Texas, Kansas State and Kansas, elsewhere in the conference, players at the position are set to solidify the Big 12 as the best league for quarterbacks nationally.

Last month at SEC media days, Chad Kelly of Ole Miss labeled himself at the best QB in the nation. While the Big 12 quarterbacks declined to refute Kelly's assessment, they were clear on their feelings about the league as a whole.

"Offensively, this is the best conference in the country," Mayfield said. "It's home to the best quarterbacks."

The stats back him up.

Among returning quarterbacks in the Power 5, the top three in yards per attempt reside in the Big 12. Three of the top six and five of the top 10 in passing yards play in the Big 12. Its quarterbacks fillfour of the top seven returning Power 5 spots in touchdown passes, four of the top six in yards per completion and two of the top five in completion percentage.

In total QBR, the metric designed to measure a quarterback's complete performance, Russell ranked first nationally in seven games before suffering a fractured bone in his neck. Mayfield is fourth among returning QBs from the Power 5 and Notre Dame; Mahomes is sixth and Rudolph is ninth.

"As defensive guys," TCU coach Gary Patterson said, "we've got our hands full."

Patterson credits the spectacular quarterback play to their upbringings in this era after the likes of Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Graham Harrell and Chase Daniel lit up the league.

"Offensively, this is the best conference in the country. It's home to the