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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Thursday, July 23, 1998 'Huskers, Aggies picked to be on top again in Big 12 DALLAS (AP) - Nebraska and Texas A&M, who met in last year's Big 12 championship game, are picked to repeat as division champions in a preseason balloting of media members who cover the league. Texas running back Ricky Williams and Texas A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen were voted the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year and highlight a preseason all-conference team picked by reporters (see all-Big 12 team on Page 2C). The lists were released Wednesday in advance of the league's annual media day, to be held today and Friday in Dallas. The Cornhuskers, winners of the first two North division titles under coach Tom Osborne, were favored to win a third straight crown under first-year coach Frank Solich. Kansas State was picked second, followed by Colorado, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa State. The Aggies were expected to remain atop the South, followed by Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Baylor. Nebraska defeated Texas A&M 54-15 in last year's Big 12 championship in San Antonio. This year's title game will be played in St. Louis on Dec. 5. Williams, winner of last year's Doak Walker Award after rushing for a school-record 1,893 yards and a national-best 25 touchdowns, is joined on the all-conference offense by teammates Derek Lewis, a tight end, and offensive lineman Ben Adams. Kansas State led the way with four offensive selections: quarterback Michael Bishop, receiver Darnell McDonald, lineman Ryan Young and kicker Martin Gramatica, last year's Lou Groza Award winner. Other picks included Oklahoma running back De'Mond Parker, Texas Tech receiver Donnie Hart, Missouri lineman Todd Neimeyer, Nebraska center Josh Heskew and Oklahoma State lineman Adam Davis. Nguyen, who had 130 tackles last year, leads a defense that again was dominated by four Kansas State players. The Wildcats honored include lineman Darren Howard, lineman-linebacker Mark Simoneau, linebacker Jeff Kelly and defensive back Lamar Chapman. All but Kelly are juniors. Rounding out the defensive team were lineman Kelly Gregg and defensive back Gana Joseph of Oklahoma, lineman Mike Rucker and defensive back Ralph Brown of Nebraska, Texas Tech lineman-linebacker Montae Reagor and Missouri defensive back Harold Piersey. Shane Lechler of Texas A&M was picked at punter. Another Kansas State honoree was running back Frank Murphy, who was selected newcomer of the year. --- The preseason Big 12 football poll, as picked by media members who cover the league. Teams are ranked in order of predicted finish, with last year's conference record and finish in parentheses. NORTH 1. Nebraska (8-0, 1st) 2. Kansas State (7-1, 2nd) 3. Colorado (3-5, T-4th) 4. Missouri (5-3, 3rd) 5. Kansas (3-5, T-4th) 6. Iowa State (1-7, 6th) SOUTH 1. Texas A&M (6-2, 1st) 2. Oklahoma State (5-3, T-2nd) 3. Texas (2-6, T-4th) 4. Texas Tech (5-3, T-2nd) 5. Oklahoma (2-6, T-4th) 6. Baylor (1-7, 6th) Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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