10 Things We Learned from the Big 12 in Week 9

Saturday was supposed to be the Big 12 (mainly Oklahoma) showing it was still one of the strongest conferences in the country.

However, after the Sooners' 30-13 loss to Notre Dame and Texas struggling against Kansas, one has to wonder about the state of the conference.

While all but two teams in the conference have at least five wins, the Big 12 (outside of Kansas State) has failed to show up this year.

Here are 10 things we learned from the Big 12 in Week 9.

10. TCU Misses Casey Pachall

While there are other issues for the TCU Horned Frogs, it's obvious they miss Casey Pachall at quarterback.

The Horned Frogs played well on offense in last week's triple-overtime loss to Texas Tech. However, three losses in four games is surprising for any recent TCU team.

The main difference in the last four games is that Pachall has been suspended and the Horned Frogs haven't been the same since.

9. The Running Game Is Becoming More Prevelant

The Big 12 has been one of those leagues that have been known to throw the football a lot.

On Saturday, multiple teams had success running the ball and they stuck with it.

Texas rushed for 211 yards, while Kansas had 234. TCU and Oklahoma State combined for 268 rushing yards, while Texas Tech and Kansas State combined for 304.

While the passing game will always be the focus at these schools, it's nice to see them having success running the ball.

By running the ball more, these teams can have more success in non-conference games against teams from the SEC and Big Ten.

8. Texas Needs a Real Quarterback

David Ash is a decent quarterback, but Texas isn't going to succeed with him under center.

While the Longhorns are 6-2 on the year, Ash has struggled in big games and is winning (barely) the games he supposed to.

There's controversy over who is better between Ash and Case McCoy, but the choice is clear. The Longhorns need someone other than Ash or McCoy under center.

Ash has put up some good numbers in certain games this year, but that's more of a product of weak defenses than good quarterbacking.

The longer these two are at the top of the depth chart, the longer Texas will be mediocre.

7. Baylor Does Have a Defense

For once, the Baylor Bears gave up less than 42 points.

While the Bears still lost to Iowa State, 35-21, they allowed their lowest point total since Sept. 15 against Sam Houston State.

Baylor has been notorious to have a bad defense. This year is no different.

They gave up an average of 54.25 points in the four games before Saturday and have largely struggled all year.

Even though it was a loss, the Baylor defense can be proud to have only allowed 35 points.

Plus, it's the offense's fault for the loss. The Bears should have scored more.

6. The Road Is Now Clear for Kansas State

Sitting at 8-0, Kansas State has a much easier last four games of the year than teams ahead of them in the BCS Standings.

After Saturday's big win over Texas Tech, Kansas State will play Oklahoma State, TCU, Baylor and Texas to close out the season.

While two of those teams can score points in bunches, so can the Wildcats.

Kansas State has beaten the toughest teams in the conference. Now, it just has to take care of business in the last four games and it could find itself in the BCS National Championship Game.

5. Nick Florence Is Doing His Part

While Baylor has struggled this year, the blame can't be placed on quarterback Nick Florence.

Taking over for last year's Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, Florence has put up video-game numbers this year.

His worst performance of the year was against TCU with 289 yards passing and four interceptions. Outside of that, he's lit up the stat column.

On Saturday, Florence threw for 426 yards and two touchdowns in Baylor's loss.

If there is any knock on him, it has to be on some of the decisions he makes. While scrambling around to find an open receiver is sometimes good, sometimes it's better to throw it away and live another down.

No worries, though. Florence is still young and he'll learn.

4. Texas Tech Still Has a Ways to Go

Big wins over West Virginia and TCU the last two weeks had Texas Tech believing it was back.

However, as we saw in their earlier game with Oklahoma, the Red Raiders struggled against a really good team.

Throughout the game, the Red Raiders looked lost on defense and couldn't stop Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein.

While it's only two losses on the season, Texas Tech has a long way to go to be at the top of the Big 12.

The best place to start would be on defense. If the Red Raiders can build up their defense, they'll be one of the top teams in the conference year-in and year-out.

Why?

Because a defense that can stop a high-powered offense in the Big 12 will set any team up for success.

3. Texas Is Not Back

For those who think the Texas Longhorns are back, keep dreaming.

Texas has shown it can score in bunches this year, but it's also shown it can struggle on offense just as much.

Saturday was a day Texas fans would like to forget, even though the Longhorns beat Kansas (21-17).

David Ash struggled and was replaced by Case McCoy at quarterback, as neither was very effective.

The running game did some good, rushing for 211 yards.

But, remember this game was against Kansas. If the Longhorns can only get 131 yards through the air against the Jayhawks, what do you think they'll do against the other teams on their schedule?

2. Landry Jones Still Can't Win the Big One

During his freshman and sophomore years, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones was great in big games.

The last two years haven't been as good as he's gone 4-4 against Top 25 teams, with two of those wins coming against Texas.

While Jones did have a good amount of passing yards (356) against Notre Dame, his inability to get the Sooners in the end zone hurt.

Oklahoma has shown it can score in bunches this year. But, it hasn't shown it can do it against good teams.

The Sooners struggled against Kansas State as well, as Jones had 299 yards passing and one touchdown.

Some quarterbacks can win the big game. Unfortunately for Jones, he can't.

1. It's Collin Klein's Heisman to Lose

After Saturday's performance against Texas Tech, Collin Klein is the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

While other quarterbacks have more yards and touchdowns than Klein, he's done what it takes to win games.

Klein has 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Compare that to two interceptions, and you see he's taking care of the ball.

Kansas State has a tough stretch ahead with teams that can score in bunches, but Klein can do the same.

With the Wildcats sitting at 8-0, an undefeated regular season will definitely put Klein in New York for the ceremony. It will just be up to the voters to decide if he will win or not.