Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 3

1. #11 Texas Longhorns – Record, 2-0 (0-0)

Last Week - Beat UTEP 41-7

Texas continued to look like the Longhorns of old with a dominant win over the Miners of Texas, El Paso. Freshman phenom, Shane Buechele, threw for four touchdowns on the day and the Texas defense limited the opponent to just 208 total yards.

Coach Strong’s team has no time to rest on its laurels, however, with back-to-back road trips to dangerous territory looming before their annual showdown with OU.

Next Three – @California, @OKState, OU

2. #14 Oklahoma Sooners – Record, 1-1 (0-0)

Last Week – Beat ULM 59-17

Looking at the teams on deck for Oklahoma, the Sooners could possibly open the season 1-4. I don’t believe that will actually happen, with TCU trotting out a seemingly porous defense this year, but Ohio State and Texas certainly make 2-3 a comfortable bet. That would not be a good look for Bob Stoops or the Big 12.

Next Three - Ohio State, @TCU, @Texas

3. #21 Baylor Bears – Record, 2-0 (0-0)

Last Week - Beat SMU 40-13

Everyone who was hoping for a Baylor collapse this season have to be sorely disappointed so far as the Bears don’t appear to have been affected much by this summer’s scandal or the dismissal of their head coach. It isn’t inconceivable for Baylor to challenge for title this year with Texas if they can sustain the momentum.

Next Three – Rice, OkState, @ISU

4. West Virginia Mountaineers – Record, 2-0 (0-0)

Last Week - Beat Youngstown State 38-21

I told you before Week 1 that West Virginia always seems to start strong before limping to the finish line and so far, the Mountaineers have proven me right. BYU visits this weekend to share some bootleg moonshine in Morgantown as the media’s favorite to make this game part of their regular schedule.

Don’t hold back the good stuff, West Virginia.

Next Three – BYU, K-State, @TTU

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders – Record, 1-1 (0-0)

Last Week - Lost to Arizona State 68-55

It looks like Arizona State is subtlety making its case it belongs in the Big 12, with a high scoring offense and bend-then-break defensive effort against Coach Kingsbury’s Red Raiders.

They have my vote.

Next Three – Louisiana Tech, Kansas, @K-State

6. TCU Horned Frogs – Record, 1-1 (0-0)

Last Week - Lost to Arkansas 41-38 (2OT)

A loss to Arkansas isn’t really a resume buster. The Hogs are a dangerous, if inconsistent team, under Bret Bielema. However, this is the second week in a row the Horned Frogs have surrendered 41 points and things are looking a little iffy down Ft. Worth.

Let’s make it three in a row this weekend!

Next Three – Iowa State, @SMU, Oklahoma

7. Oklahoma State Cowboys – Record, 1-1 (0-0)

Last Week – “Lost” to Central Michigan

Whether the loss was actually a loss or not is somewhat inconsequential to me here. Allowing Central Michigan the opportunity to beat you, in your place, looms much larger on the “cannot happen” scale. Still, the Cowboys will need some time to recover from the embarrassing chain of events Saturday and their next three opponents will not bow easily.

It is possible that, in 2016, the Oklahoma teams will start the season a collective 2-8. This wouldn’t be good for conference stability, and likely won’t happen, but oh how funny that could be.

Next Three – Pittsburgh, @Baylor, Texas

8. Kansas State Wildcats – Record, 0-1 (0-0)

Last Week – Bill Snyder napped

Apparently, Bill Snyder can’t work more than two weekends per month or he risks forfeiting his retirement income.

Next Three – FAU, Missouri State, @WVU

9. Iowa State Cyclones – Record, 0-2 (0-0)

Last Week - Lost to Iowa

Still better than Kansas. Right?

Next Three – @TCU, San Jose State, Baylor

10. Kansas Jayhawks – Record 1-1 (0-0)

Last Weekend - Lost to Ohio, 37-21

You agree, right?

Next Three - @Memphis, @TTU, TCU