Big 12 rewind, Nov. 22

NEBRASKA

Beat Kansas State 17-3, at Colorado on Friday

Great defense isn’t always about preventing first downs. Nebraska had its best defensive moment when Kansas State back Keithen Valentine was headed to the end zone and safety Larry Asante got his helmet on the ball to force the turnover. It was the biggest play of the Cornhuskers’ victory and secured the program’s first trip to the Big 12 title game since 2006. Defense has been the identity, but quarterback Zac Lee has had some good moments in each of the last two games. We’ll see about the Huskers’ concentration level Friday on their trip to Boulder.

OKLAHOMA

Lost 41-13 at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State at home on Saturday

OMG. Yes, the Sooners lost in their previous two trips to Lubbock, but they were tight games against all-conference type QBs (Graham Harrell, Cody Hodges). These Sooners were shredded by Taylor Potts, who may not even be the Red Raiders best quarterback. In past games, OU has played Tech tough because they didn’t give up yards after catch, but the Sooners got yac-ed to death on Saturday. The five losses are the most for Oklahoma since Bob Stoop’s first season.

KANSAS STATE

Lost at Nebraska 17-3 to conclude its regular season at 6-6

Inconsistent is how Bill Snyder described Grant Gregory’s season, and that’s accurate. But it also was uplifting to see a sixth-year player in his final season of football have this kind of season. Gregory won’t win any all-league honors, nd K-State couldn’t get into the end zone in the final two games, but Gregory gave the Wildcats a chance nearly every week and led them to four conference victories, more than Josh Freeman did in two of his three seasons.

TEXAS

Beat Kansas 51-20, Texas A&M on Thursday

Colt McCoy now has the record for most career victories by a starting quarterback (43), but his legacy remains a great unknown. To be remembered with the best he’ll have finish this thing off right, a conference championship and a strong showing in the national title game.

MISSOURI

Beat Iowa State 34-24, Kansas at Arrowhead on Saturday

So, the Tigers can win a Big 12 home game. They had been 0-3 before Saturday and trailed by a touchdown at halftime. Another huge day for Danario Alexander (11-173) and he’s making an All-America push. A victory over Kansas gives the Tigers an 8-4 record and that’s one or two games better than where I had them in the preseason.

TEXAS TECH

Beat Oklahoma 41-13, Baylor at Arlington on Saturday

This one had to feel good. Last year, OU wrecked Tech’s special season with a 65-21 beat down in Norman. The Red Raiders didn’t exactly spoil Oklahoma’s year but this was the most troubling of all of the Sooners’ losses this season. What a day for Mike Leach to surpass Spike Dykes as Tech’s all-time victory leader among coaches.

KANSAS

Lost at Texas 51-20, Missouri at Arrowhead on Saturday

Stay tuned for what should be a wild week for KU football, and it has nothing to do with playing the Tigers at Arrowhead. The Mangino plot thickens.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Beat Colorado 31-28 on Thursday, Oklahoma at home on Saturday

Whew. Zac Robinson wasn’t ready to go, and neither was backup Alex Cate. Third-stringer Brandon Weeden was terrific with his two second-half touchdown passes. It was one of those just-enough efforts that keeps the Cowboys alive for the Fiesta Bowl.

IOWA STATE

Lost at Missouri 34-24 to conclude regular season.

It’s on to the postseason, hopefully, for Iowa State. A 6-6 regular season finish was better than projected and it’s a rare occasion when a bowl eligible team from the Big 12 doesn’t continue play. It would help if Oklahoma State got a Fiesta Bowl bid.

COLORADO

Lost at Oklahoma State 31-28 on Thursday, Nebraska at home on Friday.

Regents are willing to fund a buyout, the Boulder Daily Camera reports. Friday’s game against the Huskers probably won’t make a difference. The case for keeping Dan Hawkins: He assumed the controls in a difficult situation and should be given a little more time; he’s represented the school well and has recruited well enough. The case against: He’s 3-8 this season and 16-32 in four, and that simply isn’t acceptable.

TEXAS A&M

Beat Baylor 38-3, Texas at home on Thanksgiving

A solid victory for the Aggies, with two running backs over 100 yards – including a 97-yard run by Christine Michael _ and the defense keeping the Bears out of the end zone. The pressure to become bowl eligible has been eased and won’t be part of the equation when A&M entertains Texas on turkey night.

BAYLOR

Lost at Texas A&M 38-3, Texas Tech in Arlington on Saturday

Baylor joins Colorado and Kansas as teams that need this season to end. The Bears got up two weeks ago at Missouri, have been hammered twice since then and get a tough Tech team in Cowboys Stadium this week.