College Football Big 12 Preview: Nebraska Aims For Victorious Exit

The Nebraska Cornhuskers look poised to return to the Big 12 title game against either Texas or Oklahoma, but can Bo Pelini’s team leave the Big 12 as champions?

Farewell to the Big 12 Championship Game
The conference realignment merry-go-round saw the Big 12 title game as one of its most notable casualties. With the Big 12 contracting to 10 teams, although likely keeping the Big 12 name, the divisions will merge to one league bringing an end to the season-ending decider.

The Big 12 South has dominated the game in recent years, with Nebraska’s nail-biting loss to Texas the closest the Big 12 North has come to victory since Kansas State shocked Oklahoma in 2003. The Cornhuskers look the best placed team in the North to restore some pride to the division in the final title game. It would be a somewhat appropriate end as this will also be Nebraska’s final year in the conference before bolting for the Big Ten in 2011.

A generation defining shootout
Quarterbacks Landry Jones and Garrett Gilbert will enter the Cotton Bowl on October 2 with a lot more than pride at stake. Control of the Big 12 for the next two to three seasons could well be decided when Texas and Oklahoma square off in the Red River Rivalry.

Both quarterbacks are in their second year of eligibility but begin 2010 with wildly different levels of experience. Jones filled in for Sam Bradford for most of last season. He looked ordinary at times but showed the potential to be a big game player in coming seasons. Gilbert meanwhile didn’t play a meaningful snap until Colt McCoy went down in the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama. The young signal caller did better than expected in that outing but still lacks the competitive experience of Jones. Their first duel in the Cotton Bowl is a must-see game for College Football betting fans.

Get ready for a two-step
Texas and Nebraska are scheduled to meet in Lincoln on October 16 and all sense and reason says they’ll meet again in Cowboys Stadium come the end of the year. Nebraska should have little trouble winning the Big 12 North, with no serious challenger likely to emerge. The Longhorns meanwhile should be able to match anything Oklahoma can do in the Big 12 South. I like Gilbert’s chances of doing enough to give Texas the edge against the Sooners to set up a second date with the Cornhuskers. Much as I’d love to see a fairytale end to Nebraska’s stay in the Big 12, I can’t see them beating the Longhorns. Bet on Texas at +200 with Sports Interaction to win the Big 12.