Oklahoma clearly cream of Big 12 crop

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) celebrates with offensive lineman Brian Simmons after Oklahoma scored a touchdown against Missouri during the second quarter of the Big 12 Championship football game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP)

The Big 12 Conference Championship is over, and there is a clear cut winner of the conference.

With all the controversy that has befallen the conference and the inclusion of the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game over Texas, I still think the correct team was in the game. And I have a feeling that Missouri thinks so too.

Last night, Oklahoma bludgeoned the Tigers of Missouri to the tune of 62-21 — marking the fifth straight game the Sooners had scored 60 or more — and in all reality clinching a spot in the BCS Championship Game.

Yes, a rematch between OU and Texas would be great fun to watch, and I wish it was possible. However, without that game to watch, Oklahoma just looks like the better team right now. Not only that but I believe the Sooners have the best chance of beating Florida in the BCS Championship.

Texas is a great team, and they are second by just the slimmest of margins. But, they are a clear second in my opinion. Anyway, here’s my Big 12 rankings:

Solving the problem of the BCS, part 2

lorida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) looks for an open receiver as Alamaba's Bobby Greenwood closes in during the second quarter of the Southeastern Conference Championship NCAA football game at the Georgia Dome Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 in Atlanta. (AP)

Ok, it’s been a while since I last posted.

Since the last time I posted on this blog the Nebraska Cornhuskers have beaten Colorado and seemingly locked up a birth into the Gator Bowl. Oklahoma won the Big 12 three-way tiebreaker and will play Missouri tonight for the Big 12 championship. Texas has cried foul, and called for support to make the BCS Championship game anyway. However, this all centers more and more over people complaining about the BCS.

Exactly a month ago I wrote my idea for a solution to the BCS problem and how to organize an FBS playoff. And right now I’m sticking by this proposal more than ever.

Tech stays atop the Big 12 rankings

Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree scores touchdown against Oklahoma State's Quinton Moore and Jacob Lacey during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP)

After another great week of Big 12 games, the conference rankings have shaken up a bit — but not much. Obviously the Texas Tech Red Raiders remain atop the standings, but they will face a very tough challenge in what I think is the best team in the Big 12 in Oklahoma. That game doesn’t come for another two weeks because of Tech’s bye week, but it will be a great game to watch when it does hit our TV sets.

So without further ado, here’s this week’s Power Rankings:

1. Texas Tech (10-0, 6-0) beat a good Oklahoma State team at home 56-20. I honestly thought it would be a close game, but I was very very wrong. Every since Nebraska put a scare in Texas Tech they have looked like a completely different team — especially defensively.
2. Texas (9-1, 5-1) is waiting for Tech to fall and hoping for a chance to jump back up to where they were. Last week they overpowered Baylor and after starting sluggishly, they cruised to a 45-21 win.
3. Oklahoma (9-1, 5-1)could still play in the BCS championship. If the Sooners are able to beat Tech in two weeks they will more than likely climb to No. 2 in the BCS and would at that point hold the three way tie-breaker between Texas, Texas Tech and themselves — despite losing to Texas.
4. Oklahoma State (8-2, 4-2) lost badly to Tech, but so have a lot of teams. The thing I’m concerned about

Tech now atop Big 12

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree (5) lifts up his arms after he caught the game-winning pass from quarterback Graham Harrell (6) in the final seconds of an NCAA college football game against Texas in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. Texas Tech won 39-33. (AP)

Ok, this is a day late but I’ve been busy with class and everything. Because I’m so late, I’m going to do a different format, no game by game breakdown, but I’ll speak on each team individually.

So here’s your look at the Big 12 after last weekend.

1. Texas Tech (9-0, 5-0), previously No. 3, is now atop the standings for the Big 12. This past weekend the Red Raiders impressed by beating the Texas Longhorns in Lubbock, TX., in what is obviously an “instant classic.” This game is well worth watching if it’s replayed anywhere.
2. Texas (8-1, 4-1), previously No. 1, lost to Tech but at the last second when it looked as though they had the game in their hands. I must say that after watching that game I came away still thinking Colt McCoy deserves the Heisman — he did everything he could to win that game and the defense let him down.
3. Oklahoma(8-1, 4-1), previously No. 3, beat down on a mistake-prone Nebraska team in Norman over the weekend. The Sooners showed just how fast their offense can move, and it is truly scary to watch. I’m just glad I’m not a defensive coordinator who will have to deal with that offensive machine.
4. Oklahoma State(8-1, 4-1), previously No. 4, stayed steady with a win over Iowa State in Ames, IO. The Cowboys once again showed how good they can be, and so far in Big 12 play they have the best scoring defense in the league. This weekend they will travel to Lubbock

Texas is class of the Big 12

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, left, evades Oklahoma State safety Andre Sexton during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 28-24.(AP)

At this point in time it’s pretty easy to choose the No. 1 spot on my Big 12 rankings. There’s just no way that Texas doesn’t get the nod, they’ve earned it.

This past weekend Colt McCoy led the No. 1 Longhorns to an outstanding 28-24 win over No. 6 Oklahoma State. I came away from watching this game thinking two things:

1. Colt McCoy is a completely different player from last year, and he doesn’t let mistakes faze him. Texas is scary, especially since they’ll get McCoy and leading receiver Jordan Shipley back next season.
2. Oklahoma State is the real deal. They came to play and nearly beat the Longhorns. It was a very impressive game from Mike Gundy’s kids.

McCoy went 38-45 for 391 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

First BCS standings released

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) rushes for a touchdown as he is defended by Missouri's Stryker Sulak, right, during the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. (AP)

The Bowl Championship Series truly starts mattering this week as the rankings were released today for the first time this season. There are no surprises as to who is in the top three, and these rankings — along with all others — point to a good showing by the Big XII (South). There are four Big XII South teams represented in the top ten of the ranking.

Here’s the top ten in the rankings: