Cornhusker History: A Look Back at The Big 12 Rivals

Last year, Nebraska wrapped up its final Big 12 schedule.  The Huskers are headed to the greener pastures of the Big Ten.  Both the fans and the players are looking forward to playing in the Big Ten.  But before we can look forward, we need to look back. 

This is a look back at the teams, games and players whom the Huskers have faced in the last decade and a half.

Oklahoma Sooners

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27 Oct 2001 : Trent Smith #88 of Oklahoma battles Lornell McPherson #1 of Nebraska during the game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Nebraska Cornhuskers won 20-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/Allsport

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 4-6

Overall: 45-38-3, OU

Notable Players: Sam Bradford, Adrian Peterson, Jason White, Jermaine Gresham, Gerald McCoy

Notable Games: 2001—20-10 NU, 2006—21-7 OU, 2010—23-20 OU

With the formation of the Big XII, one of the best rivalries in college football was destroyed.  Although the rivalry was diminished, Nebraska had some big matchups with the Sooners.  In 2001, Eric Crouch gave the Heisman voters a reason to vote him into one of the most exclusive clubs in the country.  Nebraska would not beat OU until 2009.  In a defensive struggle, Nebraska came out on top, 10-3. 

Finally in 2010, Nebraska and Oklahoma met in the final Big XII Championship.  Nebraska would end up losing, but it was a fitting way for the Huskers to go out, playing against their long time rivals.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

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3 Oct 1998: Tailback DeAngelo Evans #4 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs with the ball during a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Cornhuskers defeated the Cowboys 24-17.

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 4-3

Overall: 37-5-1, NU

Notable Players: Dan Bailey, Justin Blackmon, Kendall Hunter

Notable Games: 2002—24-21 OSU, 2010—51-41 NU

The series between Nebraska and Oklahoma State has seen great coaches like Tom Osborne, Les Miles and Bob Devaney.  It has been pretty much one-sided.  In 2002, Oklahoma State finally ended a long losing streak against Nebraska. 

In 2010, Nebraska and undefeated Oklahoma State had a shootout in Stillwater.  The Huskers won behind quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Kansas Jayhawks

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Alfonzo Dennard #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball back after an interception during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 20-3. (Photo by Eric Francis/Gett

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 13-2

Overall Series: 88-18-3, NU

Notable Players: Darrell Stuckey, Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe

Notable Games: 2005 - 40-15, KU, 2008 - 45-35, NU

Nebraska and Kansas was the second-longest rivalry in college football. Due to Nebraska's departure for the Big Ten, this series will end.  In 2005, Kansas snapped a 36-game losing streak against a bad Nebraska team.  In Bo Pelini's first year, Nebraska beat the Jayhawks in a shootout. 

The 2010 matchup had an interesting storyline. 

Kansas head coach, Turner Gill, would bring his Jayhawks into Lincoln, Nebraska to play the Huskers.  Gill was a former Nebraska quarterback and coach.  The 2010 game ended in a 20-3 victory for the Huskers.

Kansas State Wildcats

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Marc Dunn #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats looks to pass the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the game on November 10, 2001 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Nebraska Cornhuskers beat the Kan

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 10-5

Overall: 77-15-3, NU

Notable Players: Josh Freeman, Jordy Nelson, Darren Sproles

Notable Games: 1998—40-30 KSU, 2007—73-31 NU

Kansas State was considered the punching bag of the Big Eight.  Head coach Bill Snyder turned them around, though, he still couldn't beat the Huskers until 1998.  In Frank Solich's first year at the helm of the Huskers, he lost.  Manhattan went crazy, as fans tore down the goal posts.  That win broke a long losing streak against the Huskers. 

In 2007, Nebraska quarterback, Joe Ganz, reset the record books in the Huskers win. In the final matchup, quarterback Taylor Martinez ran all over the Wildcats on the way to a Husker victory.

Iowa State Cyclones

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15 Nov 1997: Bobby Newcombe of Nebraska carries the football during the Cornhuskers 77-14 win over Iowa State at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 12-3

Overall: 77-15-3, NU

Notable Players: Ellis Hobbs, Seneca Wallace

Notable Games: 2005—27-20 2OT NU, 2009—9-7 ISU, 2010—31-30 OT NU

Nebraska has long dominated Iowa State.  That trend continued in the Big 12.  The Cyclones and Huskers have had some good matchups over the years.  In 2005, the Huskers beat Iowa State in double overtime.  In a game where offense was limited, the Cyclones beat the Huskers in Lincoln in 2009. 

In the last matchup as Big 12 rivals, Nebraska beat Iowa State in overtime when the Cyclones tried to go for two and got it picked off.

Colorado Buffaloes

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Courtney Osborne #12 and Lance Thorell #23 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers wrap up Parke Robbins #22 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colora

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 11-4

Overall: 48-18-2, NU

Notable Players: Mason Crosby, Nate Solder

Notable Games: 2001—62-36 CU, 2008—40-31 NU, 2010—45-17 NU

Nebraska and Colorado have never been fond of one another.  There are numerous instances where fans threw snowballs at players during and after the game.  In 2001, Nebraska was undefeated when they took on the Buffs.  Colorado upset the Huskers, but Nebraska got the last laugh when they were invited to the National Championship game. 

