Big 12 Power Rankings - Week 8

Kansas State is somehow the last undefeated Big 12 team.  (Zimbio.com)

1.  Kansas State - I predicted the Iowa State game was going to be a close one for the Wildcats and it was.  Iowa State had two chances at the end of the game to mount a game-winning drive, but K-State's defense made Jared Barnett look like a fool.  Frankly, I'm still not sold that Kansas State is the best team in the Big 12, but they have they are undefeated, so they have to be atop the rankings.  The biggest game of the year for the Wildcats is next week as they travel to West Virginia.

2.  Oklahoma -  I thought this would be the year for Texas to finally beat Oklahoma.  I'm an idiot.  The Sooners compiled 677 yards on the Horns in the beatdown and ended the game with over 14 more minutes of possession.  It was a complete domination, nothing much more I can say.  Stoops is now 9-5 against Mack Brown.

3.  West Virginia - Seriously West Virginia, seriously?  You are the talk of the nation, you have the Heisman frontrunner, and you look like your the clear favorite for the Big 12 title, and you get THUMPED on the road against Texas Tech?  I'm not sure who should be blamed more for the loss; the defense or the offense?  We all know the defense is terrible, but that still isn't an excuse for giving up 49.  Geno Smith and the offense didn't have all that bad of a game numerically, but going 9-21 and 2-7 on 3rd and 4th down lost them the game.  Geno Smith can regain the Heisman hype with a win over K-State next weekend.

4.  Texas Tech - The win over West Virginia was a fluke, but it wasn't a fluke.  I think Texas Tech is for real this year.  The main reason for the Red Raiders being a legitimate Big 12 team instead of being at the bottom of the league; Art Kaufman.  The Red Raiders, who have always been known for their poor defenses, are ranked 4th in the nation in total defense.  Who is ahead of them, you ask?  Oh, I don't know, only the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Florida State.  Yup, Texas Tech is legit.

5.  TCU - Positions 5-9 in these rankings are all really close to each other so don't go ballistic when you see Oklahoma State and Baylor behind Iowa State.  Anyway, I'm putting TCU fifth because of there performance last week against Baylor.  They did snap their winning-streak at home against Iowa State a week ago, but QB Trevone Boykin only had a day to practice.  This week he was much, much bettter as he completed 22 of 30 passes for 4 TDs.

6.  Texas - Oh Texas, how I so want to put you below this spot.  Remember when we all thought that the Texas Longhorns were officially back to glory after beating the Pokes on the road?  Since then, you have lost the most important home game you've had in quite some time, you were just embarrassed by Oklahoma (again...), stud DE Jackson Jeffcoat is out for the season, and David Ash broke his wrist but didn't and now says he is going to play Saturday (???).  In the end, what separates the Horns from the teams below is UT's talent.

7.  Iowa State - Iowa State fans could probably make a strong case to be ranked 5th.  They beat TCU on the road, barely lost to KSU, and their only other loss was to Texas Tech who is now 17th in the BCS.  That's nothing to be shamed of.  Somewhat surprisingly, Iowa State is ranked 24th in the new BCS rankings (although, I don't think there is any doubt that ISU isn't one of the top 25 teams in the nation).  However, the mediocrity that is Iowa State's QBs are really limiting them from taking the next step.

8.  Baylor - If Baylor's defense could have, ya know, stopped WVU from scoring 70 points in a single game and if the offense could have, ya know, not turned the ball over 6 times against TCU, they would probably be 3rd or so.  However, that didn't happen and the Bears are now 0-2 in conference play.  Random thought, does anyone else really hate Baylor's black uniforms like me?

9.  Oklahoma State - I feel guilty for putting Okie State so low.  They only have one conference loss (a very close one at that) and are the reigning Big 12 champs.  But Saturday's performance against Kansas drops you all the way down to 9th.  Oklahoma State, who averaged 48.7 PPG last year, only managed 20 points against Kansas.  Let me repeat, Oklahoma State, the team known across the nation for their potent offense, scored 20 points against Kansas...

10.  Kansas - We all know Kansas is really bad.  However, I think it is unfair for people to put so much blame on Charlie Weis and for fans to want to abandon him after the first season.

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