Norman trim The Big XII recently lost a coach -- Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins. However, I don't think it should be truly reflective of the coaches in the conference.
There are the big dogs, Mack Brown and Bob Stoops.
Turner Gill, frankly, has turned water into wine in his first year in Lawrence winning three games with the Jayhawks. Two veterans Mike Sherman and Art Briles have taken two dormant (that's being kind) programs and turned them into ranked winners.
Two names -- Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and Gary Pinkel in Missouri -- has passed the test. They've built up their programs, turned them into top 10 teams, weathered the drafts and turnover and are still top 10 teams.
If there are any big programs looking to make a change at coach, I would bet Gundy and Pinkel will be in the talks.
Nebraska (9-1, 5-1) vs. Texas A&M (7-3, 4-2)
Do you think Nebraska's regretting that loss to Texas at home? Cripes. That looks awful now. And it's basically keeping them out of the national championship after shitting the bed against an awful (absolutely awful!) Texas team. They've since scored 133 points in four games.
Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2) vs. Baylor (7-4, 4-3)
OU is not invincible. Outside of their losses, they barely beat Air Force, Cincinnati and Utah State. Baylor is 4-0 at home.
Oklahoma State (9-1, 1-5) vs. Kansas (3-7, 1-5)
Is enough credit given to Mike Gundy? Seems like -- even with all his players going to the NFL -- he puts out a nine- or 10-win team. Also, it's a borderline miracle that Kansas beat Georgia Tech at the beginning of the year. No matter how ordinary Ga Tech looks.
Missouri (8-2, 4-2) at Iowa State (5-6, 3-4)
Those wins over San Diego State and Texas A&M are looking much better today.
Marshall (4-6, 3-3) vs SMU (5-5, 4-2)
SMU still has a shot at the conference title. I don't know how good or bad SMU is. Hopefully the week off gave them some time for thought.
Kansas State (6-4, 3-4) vs. Colorado (4-6, 1-5)
K-State's has a brilliant running game (200 yards a game), and good enough to beat the underlings of the conference, but can't beat anyone of substance. Bill Snyder needs himself a signature win. Against Colorado isn't it.
Florida Atlantic (4-5, 3-3) vs. Texas (4-6, 2-5)
Texas can't lose their fifth in Austin and fifth in a row overall, can they? Florida Atlantic's a good team to get back in the saddle with. To put them in perspective, they lost to the University of North Texas. They're that bad.
Weber State (6-4, 5-3) vs. Texas Tech (5-5, 3-5)
A team like Tech can't completely sleepwalk through Weber State, a team that'll score some points on you. I doubt there's a team in the nation (including most junior varsity squads) that Tech can't sleepwalk against.
Northwestern State (5-5, 4-2) vs. SFA (8-2, 5-1)
The battle for Chief Caddo!
UNT (3-7, 3-4) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (4-6, 3-3)
Big game for UNT. A shot at .500 in conference play.
