Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 2

Well, that could’ve gone better. The working titles for this week’s power rankings were “The Big 12 Should’ve Cancelled Football After All” or “All Hail the Our Overlords of the Sun Belt”. On top of the disastrous losses was the 2 point win over an FCS school as a 40 point favorite, 2 COVID postponements, and a cameo by the immortal Bobby Petrino. The Big 12’s reputation for 2020 is in shambles, and with only conference games remaining for most teams, the conference better hope for an undefeated champion to sniff the College Football Playoff. I came into this slate of games thinking weird football was better than no football, but the conference did everything they could to challenge that. Anyway, onto week 2!

1. Oklahoma (Last Week: 1, Beat Missouri State 48-0)

Spencer Rattler (predictably) looked great. There’s just nothing you can take away from dominating Missouri State, and it might take until a trip to Ames in 3 weeks, or even longer than that, before we get a sense for how good Oklahoma is. And they’ll continue to occupy the top spot until given a reason to move them down.

2. Texas (Last Week: 2, Beat UTEP 59-3)

After the first Saturday of play, I’m ready to amend the Big 12 QB rankings. Sam Ehlinger moves from 2nd to.......... 3rd. Spencer Rattler jumps up. Brock Purdy stays on top (I know, I know). I’m still mourning the lack of a Texas-LSU game that should’ve happened.

3. Oklahoma State (Last Week: 4, DNP)

I can’t commend the Cowboys enough for not playing football yet. Smartest thing they could’ve done. We think Oklahoma State will play Tulsa this weekend. And since Tulsa is in the AAC, not the Sun Belt, things will probably be fine.

4. Baylor (Last Week: 5, DNP)

Imagine reading this 8 months ago: Baylor had to postpone the season opener because their opponent had to miss practices due to a hurricane and an outbreak of the global pandemic. In an incredible twist, and an insult to non-conference scheduling contracts, Houston will be coming to Waco this Saturday. Dana Holgorsen is back in Big 12 country. At least this time, there probably won’t be unprofessional fans at the game.

5. West Virginia (Last Week: 7, Beat Eastern Kentucky 56-10)

Credit where it’s due, West Virginia didn’t mess around. They handled business despite suspending 11 players on the morning of the game. The next two weeks of game prep should be more enjoyable for them than the teams to come.

6. TCU (Last Week: 9, DNP)

Wisely did not play last week. The best way to avoid an embarrassing non-conference loss is to not play the games altogether. TCU now gets to spend the next 2 weeks continuing to prep for Iowa State. I’m sure Gary Patterson will be thrilled to watch that output on film.

7. Texas Tech (Last Week: 8, Beat Houston Baptist 35-33)

What’s the worst a program’s fans can feel about a win? And how about the Red Raiders earning a bump in the rankings despite giving up 572 passing yards to an FCS foe. That’s what you get for at least pulling out the win, I guess. The rest of the rankings is now domain of the Fun Belt.

8. Kansas State (Last Week: 6, Lost 35-31 to Arkansas State)

We can give K-State enough credit for holding a late lead, maybe? At least compared to what happened below them.

9. Iowa State (Last Week: 3, Lost 31-14 to Louisiana)

There will be plenty said on this website about what happened on Saturday. Iowa State got outclassed by a Top 25 opponent, but regardless, there’s no excuse for getting outscored 21-0 after halftime. There’s no excuse for Brock Purdy’s offense averaging 4.1 yards per attempt through the air. There’s no excuse for giving up one, let alone two, return touchdowns. At least we can be thankful for what happened below the Cyclones in this poll because bringing up the rear is.........

10. Kansas (Last Week: 10, Lost 38-23 to Coastal Carolina)

At least the Jayhawks didn’t have any fans in the stands to see this debacle. Last year’s lost to Coastal Carolina was close with a weird finish. This wasn’t close. And the national TV audience seeing a long FG to cut the halftime deficit to 28-3 probably wasn’t impressed.