POWER RANKINGS
1. Oklahoma State (3-0): The Cowboys received another week to let QB Spencer Sanders heal from an injury he suffered in the season opener. A quarterback controversy is brewing in Stillwater with Sanders’ spot not guaranteed when he returns from injury because true freshman Shane Illingsworth is playing well.
2. Iowa State (3-1): The Cyclones were idle, receiving an extra week of prep time for a road trip to Stillwater to take on the undefeated Cowboys of Oklahoma State. The winner is on the inside track towards one of the two spots in the Big 12 championship game scheduled for December.
3. Kansas State (3-1): Kansas State rebounded from a season-opening loss to win three straight. The Wildcats should increase the winning streak to four games after hosting in-state rival Kansas. The Jayhawks will limp into the contest at 0-4 following a loss to West Virginia. This game gives quarterback Will Howard a chance to add some experience in relief of the injured Skylar Thompson.
4. West Virginia (3-1): The Mountaineers are the pleasant surprise of the Big 12 through the first month of the season. The only blemish came on the road to Oklahoma State. The defense is playing great, and the offense is riding the legs of Leddie Brown, who is second in the conference with 515 yards rushing.
5. Oklahoma (2-2): Oklahoma is struggling with consistency through the first four games of the season. Any year that doesn’t end in a Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoffs is considered a waste in Norman.
6. Baylor (1-1): The Bears simply can’t get on the field consistently in 2020. A road trip to Texas, if it happens, will tell us a lot about Dave Aranda’s progress in his first season as the head coach in Waco.
7. TCU (1-2) Head coach Gary Patterson must feel like 2020 is a repeat of the headaches his team faced last season with the inability to find consistency at QB.
8. Texas (2-2): A growing number of fans want Texas to explore options outside of head coach Tom Herman. The name Urban Meyer is floating around the airwaves in Austin, meaning the Texas faithful is officially on tilt and ready to sell their soul for a chance to win.
9. Texas Tech (1-3): Texas Tech replaced quarterback Alan Bowman with Henry Columbi the last time out, and it appears like the Red Raiders are sticking with the decision heading into the contest with West Virginia. The defense remains a problem for the Red Raiders.
10. Kansas (0-4): West Virginia scored 38 consecutive points against Kansas after giving the Jayhawks a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. It was a sweet, but futile, gesture by West Virginia. Kansas managed seven first downs in the loss.