Who should be No. 1 in beleaguered Big 12?

The entire Week 2 Big 12 football schedule was played in Stillwater, where OSU survived Tulsa 16-7. The Cowboys played most of the game without starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, who suffered an apparent ankle injury.

Backup QB Ethan Bullock was ineffective, and third-team freshman Shane Illingworth rode to the rescue by leading the Cowboys to consecutive scoring drives that wiped out a 7-3 Tulsa lead in the fourth quarter.

Considering the Big 12's el-splat performance a week ago — only Texas defeated a Division I-A opponent, and the Longhorns beat hapless Texas-El

Paso — how do you rank the conference now?

If you go by quality of victory, OSU is No. 1.

If you go by quality of performance, Texas is No. 1.

If you go by what you think will happen, OU is No. 1.

But you know me. I don't like the eyeball factor. And I don't project. So for this week, I'll hold my nose and rank the Cowboys No. 1.

1. Oklahoma State 1-0: Look at it this way. The Cowboys found a way to win without their quarterback. There's something to be said for that. We'll find out more about the Cowboys if they have to play West Virginia without Sanders on Saturday.

2. Texas 1-0: The Longhorns play at Texas Tech on Saturday. If UT rolls, it likely will be back at No. 1.

3. Oklahoma 1-0: The Sooners host Kansas State on Saturday; strange to be in the last third of September and still know so little about this OU squad.

4. Baylor 0-0: Total bummer that Baylor-Houston was wiped out. I hope this isn't the norm but it might be. BaylorLouisiana Tech was canceled by COVID on the Bulldogs' side. Houston-Memphis was canceled by COVID on the Tigers' side. So Baylor and Houston got together, and Baylor canceled because of COVID. What a mess.

5. TCU 0-0: The Horned Frogs are scheduled to host Iowa State on Saturday. Anyone that has the slightest idea what will happen, you're one up on me.

6. West Virginia 1-0: OSU beat the Mountaineers last year without Sanders. Can the Cowboys do it again? Just remember that Dru Brown was a really good backup.

7. Kansas State 0-1: The Wildcats often have really good wins after inexplicable losses. Can K-State rebound quickly after a loss to Arkansas State?

8. Iowa State 0-1: After TCU, the Cyclones host OU.

9. Kansas 0-1: The Jayhawks play at Baylor on Saturday.

10. Texas Tech 1-0: Can the Red Raiders challenge Texas?