It’s early in the college football season, but this weekend will produce one of the most anticipated games in the Big 12 when Texas Tech visits Texas.

The ESPN GameDay crew will be in Austin for a rivalry that was taken to a historic level last year when Texas Tech won one of the most memorable games in conference history. Graham Harrell’s game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree knocked Texas out of the Big 12 Championship game and also out of the BCS title picture.

Texas-Texas Tech headlines a slew of interesting games this weekend. Nebraska at Virginia Tech will be the other big one. The Huskers won their first two home games convincingly, but are they a legitimate power again?

I predicted each Big 12 game for the third week in the latest episode of ConferenceChatterTV. I must improve on my 16-6 record. Check it out below:

Final topic of conversation for today: How insanely good is Adrian Peterson?

The Big 12 product out of Oklahoma went nuts in the first weekend of the NFL season, destroying the Cleveland defense for 180 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s 34-20 victory.

I had a discussion with some co-workers the other night and Tom Keegan brought up an interesting question: Will Peterson be remembered as this era’s great Big 12 running back?

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He’s only entering his third year in the league, but he’s already considered the best running back in football. Peterson piled up 1,341 yards and 12 scores his rookie year in 2007, then went crazy for 1,760 yards and 10 TDs last season.

But can he sustain it?

Critics argue that Peterson raises questions of durability with his upright running style, which makes him a target for opposing defenders. He also welcomes contact on just about every play.

Nowadays, NFL teams are employing two running backs in their offenses. Chester Taylor, the Vikings’ backup running back, doesn’t see that much playing time, though.

When I think of the NFL careers of great Big 12 running backs, a few names immediately come to mind:

Gale Sayers, Kansas/Chicago Bears

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NFL span was 1965-1971. Could do it all. Run, catch, run back kicks, run back punts. Had it not been for injury, who knows what sort of numbers he would have put up? He had 4,956 rushing yards and 47 total touchdowns in essentially five healthy NFL seasons.

John Riggins, Kansas/New York Jets/Washington Redskins

NFL span was 1971-1985. Touchdown machine. Scored 24 times in 1983. Five different 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Totaled 11,352 career rushing yards (15th all-time) and 116 total touchdowns (12th all-time).

Earl Campbell, Texas/Houston Oilers

NFL span was 1978-1985. Accumulated 9,407 rushing yards and 74 career TDs.

Thurman Thomas, Oklahoma State/Buffalo Bills

NFL span was 1988-2000. His 12,074 career rushing yards ranks 13th all-time. Prolific pass catcher as well, with 472 career catches.

Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State/Detroit Lions

NFL span was 1989-1998. Ranks third all-time with 15,269 rushing yards. Rushed for at least 1,100 yards every season he played. His 109 total touchdowns is 15th all-time.

Will Peterson have a long enough career to be remembered in the same light as these guys?

As always, discuss.