Sara D. Davis / AP

Paul Johnson has built Georgia Tech into an annual contender.

Q: If he remains healthy, do you think Kellen Moore will be a “top 3’’ NFL draft pick in 2011 or 2012?
— Lee McFarland, Indianapolis

A: It’s hard to look that far ahead, even for players who are entering the draft in 2010. Things sometimes change rapidly with personal workouts and the NFL combine. Unexpected players rise. Stock can drop.

But there’s no doubt Moore, the sophomore quarterback from Boise State, has shown a lot with his two seasons in a pro-style passing offense (6,044 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, just 13 interceptions). He’s definitely on the NFL radar, even though he’s small (6-feet, 187 pounds) for the prototypical first-round quarterback.

Q: Where will Max Hall end up in the NFL draft? Will he even get drafted at this point?
— RHB, Nauvoo, Ill.

A: I certainly expect Max Hall, the quarterback at Brigham Young, to get a long look from the NFL, although it’s difficult to project where he might land at this point. Anybody with Hall’s type of accuracy (69.9 percent completions this season, 69 percent last season) will get the NFL’s attention. There’s a history of BYU quarterbacks making it in the NFL, so Hall will get every opportunity to perform in the league.

Q: Bill Snyder from Kansas State has his team outperforming all expectations! Has the Big 12 North gotten that bad or are we fundamentally that sound? Any chance at a fourth Coach of the Year award?
— Matthew VanSchenkhof, Manhattan, Kan.

A: I think it’s a little of both, Matthew, but I’d lean toward Bill Snyder’s presence as the overriding factor. Let’s remember that during his first stint, he led one of the great program turnarounds in college football history, transforming Kansas State from a team that struggled to win one game to a national-championship contender.

He has the Wildcats believing again by reintroducing his structure and meticulous preparation to Kansas State’s program. I’d say he’s the favorite for Big 12 Coach of the Year because that award rarely goes to the favored team (read: Texas) that meets expectations by going unbeaten.

The Big 12 North, obviously, has seen better days. Interestingly, it’s the two teams picked for the bottom — Kansas State and Iowa State — that have made the biggest headlines. Nebraska figures to win the division, but it’s still not the Nebraska of old. Kansas and Missouri have failed to build upon their recent breakthrough seasons. Colorado has fallen off the map.

But regardless of how the division’s overall strength shakes out, it takes nothing away from Kansas State’s progress and its possible return to a bowl game.

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Sandusky charity to shut down, transfer programs

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over

CFT: Notre Dame AD expects to be at playoff table

Judge refuses to delay Sandusky's trial