Saturday.

10. Sam Bradford vs. the opportunistic Cincinnati defense: Oklahoma's talented sophomore quarterback has thrown only eight interceptions in his career and had only one game where he threw multiple picks. He will be facing a Cincinnati defense that led the nation in interceptions (26) and forced turnovers (42) last season.

ESPN.com's Heather Dinich, Tim Griffin and Mark Schlabach discuss the latest poll and look ahead to Week 2 action.