Even in this, the harshest economy in two decades, there are opportunities to turn a buck.

Say for instance you're in the prefabricated aluminum tubing business. You make goalposts. Here's what you do:

Punch the numbers of the athletic departments at Texas A&M and Kansas State into your speed dial. And be patient.

Nebraska's coming to town.

A WAC-ky First Half

Fresno State was just supposed to just reload this year but came out firing blanks. Louisiana Tech quarterback Luke McCown went from being the heir apparent to David Carr to a second-tier WAC passer. Nevada running back Chance Kretschmer, who led the nation in rushing last fall, tore up his knee on his first carry in the Wolf Pack's second game against Brigham Young and was lost for the year. Fresno State receiver Bernard Berrian, who led the nation in all-purpose yards last season, was also lost for the year after going down with a knee injury in the Bulldogs' first game, against Wisconsin. Some things have gone according to form. Boise State, picked to win its first WAC title, is in control of the race and on the verge of cracking the Top 25 at midseason. And Tulsa stretched its losing streak to 17, inheriting the longest skid in the nation when Duke and Houston won their respective season openers. This week the Hurricane host UTEP, their last best chance to avoid eclipsing the 1997-99 Hawaii teams WAC record 19 straight losses. Looking for the bright side, Tulsa coach Keith Burns constantly reminds his team that the Warriors won the WAC the same year they ended their streak. Hey, a guy can dream, can't he? Biggest surprise: Hawaii. Picked fourth in the WAC preseason poll, the Warriors have survived a rash of injuries at receiver to be ready to challenge for the WAC lead should Boise State stumble. Biggest disappointment: Louisiana Tech. Picked to be one of the favorites for the conference race the Bulldogs suddenly can't pass the ball and likely won't even finish with a winning record. Midseason MVP: It's rare that a quarterback who enters this week as the backup would get these honors, but without B.J. Rhode's efficient handling of the Boise offense in starter Ryan Dinwiddie's absence with a broken ankle the Broncos wouldn't be in control of the WAC race. Midseason Coach of the Year: Boise State's Dan Hawkins held his team together when Dinwiddie went down and got them up for the rout of revenge-minded Fresno State, a Friday night game that got the Broncos some needed national exposure. Bowl bound: Boise, Hawaii, Fresno State. -- Mark Wangrin

The Cornhuskers have played two Big 12 road games, at Iowa State and Oklahoma State, where they saw nine and 41-game winning streaks over the home team end. In the euphoria that followed, down went the goalposts, just as they had in the Huskers' previous game at a Big 12 opponent's house, a 62-36 loss to Colorado last November.

Cha-ching.

The Huskers are within one post-razing of tying Texas' unofficial Big 12 record single-season record set in 1997, when fans at Oklahoma State, Missouri and Baylor celebrated wins over the defending conference titlists by taking the up out of the uprights.

Though NU has won six of its last seven over A&M and 31 of the last 33 over Kansas State, the Huskers lost in its last trips to both schools. Come to think of it, maybe that's not such a good moneymaking opportunity. Maybe the novelty has worn off.

It hasn't in corn country, where the Huskers' three losses -- their worst start since 1968 -- have hit harder than a biblical-style plague of rootworm beetles.

"This has been tough on everybody," said coach Frank Solich, "but we want to make sure we play every single game on the rest of our schedule to the best of our ability and see how it plays out."

"To be honest, a lot can happen this season, more bad than good,'' NU defensive back Phillip Bland told the Lincoln Journal-Star. "We have to stick together and try to salvage something."

While the Huskers try to make do, the Oklahoma Sooners are well on their way to making off with their second Big 12 title in three seasons and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Iowa State, stung by the 49-3 loss to the Sooners, must regroup in a hurry, with road games coming up against Texas, Kansas State and Colorado in the next four weeks.

A strong finish by Texas can earn the Longhorns a spot in the BCS, and Colorado, Kansas State, A&M, Texas Tech and Nebraska are in position to give the Big 12 a league-record eight bowl teams. Biggest surprise: Iowa State. The Cyclones showed that they could heavily impact the Big 12 race when they nearly upset Florida State in the season opener. They showed they could win the North when they beat up Nebraska. They showed they're not there yet when they got crushed by Oklahoma. Still, any school that has Seneca Wallace at quarterback can't be counted out.

Biggest disappointment: Nebraska hasn't lost four games in a season since Frank Solich's first year (1994). Quarterback Jammal Lord has been unable to replace Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch and the Cornhusker defense is allowing more points per game (20.8) than in any season since 1958. Even the Internet doesn't have enough space to list all the downers.

