Big 12 Post Week 8 Power Rankings
1. TCU (Prev: 2)
TCU beat another ranked opponent for the fourth week in a row. They have set themselves apart from the rest of the conference. The first half against Kansas State was a struggle but was able to bounce back in the second half behind a defense that shut out the Wildcats. The offense answered with 28 unanswered points after being down 28-10. Kendre Miller led the rushing attack that, as a team, had 56 attempts for 215 yards and two scores. Miller accounted for 29 attempts for 153 yards and the two scores. Next is a potential trap game at West Virginia for an early kickoff.
2. Oklahoma State (Prev: 3)
The Cowboys were having trouble stopping Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson of Texas, but Steve Sarkisian let Quinn Ewers try to win the game and can back to bite them. OSU rallied behind a home-field advantage and won 41-34 over Texas. Spencer Sanders had a career-high in attempts and completions as he was 34-57 for 391 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. He continues to carry the offense as the rushing attack has limited production. The team totaled 142 yards but did have 3 scores.
3. Kansas State (Prev: 1)
The health of Adrian Martinez and several other players affected them in the second half. They had built a nice lead in the first half but couldn’t add anything after halftime, and the defense could not stop TCU enough. KSU has a matchup at home vs Oklahoma St, and the winner will have an inside track to the Big 12 Championship game.
4. Baylor (Prev: 6)
Baylor looked to have rebounded in the first half before they allowed Kansas back in the game in the second half. Richard Reese led the way with 186 yards on the ground and 2 scores. Baylor still has an outside shot at the Big 12 Championship but will need some help.
5. Texas (Prev: 4)
Texas had a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter, but they went away from what got them there, and that was the run game. Texas let Quinn Ewers throw 49 attempts and only complete 19 of them. This was his first road college football game that he had played in. Why Texas’ coaching staff put so much pressure on him to win the game is puzzling.
6. Kansas (Prev: 5)
Kansas was down 28-3 at the half and almost made a comeback but could only get to a 5-point game they couldn’t pull a Patriots Super Bowl comeback to win the game. Jason Bean played well, but his play has slowly dropped off week and week. Kansas needs one win to get to six wins and become bowl eligible. Where is going to come from?
7. Texas Tech (Prev: 9)
Tech welcomed West Virginia to Lubbock, racked up 594 offensive yards, and only allowed 282 yards to the Mountaineers. Tech also got 4 turnovers, which was a bloodbath for a Tech win.
8. Oklahoma (Prev: 8)
The Sooners had a bye week to work on their defense and get healthy overall as they prepared for a stingy Iowa State team.
9. Iowa State (Prev: 10)
The Cyclones had a bye week to work on their offense to keep up with Oklahoma, who they welcome in their next game.
10. West Virginia (Prev: 7)
The Mountaineers went to Lubbock and would like to forget the trip they had made. They had less than 300 yards on offense while allowing more than double that to Texas Tech. The Neal Brown hot seat rekindles its flame just one week after it had simmered down following a win over Baylor.
