A boy named Suh

Nebraska nose tackle Ndamukong Suh may have been the first Big 12 football player ever to earn defensive player of the week award for a game in which he also scored an offensive touchdown. Suh had a career-high 12 stops in Saturday’s 45-35 win over Kansas, including 2.5 sacks. Suh also plays fullback in goal-line situations and caught a two-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Facebook ‘mistake’

Many Big 12 compliance offices are monitoring athletes’ Facebook sites more closely now after Texas back-up center Buck Burnette was kicked off the team for what he called a “terrible mistake” in posting a text message that contained a racial slur about Barack Obama.

OSU ‘bands dinosaurs

Those orange and black “Big 12 Champs” wristbands Oklahoma State players have worn since the preseason can be discarded, or saved for next season. The Cowboys were eliminated from title contention in Saturday’s loss at Texas Tech.

‘Horns honor Olympian

After thumping Baylor, Texas players awarded a game ball to Sanya Richards, the UT alum who failed to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Beijing Olympics, but who later ran the anchor lap in the 1,600-meter U.S. relay team that earned gold.

KU Tempe-bound?

According to a Dallas Mornining News projection, eight Big 12 teams will earn postseason appearances. The Dallas newspaper predicted Kansas would meet Illinois in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. If that projection holds – and that’s a big if – KU would be meeting Illinois for the first time in 40 years.

Pinkel has U-Dub ties

Washington, the only winless school in major college football and with a lame-duck coach in Tyrone Willingham, may have its eyes on Missouri’s Gary Pinkel who coached for 12 years at U-Dub, including the last seven as offensive coordinator. Pinkel has been at Mizzou since 2001.

Three heads better

Nebraska’s tailback troika of Marlon Lucky, Roy Helu and Quentin Castille have a combined 1,315 rushing, prompting NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson to remark: “I don’t know who in the NFL or college football is playing with one guy anymore. Nobody is.” Kansas’ three-headed tailback tandem of Jake Sharp (737 yards), Angus Quigley (281) and Jocques Crawford (190) have combined for 1,208 yards.

Meier close to record

Despite catching just three passes in each of the last two games, Kerry Meier needs only one more to match Kansas’ single-season record for receptions. Meier, who has 69 grabs, may be hearing footsteps, however. Teammate Dezmon Briscoe has 60 grabs and is also on record pace.

Sooners stingy on TOs

Overshadowed by Oklahoma’s high-powered offense (51.4 points a game) is the the Sooners’ splendid turnover margin. OU leads the nation in that category with 24 takeaways and only eight giveaways. Texas Tech also has 24 takeaways, but the Red Raiders have 14 turnovers.

Chizik safe : for now

Second-year Iowa State coach Gene Chizik has lost eight straight games, but he says he isn’t worried despite Kansas State’s decision to dump coach Ron Prince after just 2 1/2 seasons. “I’m very blessed,” Chizik said. “But I don’t think patience is forever.”