Midseason MVP: Seneca Wallace. Impossible to pigeonhole -- he's neither a running quarterback who can pass or a passing quarterback who can run -- the senior JUCO transfer is nearly as impossible to stop. Oklahoma figured out a way, and Wallace must adjust if he's to finish as the league MVP.

Midseason Coach of the Year: Dan McCarney went 13-42 in his first five seasons at ISU, a fireable offense at most schools. But ISU stayed patient and McCarney has rewarded the faithful with three straight bowl bids.

Bowl bound: Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.

Around the Big 12

Baylor
Not much was expected of the Bears this year and they delivered. Quarterback problems have led to a punchless offense that ranks 100th in scoring and the Bears' horrific turnover margin (minus-2.29 per game) is the worst among major colleges. Bears broke 29-game Big 12 losing streak with win over Kansas on Oct. 5 but that probably won't be enough to save Kevin Steele's job.

Midseason MVP: Reggie Newhouse. The senior wide receiver is the closest thing to a consistent offensive threat for the Bears and the best option for struggling quarterback Aaron Karas. He needs 16 catches in Baylor's last five games to become the Bears' career leader

What's next: It only gets worse for Bears, who finish the season with Kansas State, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. At least Kansas remains on the schedule next year.

Colorado
The Buffaloes have it all worked out. They lose to Colorado State early, seem like they're falling apart only to pull things together to win the Big 12 North. It worked last year, and with the running game clicking and a favorable schedule to close the regular season the Buffaloes could well find themselves at Reliant Stadium in Houston with a chance to be the first Big 12 team to win back-to-back titles.

Midseason MVP: Having Chris Brown in the backfield has cured plenty of the Buffaloes problems. It's given Hodge a reason to not have to try to win games and a play-action threat to allow him to hit the timely big-play pass, like he did in the win over KSU.

What's next: Buffaloes and Cyclones are the only North Division teams that control their own destiny. The Buffs, the only North team unbeaten in Big 12 play, can afford to lose two games -- to some combination of Tech, OU, Missouri and Nebraska -- but only if they beat ISU at home on Nov. 16.

Iowa State
First the Cyclones nearly upset Florida State in the opener. Then they blow out Nebraska. Then they start thinking Heisman Trophy and Big 12 North title and ... geez it would have been a good year to miss Oklahoma on the schedule. The Sooners 49-3 destruction of the Cyclones brought them back to earth and gave their remaining opponents a clear blueprint on how to stop ISU.

Midseason MVP: That plan starts and ends with Seneca Wallace. The senior quarterback looked unstoppable until OU sold out and attacked Wallace with everything, forcing him into a statistical nightmare of a game -- minus-23 yards rushing; 4 of 22 passing for 43 yards with three interceptions. Wallace, though, not only is the best player on his team, but he's clearly the best player in the conference. Give him a mulligan in the Heisman race, too.

What's next: Three of the next four games could send the Cyclones into the Big 12 title game -- or spinning wildly out of control. ISU didn't get any favors from the schedule makers. First they sent the Cyclones to Oklahoma, next they make them go to Texas, Kansas State and Colorado. If Wallace can successfully negotiate that gauntlet he should be the runaway Heisman winner.

Kansas
This fall, first-year coach Mark Mangino cussed out an official at his son's high school game and refused to apologize. If nothing else, that proves he's at least stubborn, a trait that he'll need at KU. The Jayhawks can't catch or defend against passes and they're the least talented team in the league. They have the dubious distinction of being the only BCS conference team to rank 100th or worst in both total offense and defense. Fixing that will take time. Lots of it.

Midseason MVP: Bill Whittemore. The junior college quarterback accounts for 73 percent of his team's total offense, second in the Big 12 only to Kliff Kingsbury's 74 percent. Give Whittemore a set of receivers who don't average dropping about five passes a game and the unknown junior gets mentioned with the likes of Kingsbury, Wallace and Simms.

What's next: Basketball season. KU fans have already circled that Nov. 4 exhibition against the EA Sports All-Stars. Football season ends 12 days later. Maybe nobody will notice.

Kansas State
Wildcats needed their traditional soft non-league schedule this year to sort out their quarterback situation. Ell Roberson used the only tough game, against USC, to seize the job. KSU has shown its typical tough defense and strong run game in Darren Sproles, but Roberson's deficiencies as a passer have and will come back to haunt the 'Cats. So has the 'Cats' placekicking, which directly cost them a shot at taking Texas to overtime.

