ESPN Big 12 Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

It’s always precarious trying to slot bowl teams in early November.

And after a week like we just had in the Big 12, it’s even tougher.

Four upsets have scrambled the conference’s bowl order and made the postseason opportunities for the teams no clearer than they were early in the season.

For the first time since 2006, it looks like the Big 12 will only have one team in the BCS. That will cost the league millions of dollars, but result in a true bowl selection for the conference for a change.

No Big 12 teams have been eliminated from bowl contention. And it’s likely that if the conference has more teams than bowl slots, there’s a good chance that the conference should be able to fill another bowl or two, if needed.

The conference’s hottest team is Kansas State. Although the Wildcats need to get to seven victories after notching two triumphs over FCS opponents earlier this season, they should get there with one victory in their final two games.

Here are my projections for the bowls heading into the week’s games.

• Citi BCS National Championship Game, Jan. 7, 8 p.m. ET, FOX Sports, Pasadena, Calif. -- Texas vs. BCS team
• AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 2, 2 p.m., FOX Sports, Arlington, Texas -- Oklahoma State vs. SEC team
• Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., ESPN, San Diego -- Nebraska vs. Pac-10 team
• Valero Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, 9 p.m., ESPN, San Antonio -- Texas Tech vs. Big Ten team
• Brut Sun Bowl, Dec. 31, noon, CBS, El Paso, Texas -- Oklahoma vs. Pac-10 team
• Insight Bowl, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m., NFL Network, Tempe, Ariz. -- Kansas State vs. Big Ten team
• Texas Bowl, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., NFL Network, Houston -- Texas A&M vs. Navy
• Independence Bowl, Dec. 28, 5 p.m., ESPN, Shreveport, La. -- Missouri vs. SEC team

I also think Iowa State will be bowl eligible with a 6-6 record. Look for some bowl to pick the Cyclones when their conference arrangements fall through.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

The Big 12 was supposed to have gotten clearer after Saturday's games. Instead, it's much more scrambled after a wild day that featured four upsets.

Here were some of the more noteworthy storylines.

The meek made their presence known in the Big 12 -- at least for one day. The two teams with seemingly the least to play for on Saturday came up with the biggest performances. Baylor was mired in a 13-game conference road losing streak and had produced only 34 points in its first four Big 12 games. Despite those earlier struggles, backup quarterback Nick Florence responded with a record-setting day to help the Bears claim a 40-32 victory at Missouri and keep their slim bowl hopes alive. And at Colorado, the Buffaloes charged back from an 11-point halftime deficit and a 10-point hole midway through the fourth quarter to claim a wild 35-34 triumph over Texas A&M to keep their postseason hopes alive, too. The two cellar dwellers have not only scrambled the Big 12’s bowl prospects, but also provided a little rare hope after their triumphs.

Oklahoma State can play a little defense, too. Mike Gundy’s offense has deservedly gotten much of the credit for Oklahoma State’s strong season to date. But the work done by wily defensive coordinator Bill Young might be the biggest reason the Cyclones are 7-2. Young’s defense was at it again Saturday in a 34-8 triumph at Iowa State, where the Cowboys limited ISU’s league-leading rushing attack to a season-low 54 yards and top rusher Alexander Robinson to 51 yards. It marked the fourth time in their last six games that the Cowboys have limited their opponent to 17 points or less. And most importantly, it enabled the Cowboys to claim their seventh victory for a fourth-straight season -- a feat that has never been accomplished in the 109-season history of the program.

Forget a championship-game appearance. Tumbling Kansas might not make a bowl trip. The Jayhawks were the fashionable preseason pick to win the North Division, featuring the division's most experienced quarterback, a productive offense and a defense that would make enough plays to push them to their first championship game appearance. But the wheels appear to have fallen off as the Jayhawks have lost four straight games to doom their title-game hopes and even imperil a bowl trip unless they can somehow eke out another win. Todd Reesing’s health is the biggest reason the Jayhawks have headed south with 10 turnovers during a 10-quarter period in the losing streak, capped by a 17-10 defeat at Kansas State on Saturday. That loss has produced Kansas’ first four-game losing streak since the 2006 season -- the last time the Jayhawks failed to go bowling. Unless Mark Mangino can find a quick cure for Reesing’s maladies, Kansas might be facing a similar possibility this season.

