KSO's Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State slips

1. Oklahoma (3-0)

Dillon Gabriel has looked impressive through three weeks of football at his new home in the Big 12, and the weapons around him seem like your typical Oklahoma athletes. Running back Eric Gray has emerged as a legitimate threat on the ground and wide receiver Marvin Mims is undoubtably an NFL talent.

The Sooners ran for over 300 yards in Lincoln and sacked Nebraska four times. There has yet to be any glaring cracks on either side of the football for the club in Norman. An angry Kansas State squad will look to change that. (Last: 1)

2. Oklahoma State (3-0)

Quarterback Spencer Sanders has consistently put up big numbers so far this year and currently leads the Big 12 in passing yards. On top of that, he has thrown 10 touchdowns and only one interception. There is still plenty of season left, but I can’t hate on the Cowboys anymore.

Their defense has also been solid ever since allowing Central Michigan to score 44 points. To be fair, most of that was given up in garbage time. Mike Gundy has a solid looking squad on both sides of the ball heading into their bye week.

Next weekend is when they will have to travel to Waco to prove their worth in the league. (Last: 5)

3. Texas (2-1)

Texas’ defense didn’t look as impressive as it did against Alabama. UTSA converted more first downs than Steve Sarkisian’s offense, but the Longhorns did still beat the Roadrunners by 21. Bijan Robinson had his best game of the season with 183 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

Traveling to Lubbock should make for an interesting Big 12 battle between two back-up quarterbacks. I don’t expect it to be a cake walk for them, either. It should be another test to prove whether their defense can consistently produce results. (Last: 4)

4. Baylor (2-1)

Baylor’s lackluster offense is a little concerning for their Big 12 championship fate, but the Bears’ defense is tough and might be good enough to win them some games they otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to going forward.

Even with three turnovers lost, Dave Aranda’s team never let Texas State threaten and held them to a single touchdown. Freshman running back Richard Reese had a coming out party and rushed for 156 yards and three scores.

A matchup with Iowa State in Ames should be a good barometer for both squads. (Last: 6)

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

The offense that Lance Leipold has on the field this season has been outstanding. It might be the most dangerous attack in the Big 12 through three weeks outside of maybe Oklahoma.

Jalon Daniels gives the Jayhawks the best quarterback running game in the league by a large margin, and he’s proven he can take care of the ball while moving the ball down the field with his arm as well. He scored five touchdowns and was the focal reason for pouring 48 points on a solid Houston team.

For the first time in a while, I feel like Kansas can actually win their next game. Duke isn’t a scary opponent, although they’ve had similar success as the Jayhawks through three games. It is the Kansas defense that still has plenty to prove. (Last: 7)

6. Iowa State (3-0)

The Iowa State defense held Ohio to only 24 rushing yards. The defense is legit and Hunter Dekkers enjoyed his most impressive game. The Cyclones have a chance to prove some doubters wrong this season. Look no further than the No. 17 Baylor Bears coming to Ames this week. (Last: 8)

7. Texas Tech (2-1)

Texas Tech couldn’t knock off a top 25 opponent on the road. Unfortunately for them, Donovan Smith is the backup quarterback for a reason. He does not take care of the ball and that has been proven the last two weeks.

Tyler Shough’s injury still has another 2-5 weeks to heal, so unless Smith can tighten things up, they will likely fall at home to Texas on Saturday. (Last: 2)

8. TCU (2-0)

TCU had the week off and now look forward to the short trip to SMU. The Horned Frogs have some nice pieces, but can they be explosive enough to be successful in the Big 12? That remains to be seen, but they should handle the Mustangs if they want to feel good about themselves. (Last: 9)

9. Kansas State (2-1)

It was a dreadful loss to Tulane. That is a game no one outside of the Green Wave saw coming. Sure, Adrian Martinez has been the same timid quarterback every week for K-State, but the team still found a way to score in their first two contests and won handily.

That disappeared on Saturday when the offensive line’s struggles exacerbated their conservativeness, and special teams was held without a score for the first time this year.

After all the high expectations heading into the season, the Wildcats have plummeted down to earth with a lot to improve upon the next few weeks. At least their defense still seems like a top three unit in the Big 12. (Last: 3)

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

West Virginia took all the frustrations from an 0-2 start to the season and dismantled Towson with it. The Tigers couldn’t eclipse 100 yards on the ground or through the air. The Mountaineer offense collected over 600 yards of total offense, spread evenly on the ground and through the air.

They had two 100-yard rushers in CJ Donaldson and Tony Mathis, Jr.

A win on the road over a subpar Virginia Tech team could do a lot for their confidence. (Last: 10)