Midseason MVP: Terence Newman. If Ell Roberson was a better passer, Newman could already be well on his way to getting favorable comparisons to Michigan two-way standout and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson. Still his tremendous speed has allowed him to score on a pass reception, punt return, kickoff return and defensive PAT return this team.

What's next: After road games at Baylor and Kansas, Wildcats get Iowa State and Nebraska at home before finishing at Missouri. Not a bad schedule, but with two Big 12 losses already, including one to North Division leader Colorado, the 'Cats look to already be out of the race.

Missouri
A 3-1 start and close loss to Oklahoma, in which Mizzou led midway through the fourth quarter, had some believing the Tigers could be a surprise team in the Big 12. That hasn't happened and won't, at least not this year. Brad Smith and Justin Gage form a very good passing combination and Zach Abron can be a dominant power runner, though not consistently. Defensively the Tigers are porous, giving up 416 yards a game, including a league-worst 267.3 in the air.

Midseason MVP: Brad Smith. The precocious redshirt freshman has been a potent run-pass threat, with his showcase game coming against OU, when he rolled up 391 total yards, including 213 on the ground. With three more seasons of eligibility, Smith's talents should allow coach Gary Pinkel to recruit some impressive skill players to complement him.

What's next: Some hard knocks. Making a bowl game is a near impossible task, with the Tigers regular season closing against Iowa State, Colorado, Texas A&M and Kansas State. Pinkel's not a believer in moral victories, but after this week's game against Kansas that might be all the Tigers can muster.

Nebraska
Nine games ago Frank Solich was playing for the national championship. Now he's playing for his job. It's unlikely that Solich would be fired this season, no matter how bad things get for the Cornhuskers, and they've gotten downright apocalyptic. With no Eric Crouch and substandard play by replacement Jammal Lord, on the offensive line and on defense, the Huskers have already lost more games (three) than in 18 of their last 23 seasons. The key roles played by true freshmen -- I-back David Horne, tight end Matt Herian and split ends Ross Pilkington and Mark LeFlore -- provides hope for the future, or just a barometer of how far the program has fallen.

Midseason MVP: DeJuan Groce. The senior cornerback and punt returner has returned three punts for touchdowns and has four interceptions. Despite the team's travails, Groce has a chance to do something no Husker has every done -- earn All-America honors at two different positions.

What's next: A mad scramble as assistant coaches fight to keep their jobs in light of the growing unrest over the Huskers' sudden and drastic collapse. With Texas (Nov. 2) and Colorado (Nov. 29) coming to Lincoln, Huskers could not only see the nation's longest home winning streak (26 games) end but wind up losing more home games than in any season since 1980 (two).

Oklahoma
The Sooners topped the first BCS poll and it's hard to argue with that lofty ranking after the way they crushed Iowa State. Despite losing playmakers Rocky Calmus and Roy Williams the defense is just as stingy. But there are warts. Special teams have been spotty and Quentin Griffin has either had huge rushing days or been almost invisible. And Nate Hybl may be the weakest quarterback on a national championship contender in a long time. That said, coach Bob Stoops is 10-1 against Top 10 teams, which makes it very hard to pick against the Sooners.

Midseason MVP: The least clear-cut decision of any of the Big 12 teams. Offensively Quentin Griffin has done the most damage, though he's been very inconsistent. Defensively the obvious candidates have had quiet years (tackle Tommie Harris), been injured (cornerback Andre Woolfolk) or have been only recently come on (linebackers Pasha Jackson and Lance Mitchell). That said, give the honor to free safety Brandon Everage, who's starting to show the instincts and big play capability that made safety Roy Williams so special last season.

What's next: A spot in the Fiesta Bowl. After a week off the Sooners host Colorado, go to A&M and Baylor, host Tech and finish at Oklahoma State, all very winnable games. Then there's the Big 12 title game against a weaker North Division team and then ? Miami. It'll be fun while it lasts.

Oklahoma State
Cowboys may be the most improved team since the season opened. The same team that lost to Louisiana Tech, which is at best a middle-of-the-pack WAC squad, rose up and beat Nebraska last week, something OSU hadn't done since 1961. Finding a solid run game has been elusive, but the pass-catch combination of Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods has been money. Defensively the Cowboys have been solid, though vulnerable against the pass.

Midseason MVP: Rashaun Woods. Everyone knows who's getting the ball when the game is on the line. Few have been able to stop Woods, whose combination of ball skills, jumping ability, timing and body control may be without peer in college football. He's averaging 8.1 catches and 115.7 yards a game, both tops in the Big 12.

