What a week in the Big 12. I think that Oklahoma/Texas Tech game had enough offense for the entire country, let alone the conference. Oklahoma’s poor defensive performance, along with another strong one from West Virginia, means there’s some shake-up at the top of the rankings. The bottom, of course, stayed the same. It always does in this conference.
Week 8 Big 12 Power Rankings
1. West Virginia (LW: 3) — I am the first to admit when I am wrong, and it looks like I was wrong about this West Virginia team. The offense is improving and the defense is legit. After a second straight strong defensive outing, this team cannot be denied. Just look at the difference in Texas Tech’s offense last week as opposed to this week. The true tests will be against Baylor and Oklahoma, but for now I’m sold on the Mountaineers.
2. Oklahoma (LW: 1) — Should I drop Oklahoma more for that defensive showing? Probably. But, the offense is so potent under Baker Mayfield and with Joe Mixon in the backfield that I’ll give the Sooners the benefit of the doubt. With Kansas up next, there’s a bit of time to work out the issues.
3. Baylor (LW: 2) — Baylor had the week off to rest up and fine-tune the offense even further. The real challenges won’t start for a few weeks, though Texas did beat the quarterback-less Bears last year. Still, this team looks good. We’ll find out just how good down the stretch.
4. Oklahoma State (LW: 4) — The Cowboys didn’t look great against Kansas, but you don’t have to look great to beat Kansas. This team stays put, just behind the top three. Hosting West Virginia this week will be a huge chance to make a jump.
5. Kansas State (LW: 5) — The Wildcats followed up a loss to Oklahoma with a solid win over Texas. This wasn’t a great offensive performance like we saw against Texas Tech two weeks ago. Then again, who doesn’t have great offensive performances against Texas Tech? Texas is not the greatest of opponents, but the Longhorns should match up well against Kansas State. The Wildcats did an excellent job controlling the line of scrimmage against a Texas team that theoretically should have better linemen.
6. Texas (LW: 6) — The Longhorns couldn’t quite come back against Kansas State. There is talent in this lineup and Shane Buechele looks like the quarterback of the future. Getting manhandled to less than 4 yards per carry is not something that will win you a lot of ballgames, though, especially when you also throw for under 250 yards. It was not a bad game from Texas. But it was not a good one, and, more importantly, not one that will help Charlie Strong keep his job.
7. Texas Tech(LW: 7) — Should I reward the Red Raiders for having an amazing offense? Should I punish them for not being able to stop anyone, ever? Should I split the difference and leave them where they were last week? I’ll leave them where they were last week. I can’t punish a team that breaks that many yardage records on both sides of the ball.
8. Iowa State (LW: 9) — Yes, the Cyclones were on a bye. Yes, the Cyclones lost to TCU earlier this year. That’s fine. TCU’s loss this week was bad enough to slide them down a slot. Unless the Horned Frogs can fix at least one side of the ball next week, we may see another team pass them. (Okay, that last bit is very unlikely.)
9. TCU (LW: 8) — West Virginia is a quality team. But TCU followed up a 1-point victory over Kansas by getting shellacked by the Mountaineers. Just how bad is TCU this year?
10. Kansas (LW: 10) — The Jayhawks were competitive for a half against Oklahoma State. That’s my nice comment of the week about them.
