Year in review: The best of the Big 12
Yes, we know: The Big 12 does not have a championship game to play this weekend. That's because they're smart. The Big 12 is the only major conference that plays an entire round-robin schedule, so there's no need to play a conference title game like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 do.
Besides, why would the conference want to risk Oklahoma's deadlock cinch of being in the final four playoffs by playing an extra game? Doesn't anyone remember Nebraska in 1996, Kansas State in 1998, or Missouri in 2007? All three of those teams were destined for the BCS title game, only to be upset and lose their chance for a national title.
So, in lieu of a championship game, here are some accolades for the 2015 season. Behold the best of the Big 12.
Best Game - TCU 55, Texas Tech 52
This was the type of fast-break game that epitomizes the modern era of Big 12 football: a high-octane offensive assault. It came down to a tipped pass from TCU's Trevone Boykin to Josh Doctson to Aaron Green with 23 seconds left. That was one epic catch and one improbable escape for the Frogs against Texas Tech.
Best Offensive Player - Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB
When we say Baker Mayfield edged out Baylor's Corey Coleman, we mean barely. Both were outstanding in their own way. But Mayfield has been Manziel-like with his feet and arm, ending the season with 42 touchdowns and just five turnovers. Oh, and he's got the Sooners in the final four.
Best Defensive Player - Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State DE
Yes, the "Nigerian Nightmare" ended up leading with 13 sacks and also with 17.5 total tackles for loss, both tops in the league. Oklahoma State's defense was second in the loop with 37 total sacks.
Top Newcomer, Offense - Mike Warren, Iowa State RB
Boy, did Iowa State need someone to emerge in its backfield. With Sam B. Richardson struggling early in the season, Mike Warren stepped up, finishing with 1,339 yards overall and 112 per game on the ground.
Top Newcomer, Defense - Ty Summers, TCU LB
With all the injuries that ravaged this team, the emergence of Ty Summers was a huge boon to the Frogs in 2015. Summers ended the year with 75 total tackles and helped lead the Frogs to another double-digit win total.
Best Win - Oklahoma at Baylor
After a rather uneventful first nine games against weak competition, the Sooners announced their presence on the national scene with a 44-34 win in Waco. The Big Red defense was the big story here as it held the Bears to only 416 yards, 249 yards below their average.
Biggest Upset - Texas over Oklahoma
In hindsight, how the hell did this happen? For some reason, the Longhorns were able to run roughshod over the Sooners' defense, gaining 313 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and Co. were held to just 278 total yards. Since then, OU has averaged 52 points per game.
Worst Injury - Draw
Pick one. The Big 12 was decimated by the injury bug this season, specifically Heisman candidate Seth Russell of Baylor, Biletnikoff Award finalist Josh Doctson of TCU, two Kansas QBs, and 20 players off the TCU two-deep.
Best Postgame Quote - Kliff Kingsbury, after Texas Tech 35, Arkansas 24
"At the Texas high school coaches convention this past summer, he (Arkansas coach Bret Bielema) stood up and said, 'If you don't play with a fullback, we'll kick your a--. If you throw it 70 times a game. we'll kick your a--.' Well, he just got his a-- kicked twice in a row and probably next week by A&M as well, so that did feel good."
Overachiever of the Year - Oklahoma
Yes, we keep glossing the Big Red here, but it is merited. The Sooners were coming off an 8-5 season, which included a 40-6 loss to Clemson. They were picked third in the Big 12, but the narrative placed them well behind TCU and Baylor. Thanks to Mr. Mayfield and a much-improved defense, the Big Red took the 2015 title.
Underachiever of the Year - Kansas State
The Wildcats went 9-4 in 2014 and had six returning starters on each side of the ball this year. But a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Jesse Ertz on the first play of the year was an omen of the campaign that lay ahead. K-State's won just two conference games so far, but the good news is they can get a bowl bid with a win against West Virginia on Saturday.
Team to watch in 2016 - TCU
Sure, they'll miss Trevone Boykin at the controls and Josh Doctson on the receiving end of numerous touchdown tosses, but just imagine what that youthful defense will be like next year without double-digit injury totals. Plus, Gary Patterson is ready to have a defense-heavy team again anyway.