Welcome to this week's edition of the Big 12 Power rankings. Some shuffling in the order this week, but no big breakouts.
#1 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-1, 3-1)
Nebraska's Roy Helu Jr lept out for a huge game this week, with over 300 yards rushing, giving him a virtual lock on the Big 12 Offensive Player of the week. After scoring 24 on Mizzou in the first quarter, the game coasted to a finish, with the Blackshirts giving Blaine Gabbert all sorts of fits. The Cornhusker version of man coverage is a scary thing to behold when it holds up. I'm sure Mr Gabbert would agree. Nebraska gets the nod over Oklahoma in the top spot after knocking off the unbeaten Tigers.
#2 Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 3-1)
The Sooners trounced Colorado in the late late night game, winning easily 43-10. Most of us expected Oklahoma to bounce back after last weeks loss in Columbia, but the game against the Tigers will continue to haunt them in Norman. Oklahoma heads to College Station to take on the Aggies next week.
#3 Baylor Bears (7-2, 4-1)
I debated who to put here, but after their win in Austin, I give the nod to the Bears. Robert Griffin III managed to pick apart the Longhorn defense and sealed the win with a touchdown early in the 3rd Quarter. The officials again this week attempted to give everything to the Longhorns, but they couldn't make anything of it. Baylor plays at Oklahoma State next week, with the Big 12 South on the line.
#4 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-1, 3-1)
The Cowboys don't deserve to drop a spot after beating the Wildcats, but without Justin Blackmon their offense looked somewhat anemic. They pulled out for the win in Manhattan, but next week will make or break the Cowboy's hopes of a Big 12 South crown.
#5 Missouri Tigers (7-1, 3-1)
The Tigers fall pretty far out of first place, but they were beat in a convincing fashion in Lincoln this week. After everything went right last week against the Sooners, nothing went right this week. The Tigers can still salvage a good season, but no longer control their own destiny for the Big 12 North. Mizzou heads to Lubbock to face a slumping Red Raider team next week.
#6 Iowa State Cyclones (5-4, 3-2)
The Cyclones had a slow start against Kansas, but came back in the third quarter to win in a convincing fashion. Iowa State controls it's own destiny in the quest for a Big 12 Crown, along with Nebraska, who they face in Ames next week.
7-12 after the jump
#7 Kansas State Wildcats (5-3, 2-3)
The Wildcats appear to be slumping down the stretch of the Big 12 schedule, but have a game at North Texas in Week 13 to secure bowl eligibility. K-State beat ISU earlier in the season, but no longer control their destiny in the Big 12 North. The Wildcats host the schizophrenic Longhorns next week in Manhattan.
#8 Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2)
The Aggies won in convincing fashion this week over the Red Raiders, but lost their starting Running back Christine Michael. This is a blow that could be felt during the closing games of the season. The Aggies remain one game from bowl eligibility as they host the Sooners in College Station.
#9 Texas Longhorns (4-4, 2-3)
Who can figure out the Longhorns? They play terribly at home. Maybe they'll head on the road and figure things out at K-State this week. One continues to wonder as the screaming for the head of Greg Davis goes up a notch.
#10 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-4, 2-4)
Tommy Tubberville's first year in Lubbock is not turning out so well. The Red Raiders have been struggling mightily as the season goes on, dropping a game to an Aggie team that doesn't look that spectacular. The good news for the Red Raiders is that two games against non-conference opponents remain after they finish their Big 12 slate, hosting Mizzou next week and playing in Norman the following week.
#11 Colorado Buffaloes (3-5, 0-4)
Bowl hopes continue to dim in Boulder as the Buffaloes got crushed by the Sooners. Colorado fans have to be hoping that the season will just be over so they can go to the Pac-10. Colorado plays at the Jayhawks next week in a game to decide last place in the Big 12 North.
#12 Kansas Jayhawks (2-6, 0-4)
Quinn Mecham showed some fire in the first half against the Cyclones, but it all fell apart like a house of cards in the 2nd half. The Jayhawks play the pillow-fight of the week next week when they host the Buffs.
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