Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State and TCU to decide top spot

1. TCU (3-0, 6-0)

Before their big showdown with Kansas State, the Horned Frogs started the first half off slowly against Oklahoma State and trailed by 14 points early in the game. Quarterback Max Duggan scored their first points late in the first quarter. The Cowboys kept the foot on the gas and went into halftime with a 24-13 lead.

Sonny Dykes‘ team showed incredible resolve by stiffening up on defense and chipping away until it was all tied at 30. It took until double overtime for TCU to hold Mike Gundy’s squad to a field goal and capitalize with a touchdown for the win.

TCU tallied over 500 yards of total offense in the contest thanks to Max Duggan’s solid play with his arm and legs. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston caught eight balls for 180 yards and a score. No other Horned Frog had over 30 yards receiving. Running back Kendre Miller posted over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. (Last: 3)

2. Kansas State (3-0, 5-1)  

K-State had the week off to rest. They now prepare for a massive matchup on the road with the new team to beat in the Big 12. Can Kansas State claim the top spot next week? (Last: 2)

3. Texas (3-1, 5-2)

Texas barely knocked off Iowa State at home, but Quinn Ewers and company did get the job done. Now that they are healthy on offense, the Longhorns will make a serious case as the best team in the conference.

They have the best athletes, and that includes perhaps the best running back in the country in Bijan Robinson. Though, maybe Deuce Vaughn of K-State would argue. Robinson rushed for 135 yards against an elite defense and Xavier Worthy caught two touchdowns.

Even back-up running back Roschon Johnson had a great game and produced 71 yards on 6.5 yards per carry. Ewers didn’t have huge numbers, but he was solid for his second game back under center after an injury that held him out for a month. (Last: 4)

4. Oklahoma State (2-1, 5-1)

The Cowboys’ defense didn’t show much resistance to the running game in Fort Worth. Spencer Sanders had his worst game from a completion percentage standpoint and threw an interception. They also only ran the ball for just 3.4 yards per carry versus TCU.

It is just their first loss of the season and it was only by three in double overtime, but the road doesn’t get easier for Oklahoma State. They now have to face a Texas team that has played every team tough and has only lost by a combined four points in their two losses, and that includes Nick Saban and Alabama. (Last: 1)

5. Oklahoma (1-3, 4-3) 

The Sooner offense is a lot to handle when their quarterback is healthy. Eric Gray is proving to be a top tier running back in the Big 12. Oklahoma had two receivers go for over 100 yards in Marvin Mims and Brayden Willis.

The thing that separates Brent Venables‘ club from the bottom half of the rankings is the fact that they have already played three of the toughest opponents in the league. They lost to all three of Kansas State, TCU and Texas. An easier road is ahead for them.

Oklahoma still has to prove they can beat the likes of Iowa State and Baylor, but Oklahoma State is the toughest matchup left on their schedule and it isn’t for another month. However, the defense has not been nearly up to the standard their defensive-minded head coach had in mind. (Last: 9)

6. Kansas (2-2, 5-2)

Kansas lost to Oklahoma on the road by 10 points without their starting quarterback. It wasn’t a bad showing for the Jayhawk offense, but their defense proved once again to be one of the worst units in the Big 12 and maybe the country.

Kansas allowed 700 yards of total offense to the Sooners. Over 400 of those came from Dillon Gabriel though the air. Eric Gray gashed them for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Jason Bean was respectable under center, but he threw two interceptions. Devin Neal had a great game when given a chance, but he only received 12 carries and Kansas played from behind for three quarters. (Last: 5)

7. Texas Tech (1-2, 3-3)

I think Texas Tech is a team that could pull off some upsets down the road. They already did it to Texas to start conference play and then dropped games to K-State and Oklahoma State on the road. Similar to Oklahoma, they have already gotten through three really tough Big 12 contests.

Now the question is whether or not the Red Raiders can take care of the other bottom dwellers. After a bye week and Tyler Shough possibly back under center, they cannot afford to lose to West Virginia at home this weekend. (Last: 7)

8. West Virginia (1-2, 3-3)

West Virginia still has some serious issues, mainly on the defensive side of the ball, but they were able to beat the defending Big 12 champs at home in a wild Thursday night contest. I’m still not much of a believer in the Mountaineers, but if they can find a way to knock off Texas Tech on the road, it will continue to push them in the right direction. I just don’t see them pulling that one out, though. (Last: 10)

9. Baylor (1-2, 3-3)

It has been a really bad season six games in for Dave Aranda’s team. They really needed that win in Morgantown last Thursday. It certainly didn’t help that starting quarterback Blake Shapen left with an injury while having a good game, but their offense still produced almost 600 yards.

It is their defense that is surprisingly failing. They’ve given up at least 30 points to each of the Big 12 opponents they have faced. They face Kansas at home on Saturday. (Last: 6)

10. Iowa State (0-4, 3-4)  (Last: 8)

Iowa State might have the toughest defense in the league, but unfortunately for them, that hasn’t been enough to earn them a single Big 12 win. Entering a bye week, they have a lot of work to do to fix their offense.

They made some progress with their passing game against Texas, but they failed to rush for over 75 yards. Inconsistencies on that side have haunted them.