College football: Nebraska, OU favorites in Big 12's final season

DALLAS — This is it, folks, the last time around for the Big 12 as we have known it.

Nebraska is headed for the Big Ten next season. Colorado is going to the Pac-10, probably in 2011 as well. The remaining 10 schools are going to stick it out together, going "back to the future," as the commissioner describes it, with no championship game — but perhaps a new name.

All of that shuffling dominated conversations this summer and probably will generate more headlines this fall.

Yet there's plenty of intrigue on the field, too, starting with the Cornhuskers' bid to go out on top.

Coach Bo Pelini declared "Nebraska's back and we're here to stay" following a 33-0 victory over Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. "Here," apparently, meant national prominence and the Cornhuskers really could climb the polls if they get solid play at quarterback.

They didn't last season and still nearly beat Texas in the Big 12 championship game. Nebraska only lost when the Longhorns nailed a long field goal as time expired.

The teams meet Oct. 16 in Lincoln, Neb., and it's already gotten juicy. Nebraska's marketing types put a "Beat Texas" line into a promotional campaign and Pelini insists it was dropped as soon as the football staff found out about it. Longhorns coach Mack Brown is playing it cool, reminding his side of how classy Cornhuskers fans always have been and expecting it to remain that way.

We'll see.

Nebraska's quarterback competition is between incumbent Zac Lee, who hopes to return better than ever following surgery on his passing elbow; last season's backup, Cody Green; and this season's spring sensation, Taylor Martinez.

"Any time you have great competition in any position, quarterback position included, it's going to make everybody better," Pelini said. "It will be interesting to see how that competition plays out."

The Cornhuskers no longer have Ndamukong Suh clogging up the middle of the defensive line. But Jared Crick (9½ sacks last season) returns, as does end Pierre Allen. Cornerback Prince Amukamara leads a standout secondary.

The South race — surprise, surprise — should come down to Oklahoma and Texas.

Both powerhouses lost high-profile quarterbacks, the Sooners sending Sam Bradford off as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and the Longhorns parting with Colt McCoy, winner of the most career game by any Division I-A quarterback.