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| POWER RANKINGS |
#1. Baylor Bears (5-0, 8-0)
Last Week - Defeated Oklahoma 41-12
This is certainly shaping up to be the Bears year. Baylor pummeled Oklahoma on Thursday night and looked dominant doing it. Either OU is not very good or Baylor is. I think its a little of both. Baylor has the other three top big 12 teams left in their schedule, barring a complete breakdown I can't see the Bears losing a conference game this year. The biggest challenge appears to be a road game at Oklahoma State in two weeks.
Up next: Texas Tech
#2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-1, 8-1)
Last Week - Defeated Kansas 42-6
The Pokes seem to be hitting stride at the right time. Despite the Longhorns unblemished conference record I still believe OSU is better. Lucky for us, we'll find out this weekend. The Pokes win against Kansas surprised no one. The road win last weekend against one loss Tech was impressive. Clint Chelf has survived the critics and proven that he is a capable starter. the Pokes defense is giving up more yards and points against better teams but they are still keeping that total under what the offense pouts on the board.
Up next: Texas
#3. Texas Longhorns (6-0, 7-2)
Last week - Defeated West Virginia 47-40 (OT)
I can no longer rank Texas behind Oklahoma. The Longhorns victory over the Mountaineers was shaky at best, but they won and remain undefeated in the big 12. I think that all changes nest weekend in Stillwater. Texas is playing better and has won six in a row but I am still not convinced they can beat the likes of Baylor or Oklahoma State.
Up next: At Oklahoma State
#4. Oklahoma Sooners (4-2, 7-2)
Last Week - Lost to Baylor 41-12
The Sooners marquee wins this season came against ranked opponents Notre Dame and Texas Tech. Neither will be ranked this week and both now have worse overall records than the Sooners. Oklahoma has lost several top players to injury this season on both sides of the ball this season. But, top teams lose top players all the time and still win. The Sooners are missing two critical aspects of a top team, consistent front line talent and depth. The Sooners might also take a hard look at the offensive playbook.
Up next: Iowa State
#5. Kansas State Wildcats (3-3, 5-4)
Last Week - Defeated Texas Tech 49-26
Don't look now but Bill Snyder has the Wildcats playing football. Kansas State has three games remaining and three wins is a real possibility. Kansas State sent reeling Texas Tech to it's third consecutive loss in rather dominant, familiar fashion. Like Oklahoma State, the Wildcats are peaking at the right time. With two of the last three in Manhattan and a road contest at Kansas to end the conference schedule, the Wildcats could finish in spectacular fashion and keep Snyder's legacy intact.
Up next: Texas Christian
#6. Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-3, 7-3)
Last Week - Lost to Kansas State 49-26
After starting the season 7-0 the Red Raiders have lost their last three. Tech is now in danger of finishing their conference with a losing record as they finish the season against Texas and Baylor, both on the road. The Red Raiders will not likely drop any further in the Rankings but they will not likely see the top tier again this season either.
Up next: AT Baylor
#7. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-5, 4-6)
Last Week - Lost to Texas 47-40
West Virginia should have beaten Texas. They were in the game from the start and they were at home. But, they didn't. Dana Holgerson's squad is night and day. They have the potential to be good but can't seem to get over the hump. Unfortunately for Holgerson that's likely a sign of inconsistent coaching. Without a change at the top, I don't see the Mountaineers doing much different next season.
Up next: At Kansas
#8. TCU Horned Frogs (2-5, 4-6)
Last Week - Beat Iowa State 21-17
Sorry TCU fans, a win against woeful Iowa State is not enough to get you a bump over the Mountaineers. Besides, with games left against KSU and Baylor, the win against the Cyclones was likely your last of the season. The Horned Frogs are going to have to get better quick or they will become, like the Cyclones, a perennial doormat for Big 12 opponents.
Up next: At Kansas State
#9. Kansas Jayhawks (0-6, 2-7)
Last Week - Lost to Oklahoma State 42-6
I almost ranked the Jayhawks last based on the manner in which they celebrated their third quarter field goal at Oklahoma State Saturday, cutting the Pokes lead to 28-3. On the other hand, perhaps they thought it was a three point basket. I grew up a Jayhawk fan, basketball primarily, but football as well. I was a Glen Mason supporter and a fan of Mark Mangino. Those days seem so long ago. It's difficult to believe that this program produced the likes of John Riggins and Gale Sayers.
Up next: West Virginia
#10. Iowa State Cyclones (0-6, 1-8)
Last Week - Lost to TCU 21-17
I wonder how different the Cyclones season would have gone had they beaten Texas. Would they have gone on to win more games? Perhaps. The Cyclones would have gained a lot of belief in themselves with a victory over the Longhorns. The opposite likely happened with the loss and, worse yet, they seem to have lost confidence in the programs direction under Paul Rhodes. Emotional upsets fueled this team the last few years. They have none this year, not even a "moral" victory. Players and fans can only take so much, before they quit. It looks like the Cyclones have reached that point.
Up next: at Oklahoma
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