Nebraska and Oklahoma -- just like old times. It was somehow fitting that the storied Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry ended up with a 10-3 game Saturday night. The Cornhuskers allowed Oklahoma inside the Nebraska 40 four times in the fourth quarter and still limited the Sooners to its lowest scoring production in the Bob Stoops era. It helped them overcome a sputtering offensive performance where the Nebraska quarterback position seems more up-in-the-air than ever after Cody Green’s struggles. But Bo Pelini won’t mind too much as the Blackshirts took a page from the past to beat the Sooners with a gritty, determined effort. Somewhere, legendary former Nebraska defensive coordinators like Charlie McBride and Monte Kiffin were smiling about the effort.

McCoy and Shipley race through the history books together. Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley are roommates and have been friends for years. After their strong seasons, they will go down as the greatest pass-and-catch duo in Texas football history. Their game Saturday against UCF was clearly one for the ages. Shipley snagged a school-record 273 yards on 11 receptions -- marking the fourth time in his past seven games he’s produced double-digit receptions. McCoy’s 470-yard passing effort merely was the second-best total in the history of the program. Their big efforts boosted McCoy into the lead in the conference’s pass efficiency and Shipley into the Big 12’s receiving lead. And both have positioned themselves to claim some major hardware when the awards presentations start in December.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Here are my helmet stickers for this week. We had to share a couple of them, but they were all richly deserved.

The Nebraska defense: Hard to split this one up among so many producers who held Oklahoma to its lowest point production in the 142-game coaching tenure of Bob Stoops. Matt O’Hanlon provided a team-high 12 tackles and three interceptions, including the clincher with 27 seconds left. Ndamukong Suh was all over the field with a pass deflection, four tackles and a blocked kick. Phillip Dillard had eight tackles, including two tackles for losses, a sack and an interception. The entire defense divvied up five interceptions and 12 pass deflections by 10 different players in a stellar effort that keeps their North Division title hopes alive.

Baylor quarterback Nick Florence: Passed for a school-record 427 yards and three touchdowns and added another running touchdown to spark the Bears’ 40-32 upset victory over Missouri for their first conference victory of the season. Florence completed 11 of his first 12 passes and finished 32 for 43 in passing, breaking the school record of 412 passing yards set by Blake Szymanski in 2007 against Rice.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and wide receiver Jordan Shipley: The two roommates shared one of the most memorable efforts in Texas football history to spark the Longhorns’ 35-3 victory over UCF. Shipley snagged 11 passes for a school-record 273 yards, including an 88-yard TD toss from McCoy. The big effort might have catapulted McCoy back into serious Heisman contention as completed 33 of 42 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns, including a 14-yard strike to James Kirkendoll. It was the second-highest passing effort in school history, trailing only Major Applewhite’s 473-yard outing in the 2001 Holiday Bowl.

Oklahoma State running back Keith Toston: Rushed for a career-best 206 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Cowboys’ 34-8 victory over Iowa State. Toston scored on touchdown runs of 2, 17 and 1 yards. Toston punctuated his big day with a 69-yard run in the fourth quarter that marked his career-long rush.

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas: Rushed for 24 times for a career-high 185 yards and a 5-yard touchdown to spark the Wildcats’ 17-10 victory over Kansas that keeps them in first place in the North Division. Thomas topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season early in the third quarter and finished with 1,087 yards for the season. He now has five 100-yard rushing games this season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Bo Pelini was looking for a signature victory that signaled that his Nebraska program was headed back.

His defense provided one Saturday night, allowing the Cornhuskers to hold on for a gritty 10-3 victory over Oklahoma.

Safety Matt O'Hanlon provided the third of his three interceptions in the final minute to wrap up the victory. It was the fifth interception thrown by Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones.

The win enabled the Cornhuskers (6-3) to escape despite producing only 180 yards and seven first downs. The Cornhuskers converted only 1 of 14 third-down plays.

But they got the only touchdown of the game because of their defense. Prince Amukamara returned the interception to the Oklahoma 2. After an Oklahoma penalty, Zac Lee and Ryan Hill hooked up on a 1-yard touchdown pass.

It enabled the Cornhuskers to keep pace with Kansas State, which won earlier in the day against Kansas. Nebraska (3-2 in conference play) is a half-game behind the surprising Wildcats.

