 |
| POWER RANKINGS |
#1 Baylor Bears (6-0, 9-0)
Last Week - Beat Texas Tech 63-34
The more I watch the Bears play, the more I believe they are for real. Tech had a 20-7 lead in the first quarter before Baylor quickly scored two touchdowns in the last three minutes of the quarter to take a 21-20 lead. The bears never looked back. They creep up on you and score in bunches. If they get past Oklahoma State on Saturday, they will finish the season undefeated. They may be a long shot to play Alabama but, if they get a chance, I'm not betting against them.
Next up: At Oklahoma State
#2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1, 9-1)
Last Week - Beat Texas 38-13
Finally someone beat Texas. The Longhorns didn't stand a chance. Oklahoma State led 28-10 at the half in Austin and the defense carried them to the victory in the second half allowing Texas only a field goal. The Pokes offense is finally clicking, catching up to their defense which has played well all year. The Cowboys have not had a defense like this since....ever. They finish with Baylor and Oklahoma, both at home. If they win out, they are undisputed Big 12 Champions. Not bad for the Pokes.
Up next: Baylor
#3. Oklahoma Sooners (5-2, 8-2)
Last Week - Defeated Iowa State 48-10
The Sooners rebounded from a huge loss to Baylor by booting the Cyclones in Norman. The first quarter started like most of the season for Oklahoma, slow. The game was tied 10-10 at the half, but an injury to Blake Bell resulted in the insertion of Trevor knight at quarterback and the move reinvigorated a stagnant offense. OU finished the game with 405 rushing yards and saw the defense shut the Cyclones out in the second half. The game was so well in hand in the fourth that Kendall Thompson even got a series in. He played well despite playing against a tired and depleted Cyclone defense. The jury is still out on who starts against KSU.
Up Next: At Kansas State
#4. Texas Longhorns (6-1, 7-3)
Last Week - Lost to Oklahoma State 38-13
I'm sorry, but I can't rank the Longhorns over OU. Call me a homer if you want, but Texas finishes with Baylor and Tech. They could easily lose both but will likely go 1-1. Either way, they will likely finish with a worse overall record than the Sooners. Mack Brown came close to revitalizing his career but two more losses and he will likely have coached his last season in Austin. In fact, a loss to Baylor alone will probably do it. look for a new head man in Austin next season.
Up next: Bye week
#5. Kansas State Wildcats (4-3, 6-4)
Last Week - Beat Texas Christian 33-31
TCU fans say the refs gave the Wildcats the victory over the Horned Frogs. The fact of the matter is Kansas State has ripped off 4 straight victories after starting 0-3 in conference play. Kansas State finishes with Oklahoma and Kansas and should go 1-1 in those games insuring Bill Snyder a winning record. The Wildcats have insured the fifth spot in the rankings and a win on Saturday might move them up to #3. There is no better college coach than Bill Snyder.
Up next: Oklahoma
#6. Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-4, 7-4)
Last Week - Lost to Baylor 63-34
How far they have fallen. Texas Tech has suffered four straight Big 12 losses after starting the season 7-0. Tech led Baylor 20-7 early in the first half Saturday and it looked like the Bears had met their match, in reality, the Bears were just getting off to a slow start. After starting the season against the Big 12 bottom feeders, Texas Tech came face to face with reality as they have been summarily dispatched by the top three teams. Tech gets a bye before finishing with the Longhorns, the rest may serve them well. A win against Texas and the season will be salvaged.
Up next: Bye
#7. Kansas Jayhawks (1-6, 3-7)
Last Week - Beat West Virginia 31-19
Yes, the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas beat West Virginia snapping a 27 game Big 12 conference losing streak. That's got to be worth something. Besides, they are the only bottom tier team to win last week. The Jayhawks finish with Iowa State and Kansas State so the odds that they could finish with 2 Big 12 victories is a real possibility. West Virginia might finish with 3 wins but they still lost to KU.
Up Next: At Iowa State
#8. TCU Horned Frogs (2-6, 4-7)
Last Week - Lost to Kansas State 33-31
The Horned Frogs didn't win last week but West Virginia lost to Kansas. That alone justifies the higher ranking. However, #8 and #9 are certainly interchangeable. the biggest difference between these two second year Big 12 teams is that Gary Patterson will likely keep his job and Dana Holgerson will likely lose his. Either way, neither team will likely win enough in the future to make the top tier of this league. Both have a week off before hanging up the pads for the season.
Up Next: Bye
#9. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-6, 4-7)
Last Week - Lost to Kansas 31-19
See #8.
Up Next: Bye
#10. Iowa State Cyclones (0-7, 1-9)
Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma 48-10
This season can't end quick enough for Paul Rhodes and Iowa State. They hung with the Sooners for a half and then Oklahoma almost hung half a hundred on them. The Cyclones finish with KU and West Virginia so a win is not out of the question. The odds are good though, that Iowa State is tired and just wants the season to end. Who could blame them.
Up Next: Kansas
Honorable Mention:
Destiny Christian Wildcats (11-1)
Last Week - Defeated OKC Patriots 74-40
The Wildcats of Destiny Christian School in Del City Oklahoma, led by seniors Craig Hofeld (QB), Colton Hamel (WR) and Boston Mims (RB) won their second straight State Championship Friday night with a dominant victory over the OKC Patriots, the same team they dispatched last season, 74-40. Destiny capped a dominant season where they led all state of Oklahoma districts in scoring and winning many of their games by halftime. In addition, Hofeld and Hamel each ended the season ranked third in the state in their respective positions (all districts) with both leading all in TD passes and receptions respectively.
No comments:
Post a Comment