Midseason's Best in the Big 12 North

Although competition itself for the Big 12 North crown seems to be entirely up for grabs, it hasn't discouraged certain individuals in the geographical upper-half of the conference from distinguishing themselves as some of the NCAA's best.

With regard to only performances (not only stats) during the first seven weeks of this season, here is my Midseason All-Big 12 North Team...

Defensive Backs

Tysyn Hartman (Kansas State S, So.), Darrell Stuckey (Kansas S, Sr.), Joshua Moore (Kansas State CB, Jr.), and Cha'pelle Brown (Colorado CB, Sr.)

Stuckey hasn't been spectacular but makes the list on the 50 tackles and amazing consistency he brings to a horrible defense.

Hartman barely gets the nod over teammate Emmanuel Lamur thanks to his 32 tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defended, five passes broken up in seven games, and usefulness on special teams.

Brown is not your ordinary cornerback; he gets his work done in the backfield and has totaled three sacks, two more tackles for a loss, and 45 tackles total.

Moore, like Hartman, is pure in coverage and has tallied two picks, 31 tackles, nine passes defended and seven broken up.

Best of the Rest: Chris Harris (KU S, 44 tackles, 3.5 for loss, five passes broken up/defended), Emmanuel Lamur (KSU S, two blocked kicks, 36 tackles), and David Sims (ISU S, 44 tackles, three picks)

Linebackers

Jesse Smith (Iowa State, Sr.), Fred Garrin (Iowa State, Sr.), and Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri, Sr.)

Smith's 75 tackles are enough to put him on this list.  His teammate Garrin is a little more versatile, racking up 46 tackles, four for losses, two picks, three passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. 

Weatherspoon does not quite match runners-up Jeff Smart and Drew Dudley statistically (50 tackles, five for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble), but is a far better leader and the focal point of every opposing offense he faces.

B.O.T.R.: Drew Dudley (KU, 53 tackles, 7.5 for loss, three sacks) and Jeff Smart (CU, 58 tackles, three for loss, one sack, one pick, three passes broken up)

Defensive Linemen

Jake Laptad (Kansas DE, Jr.), Pierre Allen (Nebraska DE, Jr.), Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska DT, Sr.), and Jeff Fitzgerald (Kansas State DT, Sr.)

Laptad is the only constant threat from Kansas' front four (27 tackles, seven for loss, 5.5. sacks), while Allen flourishes in constant one-on-one situations (28 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks) thanks to playing on the best line in football.

Speaking of Nebraska, Suh's team-leading 36 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, and a pick out of the tackle position make him a given at the top of any list. 

The lesser-known Fitzgerald also puts up great stats for a tackle (22 tackles, seven for loss, 4.5 sacks, one pick, two forced fumbles) despite similarly being the constant focus of double teams. 

He gets a very tight bump over Nebraska's Jared Crick for not having the benefit of playing next to (or with any, whatsoever) an All-American.

B.O.T.R.: Marquez Herrod (CU DE, six tackles for loss, four sacks), Barry Turner (NU DE, seven tackles for loss, two sacks), Aldon Smith (MU DE, 27 tackles, five for loss, three sacks), and Jared Crick (NU DT, 28 tackles, five for loss, 3.5 sacks)

Offensive Linemen

Kurtis Gregory (Missouri T, Sr.), Nick Stringer (Kansas State T, Sr.), Reggie Stephens (Iowa State G/C, Sr.), Tim Barnes (Missouri G/C, Jr.), and Jacob Hickman (Nebraska G/C, Sr.)

Gregory is a good-sized, athletic right tackle who could find his way into the pros as a guard, while Stringer is a smaller, quicker tackle with great technique on the left side of the line.

Stephens is a great team leader up front, Barnes will only keep getting better, while Hickman should find his way into Sunday games next season. All three are very versatile and experienced.

