Big 12 Sports Blog by Big 12 Fans

Does the Big 12 have a chance at getting someone in the national championship game?

The newest BCS standings were released yesterday, and after Ohio St.’s loss to Illinois, the race for the two coveted spots is wide open once again.

Behind new #1 and #2 LSU and Oregon, there are three Big 12 teams - #3 Kansas, #4 Oklahoma, and #5 Missouri.

Because Kansas plays Missouri in two weeks, and the winner of that game will play Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game in three weeks, only one of those three teams is going to be right there in the end.

Oklahoma’s presence isn’t a surprise, but for the other two, it’s another story.

Kansas has impressed their way to a 10-0 record, and in the last couple of weeks, have begun to open eyes as a national title contender. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit appeared to be convinced of the Jayhawks’ credentials after he witnessed their 43-28 win at Oklahoma St. on Saturday night.

Missouri’s had only one hiccup, a 41-31 loss at Oklahoma, but the Tigers have quietly moved their way into the top 5, and are seriously in the hunt for the national championship.

The #2 Ducks have games left at Arizona, UCLA, and vs. Oregon St., teams with a combined record of 15-15.

All sewn up for the Ducks, right? Not even close. It’s been a crazy year in the Pac-10, as shown by the struggles of USC, Cal, and UCLA, and the emergence of Oregon and Arizona St.

And while the records of their last three opponents won’t wow anyone, winning all three of those contests won’t be easy.

Oregon’s offense hasn’t had any problems with scoring points, but their defense can be scored on, and that’s where Arizona’s best chance is.

And, a trip to the Rose Bowl won’t be easy, because that inconsistent UCLA team might have its hot day at just the right time.

Then, there’s the annual ‘Civial War’ game against rival Oregon St., a team that upset #2 Cal on the road.

But, while the best bet would be to have one of the top two to lose, could one of the Big 12’s big three get in on their own merits?

If a team was to do it, it would be Kansas. The Jayhawks have gotten a lot of flack for their ‘easy’ schedule up to this point, but the past and present are on their side.

In the BCS’ history, no unbeaten team has been left out in favor of a one-loss team. There was Auburn in 2004, who was left out, but they were behind two unbeaten teams in Oklahoma and USC.

And, with them set to play two top-five teams down the stretch, that will take care of the quality wins that they’ve been lacking thus far, and could give the Jayhawks enough of a push in the polls to make up the deficit they currently face against Oregon.

With a couple of big wins, you can move up those necessary hundredths, as shown last season, when Florida’s BCS average went from .8897 to .9445 from the next-to-last standings to the final standings with a win over Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game, which jumped them over Michigan for the #2 spot.

So, two wins over two top-five teams would likely move them into that #2 spot, even if they may be #3 in the polls (though if Oregon has a close win in any of their final three games, and the Jayhawks take care of business against Iowa St., Missouri, and Oklahoma, they could move up to #2).

Granted, Oregon would have a valid complaint if they went 11-1 and were left out of the national title game. But, when you’ve got two teams relatively even in their resumes, and the only difference is one team’s loss to a mid-pack bowl team, then, you can’t argue with how things turn out.

But, if the Jayhawks don’t take the #2 spot, then do Oklahoma and Missouri have a chance? Missouri could be a darkhorse pick, given that they would at least move up to #3 if they win out, and beating two top-five teams could be enough to make up what is now a fairly sizable deficit. But, if they do win out and fall short, the Tigers would have a legitimate argument, because of the wins on their resume (their season-opening win at Illinois looks huge right now, along with blowout wins at Nebraska and Texas Tech, who were ranked at the time, then wins over top-fivers Kansas and Oklahoma, along with road wins at Colorado and Kansas St., who may be bowl bound).

For the Sooners, that loss to Colorado is a killer right now, but they would have an argument for #2 if they win out (at Texas Tech, vs. Oklahoma St., vs. Kansas/Missouri).

The last three weeks are sure to be crazy, and when the dust clears, there’s a good chance that the Big 12 could have a member in the national title game for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Before Kansas and Missouri can tangle for the Big 12 North title in two weeks, they each have two more obstacles to climb.

Neither team can underestimate their opponent this weekend, as 9-0 and #4 Kansas has a daunting trip to Stillwater to face an Oklahoma St. team that can score points in a flourish - but has to work on their finishing skills. 8-1 and new #7 Missouri, meanwhile, welcomes Texas A&M to town. It could go two ways for A&M, given the recent development with their coach maybe, possibly, maybe not getting push out of the door - either the Aggies will go out and play fired up, in the hopes that they can somehow save Coach Fran’s job, or they’ll go in with little confidence and get beaten up and down the field.

Oklahoma St. is one of three conference teams looking to become bowl eligible this weekend. Colorado (5-5, 3-3) goes to Iowa St. in search of their sixth win, but as Kansas St. learned last week, the Cyclones aren’t going to give them anything. The Wildcats will take their second crack at getting win #6 when they go to Lincoln to take on the hapless Huskers, who, believe it or not, could still make a bowl, if they win their last two games.

The matchup of the weekend might be Texas-Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon in Austin. Last season, the Red Raiders led 21-0 after a quarter, but Texas battled back for a 35-31 win in Lubbock. Texas Tech will be looking for a little revenge, and they might be able to pull it off, given Graham Harrell’s success against the Longhorns last year (519 yards, three touchdowns) and the fact that Texas’ defense has had its share of issues this season. But, Tech’s going to have to get a lot more than -1 yard rushing, like they did in last year’s heartbreaker.

In the other game on the schedule, Oklahoma hosts Baylor, looking to improve to 9-1 and keep themselves in the national championship hunt.