Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 4

1. #21 Texas Longhorns – Record, 2-1 (0-0)

Last Week – Lost at California 43-50

Texas Tech transfer, and current Golden Bear starting QB Davis Webb finally got his opportunity to play his favorite childhood team after spending three years on the sidelines while with the Red Raiders. He made the most of it, throwing for 396 yards and 4 touchdowns on the night, including the game winner, a 12-yard toss to Chad Hansen that broke the 43-43 deadlock late in the game.

This was Cal’s first win over a ranked opponent in almost four years.

Playing the Texas Two-Step at quarterback, Longhorn signal callers Shane Buechele and Tyrone Swoopes combined for just 261 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception through the air. Running back D’onta Foreman continued his impressive run with 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries. On the night, the Longhorns rushed for 307 yards.

Next Three – @OKState, OU, Iowa State

2. #16 Baylor Bears – Record, 3-0 (0-0)

Last Week - Beat Rice 38-10

Seth Russell threw for 337 yards, 3 touchdowns, as Baylor continues to try and distance itself from their offseason woes. The host, although over-matched on the field of play, made sure the visiting fans knew they knew what they did last summer during a halftime performance that left even Stanford’s band in shock and awe.

Still, the game went on and Baylor left with a 3-0 record.

Next Three – Oklahoma State, @ISU, Kansas

3. #25 Oklahoma Sooners – Record, 1-2 (0-0)

Last Week – Lost to Ohio State 45-24

Oklahoma got beat early and often in a game that many Sooner fans probably wish had been pushed back even longer than the almost 2 hour delay the game experienced due to lightning in the area.

Oklahoma, and likely the Big 12’s, chances of making the Playoff this year were destroyed by the visiting Buckeyes. The Sooners have a bye week to sort out their issues before taking on conference challengers TCU and Texas in back to back weeks.

Next Three - @TCU, @Texas, K-State

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

Last Week - Bye

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 FedEx Field this weekend (not Morgantown as previously reported, and certainly not last weekend) to share some bootleg moonshine with West Virginia fans in an effort (probably) to convince us all how good a cultural fit they would be for the conference.

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

Next Three – BYU, K-State, @TTU

5. Oklahoma State Cowboys – Record, 2-1 (0-0)

Last Week – Beat Pittsburgh 45-38

Lightning also delayed the conclusion of this game, which saw the weather halt the action with just 12:55 left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 38-38. Jhajuan Seales’ 86-yard catch from Mason Rudolph set up the game winning touchdown with just 1:28 to go in the game as the Cowboys recovered from last weekend’s non-loss-loss.

Next Three – @Baylor, Texas, Iowa State

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

Last Week – Beat Iowa State 41-20

TCU held their opponent to under 41 points for the first time all season as they contained Iowa State’s impotent offense to just 355 total yards.

You likely know the rest of the story, so moving on.

Next Three – @SMU, Oklahoma, @Kansas

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders – Record, 2-1 (0-0)

Last Week – Beat Louisiana Tech 59-45

Texas Tech has scored 25 offensive touchdowns in their first three games in 2016.

Iowa State has five, the same number as Tech receiver, Jonathan Giles.

Patrick Mahomes II, Red Raider quarterback, has thrown for 1493 yards with a 71.2% completion rate and 14 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. He’s also ran for four scores.

Joel Lanning and Jacob Park have combined for 638 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Oh, but Lanning has scored the only two rushing touchdowns we’ve had this season so far. So, bonus there.

Next Three – Kansas, @K-State, West Virginia

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

Last Week – Beat Florida Atlantic 63-7

Rested and strengthened by the blood of orphaned immigrant children, Bill Snyder coached his team to an impressive win over a non-impressive opponent inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats held FAU to just 211 yards on 65 plays.

Next Three – Missouri State, @WVU, Texas Tech

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

Last Week - Lost to TCU 41-20

Trust the process.

Next Three – San Jose State, Baylor, @Oklahoma State

10. Kansas Jayhawks – Record 1-2 (0-0)

Last Weekend - Lost to Memphis, 43-7

This probably would have been a pretty good game inside the Phog.

Next Three - @TTU, TCU, @Baylor