K-State ready to name QB starter, Texas Tech still either/or

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder knows which of his four quarterbacks will be the Wildcats' new starter.

Snyder plans to name Jake Waters' replacement during his campus news conference Tuesday.

Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury is taking a different approach in revealing whether Davis Webb or Patrick Mahomes will be starting again. The Red Raiders' depth chart lists the quarterback as Webb or Mahomes after both started multiple games last season.

''They've had a great camp. ... Both guys deserve to be the starter,'' Kingsbury said Monday during the first Big 12 coaches teleconference of the season.

When asked who would start Saturday against Sam Houston State, Kingsbury said one of them will ''jog out there for the first snap, and that will be it.''

At K-State, three players emerged from the spring competing for the starting spot, and a junior college transfer joined the mix during preseason practice. Snyder said it was a competitive camp and that he has faith in all four quarterbacks.

Some more details from the first Big 12 coaches' call of the season:

EARLY STARTERS

Second-ranked TCU, fourth-ranked Baylor and Oklahoma State don't have to wait until Saturday to open the season, but all are on the road.

TCU is at Minnesota on Thursday, when coach Gary Patterson faces old friend and fellow rural Kansas native Jerry Kill. Oklahoma State plays Thursday at Central Michigan, and Baylor goes to SMU on Friday.

IMPACT FRESHMEN

While freshman running back Joshua Thomas is in line to play at Iowa State because of need, and ''hasn't disappointed,'' coach Paul Rhoads said freshman Carson Epps is probably more impressive since he has gotten noticed among a talented group of receivers.

Freshman receiver Jovon Durante could have an early impact at West Virginia. Coach Dana Holgorsen said Durante has outstanding speed and route-running ability. Durante also likely will be part of the return game.

EXTRA POINTS

- Mason Rudolph made a quick impression as Oklahoma State's starting quarterback the final three games last season, including a comeback victory over Oklahoma and a bowl win. But coach Mike Gundy warns there will still be some growing pains.

''He's been a really interesting player, because he's only had three games in his career and there's been a lot of talk about where he's going,'' Gundy said. ''We want him to learn to play within himself, and not try to do too much.''

- Charlie Strong has a better feel and comfort level with his players going into year two at Texas - and the players better know their head coach. But the preparation level is much the same.

''Even this time a year ago, you were prepared because you had all preseason to get ready to go play,'' he said. ''You're just playing a different opponent.''

A year ago, it was North Texas in Strong's debut. This season, it's a Saturday night game at No. 11 Notre Dame.

- Bob Stoops is ready to see Oklahoma's offense in Saturday's opener against Akron. Stoops hired offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley to bring back the kind of Air Raid offense that the Sooners helped make popular in the Big 12.

''I'm very pleased with it, but that's only practices and scrimmages,'' he said.

- New Kansas coach David Beaty said the team's confidence in new quarterback Montell Cozart is evidenced with him being elected a captain.