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Big 12 Power Rankings and Bowl Watch: Week One - Pet the Rabbits Edition

There were some definite highs and lows around the Big 12 conference this past weekend, so let’s take a look at where everyone stands in this pecking order after one game.

By statsboyandi

Hello, you may remember me from such hits as the Smoking Musket’s Big 12 Men’s Basketball Power Rankings.

Well, we’ve expanded our offerings to now include football. Enjoy. Or don’t. But remember, if you have a problem with any of my posts: number one, first of all, it’s not true. It’s not factual. And I think you’ll see a lot of development. I would not say that we failed in any area.

Power Rankings

  1. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0, 0-0) — Following an excellent first season under Lincoln Riley, there were more than a few questions about how his second season would play out, especially with a number of departures on offense including, of course, Baker Mayfield. Those questions were largely dealt with in impressive fashion in the Sooners opener against a pretty good FAU squad that includes a number of Power 5 transfers. Kyler Murray looked fantastic and the Sooner defense, long a bit of a squeaky wheel, dominated.
  2. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0, 0-0)—WVU showed the #Will2Dominate for most of its opener against Tennessee in Charlotte. Beating an SEC opponent is never easy (more on this in a moment), and though the Vols were breaking in a number of new players and coaches, they were disciplined and have a ton of talent on their roster. Winning easily is a statement, and on a day where other Big 12 teams failed to deliver against P5 competition - or even FCS competition - WVU showed they belong.
  3. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0, 0-0)—The Frogs murdered poor Southern University 55-7 in their opening game. It’s hard, really, to tell about some of these bodybag games, but TCU performed well. Next week they take on SMU in a rivalry/trapgame ahead of a showdown with Ohio State.
  4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0, 0-0)—Like TCU, OSU feasted on an undermatched FCS team in Missouri State, and though the final score doesn’t show it — they did look a bit rockier than the Horned Frogs at times.
  5. Weather Delay (1-0) — Weather played a major role all weekend, but caused Iowa State’s opening against South Dakota State to be delayed and ultimately postponed. Solid outing, really.
  6. Kansas State Wildcats (1-0, 0-0)—Bill Snyder is a Wizard. That is all.
  7. Baylor Bears (1-0, 0-0)—Though I continue to maintain that the entire program should just be shuddered for the sake of all humanity, Baylor football remains a thing. They took care of business against lowly Abilene Christian (somehow not actually a high school, though I am betting some 6A schools in Texas could beat them.) This will likely be the high point of what looks to be a rebuilding year.
  8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (0-1, 0-0)—There was a lot of talk this pre-season about the Red Raider defense. Well, I guess that’s why we play the games? The Raiders defense got burned on the second play from scrimmage for a long TD and just bless their hearts it never got better. And while losing to an SEC team isn’t actually something to be ashamed of (the SEC went 13-1 this week), Ole Miss is serving the second of a two year bowl ban and was predicted to finish near the bottom of the conference.
  9. Kansas Jayhawks (0-1, 0-0)—It’s one thing to lose to a good FCS program. But, uh checks notes Nicholls State? Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I have decided to rank them ahead of Texas, however, because that was coincidentally their last FBS win.
  10. Texas Longhorns (0-1, 0-0)—TEXAS IS BACK (to losing to Maryland!) In what was honestly the best game of opening weekend, Texas lost to Maryland (again). I am not sure I can stress to you how alarming this should be for the Horns. Maryland was coming off a tumultuous off-season and, to be honest, simply does not have the talent Texas has at every position and yet, they not only played them even for most of the game, but were the more physical, mentally tough team. The Longhorns made mistake after mistake with costly penalties and poor decisions on offense. Add to that the fact that their offensive line looked like hot garbage and, hoooo boy, this would be less notable if this is essentially wasn’t the same problem they endured last year. And the year before that. And the year before that. Obviously a season isn’t one game, and Texas managed to have a winning season after opening at home with a loss to Maryland last year, but at certain point you have to start wondering what the hell is wrong down there. I guess we’ll find out, Lennie. (Note, I don’t know if Tom actually read of Mice and Men or not.)

Bowl Watch

To be honest, its a little early but who cares. The Big 12 will have a team in the playoff, but may not fill out it’s bowl commitments.

  • College Football Playoff: Oklahoma vs Clemson
  • Sugar Bowl: WVU vs Georgia
  • Valero Alamo Bowl: TCU vs USC
  • Camping World Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Virginia Tech
  • Texas Bowl: Iowa State vs Kentucky
  • Cactus Bowl: Kansas State vs Arizona State
  • Armed Forces Bowl: Texas Tech vs Cincinnati

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