B.O.T.R.: Sal Capra (KU G, Jr.) He lacks size and experience, but Mark Mangino does nothing but rave about his toughness, intelligence, and versatility.

Tight Ends, Fullbacks

Jeron Mastrud (Kansas State TE, Sr.)

I made sure to include him. His stats won't blow you away (16 receptions, 196 yards, one touchdown), but neither will his quarterbacks. He's a great blocker, has an endless supply of experience, and I hope he gets a chance professionally.

B.O.T.R.: Toben Opurum (FB, KU) doesn't make this list because he is utilized as a halfback, but still deserves recognition for his eight rushing touchdowns as a freshman. 

Also, Mike McNeill (TE, NU) may not do the little things as well as Mastrud, but his stat sheet (14 catches, 160 yards, three touchdowns in in only six games compared to Mastrud's seven) is certainly better than that of the crafty K-State senior.

Wide Receivers

Kerry Meier (Kansas, Sr.), Danario Alexander (Missouri, Sr.), and Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas, Jr.)

Meier's 54 receptions and six touchdown snags are tied for second and third in the nation respectively, while teammate Briscoe's 671 yards have come in just five games and are still the best in the entire Big 12.

Alexander is also a big part of a great receiving duo, and the big, talented senior has grabbed 44 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns.

B.O.T.R.: Jared Perry (MU, 31 catches, 493 yards, five touchdowns)

Running Backs

Roy Helu Jr. (Nebraska, Jr.) and Alexander Robinson (Iowa State, Jr.)

Helu has put up 620 yards rushing on 107 carries and has reached the end zone six times in as many games. In seven games, Robinson has carried the ball 130 times for 737 yards and six touchdowns as well, despite fighting for ground-time with quarterback Austen Arnaud.

The factor in choosing these two over Daniel Thomas was that these backs' most impressive days came during the biggest games (Helu at Virginia Tech, Robinson at Kansas), which is always a special bonus.

B.O.T.R.: Daniel Thomas (KSU, 145 carries, 669 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns)

Quarterback

Todd Reesing (Kansas, Sr.)

Last week, even when being exposed (he was far too jumpy, held the ball too long, and made plenty of poor decisions early) against Colorado, he still came away from the game with 401 yards, two touchdowns, and one catch short of a game-winning drive. 

On the season, he has thrown 163 completions out of 243 attempts for 1,980 yards, 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He gains 8.15 yards per attempt, completes 67.1 percent of his passes, and has even tallied three rushing touchdowns.

B.O.T.R.: Blaine Gabbert (MU, 126/218 for 1,620 yards, 12 touchdowns, five picks, 57.8 percent, 7.43 yards per attempt, three rushing touchdowns) and Austen Arnaud (ISU, 105/185 for 1,246 yards, nine touchdowns, five picks, 56.8 percent, 6.74 yards per attempt, 434 yards and seven touchdowns on 90 carries)

Special Teams

Grant Ressel (Missouri K, So.),  Mike Brandtner (Iowa State P, Sr.), Brandon Banks (Kansas State KR/PR, Sr.)

Ressel is a only a sophomore but has icy-cold steel flowing in his veins. He has scored 54 points on 18 of 18 extra points and 12 of 13 field goals (four of five between 40 and 49 yards).

Mike Brandtner has plenty of opportunities and usually gets the job done. He has punted 31 times at an average of 43.5 yards.

Banks may have compiled the bulk of his stats against Tennessee Tech, but he is still among the most dangerous men in the league with the ball in his hands. Thus far he has returned 23 kicks for 717 yards (31.2 yards per return) and three touchdowns. 

His punt-returning skills aren't mind-boggling, but he never makes silly mistakes when fielding punts and still produces an average of 6.9 yards per return (16 returns, 111 yards).

The Big 12 North may suffer from yet another year of South dominance and zero-recognition, but talent is still readily available.  Hopefully fans will continue to be treated to pleasant surprises as the Big 12 North season progresses.