Big 12 College Football Power Rankings: Week 1
We're one week into the season, which gives us at least one week more of data than we had in making our preseason selections.
At the start of the season, Oklahoma and Texas were toss-up leaders, with Nebraska in a close third. Questions surrounded teams like Missouri and Texas A&M, while struggles were predicted for Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas, and Iowa State.
With one game under every team's belt, and with at least a little data to work with, how does the Big 12 stack up? Let's take a look, from worst to first.
No. 12: Kansas
1 of 12
Last game: Lost to North Dakota State, 6-3, at home
What happened: Ouch. If there was a worse possible start for Turner Gill's tenure in Lawrence, it's hard to think what it would have been. Sure, Gill's got some rebuilding to do after Mark Mangino was shipped out of town, but to get stuffed by North Dakota State at home could set a malaise in place that will be pretty difficult to recover from.
Why No. 12? The Jayhawks got the benefit of the doubt from the last few years of success by not being ranked at the bottom of the Big 12 North. After the first week, that's gone.
Next game: Georgia Tech. Gill's Jayhawks are going to need a miracle reversal of fortune to avoid things getting nasty.
No. 11: Baylor
2 of 12
Last game: Beat Sam Houston State, 34-3, at home
What happened: The Robert Griffin show, 2010 edition, begins with a solid win over small-fry Sam Houston State, with Griffin gaining 242 yards on the ground and another 59 in the air. As with most opening games against lower opponents, it's hard to take much from the game unless the superior team struggles or gets defeated by the lower opponent (cough, Kansas, cough). So Baylor stays put with the win.
Why No. 11? The Bears have potential, but until they beat a legitimate opponent it's hard to justify a move up.
Next game: Buffalo. A slight step up in class, but not a huge one. Act II of the Griffin Show should be a hit.
No. 10: Oklahoma State
3 of 12
Last game: Beat Washington State, 65-17, at home.
What happened: Kendall Hunter happened. All 257 yards and four touchdowns of Kendall Hunter happened. And while the win was over a BCS-conference school in Wazzu, don't get fooled into thinking this is a big-time win. The Cougars are going to be pretty dreadful this year, so the Cowboys' win falls into the "getting the job done" category and nothing more.
Why No. 10? The weak opponent means a standstill in the power ranking, although the convincing scoreline makes OSU tempting to bump up.
Next game: Troy. And yes, the Trojans are a step up in class from Wazzu. If the 'Pokes put up 65 against Troy, we'll talk about moving them up.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 9: Iowa State
4 of 12
Last game: Beat Northern Illinois, 27-10, at home
What happened: The 'Clones got a lead early, nearly regurgitated it, and pulled away to a win that wasn't as easy as the final score indicated. Still, with Austin Arnaud and Alexander Robinson, Iowa State has enough offensive weapons to put a scare into most teams they play. And Paul Rhodes has his defense playing quick, fast, and hard. Rhodes was robbed of Big 12 coach of the year honors last year, and his brutal schedule will likely result in a final record that doesn't do the 'Clones justice for the level of football they play.
Why No. 9? The late-game collapse was concerning, but ISU ends up with a solid win against a solid program. Next week gives the 'Clones time to shine.
Next game: at Iowa. ISU was embarrassed last year in Ames by their in-state rivals, and Iowa defensive standout Adrian Clayborn's "only game in town" comments couldn't have been scripted better for motivation. Unfortunately for the 'Clones, they'll be outmanned by the most talented Iowa squad in quite some time.
No. 8: Texas Tech
5 of 12
Last game: Beat SMU, 35-27, at home
What happened: So much for culture shock. Taylor Potts threw 53 times as Tommy Tubberville's squad held on for dear life against a desperate final charge from SMU. Tech's defense was just as much of a throwback to the Mad Bomber's regime as the offense, though, needing some late-game heroics to hang on.
Why No. 8? Don't look now, but SMU could be a pretty solid win come year's end. A more convincing win would have been an argument for an upgrade.
Next game: New Mexico. As in Oregon 72, New Mexico 0. Start Potts on your fantasy team.
