Big 12 Power Rankings Week 5: Texas A&M Aggies in Sudden Turmoil

Coach Mike Sherman’s Texas A&M Aggies entered the season with big expectations, a fanbase excited about the program’s direction and a move to the SEC on tap.

I’m wondering if the Aggies could be rethinking their choice to jump to the vaunted SEC and if the fanbase has the same enthusiasm. The 12th man is always excited even though the bonfires aren’t happening like they once were.

Yell practice is still worthy of paparazzi attendance, but Sherman’s young men aren’t playing up to expectations. Where did they play out in this, my first Big 12 rankings of the year?

Your answer is a few game-breaking plays away.

10. Kansas: Can Gill Get Them Over the Hump?

Turner Gill’s team is playing over .500 ball like almost every other team in the conference.

Every squad except Mizzou (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) is over .500, and the Tigers have had one of the toughest technical schedules.

After losing big to Georgia Tech, the Jayhawks (2-1, 0-0) get Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0) in Kansas this weekend. I’m anxious to see if KU can keep it up and get over the hump.

9. Texas Tech: Raiding the FBS and Getting Over the Hump

Some schools change coaches, but their offensive schemes stay the same. Ranked No. 9 in FBS passing yards per game, the Red Raiders are doing what they’re known for: chucking the rock to fleet-footed God’s children like not many schools can. 

Averaging 48 points per game, the Raiders are also one of the top 10 scoring teams.

8. Kansas State: Still Undefeated

The Wildcats are in the top 25 in FBS rushing yards per game, and their defense is top 10 in points scored against.

Coming off an upset of Miami (FL), the Cats are continuing Bill Snyder's legacy as a legitimate Hall of Fame college football coach. Ask the Hurricanes.

7. Iowa State: Big 12 Sleepers

The Cyclones are 3-0 overall, but they’ve won by a combined total of seven points over Northern Iowa, Iowa and UConn.

Don’t sleep on the Cyclones. They could burn and upset a certain burnt orange Texas team this week in Ames.

6. Texas A&M: Aggies’ Bonfire Nation Reeling Instead of Rocking

The Aggies lost aim and took another stride back last week when they lost to Oklahoma State in a heartbreaking fashion.

Good news: The maroon and white jerseys are still fashionable. More people are rocking them than they have in the last three years. That’s my estimation.

Mike Sherman will have to estimate how to rally the troops to fight harder against Big 12 opposition using A&M’s move to the SEC for water to douse the famous bonfire nation spirit in College Station.

5. Texas: Longhorn Nation Coming Back Better Than Last Year

A&M’s old Southwest Conference mates, the 'Horns, didn’t make it to a bowl game last season, so just about everyone expected them to improve, and they have.

Mack Brown and the upperclassmen have ignited a fire that’s spreading around the team. Ranked No. 17 this week, the Longhorns hope to continue striding forward and past ISU.

4. Missouri: Making Tiger Strides

The Mizzou Tigers from the old Big Eight Conference look like they’ll be a force behind sophomore quarterback James Franklin, wide receiver T.J. Moe and company.

The weapons on offense have performed beyond expectations. If the defense regains its growl, then the Tigers could become bears in the Big 12.

3. Baylor: Bear Hugging the Opposition for Gridiron Submissions

Could this season be going any better for BU and the boys? Not unless you include the girls. I’m referring to the cheerleaders who are going hoarse.

Behind Robert Griffin III, the Bears got bumped up to a cheery No. 15 in the nation—their highest ranking since I was writing articles in red marker ink.

2. Oklahoma State: Confident Cowboys

Quarterback Brandon Weeden is inking passing records all over the place in Stillwater. He threw for a school record 438 yards on the road in College Station.

Weeden helped his teammates’ station in life; they moved up to No. 5 after a comeback win over Texas A&M.

I don’t expect the Cowboys to have a see-saw season. Mike Gundy is the real deal and boosters, including T. Boone Pickens, expect nothing less.

1. Oklahoma: No. 1 or No. 2

Mizzou picked Landry Jones off twice last Saturday night in Norman, but OU rallied to remain No. 1 or No. 2 depending on the polls you prefer.

Ryan Broyles had three touchdown catches, and it appears no team in the Big 12 will soon catch or overtake the Sooners as dominant forces in the conference.

Take it or leave it, that’s my take on the Big 12 slate. I’ll remain steady as a rock slab in my promise to bring you the best in sports entertainment. Catch me next time on Lake’s Big 12 Barnstorming Tour.

Contact Lake Cruise: [e-mail].