The Cornhuskers have a huge road trip to slumping Kansas, which comesinto the next week's game with a four-game losing streak.

It also snuffed out whatever slim hopes that Oklahoma had of reclaiming the Big 12 title. The Sooners (5-4) have lost more games than any team coached by Bob Stoops since 2005. Only two Oklahoma teams coached by Stoops have four or more losses.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Nebraska appeared ready to add the clinching blow after marching to the Oklahoma 26 on their recent drive.

But Alex Henery misfired on a 43-yard field goal attempt -- snapping a streak of 23 field goal attempts inside the 50 -- to keep Nebraska's lead at 10-3 with 5:30 left.

The Cornhuskers have produced only seven first downs in the game. But their defense has turned the Sooners away inside Nebraska territory on seven different occasions.

The Sooners are mounting one last chance. Landry Jones appears to be gaining confidence with every throw.

It will be interesting to see if he can finally score a touchdown.

The way they have struggled tonight, if they could finally score, it would be reminiscent of the "Sooner Magic" of Barry Switzer's coaching tenure.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Oklahoma could be headed for a record low in terms of production in tonight's game against Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers have a 10-3 lead after three quarters. The struggling Oklahoma offense has generated only 199 yards and one field goal.

Kicker Tress Way has shanked three field goal attempts as the Sooners have come up empty on three drives in Nebraska territory.

The Sooners' previous low in points came in a 35-7 loss to Kansas State in the 2003 Big 12 title game.

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones has his work cut out for him in the fourth quarter.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

We expected a defensive battle when Nebraska and Oklahoma hooked up.

But nothing like how the game is turning out.

Nebraska holds a narrow 7-3 lead over the Sooners at halftime, despite producing only one first down.

The Cornhuskers have amassed 80 yards of total offense so far. Most of that came on a 63-yard run by Roy Helu Jr.

Oklahoma has been a little more effective, especially when they started running a no-huddle offense. Their defense has played strongly and will be challenging to either Zac Lee or Cody Green.

Both Nebraska quarterbacks have been ineffective. The Nebraska quarterbacks have completed 3-of-7 passes for 5 yards. And it won't be any easier for them in the second half.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Nebraska's defense had a big hand in the first points of the game, catapulting the Cornhuskers ahead.

Prince Amukamara's 22-yard return of an interception set up a 1-yard TD pass from Zac Lee to backup tight end Ryan Hill on the next play, giving Nebraska an early 7-0 lead over Oklahoma.

Freshman Cody Green started the game, but was pulled at the end of the first quarter in favor of Lee. His touchdown pass came on his first play after the change.

The Nebraska special teams have also had an advantage over Oklahoma. Nebraska's Alex Henery is averaging 51.4 yards per punt on five punts in the first quarter. And Oklahoma kicker Tress Way has misfired on two field goals.

The pressure is on Oklahoma's offense to get back in the game.

Posted for ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

The Big 12's reputation for offensive wizardry is taking a big step back tonight in Lincoln, Neb.

Oklahoma and Nebraska are playing one of the fiercest defensive battles I can remember.

After the first quarter, the two teams have combined for two first downs, 33 total yards and are 1-for-9 in third-down conversions.

Oklahoma kicker Tress Way has missed a field goal from 46 yards and had another one blocked from 45 yards.

Ndamukong Suh has been all over the field in an infomercial for his All-America chances. He's blocked a field goal and blocked a pass and been a force on every play.

Nebraska still is looking for its first first down after five possessions. Freshman Cody Green has completed 2 of 5 passes. And Oklahoma's Landry Jones has completed only 1 of 7.

The first team to score in this game might end up winning it -- considering how well both defenses are playing.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

There was some concern coming into Oklahoma State's game against Iowa State of how the Cowboys would respond to last week's loss to Texas.

But Keith Toston made sure that a hangover didn't bewitch the Cowboys.

Toston rushed for a career-best 206 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Cowboys a resounding 34-8 victory over Iowa State.

Toston's stellar play supported the strong effort of OSU quarterback Zac Robinson, who completed 19-of-24 passes for 142 yards and added 34 yards rushing.

The Cowboys went to the basics, whipping ISU in the trenches as they jumped to a 27-0 lead after three quarters and cruised from there.

