Big 12 Roundup & Power Rankings: Baylor Getting Into Groove

TCU 33 (3-1, 1-0), SMU 3

In one of the rivalries TCU hasn’t forgotten about since they joined the Big 12, the Battle for the Iron Skillet has been a one-sided affair in the last 26 years. Since 1990, TCU is 21-6 against SMU, last losing in 2011 in a 40-33 game in overtime.

At halftime, this was a 6-3 game with SMU taking the opening kickoff down to the TCU 6 before settling for a field goal. TCU would score the final 33 points of the game. Junior Kenny Hill was 31-for-45 for 452 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. In their first game without KaVontae Turpin, the Horned Frogs didn’t miss a beat as Desmond White almost ran his first punt return back for a touchdown.

Week 5 - vs. Oklahoma.

Iowa State 44 (1-3, 0-1), SDSU 10

Hey, Iowa State has offense! Consider this an improvement since they already lost to a FCS team this season. Head coach Matt Campbell can finally claim his first win for the Cyclones, despite a whole lot of Iowa State-ness. The Cyclones saw a player get hurt on a touchback and actually benefited from replay. There are still some defensive issues as the Cyclones allowed SDSU’s Zamore Zigler and Deontae Cooper to combine for 37 carries and 168 yards, but Iowa State did intercept quarterback Josh Love 4 times.

Week 5: vs Baylor

Kansas State 35 (2-1, 0-0), Missouri State 0

The Wildcats only played one half of football as weather caused the two teams to agree to end the game at halftime. It’s tough to take anything away from this game. Quarterback Jesse Ertz was 7-of-8 passing for 94 yards while adding 3 runs for 85 yards. No one else really did anything noteworthy and against a FCS foe, little can be determined. Next week against West Virginia will give a better idea of who the Wildcats are.

Week 5: @ West Virginia

Baylor 35 (4-0, 1-0), Oklahoma State 24 (2-2, 0-1)

In the lone conference battle of the night, Baylor finally got the monkey off their back and looked much like the offensive team they’ve been in year’s past. Baylor scored 21 points in the first half including a nifty through-the-hands pass of one receiver which bounced directly into another’s for a touchdown. The game was 21-14 at halftime despite Oklahoma State fumbling three times in the first half. With the game 28-24 Baylor and Oklahoma State driving for a go ahead score, running back lost his second fumble at the Baylor 1-yard line. Baylor would recover and drive the length of the field for the final nail in the coffin.

Week 5 - Baylor @ Iowa State; Texas vs Oklahoma State

Power Rankings

This week’s power rankings are going to be much more difficult given that half the conference was on a bye and only two remaining teams played Power 5 teams but no excuses so here we go.

1. Baylor - I’ve continually held Baylor down inthe rankings because they’ve chosen to play poor non-conference foes and have not looked liked a world beater. They played Oklahoma State and finally looked like a real threat to the conference. They earn the top spot.
2. West Virginia - This game was easier and tougher than it should be. In the end West Virginia beat a 1-3 team by 3 points in a neutral site game that felt like a bowl game rather than a regular season game.
3. TCU - The Horned Frogs defense has not looked very Gary Patterson-esque lately but this game should give the team some confidence. It always feels good to hold a rival to 3 points and beat them by 30.
4. Texas Tech - The defense is atrocious but the offense is amazing.They should win more games than they lose.
5. Oklahoma State - If they could have held onto the ball just one more time, they’d be number one for two straight weeks.
6. Kansas State - Played half of football. Looked like a normal team. We’ll find out next week if they are bad or good.
7. Texas - Starting conference play will likely determine Charlie Strong’s fate at Texas.
8. Iowa State - Congrats to Matt Campbell for getting his only win of the season.
9. Kansas - Only a few more months until basketball season Jayhawk fans.
10. Oklahoma - When you beat someone of significance you can move out of the basement.