The Big 12 football schedule was backloaded. Big 12 quarterbacking was frontloaded.

All of the matchups of the Big 12's four powers in 2015 came in November. Six shootout games.

Only one of the six games paired the quarterbacks of choice. OSU's 49-29 victory over TCU on Nov. 7 pitted the Cowboy duo of Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh against Trevone Boykin. All four contenders dealt with quarterback health issues.

The Sooners emerged as champions, and not coincidentally, OU had Baker Mayfield available more than the other contenders had their QBs. Also not coincidentally, OU faced No. 1 quarterbacks less than the other contenders did in the marquee games.