Muleskinner

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Sports

The Big 12 North is back. Well, it's on its way at least.

For the last few years, the Big 12 North has been a pushover to a more powerful Big 12 South. Teams like Texas and Oklahoma have enjoyed bulldozing Nebraska, Kansas State and Missouri.
Not anymore.

This year, Big 12 Conference play will have more twists than the line to ride the teacups in Disneyworld.
A big reason for that is the surprising success of teams like K-State and Missouri.

Missouri has reeled off a fast start. They are 3-0 and seem to have a renewed attitude that starts with Coach Gary Pinkel. The usually testy and short-answered Pinkel has obliged media questioning and seems to be more comfortable with his team.

K-State, too, is off to a 3-0 start under new head coach Ron Prince. Saturday will mark a true test for the team when Louisville visits. To keep their team on track, K-State doesn't have to win the game, they simply have to play tough.

The national sentiment of the Big 12 is down this year. Many don't think the conference is as strong in years past.

The conference, as a whole, is better this year. The average strength of teams is higher, and a number of teams will be bowl-eligible at the end of the season thanks to a renewed Big 12 North.

Unlike the past few years, the south will not run over the north this year. There are good teams in the south, but the resurgence of the Big 12 North is growing.

An abundance of good teams as opposed to one great team will make watching Big 12 play this year much more exciting.

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