OSU piled up a season-best 331 rushing yards as they controlled this one from the start.

The victory pushes them into their next game against Colorado with a 7-2 record. They still have serious hopes of playing in a good bowl after this impressive triumph.

ISU quarterback Austen Arnaud returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a bruised hand. Arnaud looked rusty as he threw three interceptions.

It means that 5-5 Iowa State still needs another victory to become bowl eligible. They will have a chance as they meet Colorado next week and travel to Missouri for their season finale.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Just when it seemed the Big 12 couldn't get any wilder, we got a run of three upsets that turned the conference on its ear today. Here's a look at them.

Kansas State 17, Kansas 10: Daniel Thomas rushed for 185 yards and a stout defense did the rest as the Wildcats took another step to their first Big 12 title game since 2003. If Kansas State can win one more game and Nebraska loses two, KSU will earn an improbable berth in the Big 12 title game.

Colorado 35, Texas A&M 34: Tyler Hansen passed for 271 yards as the Buffaloes charged back from an 11-point halftime deficit to claim their second conference victory of the season. It also kept the Buffaloes' bowl hopes alive and kept the Aggies from making themselves bowl eligible.

Baylor 40, Missouri 32: The Bears claimed only their third Big 12 road victory in history and first conference road triumph since 2006 with the comeback over the Tigers. It was a wild offensive shootout as Blaine Gabbert and Nick Florence combined for 895 passing yards. But a defensive play was the biggest of the day when Joe Pawelek forced a fourth-down interception to wrap up the stunning victory.

Texas 35, UCF 3: Colt McCoy's Heisman hopes got a huge boost as he toasted UCF for 470 passing yards to lead the victory. Jordan Shipley was the prime beneficiary with 11 catches for a school-record 273 yards. Texas produced only 67 yards, but Cody Johnson got a pair of touchdown runs to help the Longhorns win.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Now who was that quarterback that Baylor started the season again?

Baylor quarterback Nick Florence has already broken the school record with more than 400 yards passing as the gritty Bears hold to a 33-29 lead at Missouri.

The Bears were trailing 27-16 at the half, but have charged back to score 17 unanswered points in the second half. They took the lead early in the fourth quarter when Florence hooked up with Kendall Wright on a 59-yard TD pass.

This would be a crushing loss for Gary Pinkel and the Tigers if they can't pull it out.

And that Baylor quarterback who started the season -- remember him -- was Robert Griffin.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

The games with the least appeal coming into the game today were Baylor-Missouri and Texas A&M-Colorado.

So what happens?

Both games turn out to be the best in the conference today.

Texas A&M is nursing a slim 31-28 lead with less than six minutes remaining over the Buffaloes.

And quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Nick Florence are staging an improbable shootout as Missouri holds a 27-26 lead midway through the third quarter. Both quarterbacks have already thrown for more than 300 yards.

These are games available only on radio at my house. So I'm scrambling with the dials right now to follow them.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Texas A&M defensive back Jordan Pugh has just changed momentum with a big interception of Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen just into Colorado territory.

The Aggies are nursing a 28-21 lead with about 13 minutes left in the game.

If they can get another score, it would appear to be a clinching blow.

The way that Colorado has moved the ball today, it might be tough for them to score twice during the rest of the game.

This game is huge for Aggie bowl hopes. They would earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007 with a victory today.

And a lost would officially eliminate Colorado's bowl hopes with their seventh loss of the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

All week long, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said he thought Blaine Gabbert was finally getting back into playing shape after being hobbled by a sprained ankle for the last several weeks.

Gabbert is showing that better health makes playing a lot easier.

The sophomore quarterback has toasted the Baylor secondary for 322 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, sparking Missouri's 27-16 lead over Baylor.

Danario Alexander has been the prime beneficiary, producing 11 catches in the first half for 171 yards. Included in that total is an 84-yard scoring strike late in the first half.

Baylor quarterback Nick Florence has been nearly as effective, completing 21-of-26 passes for 202 yards.

With such strong passing going on, it's not surprising that the running game would suffer a little.

But in Saturday's game so far, it's an afterthought. Missouri has produced 25 carries on 11 carries and Baylor has minus-4 yards on 10 carries.

So look for the passing game to continue for both teams in the second half.