What's next: Losses at Kansas State and Texas to open Big 12 play knocked the Cowboys (3-4, 1-2) out of the race, but they still have an outside shot at a bowl game if they can prove the NU win wasn't a fluke. OSU closes at home against A&M, at Tech and Kansas, and then at home against Baylor and Oklahoma.

Texas
The Longhorns' defense and special teams have carried an offense that heading into this week's game embarrassingly ranks behind Baylor and Kansas in total offense. Quarterback Chris Simms hasn't had the breakout year some expected of him, Roy Williams and Sloan Thomas have played hurt and Cedric Benson hasn't shown much explosiveness behind a line that's had trouble run-blocking. Texas defense has been plenty stout, particularly with a pass defense that ranks second in the nation in pass defense and pass efficiency defense. Special teams have been a major plus.

Midseason MVP: Dakarai Pearson. With all the offensive star power and defensive playmakers the Longhorns possess it's still been the junior free safety who has made the biggest impact. A former option quarterback, his savvy and discipline in the Longhorns' predominant man-free coverage has led to a team-high five interceptions.

What's next: The doom and gloom after the OU loss has given way to hopes than the Longhorns can run the table -- ISU and Nebraska in Lincoln don't look as forbidding as they did a week ago -- and find a spot in a BCS bowl. Those hopes hinge on getting the sluggish offense going, something that's far from a sure bet.

Texas A&M
Break up the Aggies. A&M has scored at least 40 points in its last three games, the first time the Aggies have done that in three straight games since the first three games of the 1941 season. The change came when coach R. C. Slocum demoted offensive coordinator Dino Babers in favor of wide receiver coach Kevin Sumlin, who reemphasized the run while opening up the passing attack. Save for getting burned by Tech for 48 points in their only Big 12 loss, the Aggie defense has been firm, holding opponents to a touchdown or less in four games.

Midseason MVP: Who holds the Big 12 record for most TD passes in a game? Kliff Kingsbury? Major Applewhite? Josh Heupel? Nope. It's Aggie sophomore Dustin Long, who threw seven against Texas Tech but in the preseason appeared to be the guy squeezed out between the transition from Mark Farris to heralded freshman Reggie McNeal. All Long did was beat out Farris and serve notice to McNeal that his coronation to starter won't be so easy.

What's next: Now that the Aggies have found an offense that their defense can be proud of, they can entertain an outside shot of winning the Big 12 South. It won't be easy, but the Aggies host Nebraska and Oklahoma. If they head into the Nov. 29 game against the Longhorns in Austin with just one conference loss, anything can happen. But that's a huge if.

Texas Tech
Tech has scored 40 or more points in five games this season, primarily thanks to the passing of senior quarterback Kliff Kingsbury and the special teams play of punt returner/receiver Wes Welker. The Red Raiders, though, haven't been able to stop many people either, giving up at least 40 points in three games this year. For all the Red Raiders' offensive fireworks, they rank last in the Big 12 in Red Zone defensive efficiency allowing 13 scores in 13 trips inside their 20, including 12 touchdowns.

Midseason MVP: Kliff Kingsbury's Heisman hopes ended with the Red Raiders poor running game and porous defense. Still the senior quarterback has run his total of Big 12 records to 13 and his passing yardage to 10,328. With five regular season games and a likely bowl game remaining he could crack the top five all-time I-A career yardage rankings.

What's next: The Red Raiders are a longshot to win the South, but they can still influence the outcome. Road games at Colorado and Oklahoma will be tough, but Tech gets Texas in Lubbock, where they've habitually given the Longhorns problems.

Around the WAC

Boise State
The Broncos have bounced back from an early season blowout loss at Arkansas to take command of the WAC race and with quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie back from a broken ankle they are the favorites to win the league. Pass defense is biggest weakness.

Midseason MVP: On a team loaded with offensive weapons the honor must go to a fifth-year senior who played only out of necessity, backup quarterback B.J. Rhode. He held the Broncos offense together in the absence Dinwiddie, doing his job so well that he led the league in pass efficiency.

What's next: A spot in the AP or ESPN/USA Today Top 25. Boise's demolition of Fresno State moved the Broncos up to fourth in the pecking order of those also receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today rankings, putting them on the cusp of their first ranking since going I-A in 1996.

Fresno State
Outstanding young offensive talent in quarterback Paul Pinegar and receivers Adam Jennings and Jermaine Jamison hasn't been enough to offset an injury-riddled defense.

Midseason MVP: Nick Burley. The senior defensive end has been the one constant on the defensive front, tied for the WAC lead in sacks (4.0).

