BIG 12 THIS WEEK
POWER RANKINGS
The Steve Sarkisian era started with a win for Texas over then-ranked Louisiana. Iowa State and Oklahoma? A bunch of meh from both the Sooners, who had to fight off Tulane at home, and the Cyclones, who almost had another early-season setback. Both Top 10 teams didn’t impress. The Cats of Manhattan drummed intersectional opponent Stanford. Here’s where we have the Big 12 teams ranked in the power poll:
1. Texas (1-0)
It may be for only one week, but the new-look Longhorns rolled a ranked team in the Rajun’ Cajuns with no drama at all. New starting quarterback? No issues. Revamped coaching staff? No turnovers. The win started the Bijan Robinson for Heisman hype train.
2. Oklahoma (1-0)
Perhaps it was the last-minute shift of the Tulane game to Norman after Hurricane Ida scuppered the matchup in New Orleans, but the Sooners didn’t wake up until the second quarter and fell asleep in the fourth. Two picks for QB Spencer Rattler isn’t a good way to start the season.
3. Iowa State (1-0)
The Cyclones sleep-walked in the second half, scoring only three points to a Northern Iowa team that went 3-4 in the Missouri Valley in 2020. Iowa State needs to step it up against true rival and ranked Iowa this weekend.
4. Kansas State (1-0)
The only other Big 12 team with a “good” victory this past weekend. The Wildcats held Stanford to only 233 total yards, forcing six punts and two turnovers. The K-State offense averaged 7.6 yards per play behind Deuce Vaughn’s 124 yards on only 13 carries.
5. Texas Tech (1-0)
What a comeback from the Red Raiders on the road against potential future conference mate Houston. Matt Wells’ side stormed back to score 31 points in the final 30 minutes. Tahj Brooks bulled his way to 134 yards on 15 carries.
6. TCU (1-0)
Routed Duquense in a clear mismatch. The Dukes were held to 137 yards by Gary Patterson’s group, but holding a team that didn’t play in 2020 to that low number may be par for the course.
7. Oklahoma State (1-0)
Another poor opponent for a Big 12 team, another dreadful showing at home for the Cowboys. The Bears almost matched a Mike Gundy offense by posting 336 yards to Okie State’s 369.
8. West Virginia (0-1)
Yes, the Mountaineers were one of two Big 12 teams that played a Power 5 opponent, but it was Maryland at home, and the Country Road squad allowed nearly 500 yards of offense.
9. Baylor (1-0)
The Bears edge out a win versus a Texas State squad that won two games last year. Dave Aranda’s squad looks to be the shell of the program that Matt Rhule built.
10. Kansas (1-0)
Good news - the Jayhawks won a game for the first time since 2019. The bad news - the offense struggled versus FCS South Dakota, managing only 245 total yards.