BIG 12 THIS WEEK
The Sooner State controls the conference’s destiny at the moment. And in Oklahoma, it’s not just the Sooners at the top, but the Cowboys as well. All pundits thought OU would be at the top of the Big 12 this season and that Lincoln Riley’s crew would claim its seventh straight crown. But Mike Gundy’s squad is undefeated as well and just disposed of a ranked Baylor team. Here’s where we have the Big 12 teams ranked in the power poll this week:
Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0)
This week: vs. Texas Probably the most impressive win for the Sooners this season this past weekend considering the opponent Kansas State. The Wildcats had knocked off OU the past two seasons. QB Spencer Rattler’s numbers were still pedestrian in the win.
Oklahoma State (5-0, 2-0)
This week: off
The Fighting Mullets outlasted Baylor in a defensive struggle that saw QB Spencer Sanders toss three INTs. The Cowboys’ ground game piled up 219 yards and the Cowboys’ D only allowed 280 total yards.
Texas (4-1, 2-0)
This week: vs. Oklahoma The Longhorns move up a slot after a sloppy win over nemesis TCU. Texas hadn’t won in Fort Worth since 2013, and RB Bijan Robinson’s 238 total yards announced his candidacy for the Heisman Trophy.
Baylor (4-1, 2-1)
This week: vs. West Virginia The Bears slip a spot after the road loss to a ranked Oklahoma State team. Dave Aranda’s crew plays solid defense and will give fits to teams visiting Waco this season.
Iowa State (3-2, 1-1)
This week: off
The Cyclones dismantled Kansas. Ho hum. But perhaps the blowout win gives this former Top-10 squad a jolt to make a run to the conference title game again? A slice of Jayhawks could be the tonic that QB Brock Purdy needed to eat.
Kansas State (3-2, 0-2)
This week: off
The Wildcats have now lost to the only undefeated teams in the conference. Can they feast on lesser teams in the conference? We may not find out until next week. The Cats have to play Iowa State Oct. 16 to end a brutal threeweek stretch.
Texas Tech (4-1, 1-1)
This week: vs. TCU
Somehow Matt Wells is on the hot seat in Lubbock despite being two wins away from bowl eligibility. If the Raiders can get by TCU at home, they should sew up a postseason berth in week seven versus Kansas.
TCU (2-2, 0-1)
This week: at Texas Tech
RB Zach Evans is one of the bright spots on Gary Patterson’s squad, but the coach only gave Evans 15 carries despite averaging 7.5 yards per tote. TCU has a vital game in Lubbock on Saturday.
West Virginia (2-3, 0-2)
This week: vs. Baylor
What looked like a promising season after a win over then-ranked Virginia Tech has gone south. After almost pulling the upset over OU, the Mountaineers were comatose in the first half in the loss to Texas Tech.
Kansas (1-4, 0-2)
This week: off
Another game where the defense gave up 45 or more points. The Jayhawks couldn’t slow down Iowa State, giving up 564 yards a week after allowing 607 to Duke.