I haven't seen a whole lot of Big 12 games this year.  I like in Big 10 country, I watch a lot of Big 10 and SEC games and our local Fox regional affiliate often doesn't carry some of the games because of commitments to the NBA or college hockey or whatever. 

I did however watch as much of the "Border War" as I could and realized two things: I correctly predicted that Kansas was a fraud and Chase Daniel should be mentioned in the same conversation with Pat White and Tim Tebow.  The kid is electric.  The thing I love about this kid is that he finds a way to get it done.  He does a nice job of reading the defense, a great job of checking off and seems to know where he has to go on every play.  He may be a bit small, but he certainly knows what he's doing.

With Kansas finally kicked to the curb that leaves Oklahoma as the only road block for Missouri to reach the BCS Championship game.  Should the Sooners beat the Tigers for the second time this year, Ohio State most liklely will get the call. 

The other BCS Championship Game slot should be occupied by West Virginia, which sent a loud and clear message in its' dismantling of previously respectable UCONN. The only team standing between the Mountaineers and the big game are the 4-7 Pitt Panthers.  If West Viginia can lay waste to UCONN as easily as they did yesterday, then Davewood Bumstedt and his crew are in for a pounding next Saturday in the "Backyard Brawl."

So, with LSU and Kansas (who would make a nice Sugar Bowl) out of the picture and Georgia, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma too far back with not enough time or opportunities to recover, the stage is set for Missouri vs. West Virginia or Ohio State vs. West Virginia.  And, if somehow, by some miracle, West Virginia loses to Pitt, your guess is as good as mine. Georgia, if they can beat LSU.  Maybe Va. Tech.  Maybe Oklahoma and possibly LSU or Kansas depending on how far they drop (LSU should fall further than Kansas since LSU lost to unranked Arkansas.)  Ohio State is in the best position in that they are done and have their travel agent on speed dial the minute either Missouri or West Virginia falters.

Around the rest of the non-title contending planet yesterday:

• Georgia, who probably is the best team in the SEC right now and ended their season with a win over Georgia Tech, gets aced out of the SEC Championship game because Kentucky couldn't take advantage of Tennessee's generosity.  The Wildcats had a chance with an interception in OT but had the field goal blocked.  A penalty backed Tennessee up to the 40, yet they scored easily from there.  Kentucky is a good team, but their execution is very inconsistant and it cost them yesterday.
• Virginia Tech pounds Virginia to get a rematch with Boston College, who beat Miami for the first time since some guy named Flutie did it in 1984.  Va Tech needs to win that game to keep their standby status should West Virginia or Missouri falter.
• Oklahoma sharpens the ax for Missouri with an impressive win over 40 year-old Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State Cowboys.
• Say what you want about Karl Dorrell, but he and his UCLA Bruins continue to score wins over big teams.  Yesterday, they beat injury plagued Oregon.  Memo to Mike Berlotti: Next year, try to develop a backup quarterback.
• USF finishes out a nice year by beating Pitt. 
  
• Satan bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat and he laid that golden trophy on the ground at Tommy's feet.  Tommy said "come on back old son, if you ever want to try again, because I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best that's ever been."  The loss pretty much should knock Alabama (6-6) out of bowl contention.)
• Clemson wins on a last second field goal that probably knocks South Carolina out of bowl contention.  The big question is how frustrated is darth Visor with the administration at South Carolina and are there any other greener pastures he wishes to explore.  My gut tells me he'll stay in Charleston.
  
• Notre Dame does something USC couldn't: They beat Stanford to finish up at 3-9.

In addition to the action on the field, their was action off the field and of course, rampant speculation:

• Nebraska put Bill Callahan out of his misery yesterday.  If Tom Osbourne is looking for someone with ties to the Nebraska program, Bo Pelini, defensive coordinator at LSU may be a good choice (although he may still be a little miffed about not getting the head job after Frank Solich got fired.)  Turner Gill, who is the head coach at the University of Buffalo may also be of interest, but he has no big time experience.  Chances are, Tom Osbourne plucks a guy who has head coaching experience from a successful top tier school.  Nebraska will pay for the right guy.
• Ole Miss gave the Coach O era the gas pipe yesterday.  The Ole Miss job is like Baylor or SMU in that the alums want to win, but the school doesn't have the revenue to compete at a big time, top tier level.  This may become a stop for a deposed head coach to come in, get it back on track and then leave. Most likely, some deserving coordinator looking for an opportunity will get this job.  The best part this debacle is that David Cuttcliffe, a good and decent man and a very good football coach is smiling.
  
• The two above vacancies join Michigan, SMU, Baylor and Texas A&M.  There is still lots of speculation about may jobs including Syracuse, Pitt, UCLA, Washington State, Colorado State, Arkansas and Oklahoma State and then there are the changes that will come when coaches from smaller programs move up to bigger programs or if someone like Les Miles takes the Michigan job and opens up LSU.  Or if Tommy Tuberville moves on to Texas A&M, Auburn would open up.  Way too many possibilities to discuss now, but Lou Holtz said on ESPN last night that he estimated maybe 20 positions would change this off season.

Elsewhere, outside of college football:

• When he is not posing in his secret identitiy as Adam Schein, columnist and sports talk show host, he is the famous super hero Captain Obvious.
• Donovan McNabb will be out tonight as the Eagles meet the Patriots.  Bill Belichick promises Andy Reid he'll hold it to a forty point margin of victory.
• Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune writes about something that would be a sure sign of the apocalypse.
  
• In yesterday's most important football game, Southern Illinois University won their first round playoff game over Eastern Illinois to move on in the football subcontinent playoffs.  Or whatever the hell their calling them now.  I call them D-1AA.
• Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Santa Claus.  Now, let's get ready to rumble!