Big 12 Post Week 9 Power Rankings
1. TCU
TCU was able to go on the road and get another win in what I thought could be a potential trap game. The first half was back and forth until the end, when TCU took the lead. TCU expanded the lead and held the Mountaineers to 10 points in the second half. TCU has four games remaining on the schedule, and they all will take place in Texas.
2. Kansas State
The Wildcats made a definitive statement with their 48-0 win over Oklahoma State. They got out to a quick start and never looked back, just kept adding to the lead that they had built up. KSU didn’t want to leave anything to chance especially coming off a game in which they had a 28-10 lead only to be shut out in the second half and lose to TCU.
3. Oklahoma State
Mike Gundy talked about his interaction with Chris Klieman after the game. Klieman told Gundy, “I don’t know we could have played a more perfect game against you all,” Gundy responded with, “Well, you picked a shitty day to do it.” The Wildcats did play a perfect game in all facets of the game. They jumped on OSU early and kept adding points while not allowing OSU to get anything easy. Spencer Sanders left the game late with a shoulder injury. Gundy is hopeful that Sanders can play this upcoming week which doesn’t sound very promising for the Cowboys.
4. Baylor
Baylor made a statement in Lubbock with their 45-17 win that the team may be finally finding its team makeup and mentality. Richard Reese led the way again with 36 carries for 148 yards and 3 TDs. The defense played tough regardless of who the QB was for Tech.
5. Texas
Texas had a bye week and will be going to Manhattan as a slight favorite to face a Kanas State team on a high and looking to make a run to the Big 12 Championship.
6. Oklahoma
The offense for Oklahoma took a while to get going, against Iowa State, as they only had two field goals and a touchdown, which was scored on a fake FG in the first half. OU added a pair of touchdowns in the second half and was able to close out the game with a defensive turnover. This was the best game that OU has played since the Nebraska game, and maybe they are turning the corner under Venables.
7. Kansas
The Jayhawks had a bye and will welcome the walking wounded of Oklahoma State.
8. Texas Tech
The 3 QB rotation for Tech did not work, and they all struggled with each throwing at least one interception. They never seemed to get into a rhythm and flow. We will see how they go at TCU this week and what trick plays they pull out to get the upset win.
9. West Virginia
The Mountaineers played TCU close but did not have enough to pull off the upset. WVU can only take a moral victory in this game, and the remaining schedule for WVU is difficult, with them having to win 3 games to get to a bowl.
10. Iowa State
The defense kept them in the game for most of the game, but the offense let them down late with a interception that led to an easy touchdown and a two-score deficiency they couldn’t overcome. They drop to the 10 spot due to the poor offense. A competent offense is the most important in this league, and the Cyclones do not have one.