Big 12 top players are OSU RB Hubbard and Baylor DE Lynch

NCAA rushing leader Chuba Hubbard from Oklahoma State has been named the Big 12 offensive player of the year. Big 12 sacks leader James Lynch from Baylor was named the top defensive player. The Big 12 awards released Wednesday were determined by a vote of the league’s 10 coaches. Baylor coach Matt Rhule was chosen by his peers as the top coach after his No. 8 Bears went from 11 losses two years ago to 11 wins and a spot in this year’s Big 12 championship game. Oklahoma graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts was named the league’s offensive newcomer of the year.

Rhule, Riley take much different paths to Big 12 title game

by STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
Baylor coach Matt Rhule and Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley took over their teams under drastically different circumstances. Rhule left Temple for Baylor three years ago in the aftermath of a scandal that left the Bears with a depleted roster. Riley was the hand-picked successor when 10-time Big 12 champion coach Bob Stoops retired in 2017.  The two will coach against each other in the Big 12 championship game Saturday. Both teams are 11-1 and the winner could possibly get in the four-team College Football Playoff when pairings are announced Sunday.

Stout defenses push Oklahoma, Baylor into Big 12 title game

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer
Major improvements on defense have pushed Oklahoma and Baylor into the Big 12 championship game. Oklahoma led the Big 12 in total defense during conference play after finishing last a season ago. Baylor led the Big 12 in scoring defense and ranked third in total defense in league play. A year ago, the Bears were seventh in total defense and eighth in scoring defense in the 10-member league. The two teams play Saturday for the conference title.