CMan's Big 12 Power Rankings - Week 6

POWER RANKINGS

#1. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0)

Last Week - Beat TCU 20-17

The Sooners defeated TCU Saturday in a game that reminded fans of the Pre Big 12 Horned Frogs. The defense that was the Horned Frogs identity in the late half of the 2000's returned to Owen Field. However, The Sooners made enough plays, when they needed them, to win the game. The OU defense was stout all game but especially in the first half allowing only 16 yards to TCU including zero first downs and negative rushing yards. As for the offense, it sputtered most of the day under the TCU pressure and stingy secondary but Blake Bell proved again that he is a gamer using his feet to secure two first downs late and secure victory for OU.

Up next: Texas

#2. Baylor Bears (4-0, 1-0)

Last Week - Defeated WVU 73-42

Baylor is good. The Bears finally played a team that, on paper, should give them a game. West Virginia gave them a game of sorts scoring 42 points, but Baylor still scored 73 on them and gained over 850 total yards. Baylor's offense is scary good and scary fast. In the first quarter alone last night they had scoring drives of 32, 4 and 8 seconds. The bears had identical 28-7 scores in the first and second quarters to lead 56-14 at half. If that's not enough, Baylor has given up 65 total points in four games, albeit most of them yesterday. Giving up points matters little when you can score 70 per game.

Up next: At Kansas State

#3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-0, 2-0)

Last Week - Defeated Kansas 54-16

Reality looked as if it was going to rear its ugly head for the Red Raiders on Saturday. They were on the road in Lawrence and the Jayhawks had just ended the first quartet with a 10 - 0 lead. As it turns out, Texas Tech was just not awake yet. Kansas would not score again till late in the 4th and the Red Raiders would score 56 in between. Texas Tech may not be a premier team but they are a good team. They play good enough offense to score and their defense is much better than it was during the Leach era. The more I watch this team, the more convinced I am that their first challenge will come in three weeks when they face OU in Norman.

Up next: At Iowa State

#4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-1, 1-1)

Last Week - Defeated Kansas State 33-29

The Pokes are falling fast. The loss at West Virginia seemed to most, a fluke. Most were convinced that the Cowboys would bounce back big at home against the average Wildcats. The only bounces came in the form of KSU turnovers. The Pokes needed the 5 turnovers and the fourth quarter to put away the Wildcats in Stillwater. KSU was in position to win the game and effectively gave the game to OSU. The Cowboys played well enough defensively but the stout, quick strike offense that has been the standard at OSU for the last few years apparently graduated. Had this game been in Manhattan, the Pokes might be 0-2 in conference. The loss to West Virginia looks worse considering what Baylor did to the Mountaineers last night. TCU looms in two weeks. The Cowboys better get some things figured out in a hurry.

Up Next: Bye week

#5. TCU Horned Frogs (2-3, 0-2)

Last week - Lost to Oklahoma 20-17

TCU played about as well as anyone has in Norman Saturday. The old Horned Frog defense showed up again and Gary Patterson pulled a couple of trick plays on the Sooners that changed the flow of the game in the second half. Still, a loss is a loss. I doubt the Horned Frogs are celebrating any moral victories this morning. The good news is that, despite the 0-2 conference start, TCU will probably finish with a winning conference record. If the Horned Frogs can figure out how to play the first half with the same intensity as they do the second half, they will be hard to beat. However, as long as they play in the Big 12, the 12-1 seasons they used to enjoy aren't likely to return.

Up next: Kansas

#6. Texas Longhorns (3-2, 2-0)

Last Week - Defeated Iowa State 31-30

The Longhorns needed a hail Mary at the end of the first half and the referees in the fourth quarter to pull out a 1 point victory in Ames Iowa Thursday night. The Longhorns 2-0 conference record is built on the backs of two bottom tier Big 12 teams that, frankly, they were lucky to beat. Texas is an average football team at best and really lacks any identity or energy. Texas and Oklahoma enter the Red River Rivalry with wins. However, OU is not happy with the level of play in their win against TCU at home, Texas was just glad to get out of Iowa with a win. The Longhorns look like a .500 team. I'd be surprised if they didn't finish the season with a .500 record.

