IRVING, Texas (AP) — Big 12 coaches selected BYU running back LJ Martin as the league’s top offensive player and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez as the top defender before the two players go head to head in the conference championship game.

The awards determined by the votes of the league’s 16 coaches were announced Thursday, and include BYU’s Kalani Sitake being chosen by his peers as the top coach.

No. 5 Texas Tech (11-1, No. 4 CFP) and No. 11 BYU (11-1) play in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday. The Cougars have at least 10 wins for the fourth time in six seasons, and their only loss this year was at Tech four weeks ago.

Martin is the Big 12 rushing leader with 1,229 yards (102.4 per game) and has run for 11 touchdowns.

Rodriguez is the first FBS player in 20 years t

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