Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 2

This week’s slate of games highlights the season’s first Big 12 matchup, while pairing two old conference foes against each other. Of course, the question on everyone’s mind here, is can the Cyclones find any sort of rhythm in Sin City?

On to the show!

10. Kansas (1-1)

Well, at least some things got back to normal, this after a 49-22 loss to No. 17 Coastal Carolina.

This week: vs. Baylor (2-0)

9. West Virginia (1-1)

Shoutout to the Mountaineers, who pitched a 66-0 shutout against Long Island University (who?). This week’s matchup against unbeaten Virginia Tech should give us a much better idea of what to expect from the ‘Eers this season.

This week: vs. #15 Virginia Tech (2-0)

8. Baylor (2-0)

The Bears absolutely rolled Texas Southern 66-7, but the win, coupled with its 29-20 week one win over Texas State are not exactly quality wins. Up next, the lowly Jayhawks, who shouldn’t present much of a problem, either.

This week: at Kansas (1-1)

7. Texas Tech (2-0)

We can’t call it the most impressive win of the week, but Tech’s 28-22 win over Stephen F. Austin kept it unbeaten on the year, preserving spot number seven. There may be cause for concern in the secondary, however, after SFA quarterback Trae Self was 38-58 for 343 yards and one touchdown.

This week: vs. Florida International (1-1)

6. Texas (1-1)

Oof. One week after a fairly convincing win over Louisiana, the Longhorns went full horns-down and got blasted by Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been a solid program the past few years, but the 40-21 loss was still surprising. Fortunately for Texas, Rice is up next.

This week: vs. Rice (0-2)

5. Oklahoma State (2-0)

Much like Tech’s win, it wasn’t a pretty Saturday for the Cowboys, but they got the job done 28-23 over a winless Tulsa team. Both sides of the ball need to step up for this week’s meeting in Boise.

This week: at Boise State (1-1)

4. Kansas State (2-0)

Kansas State took care of business against Southern Illinois last week, and if the Wildcats hadn’t forgotten how to play defense in the second quarter, where they were outscored 23-7, the final score of 31-23 wouldn’t have been nearly as close. This week presents a big test, as unbeaten Nevada rolls into town.

This week: vs. Nevada (2-0)

3. TCU (2-0)

Huge jump for the Frogs this week, after one of the week’s better wins against a Power-five opponent. Last week’s 34-32 win was a slugfest, but TCU came out on top. The defense held when it needed to, stopping a game-tying two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. The Frogs have a week of rest before hosting SMU in week four.

This week: Idle

2. #14 Iowa State (1-1)

Has anyone seen the Cyclones’ offense? The defense was stout, yet again, but after two weeks there are some alarms going off with the team’s inability to get any consistent production. Yes, Iowa State lost to a top-10 team, so its reputation didn’t take too much of a hit just yet, but things need to turn around quickly for this to become the dream season fans envisioned.

This week: at UNLV (0-2)

1. #3 Oklahoma (2-0)

Here we are, in a familiar spot. After briefly dipping to No. 2 in the rankings, the Sooners have shown, yet again, why they are the team to beat in the Big 12. Last week’s 76-0 romp over Western Carolina didn’t show much other than Spencer Rattler’s Madden-like numbers (20-26, 243 yards, five touchdowns), but this week’s matchup against a former Big 12 rival should be entertaining. As of right now, the conference is Oklahoma’s to lose.

This week: vs. Nebraska (2-1)

Current Mood Heading into Week 3: