Big 12 Football Rankings: Nebraska, Oklahoma Take the Top Spots
This is it: the final regular-season week of the Big 12. The division champs have been decided, the bowl-eligible teams have been decided, and all that is left is the final Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington.
Texas fell to Texas A&M in the Lonestar Showdown, failing to become bowl-eligible. Missouri crushed Kansas. Kansas State needed a late interception to escape North Texas. Texas Tech beat Houston. Nebraska clinched the Big 12 North by ending Colorado's season. Bedlam was epic, as Oklahoma won the shootout against Oklahoma State.
The North champs: Nebraska
The South champs: Oklahoma
So with that quick recap, where do the Big 12 teams rank after Week 13? (Note: I will update the national rankings when they are released.)
12. Kansas Jayhawks
1 of 12
Record: 3-9 (1-7)
Big 12 North ranking: sixth
National ranking: N/A
This season for the Jayhawks has been all about rebuilding. Against Missouri, it looked like they took a step back, getting manhandled by the Tigers, 35-7. The Jayhawks were held to 141 total yards, and the passing game was bad, Jordan Webb was 7-of-20 passing for 45 yards with two interceptions, while Quinn Mecham was 0-of-4 with an interception. The run game was led by James Sims, who had 82 yards rushing and the only touchdown.
The defense managed to get two interceptions and did not allow a passing touchdowns. They could not however manage to stop the run game, giving up 218 yards and five touchdowns.
Kansas player of the week: James Sims accounted for 86 of 141 total yards for the Jayhawks and the only touchdown.
Season recap: This was not a good season for the Jayhawks, but to be fair, Turner Gill did not have much to work with. I think you will see a huge improvement next year from this team.
11. Colorado Buffaloes
2 of 12
Record: 5-7 (2-6)
Big 12 North ranking: fifth
National ranking: N/A
Colorado went into their final Big 12 game against Nebraska in hopes of becoming bowl-eligible. Instead they were crushed, 45-17. The Colorado-Nebraska rivalry will end after playing each other 69 years, with Colorado winning 18 times. Colorado gained 262 total yards on offense, led by Cody Hawkins, who was average after 10-of-26 passing for 163 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The run game gained only 99 yards, with Rodney Stewart getting 88 yards.
The defense had no answer for the Nebraska offense, which gained 407 yards. The running game and the passing game both harassed the Colorado defense, which was caught off guard by that Wildcat run by Rex Burkhead.
Colorado player of the week: Cody Hawkins saw his dad Dan get fired, but never quit and continued to lead his team.
Season recap: Dan Hawkins got fired, and Brian Cabral almost got them to bowl eligibility. Colorado started hot, but blew several games to miss going to a bowl game, including the epic fourth-quarter rally by Kansas. By the way, my vote for the next coach is Cabral.
10. Texas Longhorns
3 of 12
Record: 5-7 (2-6)
Big 12 South ranking: sixth
National ranking: N/A
Wow. Texas has set a new record for futility, owning the worst record for a team that last season went to the national title game. They failed to get to a bowl game for the first time under Mack Brown after losing to Texas A&M, 24-17. Garrett Gilbert once again struggled to play well, going 20-of-37 passing for 219 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions; he also added a score on the ground, but also had a fumble. Cody Johnson added 107 yards on the ground.
The defense managed to force two fumbles, but could not stop Cyrus Gray from racking up 223 yards rushing and two scores. The Texas secondary limited the effectiveness of the passing game, but Ryan Tannehill still had a touchdown. The defense seems to be the only side of the ball that actually shows up to games.
Texas player of the week: I am picking no one. I'll pick Brown if he fires offensive coordinator Greg Davis, or defensive coordinator Will Muschamp if he is given the reins of the program.
Season recap: A season with such high expectations fell way short. Gilbert showed that he is no Colt McCoy, and that none of the receivers are the next Jordan Shipley. Mack Brown says he is going to evaluate the staff, but we'll see if he actually does anything.
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9. Iowa State Cyclones
4 of 12
Record: 5-7 (3-5)
Big 12 North ranking: fourth
National ranking: N/A
Iowa State did not play this week, as they finished up its regular season last week.