Up next: Oklahoma

#7. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-3, 1-2)

Last Week: Lost to Baylor 73-42

I don't know what is worse, the WVU loss to Baylor giving up 73 points or the fact that Maryland, who beat WVU 30-0,  lost to Florida State 63-0. Either way, the Mountaineers have got to be one of the most inconsistent teams in college football. The only positive that WVU can take out of the loss to Baylor is that they scored 42 points which will win most games, just not against Baylor. The Mountaineers are tough to figure out. They play good teams tough but falter against average teams. The good news for the Mountaineers is they don't have to play next week. West Virginia will likely end the season with a losing record, and without Dana Holgerson. They, like TCU, probably regret joining the Big 12.

Up next: Bye week

#8. Kansas State Wildcats (2-3, 0-2)

Last Week - Lost to Oklahoma State 33-29

The Wildcats are not a good team but they could easily be 2-0 in the conference. The losses to Texas and Oklahoma State, both on the road, were winnable. In fact, they led late in both games. unfortunately this probably says more about the state of Texas and OSU. The Wildcats will likely have problems against better teams. The game against Baylor will tell us a lot. This Wildcats squad is lacking the discipline and key skill players that they have had in the past. They likely belong in the lower half of the Big 12 and will probably spend the rest of the season there.

Up next: Baylor

#9. Iowa State Cyclones (1-3, 0-1)

Last Week - Lost to Texas 31-30

Iowa State played hard on Thursday night in Ames and, by all rights, deserved a victory over Texas. The Cyclones led late in the fourth and though they had stopped the Longhorns with a goal lie fumble. The only people that didn't see the fumble were the referees. The Cyclones have played hard during Paul Rhodes tenure and will win more than one game this year. This team has the ability and the energy to upset teams. They have done it the last few years and should again this year. This coming Saturday might be their chance.

Up next: at Texas Tech

#10. Kansas Jayhawks (2-2, 0-1)

Last Week - Lost to Texas Tech 56-16

The Jayhawks played real college football Saturday for about 1 quarter. Kansas jumped out to a 10-0 lead over Tech in the first quarter and then realized who they were. The subsequently gave up 56 points before they got back on the board by then, the game was over. On a positive note, the Jayhawks scheduled the game at 11:00 Am so that their fans could get some rest so they could attend the Kansas Jayhawks annual midnight start to the Basketball season. Kansas will play the remainder of the football schedule, very few will notice.

Up next: at TCU

C'Mans Big 12 power rankings - Week 3

POWER RANKINGS

#1. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0, 0-0)

The Cowboys finally played a game in the comfortable confines of Stillwater after spending the first two weeks of the season in Texas. Oklahoma State took on a decent Lamar squad and dominated the game on both sides of the ball winning big 59-3. The Cowboys look as strong as ever on offense but their defense is the story thus far in 2013. I'm going to have to see the 'Pokes beaten, or at least challenged, before they lose their hold on the top spot. Oklahoma State will enjoy a bye week before heading to West Virginia in two weeks.

#2. Baylor Bears (2-0, 0-0)

A bye week has proven to be the only thing that can stop the Bears offense this year. Baylor remains #2 despite not playing this week. Baylor takes on Lamar next week and then enjoys a second bye week in three weeks. We won't get a real glimpse of the Bears ability until they face West Virginia at home in week six.

#3. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0, 1-0)

Oklahoma moves up this week based on the performance of quarterback Blake Bell. In his first ever start, Bell threw for a record 413 yards and 4 touchdowns. Bell's on field performance surpassed that of both Sam Bradford and Landry Jones in their respective first starts. The question is, how different would the first two games have been with Bell calling the signals. The Sooners dispatched in-state foe Tulsa 51-20 playing well on both sides of the ball. The Sooner defense missed Aaron Colvin in the secondary and Gabe Lynn was injured during the game, but OU defended well until the fourth quarter as they subbed most of the starters out. If they both return for Notre Dame we should have a good game in South Bend in two weeks.

