The Big 12 established itself as one of the top football conferences in the nation this season, finishing with five teams ranked in the top-25. The conference finished its bowl games with a 6-2 record and although it will lose Texas A&M and Missouri to the SEC, it will gain a TCU team that finished the season 11-2 and a West Virginia team that routed Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, Dec. 26

Missouri 41, North Carolina 24

The Tigers tied the score at 7 in the first quarter following a half back pass play where T.J. Moe caught a backwards lateral pass, then hit a wide open Wes Kemp for a 40-yard touchdown pass. After that, James Franklin showed SEC schools why they should be worried when he leads the Tigers into their new conference. The Tigers ran for 337 yards, with Franklin leading the way with 142 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl, Dec. 28

Texas 21, California 10

The Longhorn defense made life difficult for California all game, allowing just seven total rushing yards and forcing five turnovers. Even so, the Longhorns found themselves down in the third quarter until David Ash found Marquise Goodwin for a 47-yard touchdown pass. It was the only touchdown Ash threw, but not the only time he’d reach the endzone, Ash caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Jaxon Shipley on a reverse in the second quarter to put the Longhorns on the board.

Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29

Baylor 67, Washington 56

After jumping out to an early 21-7 lead, the Bears found themselves in an 18-point hole early in the third quarter following an 80-yard touchdown pass by Huskies quarterback Keith Price. Price outdueled his counterpart, Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III, throwing for 438 yards and four touchdowns and running for three more touchdowns. Bears running back Terrance Ganaway starred for the Bears in their comeback bid, rushing for 200 yards and five touchdowns, with all of his scores coming in the second half. The shootout victory gave Baylor its first Bowl victory since 1992.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30

Rutgers 27, Iowa State 17

Any magic the Cyclones had, they left back in Ames, Iowa. They couldn't adjust to life at Yankee Stadium. Cyclone quarterback Jared Barnett proved ineffective, completing just two passes in the first half before being replaced by Steele Jantz. The quarterback change didn't help much; Jantz threw two interceptions. Jawan Jamison led the Scarlet Knight attack, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Insight Bowl, Dec. 30

Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14

The Sooners almost saw a 21-point lead evaporate after Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg completed his second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter, a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Canzeri. The score brought the Hawkeyes within a touchdown of the team that began the year ranked first in the nation. Quarterback Blake Bell sealed the game for the Sooners after scoring on a 21-yard touchdown run with less than a minute left. Bell ran for 51 yards and three touchdowns and Iowa fell to a Big 12 opponent for the second time this season.

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl, Dec. 31

Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22

The Aggies were without star running back Cyrus Gray, who sat out the game with a stress fracture in his shoulder, but quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 329 yards to keep the offense moving. As was the case for most of the season, the Aggies jumped out to a big first half lead, but unlike their previous collapses, which spoiled what was supposed to be a grand farewell tour before they left for the SEC, the Aggies lead was too big for the Wildcats to overcome. Ben Malena ran for two touchdowns and 77 yards in his start for the Aggies.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 2

Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 38

Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden outperformed top NFL prospect Andrew Luck, throwing for 399 yards and three touchdowns, but the real star for the Cowboys was wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who caught eight passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Stanford had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but kicker Jordan Williamson shanked a 35-yard field goal attempt wide left as time expired and the game went to overtime. In Stanford's overtime possession, Williamson had a chance for redemption on a 43-yard attempt, but once again the kick sailed to the left. Weeden then completed a pass to Colton Chief for 24 yards that set up Quinn Sharp’s 22-yard game winning field goal.

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 6

Arkansas 29, Kansas State 16

Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein couldn't get his offense going for most of the night; he averaged just 1.7 yards on 24 carries. The Wildcats climbed back into the game after falling behind 19-0 in the second quarter. A blocked PAT that the Wildcats returned for a two-point conversion sparked the turn around. The Wildcats went on to pull within three after Klein threw one touchdown and ran for another to bookend the halftime break. The Wildcats comeback bid died there, as Arkansas scored 10 unanswered points to end the game.