POWER RANKINGS

1. Texas (2-0): The Longhorns erased a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter before finishing off Texas Tech in overtime. Tom Herman’s program is atop the power rankings out of default because there isn’t a single Big 12 team that looks like a national title contender.

2. Oklahoma State (2-0): True freshman quarterback Shane Illingworth was adequate in the win over West Virginia, but it is the defense (allowing 10 points per game) keeping Mike Gundy’s squad undefeated.

3. Baylor (1-0): The Bears shook off the rust against Kansas, which is the equivalent of scheduling a cupcake from Conference USA. Head coach Dave Aranda won his first game, but the schedule can only get tougher following a home game against the Jayhawks.

4. Kansas State (1-1): Chris Kleiman became the first head coach to beat Oklahoma twice during Lincoln Riley’s tenure. Is Kansas State’s identity more aligned with the squad that lost to Arkansas State or the team that went into Norman and beat the Sooners?

5. Oklahoma (1-1): Oklahoma falls to fifth in the power rankings after blowing a 21-point lead in the second half. Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler is going to be an NFL draft pick one day, but he’s also going to give Riley headaches as he matures. The Oklahoma defense continues to struggle.

6. Iowa State (1-1): The loss to Louisiana to start the season doesn’t look as bad with the Ragin’ Cajuns moving to 3-0. Iowa State welcomed TCU to the 2020 season with a win in Fort Worth. Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy needs to improve for the program to compete for a spot in the Big 12 championship game.

7. West Virginia (1-1): The Mountaineers are improving, but it wasn’t enough to pull off an upset at Oklahoma State because the offense isn’t explosive enough. West Virginia managed 13 points. That group needs to average more than 20 points to sniff a bowl appearance.

8. Texas Tech (1-1): Texas Tech football isn’t a secret. The offense is capable of scoring 50 on any defense. The defense is capable of allowing 60 points to any offense. The Red Raiders lost in predictable fashion despite a 15-point lead on Texas with less than four minutes remaining in the contest.

9. TCU (0-1): TCU waited until the second half to play quarterback Max Duggan. That decision by head coach Gary Patterson and the offensive staff is among the main reasons why TCU is 0-1 in conference play.

10. Kansas (0-2): Kansas probably loses on bye weeks.