Nebraska (9–3, 6–2)

Last week: W 28–20 @ Colorado

This week: vs. Texas — Big 12 Championship

The Cornhuskers clinched their shot at the Big 12 title with their win over Colorado last weekend, but will be heavy underdogs — the early line shows Texas as 14-point favorites.

To make up for Nebraska’s 92nd-ranked offense, the defense has had to rise to the occasion, and has done so admirably. Led by Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh, the famed Blackshirts sport the nation’s 11th-best defense and have allowed just 11.08 points per game, third best in the country.

Colorado (3–9, 2–6)

Last week: L 28–20 vs. Nebraska

This week: 2009 season over

    Colorado’s season ended the way it began: with a loss. The Buffaloes put forth a gallant effort against Nebraska last Friday, putting up 403 yards of total offense. But in the end, the result was a familiar one, a 28–20 loss. The loss ended a season that saw few bright spots for Colorado.

The biggest question surrounding Colorado was answered following Friday’s game after the university announced head coach Dan Hawkins will return next season. It has been a rough four years for Hawkins. Colorado has gone 16–33 in Hawkins’ four years and has won only two of 22 games on the road.

Missouri (8–4, 4–4)

Last week: W 41–39 vs. Kansas

This week: Bowl bound

When Missouri takes on Kansas in the annual Border Showdown, most people expect a well contested match. But few could have predicted what happened last weekend. The two teams combined for 1,100 total yards, 80 points, nine touchdowns and five field goals. After the dust settled on the offensive bonanza, it was the Tigers who emerged the victors.

For the third time in four games, wide receiver Danario Alexander racked up more than 200 yards receiving, catching 15 passes for 233 yards. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert’s 303 passing yards put his final regular season total at 3,302 yards. The Tigers, along with the rest of the league, now must wait to see where they will be headed this bowl season.

Kansas (5–7, 1–7)

Last week: L 41–39 vs. Missouri

This week: 2009 season over

The analogies and jokes are endless for the self-destruction and second half debacle the Jayhawks had on their hands this season, teeter-tottering from 5–0 into a seven-game losing streak. Coach Mark Mangino is likely putting a “For Sale” sign in front of his house; Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier are all departing; and it appears from all angles to be a time for change and basketball in Lawrence.

Kansas took Missouri down to the wire in the Border War, but it wasn’t enough to get the Jayhawks to bowl eligibility, and sitting at home while the house is burning this offseason isn’t the formula to success.

Kansas State (6–6, 4–4)

Last week: Bye

This week: 2009 season over

All the talk is circulating about how Bill Snyder returned from out of nowhere to his legendary position and got the Wildcats within one win of a Big 12 North title in his first year back. This is all true. But with two FCS opponents on the schedule, the facts also show that Kansas State isn’t postseason eligible with six wins; they only improved one win from 2008; and their losses in Big 12 play weren’t even close, getting outscored 163–57 in those four defeats.

Running back Daniel Thomas and quarterback Grant Gregory came out of thin air to have an impact on the Wildcats’ brief reign atop the division, and there’s nothing to say that Snyder can’t do the same thing next year.

Baylor (4–8, 1–7)

Last week: L 20–13 vs. Texas Tech

This week: 2009 season over

The Bears hung tough this season, despite the devastating loss of their star quarterback Robert Griffin in Week 4. This once wide-eyed bowl contender turned into the team they’ve been since 1993, a group sitting in Waco drinking Dr. Pepper instead of playing in the postseason.

Their lone victory in conference belies their ability to stay competitive against Nebraska, Texas Tech and in their nonconference schedule. Coach Art Briles has some work to do, but Griffin will return next fall, just like the bowl projections and hype.

Oklahoma (7–5, 5–3)

Last week: W 27–0 vs. Oklahoma State

This week: Bowl bound

Oklahoma’s season didn’t exactly pan out as planned. Unless the Sooners planned on losing their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Sam Bradford, their top returning threat on offense — tight end Jermaine Gresham — and having the Big 12’s top scoring offense in 2008 score 20 points or fewer five times.

But, we’re all sure that’s not how coach Bob Stoops wanted 2009 — a year that many thought the Sooners would be playing for a national championship — to end. Now it seems Stoops and the Sooners are headed for a bowl berth with far less glamour than the crimson and cream are accustomed to.

Oklahoma State (9–3, 6–2)

Last week: L 27–0 @ Oklahoma

This week: Bowl bound

Although the Cowboys saw any hopes of a BCS berth fly away in their blowout loss to rival Oklahoma in the annual Bedlam Game, the Pokes can take heart in the fact they are still the second-place team in the Big 12 South, and likely are destined for a chance to play in the Cotton Bowl.

The Cowboys could be said to have exceeded expectations after losing standout receiver Dez Bryant earlier this year

Former Heisman hopeful quarterback Zac Robinson struggled late in the season with injury as well, missing the Cowboys’ game against Colorado and struggling against Oklahoma last weekend, going 9-of-21 passing for just 44 yards and being held to -6 yards rushing.

Texas (12–0, 8–0)

Last Week: W 49–39 at Texas A&M

Next Week: vs. Nebraska — Big 12 Championship

The Longhorns overcame their final regular season challenge and bitter rival Texas A&M last week to move one game away from the National Championship game. The Longhorns are currently ranked third in the BCS, but with No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama set to square off in the SEC title game, all Texas has to do is beat Nebraska on Saturday and they will almost certainly move up to No. 2.

Texas Tech (8–4, 5–3)

Last Week: W 20–13 @ Baylor

Next Week: Bowl bound

The Red Raiders wrapped up the fourth spot in the Big 12 with a dicey win over Baylor. Texas Tech overcame a 13–3 second half deficit and held off Baylor in the closing moments to get the win. Now, the Red Raiders will likely go to the Alamo Bowl. The Red Raiders finished the season on a 6–2 run.

Texas A&M (6–6, 3–5)

Last Week: L 49–39 Texas

Next Week: Bowl bound

The Aggies fought hard against the No. 3 Longhorns in a Thanksgiving Day game that was close until the final minutes. The loss dropped them to 6–6 on the year, but they are still bowl eligible. With Texas A&M’s victory over Iowa State, the other bowl eligible team in the Big 12 at 3–5, they will likely be selected ahead of the Cyclones for the Texas Bowl.