RSSBot
News Junkie
Fresh off Baylor's win in the Stock Market Showdown, where the Bears beat Buffalo, 34-6, this week's Stock Watch is firmly in a bull market. Rising: Missouri interceptions
Missouri intercepted just eight passes in 13 games last season, second-to-last in the Big 12. Through two games this year, it has six interceptions, tied with Nebraska for most in the Big 12 and second-most in college football. Florida leads the nation, with eight.
Falling: Texas interceptions
The Texas defense picked off 25 passes a year ago, most in the Big 12 and No. 1 nationally. They also ran four of them back for touchdowns. This year, the Longhorns have just one interception, and it came from linebacker Keenan Robinson. The one interception is second-to-last in the Big 12, and Kansas and Baylor are the only other teams with just one pick. Oklahoma State is the only team without an interception.
Rising: Completion percentages
Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (73.9) and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert (75.9) are the only two players in the Big 12 with completion percentages over 70 percent, and both rank in the top six nationally. Also, Kansas State's Carson Coffman has the third highest percentage in the league (69), including four touchdowns with no interceptions. Coffman completed just 60 percent of his passes in four starts and six appearances last year, throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Falling: Completion percentages against Baylor
Baylor leads the Big 12 in the category, allowing opponents to complete just 41 percent of their passes, and giving up no touchdowns. Only Texas A&M and Texas Tech have faced more pass attempts through two games. Last season, opponents completed 62.4 percent of their passes against the Bears, second-worst in the Big 12, ahead of only Missouri.
Rising: Inexperienced quarterbacks
Nebraska's Taylor Martinez and Kansas' Jordan Webb had great days in wins on Saturday. Martinez ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns, completing 12-of-17 passes for 106 yards and an interception. Webb completed 18-0f-29 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in his first career start, a 28-25 win over then-No.15 Georgia Tech. They two are the only freshmen starters in the league.
Falling: Experienced quarterbacks
Colorado junior Tyler Hansen and Iowa State's Austen Arnaud struggled in losses over the weekend, throwing a combined one touchdown and six interceptions. Hansen was making his ninth start and Arnaud, a senior, is in his third year as starter. He faced one of the nation's best defenses in Iowa, but no other quarterback in the Big 12 has thrown more than two interceptions all season. Hansen and Arnaud both threw three on Saturday.
More...