| INTHEMIDDLE | Like this answer's position, and what can follow the starts of 16-, 24/51-, 38-, 60- and 69/1-Across |
| GALESAYERS | 1,000-yard rusher for the '69 1-13 Bears |
| EDGY | Provocative ... like this answer's position in the grid? |
| CENTRAL | Like this answer's position |
| SEXAGENARIAN | Person in between 60 and 69 (12) |
| CIRCLETHEWAGONS | Get into a defensive position, and what we do in this grid |
| LEFT | Word aptly describing this answer's position |
| UPPERHAND | Advantageous position, and what each answer to a starred clue literally has |
| AHEADOF | With 40-Across, in an advantageous position (and what both words in 17-, 24-, 47- and 60-Across can |
| BALL | Great time, and what can follow the ends of the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| BAR | Block, and what can follow the first words of the answers to the starred clues |
| BACKTOBACK | Consecutive ... and a hint to what can follow the first parts and precede the second parts of the starred clues' answers |
| BACKTRACK | Reverse a position, and a hint to what can follow the first words of the starred answers |
| POWER | Word that can follow the starts of the answers to the six starred clues |
| MARSHAL | Law officer, and word that can follow the starts of the answers to starred clues |
| DOUBLESPACE | Word processing option, and a hint to what can follow the words of the starred answers |
| DOLLAR | Kind of sign seen in this puzzle, and word that can follow the start of answers to starred clues |
| CENTRALTIME | Midwestern clock setting ... and a hint to what can follow the start and precede the end of each starred clue's answer |
| CASE | Word that can follow the starts of this puzzle's five longest answers |
| PANTS | Garment that can follow the starts of the answers to starred clues |
