This is the seventh installment of the 2009 Big 12 Roundtable, a weekly feature during the season. Each week, an SB Nation Big 12 blogger will host the Roundtable and submit a series of questions to all Big 12 bloggers. This week, the Roundtable is being hosted by Crimson and Cream Machine. Listed below are I Am The 12th Man's answers.

1. What is the biggest Big 12 game this weekend not involving OU and texas? Why?

I think the obvious answer here is Nebraska-Texas Tech in Lincoln. This game will be huge for both programs, for slightly different reasons. Nebraska is trying to prove that it is making progress towards being back where they used to be, which is the top program in the Big 12 North. To show that they are not just another paper tiger in a weak Big 12 North division, Nebraska needs to show it can beat a solid Big 12 South team. While Tech may not meet the definition of 'solid' just yet, they're a decent test for Nebraska. Nebraska especially needs to show its offense can step up in a high-scoring game, although I expect Nebraska's defensive front to give Tech's offense some problems. Texas Tech is desperately trying to show that last season wasn't a fluke, that it wasn't just the stars aligning once a millenium, and that they are a legitimate team to be contended with. This game is about Tech establishing some legitimacy as a team this year, and Nebraska establishing themselves as a program on the way back to the powerhouse they once were.

I would even argue that this game is bigger than the OU-texas game, because let's be serious, the only people OU-texas is important to this year are the Sooner fans and the t-sips. texas has been playing some poor football this season, but they are still undefeated, and they are expected to beat Oklahoma. OU has been downright poor against any team with a pulse, and is trying to stave off their third loss before Halloween. OU needs to win this game to keep any hopes they have of defending their Big 12 Conference championship alive. However, this game really isn't that big this year, mainly because both teams aren't highly ranked, and there are serious weaknesses on this Sooner team. I expect a the Sooners to lose, but am rooting for a texas loss.

2. Sam Bradford has been hurt, Colt McCoy is throwing picks (6 Ints/10 TDs)and Dez Bryant has been suspended by the NCAA. Does the Big 12 have a legit Heisman contender left?

texas WR Jordan Shipley is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, if only texas would realize McCoy is a lost cause, and push Shipley instead. Shipley is a speedy receiver who also excels as a kick and punt returner. Shipley has 47 receptions for 583 yards and 3 TDs, and has returned two punts for a TD while averaging 18.9 yds per return. Shipley is a gamebreaker, but if you listen to the texas media department, you wouldn't know it. He is better known as Colt McCoy's roommate than he is as the best offensive player on texas' team, which he is. Shipley's recovery from two knee injuries to become the star offensive player on texas' team is a great story that you'd think Heisman voters would love, but the texas SID doesn't seem to think so. Their loss.

3. Its pretty much a consensus of opinions that Dan Hawkins is already standing with one foot out the door at Colorado. Who has the better chance of getting off the hot seat this season, him or Bobby Bowden?

I think Bowden is still secure at Florida State, simply because the school won't fire him with the legacy he has built there. Regardless of their current situation, Bowden is the reason they can freak out about three straight losses to begin ACC conference play. Bowden is becoming a victim of the very expectations he created. I think Hawkins' fate is already sealed, and I expect him to be replaced by Houston's Kevin Sumlin at the end of the season.

4. We've got one full weekend of conference play under our belts. Who can you say, with confidence, that is out of the North and South division races already?

In the North, I think Colorado is out of it, but they have been out of it since the season began. Kansas State is probably the next team I'd think has the least chance of winning the North. Iowa State has lost two conference games already, but they have been close games, and the Cyclones have been scrappy. I can't count them out yet.

In the Big 12 South, I think the loss of Robert Griffin pretty much doomed any chances Baylor had of competing for the South division, but we'll see how the season progresses. The South is a lot more competitive than the North right now, so I don't think you can completely count anyone out just yet.

5. Which race is going to be better in the North, the race to win the division or the race to stay out of the cellar?

With their win over Missouri by Nebraska, and Kansas essentially showing that they have no defense, I think the race for the Big 12 North title is almost over before it started. I think watching Kansas State and Iowa State fight to see who will finish fifth in the North above Colorado will be interesting to watch.

6. OU/texas - Who ya got?

texas, by a score of 17-6, but I'll be rooting for OU.

7. Big 12 Power Rankings - Let's see 'em!

1. texas
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
3. Missouri Tigers
4. Oklahoma Sooners
5. Oklahoma St Cowboys
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders
7. Texas A&M Aggies
8. Kansas Jayhawks
9. Baylor Bears
10. Iowa St Cyclones
11. Kansas St Wildcats
12. Colorado Buffaloes