POWER RANKINGS
Is this the final year for the current makeup of the Big 12? As 2021 starts, Oklahoma enters as the favorite to win its seventh straight conference title. Could it be the Sooners’ final one? Matt Campbell’s Iowa State program is starting to peak with his first preseason Top 10 squad. The Steve Sarkisian era at Texas kicks off Saturday as schools get back to hosting full stadiums for the first time in two seasons.
Oklahoma (9-2, 2020 record)
This week: vs. Tulane
The Sooners start the season as a possible dark-horse national champion with Heisman front-runner Spencer Rattler back for his junior year. Oklahoma gets a break the first week by hosting Tulane, a game originally scheduled for New Orleans but moved due to Hurricane Ida.
Iowa State (9-3)
This week: vs. Northern Iowa
Quarterback Brock Purdy returns for his senior year as the Cyclones figure to be the easy No. 2 pick in the Big 12 with their high ranking in the preseason poll.
Texas (7-3)
This week: vs. Louisiana
The Longhorns are on their third offensive and defensive coordinators in three years. Will this year’s version of the Bevos fare better than last year’s 70% winning clip?
Oklahoma State (8-3)
This week: vs. Missouri State
Another Big 12 returning quarterback starter, Spencer Sanders has flashed in his first two seasons in Stillwater, but can he make a leap this season with quarterback guru Mike Gundy?
TCU (6-4)
This week: vs. Duquesne
Another season, another Gary Patterson-led strong defense. Can the Frogs create enough offense behind returning starting quarterback Max Duggan?
West Virginia (6-4)
This week: at Maryland
Coach Neal Brown enters his third year at the helm of the Mountaineers as his squad improved immensely from 2019. Ground game needs to improve for WVU to make any headway in the conference.
Kansas State (4-6)
This week: vs. Stanford
Coach Chris Klieman hopes Deuce Vaughn can be the all-round weapon that was flashed in his freshman campaign last season. The Wildcats aim to up their winning streak over Oklahoma to three in 2021.
Baylor (2-7)
This week: at Texas State
Dave Aranda’s squad should surpass its win total from last year by the third week of the season after the Bears feast on cupcakes Texas State, Texas Southern and Kansas.
Texas Tech (4-6)
This week: vs. Houston
Red Raider favorite son Sonny Cumbie returns to the Hub City as the offensive coordinator to recharge that side of the ball that has completely fallen off the past two years.
Kansas (0-9)
This week: vs. South Dakota Can any coach figure out football in Lawrence? Proven winner Lance Leipold might be the tonic that Jayhawk faithful need to believe once again.