We've reached the final week of the season. Here's hoping the 2014 season finale matches the 2013 finale, which ended up featuring two games that decided the destination of the Big 12 title.
For the past few weeks, we've taken a closer look at the 2014 Big 12 schedule during our Big 12 Ultimate Road Trip series. This week, we'll wrap up the series with the final stretch of the regular season.
To those unfamiliar with this series, we both pick a game featuring a Big 12 team in every week of the season that we’d cover if the travel budget were unlimited and there were no editors telling us where to go.
We’ll be basing our choices on several factors, including the quality of the matchup and the stakes that could be involved. The only restriction is that each of us can pick only one game per week.
We conclude the series with Week 15.
Dec. 6
Kansas State at Baylor
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
Iowa State at TCU
Jake Trotter’s pick: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
Kansas State-Baylor is no slouch of a matchup. But I’m ending my ultimate road trip by going to the Big 12 game that has produced the best drama and most thrilling finishes over the last decade – and that's Bedlam.
In 2004, Bedlam came down to a missed field goal in the final seconds.
In 2006, a failed heave in the end zone as time expired.
In 2008, a fourth-quarter shootout.
In 2010, four touchdowns in the game’s final four minutes.
In 2012, an overtime comeback.
And last year, a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds from a third-string quarterback.
The Red River Showdown remains the biggest rivalry in the Big 12.
But Bedlam has been Big 12’s best rivalry over the last decade -- and not one I want to miss.
Brandon Chatmon’s pick: Kansas State at Baylor
It’s tough to turn down Bedlam, but the Wildcats' matchup with the Bears is just as intriguing.
It wouldn’t be a major surprise if this matchup had CFB Playoff implications and should have Big 12 championship ramifications at the very least.
The Wildcats will be ending the season with their third road game in four contests while the Bears will be coming off a bye week.
The last two Big 12 BCS bowl representatives each return proven quarterbacks, elite receivers and strong defensive lines. BU’s Bryce Petty could find himself in the thick of the Heisman race at this point, and KSU’s Tyler Lockett could be cementing his All-American status. I’ll get to watch two of the Big 12’s best players for one last time.
I’m expecting plenty of points with two of the best offenses in the conference meeting in what promises to be a beautiful venue, McLane Stadium. It’s the perfect way to end my Big 12 Ultimate Road Trip schedule.
Previous weeks:
Week 1: Trotter -- SMU at Baylor; Chatmon -- West Virginia vs. Alabama (in Atlanta)
Week 2: Trotter -- Kansas State at Iowa State; Chatmon -- Kansas State at Iowa State
Week 3: Trotter -- Texas vs. UCLA (in Arlington); Chatmon -- Tennessee at Oklahoma
Week 4: Trotter -- Auburn at Kansas State; Chatmon -- Auburn at Kansas State
Week 5: Trotter -- Texas Tech at Oklahoma State; Chatmon -- Baylor at Iowa State
Week 6: Trotter -- Baylor at Texas; Chatmon -- Baylor at Texas
Week 7: Trotter -- Texas vs. Oklahoma; Chatmon -- TCU at Baylor
Week 8: Trotter -- Kansas State at Oklahoma; Chatmon -- Oklahoma State at TCU
Week 9: Trotter -- Texas Tech at TCU; Chatmon -- Texas at Kansas State
Week 10: Trotter -- Texas at Texas Tech; Chatmon -- TCU at West Virginia
Week 11: Trotter -- Baylor at Oklahoma; Chatmon -- Baylor at Oklahoma
Week 12: Trotter -- Oklahoma at Texas Tech; Chatmon -- Texas at Oklahoma State
Week 13: Trotter --Kansas State at West Virginia; Chatmon -- Kansas State at West Virginia
Week 14: Trotter -- Baylor vs. Texas Tech; Chatmon -- TCU at Texas