Big 12 rewind, Nov. 29

MISSOURI

Beat Kansas 41-39 at Arrowhead, prepares for bowl game

Blaine Gabbert should benefit greatly from this game. He took huge strides this season, proved his toughness while playing on after the injury against Nebraska, and against Kansas carefully guided his team on its most important possession of the season. The offensive line also was outstanding against the Jayhawks, opening holes for Derrick Washington and sealing the edges for Gabbert. The Missouri four-man pass rush wasn’t getting it done against Todd Reesing, but the Tigers got it done when it mattered most and recorded the safety. Big, big victory for Mizzou.

OKLAHOMA

Beat Oklahoma State 27-0, prepares for bowl game

This is what the Sooners could have been. Oklahoma ruined Oklahoma State’s big bowl hopes with a defensive masterpiece. Earlier in the week, OU learned offensive tackle Trent Williams wouldn’t play because of a concussion, joining the likes of Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham, Auston English, Brody Eldridge and Ryan Reynolds out of uniform. Only about six all-conference players plus a few All-America types there. But Oklahoma finished things off nicely. Let’s see if they can break their bowl game blues.

NEBRASKA

Won at Colorado 28-20. Texas in Big 12 title game Saturday at Arlington, Tex.

If you were watching the Cornhuskers on the tube, or maybe you saw it from the stands, Bo Pelini’s ire over the final-play touchdown was difficult to miss. I told my TV watching partner that Pelini would tear into his guys in the postgame. Sure enough, the first words out of Pelini’s mouth were how disappointed he was in the lackluster performance. “He expects a lot, he expects perfection,” center Jacob Hickman said. “He doesn’t settle for having mistakes.” That was Pelini coaching, keeping his guys from feeling satisfied over a solid 9-3 record, and getting ready for what will be the most difficult task of the year. Pelini succeeded on getting Nebraska to focus on Colorado when the Huskers had already clinched the division. He started on Texas immediately after the game.

KANSAS

Lost to Missouri 41-39 at Arrowhead, season over at 5-7

Over the thousands of seasons in college football history you wonder how many dropped their final seven after winning the first five? At least the Jayhawks went out fighting. Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp and Kerry Meier were excellent, and Dezmon Briscoe had one of the most productive days of his career, but his two lost fumbles were killers. Now the focus is on Mark Mangino’s situation. It’s difficult to see him surviving the controversy.

TEXAS TECH

Beat Baylor 20-13 at Arlington, prepares for bowl game

The Red Raiders give Nebraska, Kansas State and others the bug on the windshield treatment, but for the second straight year Baylor pushes Tech to the final minute. The Bears led 13-3 in the third quarter and held Tech to its lowest point total since 2001. But the defense came up big after Baylor drove to the 6 with three minutes to play.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Lost at Oklahoma 27-0, prepares for a bowl game other than Fiesta

Chew on these numbers: six first downs, 109 total years, 0-for-14 on third-down attempts, which turned into 14 punts. Hey, at least there was balance, 62 yards rushing, 47 passing. A nightmare of an afternoon for the Pokes.

BAYLOR

Lost to Texas Tech at Arlington, season over at 4-8

The Bears never quit on the season, which is a tribute to Art Briles and his staff. They confounded Tech all evening at Cowboys Stadium, and Briles said he would have gone for two and the victory if Baylor had punched in a touchdown at the end. With Robert Griffin back, look for the Bears to break their bowl drought next season.

TEXAS

Beat Texas A&M 49-39. Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday at Arlington, Tex.

Let’s credit Jerrod Johnson, playing his best game in front of a frenzied home crowd, and not discredit the Texas defense. It will come to play against the Cornhuskers, who aren’t as good on offense. Colt McCoy went to the top in the Heisman race with his best performance of the season, and his ability to answer Texas A&M scores was remarkable.

COLORADO

Lost at home to Nebraska 28-20. The season concludes with a 3-9 record

Was retaining Dan Hawkins the right call? The Buffaloes didn’t seem inspired by the news that was made official just before the game. They missed two field goals, surrendered a punt and interception return for touchdowns and had several penalty-killing drives. At least Tyler Hansen won’t start next year with a redshirt intention.

TEXAS A&M

Lost at home to Texas 49-39. The Aggies are 6-6 and will prepare for a bowl game.

Jerrod Johnson might have become the preseason All-Big 12 quarterback for 2010 with this performance. It will be him or Blaine Gabbert. The Aggies thought this would be team would be better than 3-5 in the Big 12, but this season feels like progress was made.