Print edition: 
It must be a coincidence that running game success serves as the conference's theme on the first weekend, the first without the pass happy coach Mike Leach on a Big 12 sideline since 1999.
Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter, Kansas State's Daniel Thomas and Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray each surpassed 200 rushing yards on Saturday. It marked the first time since — you guessed it — 1998 that the conference produce a weekend trio of 200-yard rushers.
Thomas' 234 yards against UCLA was the most impressive because it came against the strongest defense, but Hunter's 257 against Washington State and Murray's 218 against Utah State made it seem like old times.
Another time machine moment: In his first start, Taylor Martinez became the first Nebraska quarterback to surpass 100 yards rushing in a game since 2003.
Strong running games was the Big 12's offensive identity at its inception. The league produced the nation's leading rusher in each of its first three years — Iowa State's Troy Davis in 1996 and Texas' Ricky Williams the next two seasons, including his Heisman-winning 1998 campaign.
That era also cranked out such standouts as Nebraska's Ahman Green and Texas Tech's Byron Hanspard.
In 1997, Colorado led the conference in passing with 232 yards per game. Last season, that figure would have placed the Buffs eighth as Leach's last Texas Tech squad led the conference in passing for the 10th straight season, all but the first two averaging at least 370 yards per game.
The Big 12 office came up with this nugget: Including Saturday, there have been 85 occasions of a 200-yard rusher, 64 came in the league's first seven years.
Several schools have pledged to strike more balance this season, and there is plenty of talent at the running back position to make it seem like old times in the Big 12.
"Teams could run the ball with proficiency then," said Paul Rhoads, Iowa State's head coach who was a Cyclones assistant from 1995-1999.
Two story lines
Big 12 vs. ACC: An uninspiring performance by Oklahoma and a desultory one by Kansas leave the Big 12 programs vulnerable in Saturday contests against ACC visitors. Florida State brings to Norman a strong armed quarterback in Christian Ponder and a defensive coordinator in Mark Stoops who knows a thing or two about his brother, Bob. Secondary play must improve or Oklahoma risks a rare home loss.
Kansas mustered a mere three points against North Dakota State. What can the Jayhawks expect against defending ACC champion Georgia Tech? The Yellow Jackets' defense was a little loose against South Carolina State, but Kansas has many problems on offense.
Cy-Hawk Saturday: One of the nation's great in-state rivalries in its usual early season spot, and both feel good about themselves. The Cyclones are coming off a 17-point victory over Northern Iowa and the Hawkeyes had an easy time with Eastern Illinois. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who limped off the field with a bum knee, says he's fine. Who has the better Robinson? Iowa's Adam rushed for 109 and three touchdowns, Iowa State's Alexander rushed for 97 and two in the opener.
Power rankings
TeamNext opp. Comment
1. Texas (2) WyomingUndercooked against Rice
2. Nebraska (3) IdahoFrom one to three quarterbacks
3. Oklahoma (1) Florida StateNeed more WR threats
4. Texas A&M (4) La. TechSore ankle for Von Miller
5. Kansas State (7) Missouri St. RB play, wow.
6. Missouri (5) McNeese St. Thinking defense
7. Texas Tech (6) at New MexicoWon't be 72 points better
8. Oklahoma State (9) TroyTroy better than Wash. St.
9. Colorado (8) at CaliforniaMost speed in Hawkins' CU tenure
10. Iowa State (12) at IowaAlways competitive with Hawks
11. Baylor (10) BuffaloMuch to like in opener
12. Kansas (11) Georgia TechOnly direction is up
Last week's ranking in parenthesis