Season Recap: Iowa State needed to win one of its last three games to go to a bowl game, but could not get it done, failing to achieve bowl-eligibility.
8. Kansas State Wildcats
5 of 12
Record: 7-5 (3-5)
Big 12 North ranking: third
National ranking: N/A
Kansas State did nothing to impress bowl officials as they almost blew a gimme game against the North Texas Mean Green before winning, 49-41, after trailing, 20-7. Kansas State racked up 450 yards of total offense, with 373 on the ground. Carson Coffman was 7-of-20 passing for 77 yards and a touchdown and added 34 and a score on the ground. The real yard gainer was Daniel Thomas, who had 269 yards rushing on 36 carries with two touchdowns.
The defense was bad, but it has been pretty bad all year. The Wildcat defense gave up 459 yards of offense. The Wildcats could not stop the run game or the passing game, until quarterback Riley Dodge was knocked out of the game and his backup threw a Hail Mary interception.
Kansas State player of the week: Daniel Thomas had 269 yards rushing, as the senior shows why he is a great running back.
Season recap: The Wildcats will go bowling for the first time in years, and has vastly improved over last year. Except the Nebraska game, they were competitive in every game they played, losing four of their games by 10 points or less. They will end up in one of the lower bowls.
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders
6 of 12
Record: 7-5 (3-5)
Big 12 South ranking: fifth
National ranking: N/A
Texas Tech avenged its loss to Houston from last season, by ending Houston's. The Red Raiders defeated the Cougars and kept them home for the holidays with a 35-20 win. Taylor Potts was 32-of-46 passing for 373 yards with four touchdowns and one interception; he also added 40 yards rushing. The running game had 115 yards with one touchdown by Eric Stephens and 60 of those yards from Baron Batch. Detron Lewis had 135 yards on 11 catches with two touchdowns.
The defense was bad. The Red Raiders gave up 585 yards of total offense. They managed to win through key third- and fourth-down stops. The defense was also helped out by three turnovers. For being a defensive mastermind, Tommy Tuberville certainly has not shown that this year.
Texas Tech player of the week: Senior Taylor Potts had 413 yards of total offense with four touchdowns and an interception.
Season recap: Texas Tech will keep the Big 12's longest bowl streak alive, but not by much. Tuberville was supposed to add a defense to a great offense, but did not. They will end up in one of the lower bowls.
6. Baylor Bears
7 of 12
Record: 7-5 (4-4)
Big 12 South ranking: fourth
National ranking: N/A
Baylor did not play; the Bears finished their regular season last week
Season recap: Baylor has finally done it; they have ended its bowl drought and will play in a bowl game for the first time since the early 1990s.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
8 of 12
Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Big 12 South ranking: third
National ranking: No. 18
It was a great way to finish the season for Texas A&M, beating rival Texas 24-17, and keeping the Longhorns home for the holidays. The Aggies racked up 366 yards of total offense. Ryan Tannehill was alright, going 14-of-30 passing for 128 yards with a touchdown. Cyrus Gray gained 223 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The defense forced four turnovers in the win and held Texas to 359 yards of offense. Von Miller forced a fumble and had a key interception to seal the win in the fourth quarter. The other interception was from sophomore Dustin Harris. The defense has vastly improved since last year and is a huge reason why the Aggies are 9-3, along with some guy named Tannehill.
Texas A&M player of the week: Cyrus Gray had a career-high 223 yards rushing and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for a season for the first time in his career.
Season recap: Texas A&M started hot, then cooled off by losing three in a row, then finished hot by winning their last six, including two wins over Top 10 teams. They are a much better team than last year, and will end up in a quality bowl.
4. Missouri Tigers
9 of 12
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Big 12 North ranking: second
National ranking: No. 12
Missouri was hoping to play for the Big 12 title, but instead they get a consolation prize of bragging rights over their archrival Kansas after a 35-7 win. Blaine Gabbert was less than great throwing the ball, going 16-of-26 passing for 179 yards with two interceptions; he did add 31 yards on the ground with a touchdown. The rushing attack got 218 yards and five touchdowns, led by Kendial Lawrence.