#4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0, 1-0)

The Red Raiders beat TCU 20-10 in Lubbock Saturday but needed back-up quarterback David Webb to seal the deal. TCU is reeling and probably did not deserve the preseason pub they received. However, Texas Tech and first year head coach Kliff Kingsbury are undefeated and have a quality conference win. Texas Techs next three opponents are Texas State, Kansas and Iowa State with a bye week included, All game Tech should win. The first real test comes in week 8 when they travel to Morgantown and take on West Virginia. A win against the Mountaineers and they likely come in to Norman 7-0.

#5. Kansas State Wildcats (2-1, 0-0)

The Wildcats have recovered from their opening day loss to NDSU by beating two "lesser" opponents. After beating Louisiana-Lafayette two weeks ago they downed UMass 37-7 Saturday in Manhattan. Kansas State travels to Austin next weekend to face Texas, where winning is not what it used to be. KSU has won the last 5 against the Longhorns and should win Saturday. We may have to wait until week 7, when Baylor pays a visit to Manhattan, to find out how "real" the Wildcats are.

#6. TCU Horned Frogs (1-2, 0-1)

I am not ready to write off the Horned Frogs season despite two losses in their first three games. An opening week loss to #6 LSU and a week three loss to Texas Tech, who should be ranked this week, sting but TCU has been in bigger holes. Having said that, TCU looked confused on offense at Tech and they need to get the wrinkles ironed out with a bye week and a game at home against SMU coming up. After that they face tough road games at OU and OSU with a home date against Kansas in the middle. If they don't,  they could find themselves in a huge hole going in to the second half of the season.

#7. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1, 0-1)

The Mountaineers have had a tough season and its only week 3. A weak win at home against William and Mary, a devastating early conference loss at OU and a blowout win against a ho-hum Georgia State team. The Mountaineers are a tough group to figure out. They face an undefeated Maryland squad next week on the road and then return to Morgantown to host OSU. We could be looking at a 2-3 West Virginia team when the roll in to Baylor in week 6. If they start 0-3 in the Big 12, it will be a long winter for Dana Holgerson.

#8. Texas Longhorns (1-2, 0-0)

Wow. How quickly  things have fallen apart in Austin Texas. The Longhorns lose in consecutive weeks on the road at BYU and at home against  Mississippi. The Longhorns gave up 40 to BYU and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was shown the door in favor of Greg Robinson. Texas then gives up 43 to Mississippi at home. Different coordinator, same old Texas defense. The Longhorn offense might be worse than the defense. They look as rattled and confused and are playing with zero confidence. Texas host KSU and travels to ISU before the Red River Rivalry. Perhaps it's time for Mack Brown to start planning his retirement.

#9. Kansas Jayhawks (1-1, 0-0)

After a solid 31-14 victory over South Dakota in their opener, the Jayhawks fall this week, 23-14, to Rice. It's difficult to follow up that first sentence without mentioning Bill Self and the Jayhawk basketball team. The Jayhawk fans would trade almost anything (except Bill Self) for Mark Mangino. Say what you will about Mangino, he could coach football. Kansas may never have another winning season in football, and certainly not if it takes away from basketball. Mangino did both. Charlie Weiss will do neither.

#10. Iowa State Cyclones (0-2, 0-0) 

Someone has to be last, might as well be Iowa State. After an opening week loss to Northern Iowa and a bye week to lick their wounds, the Cyclones welcomed in-state rival Iowa and promptly lost 27-21 to the team that lost to Northern Illinois in week 1. The good news for Iowa State, they get another bye week. The bad news, they have to travel to Oklahoma in two weeks and play a decent Tulsa team. Cyclones head coach Paul Rhodes has done some good things in Ames. Unfortunately he's done some really bad things too. The Iowa State Cyclones will win this year, although they might have to wait for basketball season to do it.

