Big 12 Conference: Powers Rankings After Week 5

Week 5 in college football is now complete and it's time to go over the updated power rankings for the Big 12.

The Texas Longhorns and Kansas State Wildcats stepped up this weekend, both winning their conference openers. Both games saw teams that were undefeated go head-to-head, but Texas and Kansas State survived.

Texas A&M looked great again for a half, but failed to win for the second straight week and Oklahoma looked dominant against Ball State after losing their No. 1 national ranking last week.

#10 Kansas Jayhawks (2-2, 0-1)

It's starting to look more and more likely that Kansas finishes the season 2-10 after starting 2-0. Texas Tech was one of the few games remaining on the schedule that looked winnable, but the Jayhawk defense could not slow down the high powered Red Raider offense.

On a positive note, Kansas continues to have success in the run game. The Jayhawks rushed for 239 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. Kansas is the 11th ranked rushing offense in the nation, but until they get their defense figured out they are going to struggle to win games.

Last Week: Lost to Texas Tech 45-34

Next Week: Kansas at Oklahoma State

#9 Iowa State (3-1, 0-1)

Iowa State had a chance to make a statement Saturday against Texas but got dominated 37-14. The Cyclones struggled to get anything going offensively and helped Texas by turning the ball over three times.

This could have been a huge game for Iowa State. The stage was set as they were 3-0 and had a crowd of over 56,000 in Ames, but the turnovers finally caught up with them. The Cyclones have a turnover margin of minus eight which is the worst in college football.

Last Week: Lost to Texas 37-14

Next Week: Iowa State at Baylor

#8 Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0)

I really struggled to put a team that was undefeated so far down on the list, but I'm still not sure how good Texas Tech really is.

They rallied to beat Nevada by one at home last week and Saturday they had to come back from a 20-0 deficit against Kansas.

I think it's pretty clear they still have a high powered offense, as they are fourth in the nation in points per game, but we will see how they stack up against the better teams in the conference. We will learn a lot about Tech this week when they play Texas A&M.

Last Week: Won at Kansas 45-34

Next Week: Texas A&M at Texas Tech

#7 Missouri (2-2, 0-1)

I think the fact Missouri is ranked so low in my power rankings shows just how deep the Big 12 is this year. Missouri is much better then their record suggests and would most likely be ranked in the top-20 had they made a last minute field goal at Arizona State.

Going into the season everyone thought it was going to be the defense who led the Tigers and that the offense would struggle, but the complete opposite has happened.

Even after losing their top two running backs, Missouri is ranked eighth in the country in rushing and 11th in total offense. Sophomore running back Henry Josey has rushed for 133 yards per game with four touchdowns.

Mizzou had a bye Saturday, which will help them get healthy before they travel to Manhattan this week to face Kansas State. This will be Missouri's third straight road game against a Top-25 team.

Last Week: Off

Next Week: Missouri at Kansas State

#6 Baylor (3-1, 0-1)

Baylor controlled the game through three quarters Saturday at Kansas State, but could not hold on for the victory. Robert Griffin had another big game, throwing for 346 yards and five touchdowns, but he struggled in the fourth quarter.

Baylor is a good football team, but their defense needs to improve before they will be considered one of the best teams in the conference.

Last Week: Lost at Kansas State 36-35

Next Week: Iowa State at Baylor

#5 Texas A&M (2-2, 0-1)

I think Texas A&M is better then Kansas State, but until they put an entire game together I'm going to put them at No. 5 in the conference.

In their last two games, Texas A&M has looked like a top-10 team in the first half and then disappeared for most of the second half.

The defense continues to get shredded in the passing game. Arkansas threw for 510 yards Saturday against the Aggies and it won't get any easier this week as they play Texas Tech.

Texas A&M did rely more on their running game last week and rushed for 381 yards. I'd look for them to do the same this week against Tech.

Last Week: Lost to Arkansas 42-38

This Week: Texas A&M at Texas Tech

#4 Kansas State (4-0, 1-0)

Bill Snyder continues to work his magic in Manhattan as Kansas State improves to 4-0 and moves into the top-25.

The Wildcats, for the most part, have been winning because of their defense, but quarterback Collin Klein has done a good job of managing games. Klein isn't the best passing quarterback in football, but he has rushed for 105 yards per game and has done a good job of limiting turnovers.

Kansas State has another big game this week when Missouri comes to town.

Last Week: Beat Baylor 36-35

Next Week: Missouri at Kansas State

#3 Texas (4-0, 1-0)

Is Texas back? It's starting to look like they are closer to being an elite team again in the Big 12. The Longhorns seem to be improving each week and have a statement game this week against Oklahoma.

Texas ranks 15th in the country in defense which is the best of any Big 12 team. Their defense is definitely leading them, but their offense has also improved since Case McCoy has taken over at quarterback.

Last Week: Beat Iowa State 37-14

Next Week: Texas vs Oklahoma

#2 Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0)

Oklahoma State was off this weekend and will remain second in the Big 12 power rankings. They have an easy game this week against Kansas and then have another test against Texas.

The Cowboys have looked very good this year and look to be Oklahoma's main competition for the Big 12 title.

Last Week: Off

Next Week: Kansas at Oklahoma State

#1 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0)

Oklahoma looked dominant this weekend against Ball State. It appeared that they wanted to make a statement after losing their No. 1 ranking to LSU.

Quarterback Landry Jones threw for 425 yards and five touchdowns. Dominique Whaley also had another good game rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Last Week: Beat Ball State 62-6

Next Week: Texas vs Oklahoma