Missouri fighting to stay atop Big 12 North

Updated: October 25, 2006, 9:41 PM ET

From Kansas' struggles to Nebraska's upcoming trap game to the Longhorns' defense, the Big 12 is covered here.

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By Tim Griffin
Special to ESPN.com

The loss of senior defensive end Brian Smith, Missouri's career leader in sacks, will pose a big problem the rest of the season. Smith suffered a fractured hip in the Tigers' victory over Kansas State while blocking an interception return by David Overstreet. Coach Gary Pinkel described the injury as a "freak accident."

"If you saw the film, you would say there was no way he could get hurt," Pinkel said. "He turned and stumbled with hardly any contact. You would be amazed that anybody got hurt on the play."

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