CMan's Big 12 Power rankings - Week 2

POWER RANKINGS

 

 



#1. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-0)

The Cowboys have played two good games on both sides of the football. Both games have been on the road in the state of Texas. It has been difficult to find a real weakness in the team thus far despite the early quarterback controversy. The offense looks like Oklahoma State and the defense, at least the starters, look like an SEC defense. After two games, it looks like only Sports Illustrated has the best chance to slow the Pokes.

#2. Baylor Bears (2-0)

The Bears have score 139 points in two game and given up only 16. Having said that, the opponents were Wofford and Buffalo. The difference? Baylor would have struggled against competition this kind of competition in the past, now they are humiliating them. OU and Texas used to do the same to similar competition and they also beat strong teams. Baylor looks real but we'll have to wait for week 6 when they take on WVU to start the conference season.

#3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0)

Like Baylor, Texas Tech has been lighting up the scoreboard scoring 101 in their first two games. Unlike the Bears they started their season on the road at SMU. New head man Kliff Kingsbury looks to lead  the team as coach in much the same way he did as QB. The Red Raiders defense looks stout to start the season giving up only 36 points in their first two games. Reality might hit Lubbock next week though as they open the conference season at home against #24 TCU.

#4. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0)

Ok, before the Sooner faithful storm my bunker, let me explain. I would have ranked the Sooners higher based on the defensive improvement alone. But, the days of outscoring opponents will cease once they get deep in conference play. Unless Stoops and company get the offense on track the defense will only wear. The key to the renewed defensive pressure displayed by the Sooners is rest between series. The OU offense can not afford to go 3 and out or end drives without putting points on the board. The bright spot on offense is the renewed running attack. However, without an effective passing game opposing defenses will stack the line making the run game far less effective.

#5. TCU Horned Frogs (1-1)

A season opening loss to #12 LSU is nothing to be ashamed of. A home win against Southeastern Louisiana is nothing to write home about, especially when you were only up 17-14 at the half. The Horned Frogs offense caught speed in the second half but the vaunted TCU defense is not what it has been in recent years. The loss of Sr. QB Casey Pachall to injury might be a bright spot as Sophomore QB Trevone Boykin has clearly outplayed Pachall and gives the Horned Frogs their best chance to win.

#6. Kansas State Wildcats (1-1)

Kansas State rebounded from a humiliating home loss last week to 2 time FCS National Champion North Dakota State by defeating Louisiana Lafayette 48-27 in Manhattan. The Wildcats always start slow at the start of the season but they don't normally lose. The Wildcats defense is a concern giving up 51 points in two games to lesser quality opponents at home. The offense looks like a typical Bill Snyder offense. The Wildcats play Oklahoma State in week 6, in Stillwater. we'll know a lot more about the Wildcats after that game.

#7. West Virgina Mountaineers (1-1)

The Mountaineers lost to OU yesterday but they showed a lot of promise during the game. Either WVU started the second team against William and Mary in week 1 or they just didn't care. The Mountaineers that played in Norman Saturday were a far better team. While they couldn't do much against the Sooner defense the West Virginia defense gave the Sooners fits all night. WVU played a sloppy game but their defense looks vastly improved and the offense will catch up.

#8. Texas Longhorns (1-1)
 A loss to un-ranked BYU in Provo is not horrible unless you're ranked in the top 15. Texas was. The loss itself wasn't as bad as how they lost. BYU rushed a Texas record 550 yards against the Longhorns. BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, on a surgically repaired knee, ran for 259 by himself. The Texas offense was so woeful that Mack Brown took QB David Ash out in the second half in favor of Case McCoy. New quarterback, same anemic offense. I thought the Longhorns were overrated to start the season, they certainly weren't the #15 team in the country. I'm not sure they belong in the top 25. I picked Un-ranked KSU and WVU ahead of Texas in the rankings because I believe they can both beat the Longhorns. We'll find out in two weeks when the Wildcats visit Austin.

