Big 12 Year-End Awards

Now that Big 12 league play is complete, awards are warmed up and ready to pass out.

You will notice an overall Player of the Year, as well as separate awards for Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. For these awards, the selections will not be the same.

Some will be a surprise, so enjoy!

THURSDAY: Big 10 Year End Awards

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Big 12 Coach of the Year

Bo Pelini (Nebraska)

In only his second year, Pelini leads Nebraska to the Big 12 Championship game, a top-25 national ranking and a 9-3 record.

Anchored by a defense reminiscent of historic "black shirt" units, Nebraska held six teams to less than ten points and only Texas Tech scored more than 20.

While fans of the Huskers are rabid expecting this might be a stretch, give an assist to a down year for Missouri and Kansas.

Big 12 Player of the Year

Colt McCoy (Texas)

What can you say? Quarterback of an undefeated Texas team and probable front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

Some felt the Longhorns and McCoy deserved better last year. This year appears to be about writing last season's wrongs.

Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year

Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State)

The Cowboys had to adjust to the loss of Dez Bryant and came away holding it together, with a major assist to Robinson.

With no real outside threat in the passing game, Robinson had to do it all offensively. Was it enough to seriously challenge Texas? No, but it was enough to stay in the league's top tier group.

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

Earl Thomas (Texas)

In a league where passing is a premium, very little is as valuable as a quality defensive back and Texas has one in Thomas.

The sophomore was a big time performer this year and one of the main reasons the Longhorns were looked at as one of the strongest defensive units in the nation.

Big 12 Game of the Year

Texas vs Texas A&M (November 26, 2009)

A game of two rivals; one shooting for a national championship and undefeated season, the other looking to serve as a spoiler.

While A&M played an inspired game in a true mano-o-mano battle between Texas's Colt McCoy and Aggie quarterback Jerrod Johnson, the Longhorns stayed one step ahead and escaped with a hard fought 49-39 win.

Big 12 Most Disappointing Team of the Year

Kansas Jayhawks

Mangino, Reesing and Briscoe. That trio was looked at as enough to lead the Jayhawks in the fight for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.

Instead, the season experienced turmoil with accusations of Mangino's handling of players and an embarrassing fight between players from the football and basketball teams.

Kansas is not a school where you expect many shots of football glory. They might have seen their window close for some time to come.