Jan. 8, 2008

IRVING, Texas -- Four Big 12 football squads (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas) found their names among the top 10 in the final Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls for just the second time in conference history. The only other year that the Big 12 saw four teams in the top 10 following the end of the collegiate season was 2001 with Texas (5/5), Oklahoma (6/6), Nebraska (8/7) and Colorado (9/9).

The Tigers, who finished the season 12-2, led the pack placing fourth in the AP poll and fifth in the coaches poll after defeating Arkansas 38-7 in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Kansas finished at No. 7 after defeating Virginia Tech, 24-21, in the FedEx Orange Bowl to complete its winningest season in school history at 12-1.

Oklahoma, the Big 12 South Champion, completed its season 11-3 to rank No. 8 in both polls while Texas defeated Arizona State, 52-34, in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl to finish in the No. 10 spot in both rankings.

Texas Tech also found itself in the final rankings, placing 22nd in the AP poll and 23rd in the coaches poll after its 31-28 Gator Bowl victory over Virginia. The Red Raiders only appeared in the rankings twice during the regular season.

Final Football Polls