#9. Kansas Jayhawks (1-0)

Jayhawk fans have a lot to be excited about in the first two weeks of school this year. The Jayhawks had a bye week in week 1, the football team won it's home opener and Jayhawk basketball is just around the corner. Kansas defeated South Dakota (Not to be confused with North Dakota State) in Lawrence Saturday 31-14. The Jayhawks travel to Rice next week and finish the non-conference schedule with a home game against Louisiana Tech in week 4. They should emerge 2-1 which is the last time they will be over .500 for the rest of the season. That's ok though, by mid-season most Jayhawk fans will be watching basketball.

#10. Iowa State Cyclones (0-1)

The good news for the Cyclones is that they didn't lose Saturday. The bad news, they have to play again this week against Iowa to determine who will be second in the state to Northern Iowa. After Iowa the Cyclones visit Tulsa, not a lock either. If  Iowa State plays at this level in the big 12 conference it will be a long season in Ames. unlike Kansas, the Cyclones aren't dominant in basketball anymore. It looks to be a long, cold winter in Iowa.

 

CMan's OU vs WVU - Pregame

Sooners

Mountaineers

Very few Sooner and Mountaineer fans will forget the "defense optional" football game played in West Virginia in 2012. Most would like to forget the game. The Sooners needed a late touchdown drive by Landry Jones to escape Morgantown with a 50-49 win. Jones threw for 554 yards that game but was overshadowed by WVU's Tavon Austin and his Big 12 record 572 all purpose yards. In all, the Sooners gave up 778 yards. No OU team had ever surrendered more.

 

Sooner defensive coordinator Mike Stoops would love to get the taste of that game out of his mouth today. OU brings a new defensive scheme to the match up today and based on the performance last week, Stoops might just have found the right mouthwash.

 

The good news? Tavon Austin and wide out Stedman Bailey, who caught 13 passes for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns in the game, are playing for the St. Louis Rams now. WVU quarterback Geno Smith will start for the New York Jets on Sunday.

 

The Mountaineer offense looked awful weak against William and Mary last week needing a score with 3 minutes left to defeat the Tribe 24-17 in Morgantown. West Virginia appears to be a shell of last years offensive powerhouse. However, its only one game and WVU Head Coach Dana Holgerson has a history of getting the most out of his offensive players. His offensive system will always provide multiple scoring opportunities.

 

Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight will start his second game as a Sooner. After a slow start last week Knight played well in last weeks opener. The Sooner offense should be sharper and more fluid this week. With the first start under the belt Knight should be far more comfortable today as he leads the Sooner offense. If the coaching staff corrected the passing miscues and the missed screen assignments from last week, the Sooners should have multiple scoring opportunities today. The Mountaineers defense gave up an average of 38.1 points per game in 2012, the Sooners should have no trouble reaching that total today.

 

On the defensive side of the ball OU should continue what it started last week. The key to the game today is pressure. If the Sooner line and linebackers can get consistent defensive pressure on the quarterback it should disrupt the Mountaineers passing attack. Our linebackers spent a great deal of time in the offensive backfield last week against ULM and should be able to do the same today. The defensive speed the Sooners displayed last week will serve them well in stopping any sideline options the Mountaineers attempt. I don't expect another shutout but I don't expect a repeat of last years game either. After all, this game is at Owen Field where the Sooners are 81-5 under Bob Stoops.

 

Predictions this early in the season are never easy. This game is particularly hard because it is a conference game. Having said that, the Sooners should win this game by a comfortable margin. I'm going with OU to win 38-17.

 

On a side note, Buster's DCS Wildcats improved to 2-0 with a 46-28 win on the road over Southwest Covenant last night. Buster threw 3 touchdown passes including a long of 42 yards. For his career, Buster has surpassed the 3000 yard mark and has 41 touchdowns. Not bad for a guy with less than two years under center.