No. 7: Colorado
6 of 12
Last game: Beat Colorado State, 24-3, at a neutral site
What happened: Just when the vultures were circling over Dan Hawkins' career in Boulder, he pulls out a convincing win over CU's surprisingly-hated in-state rival. Don't look now, but the Buffs can play a little defense this year.
Why No. 7? A three-touchdown win in a rivalry game, even against Colorado State, is enough for some upward mobility.
Next game: California. Ralphie better be able to play a little defense against one of the best offenses in the Pac-10.
No. 6: Kansas State
7 of 12
Last game: Beat UCLA, 31-22, at home
What happened: The Purples got the conference's best win of the week, over a solid UCLA team. They did it on the back of Daniel Thomas, who picked up 234 yards of offense despite being K-State's only weapon. You've heard it here before, and you're going to keep hearing it—Thomas is on the short list of best backs in the Big 12.
Why No. 6? If you get the best win of the week, you get to move up.
Next game: Missouri State. Yes, they play football. And yes, Thomas should have another monster game.
No. 5: Missouri
8 of 12
Last game: Beat Illinois, 23-13, at a neutral site
What happened: Mizzou sleepwalked through the first half of the game, needing a strong finish and a defensive stand to pull away from their cross-border rivals. While the come from behind was impressive, the fact that the Tigers needed it in the first place should be concerning.
Why No. 5? Missouri got they win they should have over an inferior opponent, but the slow start makes it hard to move them up.
Next game: McNeese State. A slow start shouldn't be a problem.
No. 4: Oklahoma
9 of 12
Last game: Beat Utah State, 31-24, at home
What happened: Remember, this was an Oklahoma team that went 8-5 last year? It's been universally tabbed this year as a national championship contender because, well, It's Oklahoma. Bob Stoops is its head coach. But in game one, they had to fight like mad to hold off Utah State in Norman. That included needing an interception in OU territory at the end of the game to seal the win.
Why No. 4? 8-5 season + barely knocking off Utah State at home = big-time drop in the power ranks.
Next game: Florida State. Buckle up, Sooner fans. Unless last week was serious first-game rust, a dangerous Florida State team could really expose OU.
No. 3: Texas A&M
10 of 12
Last game: Beat Stephen F. Austin, 48-7, at home
What happened: A steady, if not spectacular, offensive performance pulls the Aggies away from their FCS opener. Given the poor state of the Wrecking Crew last year, and their shift to a 3-4 front this year, giving up 266 yards to SFA should be a little concerning.
Why No. 3? The Aggies didn't do themselves anything to move up or down in the power ranking against a soft opponent.
Next game: Louisiana Tech. It's a step up in competition, but not a huge step.
No. 2: Nebraska
11 of 12
Last game: Beat Western Kentucky, 49-10, at home
What happened: Redshirt freshman phenom Taylor Martinez ran for three scores as the 'Huskers pulled away for a comfortable win. But once the game was in control, Nebraska's defense let off the gas and gave up almost 300 yards of total offense to a team that had lost 20 straight games coming into Lincoln. Between the defensive lapse and the injury concerns that are starting to become significant, it's hard to move NU up.
Why No. 2? Texas left the door open to move up, but the combination of a soft opponent and the mid-game lapse prevents Nebraska from going through it.
Next game: Idaho. The Vandals are a better team than WKU, but still not a quality team to get a good read on NU.
No. 1: Texas
12 of 12
Last game: Beat Rice, 34-17, at a neutral site.
What happened: After floundering for a good chunk of the first half, the Longhorns got into gear, with Tre' Newton running for three scores. Garrett Gilbert, in his first start, was inconsistent. The Texas defense, giving up 17 points and 219 yards to an out-manned Rice team in what was functionally a road game, should also be a cause for concern in Austin.
Why No. 1? If someone underneath the 'Horns would have put a case forward, this would have been the week to slide Texas down. It retains the top spot more by default than by anything else.
Next game: Wyoming. Last year, Texas had to work late into the game to put the Cowboys away in Laramie. Wyoming should give the Longhorns' defense a solid test.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