The defense was stifling against the Jayhawks, giving up only 141 total yards and one touchdown while grabbing three interceptions. This was a dominant performance by the Tiger defense.
Missouri player of the game: Kendial Lawrence had 75 rushing yards with a touchdown, as well as 24 receiving yards.
Season recap: Missouri had its fourth 10-win season in school history as Gary Pinkel has slowly turned Missouri into a consistent football team. They will be going to one of the upper bowl games.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys
10 of 12
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Big 12 South ranking: second
National ranking: No. 14
Oh, what could have been. Oklahoma State failed to beat Oklahoma in Bedlam, falling 48-41, with its Big 12 South title hopes dashed. The nation's No. 1 offense was held to way below its season average (379 yards). Brandon Weeden was 28-of-43 passing for 257 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The run game had 122 yards, with Kendall Hunter only getting 55, and Jeremy Smith getting the score with 34 yards rushing. Justin Blackmon managed to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark with 105 and a score.
The defense made things interesting for a while, but could not stop the Oklahoma offense, giving up 588 yards of offense. They did have three interceptions on the day, including the amazing one made by the combination of Brodrick Brown and Shaun Lewis. Seriously if you missed it, try to see it on YouTube or ESPN.
Oklahoma State player of the week: Shaun Lewis had two interceptions, including a pick-six.
Season recap: This was a big year for Oklahoma State as it was supposed to finish last in the Big 12 South. Instead the Cowboys were in first place all season before falling to Oklahoma. They will most likely end up in the Cotton Bowl for the second straight year.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
11 of 12
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Big 12 North ranking: first
National ranking: No. 13
Nebraska clinched its final Big 12 North trophy, as they beat rival Colorado for the final time, 45-17. Nebraska racked up 407 yards of total offense and was not led by freshman superstar Taylor Martinez. Cody Green was decent in the start, going 10-of-13 passing for 80 yards with two touchdowns and adding 23 yards and a score on the ground. The running game had 265 yards rushing. Rex Burkhead had 101 yards rushing with a score and threw touchdowns on both his attempts.
The defense limited the Buffaloes to 262 yards of offense and had three turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. DeJon Gomes and Eric Hagg had the interceptions, while Gomes had the fumble recovery. The impressive thing about the defense was that they held the Buffaloes to under 100 yards rushing, an area that they have struggled in all season.
Nebraska player of the week: Rex Burkhead had 101 rushing yards, but now has a passer rating of 556 with his two throws both going for touchdowns.
Season recap: Nebraska is back to its high level of consistency, hitting the 10-win mark for the second season in a row. The Cornhuskers had hopes for a national title bid, but they did accomplish their goal of getting back to the Big 12 title game.
1. Oklahoma Sooners
12 of 12
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Big 12 South ranking: first
National ranking: No. 9
This was another great game in the Bedlam series. Oklahoma won its eighth in a row by beating Oklahoma State, 48-41. The Sooner offense racked up 588 yards of total offense. Landry Jones had a career day throwing the ball, going 37-of-62 passing for 468 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. The run game had 120 yards, with DeMarco Murray gaining 80 of those and Trey Millard getting a score. While Ryan Broyles is the most well-known Oklahoma receiver, Cameron Kenney had 141 yards and two touchdowns, while James Hanna had 130 and a touchdown. Obviously Jones needs to cut down his interceptions, but when you have that kind of production it does not really matter.
The defense held the No. 1 offense in the country to well below their average and had three interceptions. They took the run game out of the game by limiting Kendall Hunter and the other running backs. Once they did that, it was easy focus in on the receivers. It was a great game by the Oklahoma defense.
Oklahoma player of the week: A lot of good ones, but I will go with Landry Jones and his career day of 468 passing yards.
Season recap: This was another team from the Big 12 that had national title hopes. The Sooners won the Big 12 South for the eighth time and will play rival Nebraska in the Big 12 title game. This is a much better team than last year.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
