The Big XII has always been known as an offensive league with little to no defense, but since this is 2020 and nothing is happening the way it's supposed to, the conference has decided to be one of the best when it comes to defense. This past week we witnessed games that played out like expected with no upsets. Because there were no rankings last week, we have a huge switch in the rankings due to the upset by UT over the top-ranked cowboys in Stillwater on Halloween night. You can check out more in-depth analysis on CFB and the Big XII on our new show that is live on the BCMG Facebook page on Saturday mornings hosted by myself. But in the meantime, here are my Week 11 Big XII Rankings.
10. Kansas (0-7) (0-6 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 10th
Next Opponent: 21 Texas (Nov. 21st)
Is there really anything more to say about this football program? I don't believe there is any chance for the KU football team to win a game this season and if there is any chance it will be when they play Texas Tech later in the year. The past two games have seen a total of 114 points dropped on the Jayhawks while they have only been able to muster up 31 themselves. That is historically bad and no one knows where the turning point for this program is but, some hope that turning point is Les Miles.
9. Baylor (1-4) (1-4 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 9th
Next Opponent: @ Texas Tech (Nov. 14th)
I thought Baylor would improve throughout the season, but they need to show they can close out games in order to move up on this list. The Baylor Bears were up 24-10 in the 3rd quarter on a ranked Iowa State but eventually lost 38-31. The Bears have an above average defense for Big XII standards as they forced three interceptions out of Iowa State QB Brock Purdy last Saturday, but couldn't keep that level of play up throughout the game. The offense will need to find more consistency and big plays if they want to get another win in the conference.
8. Texas Tech (2-5) (1-5 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 6th
Next Opponent: Baylor (Nov. 14th)
The Red Raiders are a young and inexperienced team. This inexperience shows when they play teams like Oklahoma and TCU who are very disciplined and have many multiple-year starters each. Tech has looked rough since the big win against West Virginia two weeks ago, but things may start turning around as two of their last three games are against Baylor and Kansas. Look for the Red Raiders to most likely finish 4-6 this season.
7. TCU (3-3) (3-3 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 8th
Next Opponent: @ West Virginia (Nov. 14th)
As expected, TCU is coming off wins these past two weeks against Baylor and Texas Tech who have not looked good this year. QB Max Duggan is the heartbeat of this team, and if he plays good the Horned Frogs play good. They will go to Morgantown where the Mountaineers will be hungry for a win after almost coming up short against Texas last week. I anticipate the Horned Frogs to keep it close and make the game on Saturday a classic Big XII shootout.
6. Kansas State (4-3) (4-2 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 2nd
Next Opponent: @ 17 Iowa State (Nov. 21st)
Kansas State gave the Oklahoma State Cowboys all they had last week. And if it wasn't for a a fumble recovered for a touchdown by the Cowboys they might have even won the game. The Wildcats have not looked the same without star QB Skylar Thompson. However, some positives for the Wildcat fans who are reading this to look forward to is the emergence of QB Will Howard, fellow freshman RB Deuce Vaughn and the team's strong defense. Kansas State will have a tough test next Saturday as they head to Ames to try and knock off one of the best teams in the Big XII.
5. West Virginia (4-3) (3-3 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 7th
Next Opponent: TCU (Nov. 14th)
The Mountaineers have proven that the game down in Lubbock a few weeks ago was a fluke and that they are a good team this year. They took down the then-ranked Kansas State and came just a few plays short of upsetting the Longhorns in Austin this past Saturday with a 13-17 loss. Shoutout to Just Paul who has been saying this all year but this defense is probably the best in the Big XII, holding UT QB Sam Ehlinger, who has passed for over 200 yards in five of the seven games he's played, to just 189 yards. The one thing that destroyed WVU on Saturday was the running game. They rushed for only 43 yards and will need to get RB Leddie Brown going next Saturday if they want to win.
4. Iowa State (5-2) (5-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 3rd
Next Opponent: Kansas State (Nov. 21st)
Iowa State is second in the Big XII standings but fourth in my rankings because, although getting the job done, they have been struggling lately. In the past two weeks they have defeated Kansas 52-22 and had a tough time against Baylor, trailing most of the game, but eventually winning 38-31. QB Brock Purdy threw for 164 yards and three TD's but also threw three interceptions one of which was returned for a TD. Purdy has been struggling against bad teams and will need to find his groove again if they want to beat a tough Wildcat team. The Cyclones will look to limit Kansas State to the passing game and force their Freshman QB to make tough decisions.
3. Oklahoma State (5-1) (4-1 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 1st
Next Opponent: @ 18 Oklahoma (Nov. 21st)
The Cowboy offense has looked good just once so far, and that was against a bottom-feeding Kansas team. I expected the offense to get going against Kansas State until it was announced - just two hours before kick off - that their star WR, Tylan Wallace, was out for the game, changing everything. QB Spencer Sanders couldn't get anything going without Wallace who has 35 receptions for 588 yards and is the first and second option on this offense. His loss was definitely noticeable on Saturday where the Cowboys were shutout in the first half for the first time since 2014. The only reason Oklahoma State is still 5-1 is because of their amazing defense. The defense was able to contribute with another TD and allowed just 18 points on 370 total yards last week. The key for Oklahoma State to defeat the Sooners will be establishing key players such as Wallace and RB Chuba Hubbard early while forcing freshman QB Spencer Rattler to make freshman mistakes.
2. Texas (5-2) (4-2 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 5th
Next Opponent: @ Kansas (Nov. 21st)
QB Sam Ehlinger did not look great against Oklahoma State, but when it got to the clutch moments he delivered with two key touchdowns and a two-point conversion to tie the game in the 4th quarter. Texas was better equipped for overtime as they had already played in two overtime games this season. Texas is going to need help in order to make the Big XII title game. The Longhorns have a fairly easy schedule moving forward with matchups against Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. I expect UT to barely miss the Conference Championship but make a good bowl in December. But this is the Big XII we are talking about so anything is possible.
1. Oklahoma (5-2) (4-2 Conf.)
Previous Rank: 4th
Next Opponent: 14 Oklahoma State (Nov. 21st)
Even though the Sooners have lost to Kansas State and Iowa State, they have proven they are the best team in this conference. The defense got their leader back in DE Ronnie Perkins after his suspension from last year and has looked dominant since. QB Spencer Rattler has cleaned up his mistakes and is looking very sharp throwing the football. The Sooners key for winning the Bedlam series against their in-state rivals will be to shut down Oklahoma State's offense and lock up WR Tylan Wallace. Just like Texas, the Sooners need help to play in the Big XII title game, unless they win Bedlam this week.
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