After last week, it's time to throw out the previous power rankings and start from scratch. This season is beyond bizarre for the Big 12, and you know it's true when Baylor is alone atop the Big 12 South standings and the other 3 Texas teams are 4th through 6th. Toss in Mizzou beating Oklahoma and these Power Rankings will look unlike anything we've yet seen.
#1 Missouri (7-0, 3-0)
Without a doubt, Mizzou proved that this is where it belongs... at least until next Saturday. I watched most of the Oklahoma game and I was continually impressed by Blaine Gabbert. The really important thing he did, in my mind, was not try to win the game himself. He organized, he directed, he orchestrated.... he led. For all those reasons, he's the best Quarterback in the Big 12, period.
#2 Nebraska (6-1, 2-1)
People are going to scream at me for putting Nebraska here, but until they face the Tigers, I feel like either team could end up being the winner of the Big 12. Taylor Martinez responded this week showing that he's not a one-dimensional Quarterback, and that he can pass almost as well as he runs. That's terrific news for Nebraska, after they were embarrassed in their home stadium. I expect the Huskers to be strong down the stretch.
#3 Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1)
Oh how the mighty have fallen, oh wait, that's Texas. Throughout the 4th quarter I was expecting Landry Jones to lead the Sooners to victory. Instead, a set of bewildering plays were called. The unsuccessful two-point conversion, the failed on-side kick, followed by some really terrible defensive play from a Sooner team that looked a lot better in weeks past. Look for the Sooners to get back on the horse when they beat up Colorado.
#4 Oklahoma State (6-1, 2-1)
Give OSU credit, they scorched the Nebraska Defense for 41 points, and that's no mean feat. In the end, their own defense seems to be getting worse and worse, and finally lost them a game. Earlier in the season when they played Lousiana-Layfette the OSU defense looked really awful in the 1st half. They did much better the 2nd half, but either way the OSU defense needs some work if they want to go to the Big 12 Championship in December.
#5 Baylor (6-2, 3-1)
The Bears are bowl eligible! I'm actually really impressed that Robert Griffin III has lived up to the expectations. Playing partially injured he's scorched defenses and fought his way to Baylor's first bowl game since 1994. It's an astonishing accomplishment and Baylor worked their butts off for it. They sit atop the Big 12 South standings at 3-1, but I don't expect them to finish there. Baylor could lose every single one of it's games from here on out and still have a fantastic season. The beleaguered Longhorns host the Bears next week.
#6 Kansas State (5-2, 2-2)
Kansas State appears to be falling apart. Opposing defenses have the KSU offensive strategy locked in, and Carson Coffman can't win games with his arm. K-State should eek out at least one, maybe two more wins for the season, over Colorado and North Texas, and head for a bowl game, but that's about it. One wonders how long Bill Snyder will continue to coach.
#7 Iowa State (4-4, 2-2)
Who knew the Cyclones had it in them? I certainly didn't. Count me among the unbelievers but Paul Rhoads pulled off a miracle this week in Austin. The Cyclones improve to .500 on the season and have a real chance at a bowl game again this year, and that is nothing short of a stunning success when playing one of the toughest schedules in the country and no less than 7 Ranked Opponents.
#8 Texas Tech (4-3, 2-3)
Texas Tech came from behind led by able Quarterback Taylor Potts to put away Colorado on the road. It was a gritty close win and shows that the Red Raiders are trying to pull themselves out of the ditch they dug at the beginning of Big 12 play. With at least 2 and possibly 3 winnable games left on the schedule, Tommy Tuberville's first year in Lubbock may not have been a stunning success, but the Red Raiders will make a bowl game. Tubbs should get more chances to train a defense in Lubbock, which will undoubtedly be the first defense ever seen there.
#9 Texas (4-3, 2-2)
Buildings imploding, fans booing, and no Quarterback in sight. Just some of the things you can see in Austin, Texas this year. Mack Brown literally looked about ready to pop a blood vessel after losing to Iowa State this Saturday. I can understand his frustration with his team, but someone has to get out there and lead the Longhorns. It's really that simple. No leadership leads to losses, cliche as that sounds. Baylor comes to town and should be an easy win for the Longhorns.... had they not just lost to the Cyclones. In reality, I think Mack Brown gets off the mat and waxes the floor with players mad enough to chew iron and spit nails.
#10 Texas A&M (4-3, 1-2)
What was supposed to be a breakout year in College Station has instead started to spiral out of control. One wonders how hot Mike Sherman's coaching seat is getting. Crushing Kansas this week certainly helped a little bit, sort of like throwing an ice cube at a bon-fire. The rest of the season looks grim for the Aggies, and only time will tell if they can make a bowl game.
#11 Colorado (3-4, 0-3)
Colorado continually finds ways to lose football games, and that does absolutely nothing for Coach Hawkins. After the Buff's starting Quarterback went down with a season ending injury, Cody Hawkins, the coaches son, will lead the team. Probably not to victory though. Memories of the boo's from last year have to sting, maybe that will prove a motivator for young Hawkins. Probably not next week, though, as Colorado heads to Norman where it will get taken out behind the woodshed by an angry Sooner team.
#12 Kansas (2-5, 0-3)
Watching teams beat up on Kansas has almost stopped being fun to watch. It's to the point where you really feel sorry for the Jayhawks. It's been the season from hell in Lawrence and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. Kansas heads to Ames to face the Cyclones, who are fresh off their first victory against Texas. Turner Gill should get things turned around a bit next year, but this season is pretty much a write-off.
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