Big 12
Danny Dabiri |Dec 03,2007
|
|
|
The Big 12 Conference formed in 1994 when the conference known as the Big Eight expanded with the addition of four teams from the disbanded Southwest Conference. Newcomers Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech joined original members Oklahoma , Missouri , Kansas , Kansas State , Colorado , Iowa State , Oklahoma State and Nebraska . The Big 12 is divided into a North and South Division with the division winners playing in the Big 12 Championship Game.
The champion of the Big 12 earns a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. Along with the Fiesta Bowl, the Big 12 has tie-ins to seven other bowl games, most notably the Cotton Bowl and Holiday Bowl. Since the formation of the Big 12, teams from the conference have won five national championships. Nebraska has won three (1994, 1995, 1997) and Oklahoma (2000) and Texas (2005) have each won one.
The Big 12 has some of the most heated rivalries in all of college football. The most notable is the Red River Shootout between Oklahoma and Texas. The game was first played in 1900 with Texas winning 28-2. In their first seven meetings, Texas won six times and tied once. Oklahoma notched their first victory in 1905 with a 2-0 victory. The game has been played at a neutral site in Dallas since 1912. Texas leads the all-time series 57-40-5.
The Border Showdown between Missouri and Kansas is the second oldest rivalry in all of college football. The two teams first met on Halloween in 1891. Kansas won the game 22-10. The game was not played in 1918 because of an epidemic. Prior to 9/11, the game was known as the Border War. Heading into the 2007 matchup, the series was tied 53-53-16. However, Missouri defeated Kansas 36-28 for their 54th victory in the series. With the victory, Missouri became the number one ranked team in the country.
The annual matchup between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is known as the Bedlam Series. The first Bedlam Game was played in 1904 with Oklahoma crushing Oklahoma State 75-0. From 1904-1916, Oklahoma won every meeting. In fact, Oklahoma State never scored more than 7 points in any of those contests. Oklahoma State has never won the Bedlam Game three years in a row. From 1946-1964, Oklahoma won every meeting. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 78-16-7.
The annual meeting between Kansas and Kansas State is known as the Sunflower Showdown. Since 1969, the two teams battle for the Governor’s Cup. The first game was played in 1902. Since the teams have been battling for the Governor’s Cup, Kansas State leads the series 20-18-1. Kansas leads the all-time series 63-37-5.
The 2007 Big 12 Championship Game will be held in San Antonio, Texas. The game will feature top ranked Missouri against Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Missouri earlier in the year in Norman. If Missouri wins the game, the Tigers will play in the BCS National Championship Game. Ironically, that would open the door for bitter rival Kansas to receive an at-large bid to the BCS.
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
