In a year with no clear Heisman Trophy favorite, why not take a long look at Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury?

Or Chris Brown of Colorado, for that matter? Or Quentin Griffin of Oklahoma? Or Seneca Wallace of Iowa State? Or Ell Roberson of Kansas State?

They all have had outstanding seasons in the rugged Big 12 Conference, giving Heisman and all-conference voters plenty to think about.

“I don’t know who it is,” Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum said Monday when asked about a Heisman favorite from the league. “Maybe it’s a compliment that we’ve got so many that one doesn’t stand out, because we have so many who are having good seasons.”

Kingsbury’s numbers are Heisman-like, to be sure, and he also has led the No. 24 Red Raiders to within a victory of the Big 12 South title, something few would have expected when the season began.

“I believe he deserves the recognition,” said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, whose team faces Kingsbury this week for the South Division title. “He’s a tremendous player. I’m sure there’s a lot of other quarterbacks around who wouldn’t do it near as well as he has.”

Kingsbury has completed 68 percent of his passes for 4,455 yards and 41 touchdowns. He had six TDs Saturday in a 42-38 victory against then-No. 4 Texas that knocked the Longhorns out of the chase for a conference or national title.

He threw 60 passes against Texas without being intercepted, and only 10 of his 634 passes this season have been picked off.

“You’ve got to do something to get him off his rhythm, and we couldn’t do it,” said Texas coach Mack Brown. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen him play.”

Brown, Stoops and other coaches on the Big 12’s weekly conference call said it would be tough to name one league MVP or Heisman candidate from the Big 12.

Stoops touted his tailback, Griffin, a 1,000-yard rusher who has six straight 100-yard games. Brown said his quarterback, Chris Simms, deserves consideration.

Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury (16) celebrates a touchdown with Wes Walker. Kingsbury led the Red Raiders to a victory against Texas on Saturday at Lubbock, Texas.

Chris Brown, who leads the nation in rushing with 1,744 yards, has helped lead Colorado to the North Division title. Iowa State’s Wallace was mentioned as a Heisman front-runner when the Cyclones were 6-1, although they have since lost four of five. Roberson’s play has been a big reason why K-State has surged of late.

Baylor coach Kevin Steele hasn’t seen Wallace this year. But his team has faced Brown, Roberson, Kingsbury, Simms and Griffin the past five weeks.

“They’re all great players and with what they’re asked to do, they do it very well,” he said. “To pick one of ’em, I don’t have to so I’m not going to.”

Colorado coach Gary Barnett said a league’s strength will generally result in no clear individual being produced.

“Those things just happen, you don’t produce ’em,” he said. “Some guy catches fire and has a great year.”

But as he has done all season, Tech coach Mike Leach said Kingsbury is clearly the choice as the league’s top player.

“They act like last Saturday’s game is just some unusual occurrence, some aberration on the radar screen. That’s not the case,” Leach said. “He’s been doing stuff like this for three years.”

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‘Cats Rolling: Colorado is heading to the Big 12 title game, having won the North title by beating Iowa State on Saturday. But Kansas State might be playing better than anyone in the league.

In the past four games, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents 215-30. They beat Iowa State by 51 two weeks ago and beat Nebraska by 36 last week.

“I know that we’re playing very well right now,” coach Bill Snyder said. “Whether that’s the best in this division or our conference, I really couldn’t speak to that because I just don’t know.”

Kansas State’s two losses in league play have come at home against Texas, by three points, and on the road against CU, by four.

“I just think we’re doing what we always set out to do, and that is to get better as we progress through the course of the season,” Snyder said. “We’re just a better football team.”

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Solich’s Staff: Nebraska coach Frank Solich was asked whether he plans any changes to his staff after this season. The Cornhuskers are 7-5 overall, 3-4 in the league heading into their Nov. 29 game with Colorado.

“That’s an area that I won’t address at this particular time,” Solich said.

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This ‘N That: Missouri (5-6) and Oklahoma State (5-5) are each trying to get their sixth victories this week, which would make them bowl eligible. The Big 12 could wind up with 10 bowl-eligible teams.