Through the years, these two teams would decide who went bowling.  In 2008, Alex Henery reset the record for field goal length when he booted a 57-yard field goal to put the Huskers up late in the fourth.  In the final matchup, Nebraska prevented the Buffs from going to the postseason in a 45-17 victory.

Missouri Tigers

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers break a long run against the Missouri Tigers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missou

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 11-4

Overall: 60-33-3, NU

Notable Players: Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman, Michael Egnew, Chase Daniels, Sean Weatherspoon, Ziggy Hood

Notable Games: 1997—45-38 OT NU, 2010—31-17 NU

These two long-time rivals had some memorable battles.  In 1997, Missouri thought they had the win locked up when Scott Frost fired a pass into the endzone that bounced around until a diving Matt Davison caught it.  The touchdown set up overtime, where the Huskers won.  The Huskers took a downturn when Callahan became head coach and Mizzou trounced te Huskers. 

In 2010, Roy Helu Jr. ran for over 300 yards in a 31-17 win over the Tigers.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

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LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Taylor Potts #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 4-4

Overall: 7-4, NU

Notable Players: Michael Crabtree, Graham Harrell, Wes Welker

Notable Games: 2000—56-3 NU, 2008—34-31 OT TTU

Nebraska and Texas Tech would exchange ugly wins.  In 2000, Nebraska beat the Red Raiders, 56-3.  Tech must have remembered that, because in 2004, the Red Raiders demolished the Huskers, 70-10.  In 2008, Texas Tech was undefeated and riding high.  Nebraska came in as the underdog, having been blown out by Missouri the week before.  The game would go into overtime.  Texas Tech couldn't convert the extra point attempt in overtime, giving the Huskers a chance.  Nebraska quarterback, Joe Ganz, went on to throw an interception, ending the game. 

This was the first and only (so far) loss in overtime in Nebraska history.  In their final meeting in 2009, Tech beat the Huskers in Lincoln, 31-10, due to Nebraska's offensive struggles.

Texas A&M Aggies

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10 Oct 1998: Fullback Joel Makovicka #45 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in action against defensive back Brandon Jennings #30 of the Texas A&M Aggies during a game at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The Aggies defeated the Cornhuskers 28-21. Mandatory

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 5-3

Overall: 10-4, NU

Notable Players: Von Miller, Dat Nguyen, Shane Lechler

Notable Games: 1997—54-15 NU, 2010—9-6 TAMU

The Texas A&M and Nebraska rivalry has produced its moments.  In 1997, Nebraska routed the Aggies to win its first Big XII title.  In 2006, Nebraska barely edged by the Aggies in College Station.  The Aggies would return the favor in 2010.  The 2010 matchup between these teams had the makings to be a movie.  There was controversy (officiating), drama (Bo Pelini's sideline "talk" with Taylor Martinez) and heartbreak (Nebraska losing).

Baylor Bears

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21 Oct 2000: Judd Davies #4 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs with the ball during the game against the Baylor Bears at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Bears 59-0.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 8-0

Overall: 11-1, NU

Notable Players: Daniel Sepulveda, Robert Griffin III

Notable Games: N/A

Baylor really never fit in the Big XII, and they still don't.  The only reason they were invited is because the governor of Texas, at the time, was a Baylor alum and threatened to cut funds to UT and Texas A&M.  Even though the Bears snuck into the Big XII, they ended up paying for it.  They became a punching bag for almost the entire Big XII.  This was true with the Huskers.  The Bears were competitive in some games, but to no avail. 

The Huskers swept the Bears every time they met.  In the final meeting, Nebraska, even with offensive issues, beat the Bears in Waco, 20-10.

Texas Longhorns

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 5: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Texas Longhorns is sacked by Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first quarter of the game at Cowboys Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/G

Nebraska's Big XII Record against: 1-9

Overall: 4-10, UT

Notable Players: Colt McCoy, Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Vince Young, Brian Orakpo, Major Applewhite

Notable Games: 1999—22-6 NU, 2009—13-12 UT

Texas has seemed to have Nebraska's number in recent years.  The Longhorns and Huskers have had many close battles, but somehow the Longhorns would always win.  Perhaps, they borrowed some Sooner Magic.  In a controversial Big XII Championship game, Nebraska lost to Texas by one point.  The Huskers had thought they won, but Longhorns head coach, Mack Brown, lobbied for one more second.  He got it.

That allowed the Longhorns to kick a field goal to win the game.  During the offseason, the worst insult one could be called in Nebraska was a Longhorns fan.  The Longhorns didn't care as they won the final matchup against the Huskers. It seemed as if the offense of Nebraska was cursed from the start.  Numerous dropped pass, bad calls and no running room for Taylor Martinez caused the Huskers to lose yet again to the Longhorns, 20-13.