What's next: With the return of receiver Bernard Berrian, who's redshirting this year with a knee injury, the Bulldogs could have the most explosive passing game in the WAC next year. The next five games will help get the young 'Dogs experience.

Hawaii
June Jones' run-and-shoot offense has Hawaii in position to claim league title if Boise slips. Defense ranks second in the WAC in total yardage but has been overshadowed by the Warrior's offense rep. `

Midseason MVP: Timmy Chang. Rebounded from last year's medical redshirt season and a broken finger early this year to lead the league in passing and total offense.

What's next: Warriors close at Fresno, host San Jose and visit Rice and could be the leader in the clubhouse, wrapping up WAC play on Nov. 16. Loss to Boise on Oct. 5 will likely deny them the WAC title.

Louisiana Tech
Luke McCown was the preseason favorite to be the conference's player of the year but as his mistake-plagued season has gone so has the Bulldogs.

Midseason MVP: Joe Smith. With the Bulldogs' passing game falling apart, the senior running back is on pace to become the first Tech back to rush for 1,000 yards since 1994.

What's next: At 2-5, just playing for respectability. With Nevada, Boise State and Fresno State still on the schedule, avoiding the school's second losing record in three seasons looks like a longshot.

Nevada
Wolf Pack persevered despite losing sophomore halfback Chance Kretschmer, who led the nation in rushing last year, with a knee injury early in the year. Matt Milton has provided enough of running game to allow quarterbacks Zach Threadgill and receiver Nate Burleson some space to operate.

Midseason MVP: Nate Burleson. The senior wide receiver has 72 catches, 33 more than any other WAC receiver, and averages 133.7 yards a game.

What's next: With Louisiana Tech, SMU and UTEP up next on the schedule the Wolf Pack can get back into the race, but that Nov. 23 regular season finale against Boise State looms large.

Rice
Owls have best run defense in the league and a solid running game. Pass defense has been troublesome, with a 14-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Midseason MVP: Brandon Green. The senior end has four sacks and owns the school career record (21). Had an interception return for touchdown against Louisiana Tech.

What's next: Who knows. Owls have been difficult to figure, nearly winning at Michigan State and then getting bumped off by UTEP. With games left against Boise and Hawaii the Owls can still play the spoiler.

San Jose State
Showed promise with what then looked like an impressive 38-35 win on the road over defending Big Ten champion Illinois. But Spartans have struggled and the schedule -- 13 games in 13 weeks -- may be catching up to them. In their last two losses they've been outscored 64-7 in the second half.

Midseason MVP: Gerald Jones. The junior free safety has a nation-leading six interceptions, for a unit that has 16 picks, more than any other team in I-A.

What's next: Though 4-4 overall, the Spartans still entertain hopes of being a player in the WAC race. They have their future in their hands -- Boise and Hawaii are up next.

SMU
With win over Rice the Mustangs avoided the stigma of a winless season, something the Ponies didn't even have in the post-Death Penalty swoon. Redshirt freshman Richard Bartel replaced Tate Wallis at quarterback and has shown a much needed passing spark.

Midseason MVP: Keylon Kincade. His 3.8-yard per carry average doesn't dazzle, but he's averaging 113.5 yards for a team that has an awful passing game

What's next: Recruiting season. It can't get here soon enough for the Ponies and first-year coach Phil Bennett, who'll need to recruit some offensive weapons to take the heat off of Kincade

Tulsa
Coach Keith Burns has vowed to local media that he'll remember which of them weren't behind the team during its down years. He'll need a long memory. The Hurricane can't run or stop the run and haven't shown much sign of improvement this year, though they are young.

Midseason MVP: Sam Rayburn. The senior defensive tackle has been one of the few bright spots for the Hurricane. He has 12 tackles for loss and needs seven more to tie the school record of 40 set by Don Blackmon in 1980.

What's next: An end to the nation's longest losing streak (17 and counting). It could come this week, when the Hurricane hosts UTEP, almost its equal in futility.

UTEP
Hard-luck Miners have been riddled by injuries. With the loss of Orlando Cruz they're down to their third-team quarterback. Expected defensive comeback after last year's disaster never materialized. It's not a good sign when Tulsa schedules you for homecoming.

Midseason MVP: D.J. Walker. The senior free safety has 79 tackles, including 62 solo stops and six for loss, and has been a bright spot in a defense that's allowed 47.1 points a game.

What's next: Miners are in position for their first two-game winning since 2000, and with Tulsa up this week it's a not far-fetched. Then it's back to reality, with Boise State coming to town and Nevada waiting in the wings.

Mark Wangrin covers college football for the San Antonio News-Express.