KSO's Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State rises to the occasion

1. Baylor (1-0, 3-1)

No. 16 Baylor slugged it out with Iowa State in Ames and found a way to come out on top in their Big 12 opener. They ran the ball 42 times and Blake Shapen passed it efficiently for three scores. It is the defense that is still the headliner for the Bears.

I still need to see more from the offense before I have a strong desire to keep them at the top of the conference. However, with how the cards fell this week, Baylor is pretty comfortable. (Last: 4)

2. Kansas State (1-0, 3-1)

Adrian Martinez finally popped out of his shell and shined to topple No. 6 Oklahoma. He was the missing piece to the puzzle for the first three games. If he has found his comfort zone, No. 25 Kansas State doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses.

Their defense is stout and they have a more than respectable backfield led by a Heisman talent in Deuce Vaughn. They have a chance to prove that the win in Norman was no fluke by defending Bill Snyder Family Stadium from Texas Tech. (Last: 9)

3. Kansas (1-0, 4-0)

The Kansas offense is legitimately good. Jalon Daniels is a difference-maker and he has some good weapons around him. The defense still has a lot of questions to answer, but so far the Jayhawks are having a season no one expected after a long lineage of football futility.

Fending off Iowa State in a Big 12 battle this weekend in Lawrence would be another impressive accomplishment for Lance Leipold. (Last: 5)

4. Oklahoma State (3-0)

No. 9 Oklahoma State didn’t play a game last week and really haven’t played any tough opponents yet this season. That changes when they travel to No. 16 Baylor on Saturday. The winner of that game will likely be number one in the Big 12 in next week’s power rankings. (Last: 2)

5. Texas Tech (1-0, 3-1)

Texas Tech pulled off an unlikely overtime win over Texas. Donovan Smith didn’t commit a turnover and recorded impressive numbers. Their defense turned the Longhorns over twice. In the battle of the backup quarterbacks, the Red Raiders prevailed. (Last: 7)

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

The Oklahoma offense was great. They’re still one of the best teams in the country, but Kansas State exposed their defense to an extent. The No. 18 team will likely dust themselves off with a win on the road at TCU this weekend, but it won’t be easy. There aren’t many of those left in the Big 12, at least this season. (Last: 1)

7. TCU (3-0) 

Similar to what K-State just did, the Horned Frogs could prove a lot of doubters wrong by defeating the Sooners. I just don’t expect it to happen, although Max Duggan has looked good and their defense might be able to rise to the occasion. They are still in search of a signature win. (Last: 8)

8. Iowa State (0-1, 3-1)

Knocking off Kansas has become a must for Iowa State after beginning the Big 12 season 0-1. The only problem is that the Jayhawks seem to be a team on the rise and the game will be played in Lawrence. But a loss would still look bad for Matt Campbell. (Last: 6)

9. West Virginia (0-1, 2-2)

Virginia Tech might not be very good this year, but the Mountaineers took care of them handily. Falling to Pitt and Kansas doesn’t look as bad as it once did, but they’ll need to beat Texas in Austin to raise the trajectory. (Last: 10)

10. Texas (0-1, 2-2)

It isn’t all lost for the Longhorns, but they can’t afford many more losses. Falling to Texas Tech is a slap in the face compared to their one point loss to Alabama. If they aren’t victorious against West Virginia at home on Saturday, it will be a long and dark season for Steve Sarkisian. (Last: 3)