We’re taking a look at some of the nation’s higher profile bowl misses in 2010, and no one personified that in the Big 12 more than the Texas Longhorns . How it happened: Well, for starters, Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley took their talents to Ohio and the NFL. No receiver ever emerged to fill Shipley’s void, and all other problems aside, first-year starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert threw 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Good luck finding those kind of numbers on a winning team. No Big 12 quarterback threw more than 13 interceptions, and only three had double-digits. Additionally, Texas’ commitment to a power running game throughout the spring and fall was a certified flop. The Longhorns never found a consistent back, and the team’s leading rusher, Cody Johnson , finished with just 592 yards. No one else had more than 400. The defense had a good season on the stat sheet, but a first-quarter lapse against Oklahoma and a poor second half against UCLA resulted in a pair of early-season losses that derailed the season. The Longhorns still managed to beat Nebraska in Lincoln, vaulting them back into the top 25. But the win was a result of the Huskers getting caught off guard by Gilbert using his legs to jump out to an early lead, while the defense corraled Taylor Martinez . Texas’ only win the rest of the season came over Florida Atlantic. What needs to change: Texas has to find offense from somewhere. Freshman receiver Mike Davis offers hope, but of the Longhorns touted freshman receivers from the 2010 class, he was the only one to make a real contribution. Darius White didn’t play much, and finished with just one catch. Gilbert must improve, and look for the Longhorns to ride tailback Malcolm Brown , a much-hyped 2011 commitment, in next year’s offense. Will they go bowling in 2011: Uh, we’ll wait and see when they fill the coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp bolted for Florida, offensive coordinator Greg Davis was forced to resign and two other assistant coaches had to retire. What the Longhorns look like next year is anyone’s guess. You’d like to think boatloads of top-tier recruits will get you to a bowl game regardless, but we saw this year that’s not necessarily the case.

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Big 12 bowl miss: Texas