Big 12 power rankings
Post week two Power Rankings
I wanted to wait another week so that we would have more data points on each team but decided to do this article after our first Big 12 conference game, and it was a great way to start the conference season off.
Oklahoma - OU did struggle with Kent State for a half before turning it on in the second half and was dominant in their first game against UTEP. This week they go to Lincoln to face a Nebraska team fresh off firing their homegrown head coach, Scott Frost. This will also be Brent Venables’ first road game as a head coach and will be in a hostile environment.
Oklahoma State - OSU played a better 60 min game against Arizona State than they did in week one when they played Central Michigan. Against CMU, the Pokes got out to a big first-half lead and coasted the rest of the way. The Chippewas did make the score look close in the fourth quarter, but that could be due to playing backups and players deeper on the depth chart. OSU's offense and defense played better against the Sun Devils and could control the game without it being in doubt for most of the game.
Baylor - The Bears dropped a double-overtime game to BYU on the road, but this game showed their offense's limitations. They also lost their best wide receiver in Monaray Baldwin. The skill positions are also young and will take some time to get used to the level that they need to play at.
Kansas State - KSU has played well on offense relying on Deuce Vaughn with Adrian Martinez having to do little from the passing offense, but that is how their offense is structured and will work the best. Their defense has also been good, but the quality of opponents does question how good this team can be.
Iowa State - ISU got a huge rivalry win over Iowa in a game that just screams Iowa football with the final score of 10-7. The development of Hunter Dekkers at quarterback will determine how good of a season the Cyclones will have.
Texas - Texas played the number one team in the country tough and had the lead with under a min to go in the game, but the lack of scoring touchdowns and losing Quinn Ewers led to Alabama coming back and win the game. It’s time for Bijan to take the lead while Ewers is out with his injury.
TCU - TCU had a good first game beating Colorado on the road even though the offense struggled in the first half. They were able to turn it on in the second half and pulled away for a victory. The following week was against Tarleton, and Max Duggan showed off his passing ability, although it was against a meager opponent. TCU has a bye this week before the Battle for the Iron Skillet in Dallas.
Texas Tech - Tech beat Murray State and came from behind to beat Houston in double-overtime, even converting a fourth-and-20 in the first overtime to continue the game. Their next game is on the road in against North Carolina State and will be a real test to see how improved McGuire has the Red Raiders in his first year.
Kansas - Kansas is 2-0 to the begin the season, and it has been 11 years since they have been able to say that. Lance Leipold seems to have turned KU football around and will be more than a bottom dweller this year.
West Virginia - The hot seat for Neal Brown is growing after the home season opener in which they lost to Kansas. That game has usually been a win; for Brown, it was a must-win game after the loss to Pitt to begin the season. WVU gets Towson before a couple of challenging road games. They can’t go any lower in the conference rankings than where they currently are, but it would be a shot to the Mountaineer’s confidence if they could not beat Towson.
