OK, some more crystal ball magic for you.  Go ahead and play out the season, we all need the game day parties to keep our sanity.  But as for the final standings, well, they’re right here.  Check back in December and let's compare notes.

Big 12 North

1. Nebraska - Bo Pelini has been preaching about the jump that should happen in year three when a new coaching staff arrives.  Well, year three is here.  The quarterback situation is still murky which is slightly unsettling.   But never fear, a strong offensive line and great options at running back complemented by a stellar defense will get the Huskers back to the Big 12 Championship game with a chance at a BCS Bowl bid, if not a shot at a national title.
2. Missouri – Blaine Gabbert is back and should be in for a huge season.  A tough mid-season stretch could prove troublesome for the Tigers.  Mizzou has the talent to make a run at the Big 12 North title, but the defense will once again prove to be the team’s Achilles’ heel.
3. Kansas State – The Wildcats won’t be a team anyone should take lightly.  K-State will feature one of the league’s best running backs in Daniel Thomas which should be enough to keep them in most games.  But spotty quarterback play, and a defense lacking overall depth means the Cats are still a year or two away in Bill Snyder’s return to the sideline.
4. Colorado – Dan Hawkins was given a fifth season to try and turnaround a Colorado team that has missed qualifying for a bowl game the past two seasons.  The Buffs have a chance to be a surprise contender in the North if things go right.  It hasn’t happened in Hawkin’s first four seasons, and until you see it on the field, what reason is there to believe year five will be any different?
5. Kansas – Turner Gill makes his Big 12 coaching debut this season for the Jayhawks.  To say he’s the polar opposite of Mark Mangino would be stating the obvious.  The players’ appear to love Gill’s style and he should be in for great run at KU once he gets a couple recruiting classes under his belt.  Kansas’s lack of depth on defense will ultimately catch up to the Jayhawks, but the future looks bright.
6. Iowa State – Paul Rhoads exceeded most people’s expectations during his first year in Ames taking the Cyclones to a bowl game.  The Cyclones might be better in 2010, especially on offense, but it won show up in the won/loss column.  A killer schedule will wear down a young Cyclone defense.

Big 12 South

1. Oklahoma – Quarterback Landry Jones didn’t expect to enter the 2010 season with almost a full year of experience under his belt.  He was forced into action, however, after Sam Bradford’s shoulder injury.  That experience will pay big dividends behind a rebuilt offensive line that will have the Sooners in the national title hunt.
2. Texas – No shotgun spread offense this year in Austin?  That’s what they’re saying down south.  The Horns will rely on a stellar defense, one that coach Mack Brown has said might be his best since he’s been at Texas, and a new look offense directed by talented, but inexperienced Garret Gilbert.  Texas has the players to make a run at a return trip to the BCS title game.
3. Texas Tech – Guns up Texas Tech.  The Red Raiders will be loaded on offense with all their skill position players back from last year.  The offensive line has a couple starters to replace, and  they might be asked to run block this year as well.  Defensively, they’ll need to stay healthy as the overall depth isn’t there, but the first unit could be good.  The Red Raiders won’t be any easy out on anyone’s schedule.
4. Texas A&M -  The Aggies are the sexy pick this year to make a move in the Big 12.  It could happen if they figure out how to stop someone.  New defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will make a big difference.  Having All-American Von Miller rushing the quarterback won’t hurt either.
5. Baylor – Robert Griffin returns and will once again fill the highlight reels in Waco.  The defense losses three stars from last season, but should be more athletic than they’ve been in Art Briles first three seasons.  I’m slotting the Bear’s fifth, although their definitely not someone you want to sleep on this year either.
6. Oklahoma State – After back to back nine win seasons, the Cowboys may take a step or two back after losing 14 starters from last year’s team.  After a stellar 2010 recruiting class, the Cowboys shouldn’t be down for long.  Keep an eye on 26 year old quarterback Brandon Weeden and the return of MLB, Orie Lemon.  Oh, and Kendall Hunter isn’t bad either.

The Big 12 Championship

For as much as we know right now, this will be the final season with a championship game, at least for the foreseeable future.  When the Big 12 was formed, the long standing rivalry between Oklahoma and Nebraska was broken up by the conference when they were put in separate divisions.  What better way to end the Big 12 as we know it than with one last match up between OU and Nebraska (hey, that’s the Husker fan in me talking.  Texas would probably give a one finger salute to that thought).

So there you have it, December 4th in Arlington: Oklahoma vs. Nebraska for the Big 12 Championship and a possible shot at a national title.

The Big 12 Champion?  Oklahoma in a classic.

(Slideshow photo complements of alancleaver_2000)