Only three teams in the Big 12 North are set to go bowling this college football season.

It probably should have been four, but Kansas State scheduled one too many softies on their schedule. The Wildcats will stay home for the holidays.

It has to be somewhat maddening for K-State to watch Iowa State, a team KSU beat, make a bowl game. Not only that, the Wildcats (4-4) had a better conference record than the Cyclones (3-5) this season. Both teams finished 6-6 overall.

I’m guessing Kansas State doesn’t schedule two FCS opponents in the same year any time soon.

Here are my picks for the three North bowl games in the latest episode of ConferenceChatterTV (Nebraska-Arizona in the Holiday Bowl will be the first game on the North slate at 7 p.m. Wednesday):

I’ll close this entry with a lightning round of awards that sum up the Big 12 North this season. Feel free to provide your own answers as well.

Big 12 North player of the year: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

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The senior disruptor was the most dominating force on the field and the best player in college football this season.

He’s the primary reason the Cornhuskers ranked second in scoring defense this season with 11.23 points allowed per game. Hard to believe that only two seasons ago, Nebraska gave up 37.9 points per game. That’s the impact coach Bo Pelini has had on this team.

Nebraska won the North, taking away a title that Missouri owned the previous two years.

The next step in Lincoln, Neb. is establishing a decent offense.

Big 12 North coach of the year: Paul Rhoads, Iowa State

I’m sure Kansas State’s Bill Snyder would get some votes here, but to me, this is not close.

Rhoads inherited a Cyclones team that was probably the least talented in the Big 12. In his first season as coach, Iowa State is playing in the Insight Bowl. Just one year ago, the Cyclones finished 0-8 in the Big 12 under Gene Chizik.

Rhoads, a native of Ankeny, Iowa, truly wants to coach in Ames, something that probably couldn’t be said about his predecessor. Rhoads is the first coach at Iowa State to win six games or more in his first season since 1915.

I have a lot of respect for Rhoads. If you’re not familiar with him, check out this YouTube video, which captured a fascinating moment inside the Cyclones’ locker room after their victory over Nebraska this season:

Powerful stuff.

Early Big 12 North favorite for 2010: Nebraska

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The Huskers have earned it, but they must find some talent on offense. Is Cody Green, who will be a sophomore next season, the answer at quarterback? Roy Helu Jr. (pictured above) should return for his senior season at running back, which is a start.

Suh and Barry Turner will be gone from the D-line, but Nebraska will still have Pierre Allen and Jared Crick next year.

Safeties Larry Asante and Matt O’Hanlon will also depart, but Nebraska will return nine defenders who made at least five starts this season. The defense will still be solid.

Missouri, with the emergence of quarterback Blaine Gabbert, could give Nebraska a run in the North next season.

That should be all for now, friends.

As always, discuss.