By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
The Big 12 Monday night kept alive -- barely -- its bid for being called the best football conference in America.
Heavily favored Texas narrowly beat Ohio State, 24-21, in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
It was almost a stunning loss by the Longhorns (with apologies to my two brothers, Texas alums who were surely shouting at their TVs shortly before 11 p.m. Central time when the Longhorns scored the winning touchdown with 16 seconds left).
Texas was supposed to whip Ohio State, a team from the weak Big Ten Conference, which went 1-6 in postseason bowls this year.
The victory by Texas means the Big 12's South Division -- which had four teams in the top 13 of the final BCS standings -- has gone 1-2 in the bowls. Overall, the Big 12 is 4-2.
-- Texas was #3 in the final BCS poll. But with Monday's narrow victory, the Longhorns lost any chance they had at being named a national champion in any poll.
-- Oklahoma State (#13 in the BCS) lost to Oregon, 42-31, in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.
-- Texas Tech (#7) was upset by Mississippi, 47-34, in the Cotton Bowl.
The Big 12 will have one final bid for respectability on Thursday when Oklahoma (#1 in the BCS) plays Florida (#2) for the BCS National Championship.
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No, kcrgh
You would have had his money. He forecasted a 7-0 big 12 bowl record while you and I expected 4-3 or 3-4....in spite of the distinct advantage of playing 3 teams from the underperforming big ten. At that, we are one marginal face mask call(MU)one arguable 4th down spot of the ball (TX) and one arguable fumble return (Neb) from a 1-5 record right now. The only resounding big 12 winner was Kansas.....who'd of thunk it?
I remain convinced that the Big 12 plays the most exciting and entertaining brand of football in the land but they now appear to be, at best the 2nd or (if Fla beats OU) third best conference in the land. As I have said in each and every posit in rsponse to Yael's football post season posts: Defense tells all in championship level football games (and all team sports).....and the Big 12 is an offense based conference.
You Would Have Had my Money Yael
I would have bet the Big 12 would be 3-4 when all is said and done. I still think 4-3 since OU won't be able to keep-up with FL's speed IMO..