The top 4 Big 12 championship games of all time

The Big 12 approved the return of a championship game beginning in 2017 on Friday, after previously having such a game from 1996-2010.

To celebrate its return, here's a look back at the four best championship games in Big 12 history:

4. Oklahoma 27, Kansas State 24 (2000)

With the game tied at 17 entering the fourth quarter, Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel connected with Andre Woolfork for a 17-yard touchdown pass to secure a 27-24 win over Kansas State. The Sooners would go on to win the national title over Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

3. Colorado 39, Texas 37 (2001)

Texas came into this game ranked No. 3 with a chance to go to the national title game with a win, but it wasn't to be. Colorado's Chris Brown rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Buffaloes to the upset and the program's first and only Big 12 title.

2. Texas 13, Nebraska 12 (2009)

Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh tormented Texas quarterback Colt McCoy all game, recording 12 sacks (10 of them solo). The Cornhuskers looked to have pulled off the shocker when McCoy threw the ball out of bounds with no time left on the clock.

After a review, though, one second was put back on the ticker, and kicker Hunter Lawrence hit a 46-yard game-winning field goal to send Texas to the BCS championship.

1. Texas A&M 36, Kansas State 33 (1998)

Texas A&M rallied from a 27-12 fourth-quarter deficit and tied the game on a two-point conversion to force overtime. In the second extra frame, Aggies quarterback Brandon Stewart hit Sirr Parker on a 32-yard pass for the winning touchdown. With the loss, Kansas State went from a possible BCS championship game appearance to the Alamo Bowl, while Texas A&M earned a Sugar Bowl berth.