Big 12 Football – Power Rankings Week 8

Texas solidified their #1 ranking by going on the road and putting a beat down on Missouri.  The Longhorns have their toughest remaining game on their schedule this week when they travel to #2 Oklahoma State.  The two teams expected by most to be at the bottom of the Big 12 North (Kansas State and Iowa State) are now the top ranked Big 12 North teams and are 4th and 5th overall in the  Power Rankings.  Texas A&M was the surprising team of the week going to Texas Tech and beating them by three touchdowns.  The Aggies bounced back from 62-14 trouncing by K-State the week before.

Big Twelve Football – Power Rankings (Week Eight)

The coaching changes seem to be working at Iowa State and Kansas State - the two teams are now on top of the Big 12 North Rankings

1. Texas Longhorns – Overall (7-0) Big 12 (4-0) – BCS Ranking 3
Last week:  (3) Texas 41  Missouri 7
Colt McCoy looked a little more Heisman like throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
Up next: (3) Texas at (14) Oklahoma State

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys – Overall (6-1) Big 12 (3-0) – BCS Ranking 14
Last week:  (15) Oklahoma State 34  Baylor 7
Oklahoma State had an easy win over Baylor in their tune up for the Longhorns.  Texas will get the Cowboys best shot this week.
Up next: (3) Texas at (14) Oklahoma State

3. Oklahoma Sooners – Overall (4-3) Big 12 (2-1)
Last week:  Oklahoma 35  (25) Kansas 13
Oklahoma is a lot better than the 4-3 record would indicate.  Landry Jones was very good, and he will need to be now that Bradford is shut down for the season.
Up next: Kansas State at Oklahoma

4. Kansas State Wildcats – Overall (5-3) Big 12 (3-1)
Last week:   Kansas State 20  Colorado 6
The Wildcats used the running of Daniel Thomas and four turnovers to beat the Buffs.
Up next: Kansas State at Oklahoma

5. Iowa State Cyclones – Overall (5-3) Big 12 (2-2)
Last week:  Iowa State 9  Nebraska 7
The Cyclones beat the Huskers in Lincoln for the first time since 1977 without it’s best two offensive players (RB Alexander Robinson and QB Austen Arnaud)
Up next: Iowa State at Texas A&M

6. Texas Tech Red Raiders – Overall (5-3) Big 12 (2-2)
Last week:  Texas A&M 52  Texas Tech 30
The Aggies forced five turnovers and ran all over the Tech defense.  The number six ranking seems a little high, but who should be above them.
Up next: Kansas at Texas Tech

7. Kansas Jayhawks – Overall (5-2) Big 12 (1-2)
Last week:  Oklahoma 35  (25) Kansas 13
The defense is having a tough time stopping the pass, they can’t be looking forward to the trip to Lubbock.
Up next:  Kansas at Texas Tech

8. Texas A&M Aggies – Overall (4-3) Big 12 (1-2)
Last week:   Texas A&M 52  Texas Tech 30
Will the real Texas A&M Aggies please stand up?  The Aggies rushed for 321 yards and 6 touchdowns in the romp over Tech.
Up next: Iowa State at Texas A&M

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers – Overall (4-3) Big 12 (1-2)
Last week:  Iowa State 9 Nebraska 7
Iowa State forced the Huskers into 8 turnovers, four inside the Cyclone red zone.  The defense has played good enough to win the last two weeks, but needs some help from the offense.
Up next: Nebraska at Baylor

10. Missouri Tigers – Overall (4-3) Big 12 (0-3)
Last week:  (3) Texas 41  Missouri 7
Missouri is still looking for their first win in the Big 12 they should have an opportunity this week at Colorado.
Up next: (3) Texas at Missouri

11. Colorado Buffaloes – Overall (2-5) Big 12 (1-2)
Last week:  Kansas State 20  Colorado 6
Colorado continued their tumble in the loss to the Wildcats, if they don’t win this week they may not win the rest of the year.
Up next: Missouri at Colorado

12. Baylor Bears – Overall (3-4) Big 12 (0-3)
Last week:   (15) Oklahoma State 34  Baylor 7
Baylor appears to be in a free fall after losing QB Robert Griffin.  It is really too bad as a bowl seemed like a real possibility at the start of the year.
Up next: Nebraska at Baylor