Nine quarterbacks in the Big 12 Conference have less than a season of starting experience. Two of them are playing in new offenses under new coaches.

So it’s no wonder nonconference play has looked a bit like a toddler learning to walk.

The league that has played for the national title four times in the last six years, winning it twice, has lost to Division I-AA Montana State (Colorado), nearly lost to I-AA Illinois State (Kansas State won, 24-23) and barely hung on against the Sun Belt Conference (Kansas beat Louisiana-Monroe, 21-19).

Big 12 teams went 2-8 against teams from other BCS conferences.

Some teams are struggling to defend the pass (Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Colorado and Iowa State). Others haven’t stopped the run (Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Texas Tech), and others have special-teams issues (Missouri) or struggle with turnovers (Texas, Kansas).

Green QBs everywhere

But inexperienced quarterbacks are everywhere in the conference, and that leads to unpredictable outcomes. Dennis Franchione finds himself counting on sophomore Stephen McGee, who has five career starts, in what could be a make-or-break season for the Texas A&M coach.

“Any time a division or a conference is starting over at quarterback, it adds a little air of uncertainty to what’s going to happen, as opposed to having the Vince Youngs, the Reggie McNeals, the Brad Smiths and all those kinds of people back,” said Franchione, whose team faces Texas Tech at Kyle Field today. “That is a story that has to develop as the season goes on, more so than maybe in other years.”

Texas is trying to defend its national title with red-shirt freshman Colt McCoy, who has four starts.

“I think before it all shakes (out), the Big 12 will be a better conference than some people think,” said Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis, a former quarterback at McNeese State. “There’s no question there’s a growth at the quarterback position that is unique. You can’t give the experience on the practice field. As they play, they’ll grow, and it should be reflected in their team’s play.”

The Big 12 has lost seven games against non-BCS conference teams this season. The Big 12 is 2-8 against teams from BCS conferences.

Rocky in Boulder

No one knows more about the struggles of breaking in a new quarterback and new offense than Colorado coach Dan Hawkins.

In an 0-4 start, his team has yet to throw a touchdown pass. Senior James Cox has one college start, and junior Bernard Jackson has three. They’ve struggled to replace departed passing machine Joel Klatt. Colorado is 114th nationally (of 119 teams) in passing and 113th in total offense.

Hawkins has gone swimming with great white sharks and has jumped out of an airplane, so he was asked to compare the Buffaloes’ winless start to his thrill-seeking ways.

“They are both the same,” said Hawkins, who left Boise State to replace Gary Barnett in Boulder. “That’s why you jump out of planes. That’s why you swim with sharks. That’s why you live. When I go down, I’m going down in flames.”

Fans in Colorado could probably do without the “going down in flames,” considering the Buffaloes have an eight-game losing streak for the first time in 42 years. Last weekend may provide a glimmer of hope.

CU lost at No. 10 Georgia, 14-13, on a last-second touchdown.

Growing pains

The only way to learn as a quarterback is to play – and make mistakes. Against No. 1 Ohio State, Texas saw its nation-leading 21-game win streak end after using a conservative game plan with McCoy. UT mustered only one touchdown in a 24-7 loss. McCoy has earned more of Davis’ trust since then, resulting in more calls for passes downfield.

“The more you open yourself up and someone takes care of you,” the Longhorns’ offensive coordinator said, “the more you open up.”

Kansas’ only loss came at Toledo after freshman Kerry Meier fumbled in the first overtime and threw his fourth interception of the game in the second overtime. Said Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino: “The game was a good teaching tool, though you never like to lose.”

Texas Tech sophomore Graham Harrell was still developing chemistry with his receivers when they dropped nine of his passes in a 12-3 loss at TCU. First-year Kansas State coach Ron Prince is still searching for answers after replacing senior Dylan Meier with freshman Josh Freeman during the third quarter of a 24-6 loss to Louisville.

Future stars?

There are signs the league’s young quarterbacks could be stars.

Harrell and Missouri sophomore Chase Daniel lead the conference in total offense. Harrell (289.8 ypg) has thrown for 11 touchdowns with two interceptions, and Daniel (287.8 ypg) has nine touchdown passes with two interceptions. Both have thrown for more than 1,000 yards in four games and completed more than 60 percent of their passes.

Among the quarterbacks with fewer than 10 starts, four are ranked in the top 15 nationally in pass efficiency.

Oklahoma State’s Bobby Reid, a sophomore, is No. 2, A&M’s McGee is No. 8 and McCoy is No.11.

Oklahoma’s Paul Thompson, a senior with five starts, is No. 13.

In addition to his arm, Reid showed he can use his legs, rushing for 85 yards in a 34-25 loss at Houston.

McGee has not thrown an interception in 90 passes this season.

“It’s not just an overnight deal,” McGee said. “It’s a process that takes time. I think with each new game the confidence is building.”