The Wiz of Odds

Missouri Saves Best for Last in Beating Texas Tech

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin made his way to Columbia, Mo., on Saturday for the Texas Tech-Missouri game, the final Big 12 Conference home game for the Tigers, who are off to the Southeastern Conference next season.

The Tigers were without coach Gary Pinkel, who was serving a one-game suspension after being served one too many glasses of red wine before getting behind the wheel of his vehicle earlier in the week. Nonetheless, Missouri became bowl eligible with a 31-27 victory.

There are more photos after the jump, and you can view Greg's full gallery by clicking here.

Texas Tech Cheap Shot

Iowa State quarterback Jared Barnett absorbs a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from Texas Tech's Cqulin Hubert.

The Story Behind the Collapse of the Pac-16

The Longhorn Network claims another victim.

The Pacific 12 announced Tuesday night that it would remain a 12-team league, ending the expansion talk that included Big 12 members Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

It's the second year in a row Pac-12 had flirted with the four schools and like last year, the deal-breaker was Texas' reluctance to share revenue from the Longhorn Network. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is said to have met last weekend with officials from Texas, but the Longhorns' financial demands simply did not fit into Scott's "culture of equality."

That left Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as possible additions, but with little discussion it was determined that expanding to 14 teams was awkward and not financially worthwhile.

An earlier report had Oklahoma demanding the ouster of Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, pictured above, as part of a deal to keep the Sooners in the league. But when the Pac-12 slammed the door, Oklahoma appeared to lose its bargaining chip. For the time being, Beebe still has a job.

Texas Tech

Tommy Tuberville guided Texas Tech to an 8-5 record in his first season in Lubbock, but if the Red Raiders are going to improve in 2011, they'll need to tighten the defense, which gave up an average of 30.9 points a game.

Thanks to Elvis.

A Boulder Approach to College Football Saturday

A slight chill in the air, the changing of seasons in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains and a college football game. Boulder is a great place to be on a fall afternoon, and Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin was on hand for Saturday's Big 12 matchup between Texas Tech and Colorado, won by the Red Raiders, 27-24. View Greg's complete gallery by clicking here, and check out the video of Ralphie making the pregame run around Folsom Field at the end of this post.

Cyclones Hold Off the Red Raiders

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin made his way to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames for Saturday's Big 12 game between Texas Tech and Iowa State. The Cyclones won, 52-38, and set up a showdown against Utah this Saturday.

To view Greg's gallery from the game, click here.