CFB Week 6: Big 12, SEC East flex their muscles

While SEC teams rely on a strong running game and a tenacious defense, Big 12 squads are continuing to air it out.

After Missouri's 52-17 win at Nebraska, Texas Tech's 58-28 drubbing of Kansas St. and OU's 49-17 win over Baylor, a trio of Big 12 quarterbacks have stepped into the Heisman front-runner race.

By the numbers (Top 3 Big 12 QBs)

Sam Bradford - Oklahoma: 1,665 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INT, 204.97 rating

Graham Harrell - Texas Tech: 2,027 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INT, 161.04 rating

Chase Daniel - Missouri: 1,665 yards, 15 TDs, INT, 196.38

Both the Sooners and the Red Raiders had 33 first downs and 600+ yards of total offense.

No. 1 Oklahoma faces No. 5 Texas this Saturday in the Red River Shootout in Dallas. It will be Big 12’s most important conference clash so far this season.

SEC East schools rebounded from a bad Week 5 with a 4-1 record Saturday, including Vanderbilt's upset of 13th-ranked Auburn in Nashville. South Carolina went into Oxford and won 31-24 while Kentucky had Alabama on the ropes before falling 17-14. Florida and Tennessee each handled Arkansas and Northern Illinois, respectively.


HELMET STICKERS - NATIONALLY

Terrell Pryor, QB, Ohio State: Don't rule out the Buckeyes (5-1, No. 12) at a shot to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship game. Ohio State won a hard-fought 20-17 game in Madison Saturday night against the Badgers behind Pryor's play down the stretch. The 6-foot-6 freshman's TD run with 1:14 remaining gave OSU a come-from-behind win.

Bruce Carter, LB, UNC: Carter blocked an unprecendented three punts Saturday night against UConn as the Heels rolled 38-12. UNC is ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in three seasons under Butch Davis at No. 21.

Chris Smelley, QB, South Carolina: After taking a back seat to freshman Stephen Garcia last week against UAB and in the media this week, Smelley threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 win at Ole Miss. The Gamecocks stand at 4-2 with a road game at Kentucky next week.

EXTRA POINTS

- For the first time in program history, Ball State is nationally ranked after a 6-0 start.

- Unbeaten Oklahoma State has scored 50 or more points in four straight games, a school record. Wide receiver Dez Bryant caught three touchdowns and returned a punt for another as Oke St. cruised to a 56-28 win over Tex. A & M.

- UConn’s Donald Brown scored his nation-leading 12th TD against the Tar Heels Saturday night, recording 150 + rushing yards for the fifth time this season in the process.

- Missouri sophomore tailback Derrick Washington has scored multiple touchdowns in every game this season for the 5-0 Tigers.