Midnight updateBowl games are complete for the day and therefore, we have updated conference postseason standings:

• Pac-10: 5-0
• Big 12: 3-1
• SEC: 3-1
• Conference USA: 3-1
• Big East: 3-2
• Mountain West: 2-2
• Sun Belt: 1-1
• ACC: 4-6
• WAC: 1-4
• Big Ten: 1-5
• Mid-American: 0-3

The Pac-10 was an afterthought when comparing it to the likes of the SEC and Big 12 conferences. Have we underestimated the Pac-10 this season? They’re done with bowl games after the Rose Bowl and will finish the postseason undefeated.The Big 12 is in a solid position. The conference is 3-1 and we’re entering the heart of the lineup, if you will, with heavy hitters Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma up next. I like the conference’s chances.6 p.m. updateWell, so much for Penn State keeping it close against USC in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans are up, 31-7, at halftime. If Penn State loses, that would drop the Big Ten to 1-5 in the postseason. Ouch. Big 12 sitting pretty at 3-1, and the Pac-10, pending a USC victory, would lead every conference at 5-0. The Pac-10 won’t participate in a bowl game after USC.After tonight’s Orange Bowl, I’ll update the conference postseason standings that I started earlier in the blog. Until then, I’m heading to Jack Stack in Overland Park for some of the best BBQ in the nation. Take care, friends.4 p.m. updateWhat a turnaround by Nebraska, which outscored Clemson by 16 points in the second half and won the Gator Bowl, 26-21. The Huskers were down, 14-3, at halftime.The victory improved the Big 12 to 3-1 in bowl games and gave coach Bo Pelini a postseason win in his first season in Lincoln, Neb.I’m going to credit special teams for the Huskers’ bowl victory. Nebraska blocked a field goal early, blocked a punt in the second half, and kicker Alex Henery drilled four field goals. Also, Quentin Castille came out of nowhere and rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries for Nebraska, which typically features Roy Helu and Marlon Lucky out of the backfield. Lucky’s a senior, but Castille and Helu are both sophomores and could make a nice impact on the conference for the next two seasons.If you’re Nebraska, this was a successful season. The Huskers finished 9-4 and won five of their last six games, including four in a row. Two of them were against impressive Kansas and Clemson squads.So much for my thought that the Big Ten could finish winless in its bowl games. Iowa beat South Carolina, 31-10, in the Outback Bowl. Still, though, the Big Ten has had an awful postseason showing at 1-4 so far. A Penn State victory over USC in the Rose Bowl would help out.2:15 p.m. updateNot the best half of football for Nebraska, which trails Clemson, 14-3, at intermission. The Huskers, who entered the Gator Bowl ranked 12th in the nation in total offense, can’t seem to move the ball. If Nebraska averages 458 yards per game, that means it averages 229 yards per half. In the first half of today’s Gator Bowl, Nebraska’s gained 128 yards.Clemson ranks in the top 10 in scoring defense and allows just more than 16 points per game. The Tigers showed their opportunistic style when DeAndre McDaniel intercepted a Joe Ganz pitch on a simple option play and returned it for a touchdown. It’s been the difference in an otherwise uneventful game.For the conference’s sake, hopefully the Huskers make halftime adjustments. A 2-2 record for the Big 12 wouldn’t be anything to boast about at this point in the bowl season.11:30 a.m. – Thank you, KansasFor two bowl games, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe had to feel like he was watching his not-so-favorite horror flick. We’ll call it “The nights that Northwestern and Oregon proved the Big 12 was overrated.”Heading into the bowl season, the Big 12 was supposed to be one of the two best conferences in college football. It didn’t look that way early on. Missouri barely escaped overtime despite three Chase Daniel interceptions against Northwestern, which outplayed the Tigers in nearly all facets of the Alamo Bowl. A day later, Oklahoma State, a proud member of the so-called best division in America in the Big 12 South, was ousted by Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.This was not part of the original script that had the Big 12 improving upon its 5-3 mark as the best it’s ever done in bowl games.That’s why Beebe had to love Kansas ripping Minnesota, 42-21, in Wednesday’s Insight Bowl. Dezmon Briscoe with 14 catches for 201 yards and three scores; Kerry Meier with 10 catches for 113 yards, a receiving touchdown and a separate passing touchdown; Todd Reesing with 313 passing yards and four scores. Yes, this is the Big 12 identity and the Jayhawks have been the only conference team that’s been able to preserve it so far. Still a ways to go. Maybe Kansas lighting up the scoreboard will pave the way for Nebraska, Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma to make conference history. Here’s how each conference has fared in the quest to become the best in the nation. Note: These records are before New Year’s Day games started.

• Pac-10: 4-0
• SEC: 2-0
• Big East: 3-1
• Conference USA: 3-1
• Big 12: 2-1
• Mountain West: 2-2
• Sun Belt: 1-1
• ACC: 3-5
• WAC: 1-4
• Big Ten: 0-3
• Mid-American: 0-3

I don’t know about you, but how fitting is the 0-3 mark by the Big Ten? I had a Detroit Lions-like thought run through my mind about the Big Ten going winless this bowl season. Iowa’s up big on South Carolina this morning, but check out the rest of these matchups:Michigan State-Georgia; Ohio State-Texas; Penn State-USC.Could 0-7 really happen? South Carolina’s going to have to make a massive comeback before I start getting really serious with the thought.I’ll be updating the blog throughout the day because, like most Americans, I’m sitting on my couch all day watching football. Nebraska’s kicking off within the hour. So feel free to share your thoughts with me. And Happy New Year to all.