acks who will bring some excitement to the league, even though they wont have last years stage, when Oklahoma, Oklahoma Sta

HEBRON, West Bank -- For over a week, Palestinian soccer fans have been enjoying a special Christmas-season present: the first visit by Chilean soccer club Deportivo Palestino to the West Bank.Two-time winners of Chiles Premier Division and quarter finalists in this years Copa Sudamerica, Palestino was founded in 1920 in the capital city Santiago by Palestinian immigrants. The team has a huge following among Palestinians and President Mahmoud Abbas once described the club as a second national team for the Palestinian people.The main purpose of this visit is to reconnect the team to our origins in Palestine, said team general manager Christian Elben Nazal, whose father immigrated to Chile from the town of Beit Jala.Chile is believed to be the home of the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, most from the historically Christian towns of Beit Jala, Bethlehem and Beit Sahur. The teams red, white, black and green jersey represents the colors of the Palestinian flag and the communitys attachment to their ancestral land.During the week-long visit, Palestino has visited historical sites and played two matches, one with the Palestinian national team, and another with an all-star team from the Hebron area. It also conducted training sessions with children and young players.Soccer fans braved the rain and chilly weather as they sat in the small stadium waiting for the beginning of the Hebron match last Thursday.The events announcer practiced introductions in Arabic and Spanish. Long banners on the side of the field read: From Santiago to Jerusalem you are in our heart.Palestinian national songs played over speakers, followed by the visiting teams Spanish Hymno de Club Deportivo Palestino as the competing squads entered the stadium to the crowds cheers.I dont care who wins, said Osama Montasir, 54, a local fan. We are witnessing an athletic carnival between Palestinians of the motherland and the diaspora.Palestinian sports officials are hoping the visit will push the game of soccer forward here.They will see how sports here suffer, said Hisham Abu Shekhidem, a team manager and a former player for Hebrons Al-Ahli soccer club. We will gain experience from them and this will help our national team.Like so many other aspects of Palestinian life, soccer is clouded by the rocky relationship with Israel. The Palestinian soccer federation has repeatedly attempted -- unsuccessfully -- to have Israel expelled from the FIFA world soccer federation on various grounds, accusing Israel of blocking the movement of athletes and saying that teams in West Bank settlements are illegal.Chilean players of Palestinian descent have come to play with local teams and the national squad in recent years. Now, Palestino is eyeing Palestinian players to come play in Chiles soccer leagues.Shadi Shaban, 24, a midfielder and former player in both the Palestinian and Israeli leagues, is now on loan to Palestino after being spotted during a training camp for Hebrons Al-Ahli in Santiago last year.Playing in Chile has been a great experience, its a higher level of soccer, said Shaban, who has been playing in Chile now for six months. As the first Palestinian to play in Chile, I opened the gate and I hope others will follow.While the Palestinian national soccer team currently ranks far behind at 133, according to this months FIFA rankings, Roberto Tito Bishara, a former player for Palestino and the Palestinian national team, is optimistic that the team will improve.I know how much they are trying to develop soccer here. Im sure Palestine will be in a World Cup soon, Bishara said.Palestino hasnt escaped controversy. In 2014, the Chilean Football Federation forced the club to alter its jersey that carried the number one in the shape of historical Palestine, including all of what is now Israel, after complaints from local Jewish organizations.On the current visit, the team had hoped to travel to Gaza but was unable to arrange the trip.While touring Jerusalems Old City last week, the players were also slightly startled by the sound of gunshots and the scene of soldiers running following the shooting of a Palestinian youth who stabbed and lightly wounded two Israeli police officers with a screwdriver.We were not surprised, its what we read about, but it was the first time to live the experience, said manager Nazal.The fast-paced match between Palestino and the Hebron all-stars team ended with a 1-1 draw.Carrying a cardboard sign that read Cheer for Palestine, Muhammad Netcha, 28, found the result to his liking.I support both teams, he said. Its a match between Palestine and Palestine. 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NORMAN, Okla. -- In 2008, the Big 12 had unmatched star power.Four of the top five finishers in the Heisman race hailed from the conference, including the winner, Oklahomas Sam Bradford. Texas Colt McCoy was second, Texas Techs Graham Harrell was fourth and his teammate, Michael Crabtree, was fifth. Since then, the league has consistently produced top contenders for the award, with Baylors Robert Griffin III winning in 2011.This year, the conference will be lucky to land anyone in the top 10.Oklahomas Baker Mayfield, the Big 12s top contender heading into the season, finished fourth last year. He had a chance to make himself a front-runner this year, but struggled in losses to Houston and Ohio State.I believe Baker will shine for us as we go through the year, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. I really believe that. The guys works too hard not to. Like everybody, hell learn from these games and not press too much.Mayfield is among the Big 12 quarterbacks who will bring some excitement to the league, even though they wont have last years stage, when Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Baylor were in the running for a spot in the College Football Playoff. This year, the highest-ranked team is No. 16 Baylor . Texas is No. 21 and Oklahoma is No. 25.Baylors Seth Russell might have the best shot at being a Heisman finalist. He was in the conversation last year before he suffered a season-ending neck injury. Now, hes back, and the Bears are unbeaten. He hasnt put up numbers like last year, but that could change in conference play. Baylor hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday.Oklahoma States Mason Rudolph, a big, pro-style quarterback, passed for 540 yards last week in a win over Pittsburgh. The biggest strike against him? That loss to Central Michigan that came after the Chippewas were incorrectly awarded an untimed down.Texas Techs Patrick Mahomes leads the nation with nearly 500 yards passing per game heading into his conference opener Sept. 29 against Kansas. The striike against him is that the big numbers have come in wins over Stephen F.dddddddddddd. Austin and Louisiana Tech, and in a loss to Arizona State.Kansas coach David Beaty believes Mahomes is a special player.Hes really good, Beaty said. Hes very talented. Hes big. Hes hard to tackle. Hes very well-coached. Hes got a ridiculous arm. He can throw it from anywhere, and he breaks rules because hell throw it to the wrong guy and hell still put it in there.TCUs Kenny Hill has put up big numbers, too, but the Horned Frogs lost to Arkansas, and what appeared to be a chance to make a splash against Oklahoma on Oct. 1 isnt what it could have been because of the Sooners slow start.The receiver position doesnt have quite the star power as last year, either. Baylors Corey Coleman, TCUs Josh Doctson, Oklahomas Sterling Shepard and Texas Techs Jakeem Grant are all in the NFL. This year, the leagues most explosive receiver is probably Oklahoma States James Washington. He caught nine passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh and was the conferences offensive player of the week. Baylors KD Cannon is also a standout.The running back position is unusually weak, at least statistically. The leagues leading rusher, Texas DOnta Foreman, has 288 yards in two games. After that, there is a significant drop off. West Virginias Rushel Shell is second with 87 yards per game. That would have been eighth in the conference at the end of last season.Samaje Perine, one of Oklahomas all-time leading rushers, has pounded out just 149 yards in the first three games, and is actually second on the team in rushing behind Joe Mixon. Iowa States Mike Warren, a preseason all-conference pick, is averaging 51 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. Baylors Shock Linwood has just 213 yards through three games.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP ' ' '