Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State watches last week's carnage

After opening up Big 12 play 1-0, Kansas State sat back and watched the carnage unfold in the second weekend of conference action. Before the Wildcats get back to playing, the K-State Online staff takes another crack at ranking the Big 12.

1. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Mason: 1
DY: 1
Drew: 1

Nothing new here. The Longhorns dominated another opponent. This week the victim was Kansas. Texas was a heavy favorite before word of the absence of Jalon Daniels surfaced. It was a slow start, but enough big Jonathon Brooks runs helped the Longhorns race away for the 40-14 win. The first real test of the season awaits at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. It’ll be interesting to see if it is Oklahoma or Kansas State that applies more resistance to Texas this year.
Next game: vs Oklahoma, 11:00 AM ABC

2. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Mason: 2
DY: 2
Drew: 2

Similar to Texas, Oklahoma has dominated the first five teams on their schedule. Oklahoma’s opponents have been of a lesser stature though. The Sooners have proven that they can’t be judged until they face a real challenge. A win in Dallas this weekend over rival Texas changes the tune of the Sooners.
Next game: vs Texas, 11:00 AM ABC

3. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Mason: 3
DY: 3
Drew: 3

K-State didn’t play last week and it gave them the advantage of not taking an embarrassing loss like the rest of the league seemed susceptible to. Last weekend also proved that despite the flaws of Kansas State, they are easily in the top three of the conference.
Next game: at Oklahoma State, Friday 6:30 PM ESPN

4. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Mason: 4
DY: 5
Drew: 4

Jalon Daniels missed another game with a mysterious back injury. Kansas also faced the fact that their defense wasn’t as improved as they thought. Despite those issues, I think when they are right Kansas has the fourth-highest ceiling in the Big 12 thanks to Lance Leipold and his coaching staff. The benefit of the doubt will run out with a home loss on Saturday. Ultimately, their biggest judgment from those in Lawrence will be dictated by how they also fare at home later in the year against K-State.
Next game: vs UCF, 3:00 PM FOX

5. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Mason: 5
DY: 4
Drew: 5

Wow. Started from the bottom now we’re here. Shoutout to West Virginia who was a heavy favorite to finish dead last in the league. Neal Brown now has his team 4-1 and tied with Texas and Oklahoma at 2-0 in the Big 12. It seems likely that he has saved his job and will continue to add a few more wins on his schedule. The Mountaineers are gritty and proved they can battle with their win at TCU.
Next game: at Houston, 10/12 6:00 PM FS1

6. TCU HORNED FROGS

Mason: 6
DY: 6
Drew: 7

In a three-point loss to West Virginia, the Horned Frogs missed three field goals. Every opportunity was there, but they couldn’t find the magic they had in close games during 2022. This is probably the right spot in the rankings for TCU. It will take a huge win somewhere in the schedule, maybe in Manhattan versus Kansas State in a few weeks, to get people believing again.
Next game: at Iowa State, 7:00 PM FS2

7. BYU COUGARS

Mason: 7
DY: 8
Drew: 6

Bouncing back on a Friday night for their first Big 12 win was important for the Cougars who had a strong non-conference. BYU is still the only newcomer to the Big 12 with a league victory, they now get a week off to prepare for a road trip to TCU.
Next game: at TCU, 10/14 2:30 PM ESPN

T-8. UCF KNIGHTS

Mason: 8
DY: 9
Drew: 8

UCF seemed in control against Baylor, looking like they would bounce back from the loss at K-State and claim the fourth spot in the conference. Then a 28-point collapse came, despite some late Timmy McClain magic. John Rhys Plumlee should be available for the game in Lawrence this weekend, as UCF approaches must-win territory.
Next game: at Kansas, 3:00 PM FOX

T-8. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Mason: 9
DY: 7
Drew: 9

Houston looked up to the task early, but a 35-28 halftime score turned into a blowout and important win for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders might be able to recapture some momentum and hype with a road win in Waco.
Next game: at Baylor, 7:00 PM ESPN2

10. BAYLOR BEARS

Mason: 10
DY: 10
Drew: 11

Maybe it is unfair to judge Baylor for what happened without Blake Shapen. Then we can just chalk up Week 1 to a fluke. The Bears secured the largest comeback win in school history at UCF. It was a good win, but I am not convinced its anything more than one of those random wins in a bad season. I’m still not worried about Kansas State when Baylor comes to town later in the season.
Next game: vs Texas Tech, 7:00 PM ESPN2

11. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Mason: 11
DY: 12
Drew: 10

Quarterback Rocco Becht was going to try and shoot his way out of trouble, firing the ball to anybody with a set of hands. He threw three touchdown passes in the first half, two to his team and one to Oklahoma. There is enough fight in Iowa State to make them a better choice over the bottom three teams in the Big 12.
Next game: vs TCU, 7:00 PM FS2

12. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

Mason: 12
DY: 11
Drew: 12

Cincinnati scored in each red zone opportunity they had on Friday, but they still had to twice settle for field goals inside the 20. They were also done in by a defense that allowed BYU to score touchdowns on three consecutive drives. Cincinnati may not ever get blown out this year, but they don’t have the juice or talent to win a lot of games.
Next game: vs Iowa State, 10/14 11:00 AM FS1

13. HOUSTON COUGARS

Mason: 13
DY: 13
Drew: 13

They gave a good half and Donovan Smith played pretty well against his former school. It still amounted to a 21-point loss. Toss the Cougars into the bucket of bad that the newcomers seem to carry around. Their game at K-State could be the most decisive league win for the Wildcats this season.
Next game: vs West Virginia, 10/12 6:00 PM FS1

14. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Mason: 14
DY: 14
Drew: 14

Things are heading towards an ugly ending in Stillwater for Mike Gundy’s competitive level. The Cowboys’ only hope is that a bye week was a major fix and is the shot in the arm to turn the season around. It seems unlikely though and the Cowboys are looking down the barrel of another blowout loss to Kansas State.
Next game: vs K-State, Friday 6:30 PM ESPN