Big 12 North Predictions and Power Rankings: Week Seven

There were a lot of things that could have gotten messed up really fast this past weekend in the Big 12, but for the most part surprises were very minimal.

Coming up in week seven, the Red River Rivalry may hog plenty of attention, but this isn't to say that things won't get pretty heated up North as well.

I currently stand at an acceptable record of 15-2 after putting some faith in Missouri (where Ryan Faller at 10-1 experienced his first loss), and congratulations to Josh Klein (10-1), Sportscaster (4-0), and Andy Purvis (4-0) for holding on to the Huskers and picking the perfect slate.

Each week is getting a little tougher, though, and I'm curious to see how everyone else sees things going down this weekend.

Here's how stuff is looking for me...

Number Six: Kansas State (3-3, 1-1) vs. Texas A&M (3-2, 0-1)

Sorry, Kansas State. I really hate to drop you below the measly likes of Colorado, but Tech's stomp-down only showed me that you are exactly what I thought you'd be before the season started.

It's not so much that the Red Raiders posted all those points; even Carson Coffman might look okay with Mike Leach coaching him. It's more that, once again, the offense looked sickly.

Texas Tech's defense is underrated, but not that great. Gregory was a one-game wonder, apparently, and Daniel Thomas barely had a chance to run.

This week gets no better. Sure, the scoreboard will look nicer, and the defense fielded by Texas A&M has looked pretty nasty of late.

Still, underneath the stats and scoreboard, this contest won't cause the Aggies to break much of a sweat.

Jerrod Johnson is too much for KSU, and TAMU takes this one 38-17.

Number Five: Colorado (1-4, 0-1) vs. Kansas (5-0, 0-0)

Colorado semi-shows up against Texas AND puts in Tyler Hansen? I'm so proud of them I almost put them at number four!

(Believe me, picking between KSU, CU, and ISU is like trying to decide what generic brand of cereal sucks the least.)

The Buffs get the nod over K-State only because we saw a tiny glimpse of potential against Texas, and maybe Dan Hawkins can still squeeze another victory or two out of that pile of disappointment.

This decision lies in Tylor Hansen. There is a thread of hope that he makes Dan Hawkins look like a doofus for waiting until the season was all but lost to give him a chance.

This week will be as good as any to see what he's really made of when Colorado welcomes the Kansas Jayhawks and a miserable pass defense into Boulder.

I think Hansen will prove himself worthy, but I still don't think Colorado will win. KU will go score for score with anyone in the country right now, and will take down the Buffaloes, 40-28.

Number Four: Iowa State (3-3, 0-2)

I can really only think of one reason to justify this placement for Iowa State, and even I admit, it's not a great one.

However, Paul Rhoads is a good coach, and he can build off the fact that his team has fallen eight points short of a 5-1 record and a 2-0 conference start. That would have been quite the story.

The Cyclones do have an outside shot at retaining their current position, though, as a beatable Baylor Bears squad comes to Ames this week.

The Baylor Bears are without their star player (although their back-up signal callers aren't at a lack of experience), and also feature a vulnerable run defense.

It's just a feeling (which my feelings, testified by Nebraska, are generally wrong), but Iowa State is overdue in the Big 12 and play an average Baylor team in Ames at the best possible time.

In my upset of the week, give me Iowa State over Baylor, 24-20.

Number Three: Missouri (4-1, 0-1) vs. Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-0)

Sure Blaine Gabbert got tweaked up, but that's no excuse for playing horrendously all day. Gary Pinkel could've done more with Bill Snyder's quarterbacks, I think.

There are no excuses for the Tigers. Nebraska was clearly the better team, but they still gave Missouri every available opportunity to win. Blaine Gabbert and company did not seize them.

Thinks don't look too good for this week, either. Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter are both (Hunter is still questionable) ready to go for this week's matchup in Stillwater.

No, the Tigers won't simply turn to mush, and the Cowboy defense let Jerrod Johnson keep his Aggies in the game last week. If Gabbert can play at a similarly high level, this will be quite the shoot-out.

OSU is still a much more well-rounded team, though, and doesn't suffer from the same inconsistencies as the Tigers have. OSU breaks away late, 38-28.

Number Two: Kansas (5-0, 1-0) vs. Colorado (1-5, 0-1)

I don't see how simplifying the defense could possibly hurt the Jayhawks, and thank the world around you for Todd Reesing and company who are very near mid-season form.

Iowa State's pass rush may stink, but to play so consistently (and fairly mistake free) for an entire game is a huge confidence booster for one of the youngest offensive lines in the country.

Colorado's defensive line may be slightly more challenging, and playing in Boulder is never fun.

However, if KU's bigs up front can continue to open a rushing lane here and there as well as give Reesing the minimal amount of time he needs, Tyler Hansen will have to play like Jimmy Clausen to keep the Buffaloes in this game.

I'll take my Hawks (as always) and the return of Jake Sharp (hopefully) in a game closer than the scoreboard shows, 40-28.

Number One: Nebraska (4-1, 1-0)

It's hard to argue with Nebraska after last week, especially because it was on the road in Columbia. Last Thursday's effort is the only quality win anyone in the Big 12 North can currently place a claim to.

Ndamukong Suh and his defense played great, giving Zach Lee and Roy Helu Jr. all the time they needed to come around. This is how and why Nebraska will continue to win games.

The defense isn't completely "back," and the offense isn't always pretty, but together they are good enough to keep winning big games.

That's why picking them over Texas Tech in front of a sellout, Lincoln, Nebraska crowd of Cornhusker crazies is easy. Texas Tech may still put up points, but not like they did last week. No one has produced in Lincoln so far this season.

However, Zach Lee needs to come around faster if the Huskers are to win their second consecutive game over a quality conference opponent. Fortunately, Roy Helu Jr.'s injury was apparently minor, and Niles Paul should continue to have the hot hand.

That will be all the help Lee needs as his Cornhuskers take down the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 27-31.

I'm not sold on this pick yet, but I won't be doubting Bo Pelini again any time soon.