There were several close games in Week 7 in the Big 12, highlighted by Oklahoma State’s butt-ugly overtime win in Austin. While the drama was high, chalk mostly prevailed, and outside of Kansas State’s rough first half of the season and Iowa State’s surge, we’re mostly where we thought we’d be. Here’s the definitive Week 8 Big 12 Power Rankings:
- TCU: TCU’s defense is good. It’s the best in the Big 12. But it’s not hold-Power-5-team- to-21-total-yards good. I’m confident the Horned Frogs will get a tougher test in Ames this Saturday.
- Oklahoma: Baker Mayfield and Co. trailed 21-10 at halftime, but they rallied for a 42-35 win at Kansas State. Oklahoma can beat anyone, but a soft secondary and banged-up Mayfield are major causes for concern for a team that’s playoff or bust.
- Oklahoma State: One sign of a great team is finding ways to win when you don’t have your best stuff. That was the case in Austin, where Mike Gundy’s high-powered offense was bailed out by its defense in a typical, 13-10, Big 12 slugfest.
- Texas: Sure the Longhorns have a losing record, and they’re alone in 6th place in the conference standings, but these are power rankings, and Texas’ two Big 12 losses were close battles with the Oklahoma schools. Expect Tom Herman’s squad to start racking up some wins against the bottom half soon.
- Iowa State: The surprise of the college football season might be the Cyclones in Ames, where they’ve cracked the Top 25 for the first time in 12 years. The best part of the surprising start if you’re a Cyclone fan is that their solid play looks sustainable.
- West Virginia: This looks to be a quintessential Holgersen team, which means they’re capable of drastic shifts in momentum within a single half of play. Two weeks ago, they used their powers for good – blitzing Texas Tech in a 4th-quarter comeback. This past week, they used it for evil – nearly allowing Baylor the joy of victory.
- Texas Tech: In the most predictable turn of events thus far, the Red Raiders are well on their way to collapse. Kliff Kingsbury and staff were clearly outclassed against Iowa State, and it’s hard to imagine their boy wonder lasting another season in Lubbock.
- Kansas State: A spirited start to the 1st half against had Kansas State fans dreaming of a late-season resurgence, but those dreams soon turned into a sweaty nightmare as Oklahoma’s Rodney Andersen rumbled in from 22 yards out to seal the win.
- Baylor: Good job, good effort, but the Bears are still winless.
- Kansas: When does the Kansas athletic department send notices of forfeiture to future opponents?