As most Big 12 teams look ahead to their third game of the year, some of the teams need to find out what to do next after upsets and disappointments this past weekend like Oklahoma and TCU. Some teams need to clean up some things from offense to defense like Oklahoma State and Texas. Let's look at my updated rankings of the Big 12.
10. Kansas (0-2) (0-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 10th
Next Opponent: #17 Oklahoma State
Well, there is not much to say about this team except that this is normal. Everyone expected this outing from the Jayhawks against Baylor Saturday losing, in Kansas fashion, 47-14. If there was one positive from this game it's that they were down by 10 at the half. So that means they stayed with Baylor for about 2 quarters, 2 more than last year when they were plastered 61-6. Expect the Jayhawks to have the same outing against the Cowboys come Saturday.
9. Texas Tech (1-1) (0-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 9th
Next Opponent: @ Kansas State
Texas Tech proved me wrong Saturday and showed that they can keep up with any team in the Big 12 with one thing. Offense. If they kept the mistakes to a minimum they would've beat Texas. With a 63-56 loss, they were up 56-41 with 3:00 remaining and just couldn't stop Ehlinger in the last few drives. If Tech can tighten up the defense a bit they can get to a bowl game and possibly defeat the Wildcats come Saturday.
8. TCU (0-1) (0-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 7th
Next Opponent: @ #9 Texas
The Horned Frogs showed that they can become a good team if they stay healthy. I think if Max Duggan got the start TCU would've won but they brought him in later in the game and led a comeback, only to fall short, 37-34, to the Cyclones of Iowa State. TCU needs to develop a ground game in their play-calling after no rusher gets over 40 yards which means all teams will expect the pass and make it even more difficult to win games. Expect a rough outing for the Horned Frogs as they play Texas this weekend.
7. Iowa State (1-1) (1-0 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 6th
Next Opponent: #18 Oklahoma
Sure, Iowa State beat TCU, but not very impressive. Brock Purdy gave us the Not-Top-Play of the year with an interception you just have to see for yourself. Breece Hall showed promise for the Cyclones with 155 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns with an 8.6 yards per rush. If Hall can keep up the amazing work, Brock Purdy can just play like his mediocre self, which will win games for the Cyclones; sometimes. Iowa State will look to catch the Sooners slipping after they were upset on Saturday.
6. West Virginia (1-1) (0-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 4th
Next Opponent: Baylor
There are two reasons why the Mountaineers are as low as they are. 1. They only scored 13 points with 2 turnovers with one resulting in a 56-yard scoop and score by the tough Oklahoma State defense. 2. Teams who I think are not as good as WVU won their games on Saturday and before I put WVU ahead I need to see them win a game. The Mountaineers are a good team, but they had to play a top 10 defense nationally and the best in the Big 12, Oklahoma State, which gave them fits all afternoon. Actually attending this game was one thing, sitting right behind the WVU sideline and watching the offense struggle was another because after every series they were trying to figure out how to move the ball up-field. Expect West Virginia to bounce back and play a good, clean game against Baylor and possibly winning on Saturday.
5. Kansas State (1-1) (1-0 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 8th
Next Opponent: Texas Tech
What. A. Comeback. The Wildcats did in fact have the same magic as last year and upset the Sooners AGAIN. When the upset was announced in Stillwater during the game, the crowd went bananas and it was awesome. Forcing 3 interceptions from the so-called "next Baker" in Spencer Rattler and stopping the ground game, Kansas State did exactly what they needed to do to win the game. Never count out the Wildcats to shock the CFB world but they might just lose their next game against Texas Tech if they cannot stop the Red Raiders offense.
4. Baylor: (1-0) (1-0 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 5th
Next Opponent: @ West Virginia
I'm sure everyone would take Kansas as a tune-up other than Arkansas State, Louisiana, or Coastal Carolina. Baylor didn't really impress anyone winning 47-14, but one thing that surprised me is that the Jayhawks stuck around until the 3rd quarter. Maybe shaking off some rust or this is how the Bears are which is being mediocre. Maybe the Bears are mediocre this year but I'm sure no Baylor fan is complaining after losing their HC and a lot of starters. The Bears will have a tough test as they play West Virginia who is looking to prove they are good this year.
3. Oklahoma (1-1) (0-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 1st
Next Opponent: @ Iowa State
This was very enjoyable watching the Sooners blow a win at home. Typical Sooners. The "prodigy" Spencer Rattler was "rattled" during the game, throwing 3 interceptions on Saturday. Rattler does have 2 more years to get it together but he will need to evolve to show any Heisman potential. Oklahoma has to get it together before they head to Ames Saturday or we may be looking at a bust for this Oklahoma team.
2. Texas (2-0) (1-0 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 3rd
Next Opponent: TCU
The Longhorns do have their offense figured out scoring 63 points on Saturday. But the defense needs a lot of work before they can become real threats to the CFP. If it wasn't for the late-game heroics from Ehlinger then we would be discussing another upset. For Texas, they need to clean up the defense before October 10th when they play Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Texas cannot overlook TCU this week and should beat the Horned Frogs by a small margin.
1. Oklahoma State (2-0) (1-0 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 2nd
Next Opponent: Kansas
Let's hope that when the Cowboys head for Lawrence on Saturday that the offense can finally get going. Only scoring 43 points through 2 games this will not get wins in the Big 12 UNLESS you have one of the best defenses in the country which the Cowboys have. Returning 10 of 11 starters from a year ago and adding a grad transfer, this defense is tough to get through. With a scoop-and-score and 5 sacks on Saturday, this defense is proving everyone wrong about how there is no defense in the Big 12. Expect the Cowboys to keep rolling next week with a blowout win against Kansas.
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