Monday, September 24, 2007

Big XII Power Rankings

FAVORITES
1.) #3 Oklahoma (4-0) - W - 62-21 vs. Tulsa
- Another convincing win for the Sooners, against a strong Tulsa team. Their offense looks to be just about unstoppable and running on all cylinders. After struggling early against the spread offense of Tulsa, the defense adjusted shutting them down. This team has the confidence of the Bob Stoops championship teams, as they left the starters in late into the 4th quarter, scoring 20 more points in a game that was over.

2.) #7 Texas (4-0) - W - 58-14 vs. Rice
- Texas finally put together a whole football game, though Rice is probably the worst team that Texas will see all season. Either way, the win will give Colt McCoy and the offense some confidence heading into the conference opener against Kansas State. But October 7th against Oklahoma looms large.

CONTENDERS
3.) #20 Missouri (4-0) - W - 38-17 vs. Illinois State
- An unimpressive win for the Tigers, as you'd like to see them do a bit more offensively and defensively against a 1-AA team. Either way, their non-conference schedule is over with, and the Tigers will get two weeks to prepare for a visit from the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in what could be the Big XII North Championship.

4.) #25 Nebraska (3-1) - W - 41-40 vs. Ball State
- Someone had to take the #4 spot in the rankings, so the Huskers move up a spot after what was almost a disasterous loss at home versus Ball State. They obviously still have not recovered from the USC loss, and didn't come to play. While it was a much better showing from Sam Keller and the offense, the performance by the defense is troublesome. They will have a week to sort it out against Iowa State, before traveling to Columbia, to take on Missouri.

PRETENDERS
5.) Texas A&M (3-1) - L - 34-17 at. Miami (FL)
- The Aggies drop a spot, and for now drop out of the contenders category after a horrible showing against the Miami Hurricanes on national television. They can't throw, and they can't stop the pass, and somehow managed to get Javorskie Lane zero first half touches. They will need to figure out something or things could go from bad to worse against a pass happy Baylor squad on Saturday.

6.) Kansas (4-0) - W - 55-3 vs. Florida International
- The Jayhawks finished off their high school football schedule, going 4-0 against 4 pop warner sides. It's hard to tell if the Jayhawks are the darkhorse candidate in the Big XII North, or if they found the four worst D-I teams to play. They get a week off to prepare for a trip to Kansas State that will teach us a lot about this year's team.

7.) Oklahoma State (2-2) (1-0) - W - 49-45 vs. Texas Tech
- It looks like Zac Robinson is who the Cowboys will stick with at quarterback the rest of the way, after an impressive victory against Texas Tech, that could have very well saved the season. After the disasterous start, the Cowboys sit a top the Big XII, at least for a week.

8.) Texas Tech (3-1) (0-1) - L - 45-49 at Oklahoma State
- Texas Tech had the chance to make a run in a weaker Big XII, but once again the Red Raiders show that their offense can't get it done when it matters, and their defense can't stop anyone. The loss at Oklahoma State is a killer way to start their Big XII campaign, and it all but takes Texas Tech out of the discussion as a darkhorse candidate. That being said, I still wouldn't want to play them.

9.) Kansas State (2-1) - idle -
- Kansas State had an extra week to get ready for their return trip to Austin. Kansas State's defense should do well enough to keep the Wildcats in the game for a bit. But Josh Freeman will need to play great, take care of the football, and put some points on the board. It may take 28 points to win this game for the Wildcats.

THE REST


10.) Colorado (2-2) - W - 42-0 vs. Miami (OH)
- An impressive win for the Buffaloes. Coach Hawkins is doing a great job, as they are making definite strides in Season 2. They are probably doing more with the talent that they have, than any other Big XII team. Depending on how they do through conference play, Hawkins may be up for Coach of the Year in the conference.

11.) Baylor (3-1) - W - 34-21 at Buffalo
- This could be a little bit low for Baylor, but they will need to win a big game before they can be taken seriously. They will get their chance this weekend as they head to College Station. They will have to figure out a way to stop the running game of A&M, and if they can't, then it will be a long day for the Bears.

12.) Iowa State (1-3) - L - 35-36 at Toledo
- Last week we wondered if the win over Iowa was luck, how bad the Big Ten is, or whether Iowa State was improving. Well, we learned it was a combination of #1 and #2, as Iowa State gave Toledo their first win of the season. It will be a long season for Gene Chizik and they Cyclones. A very long season.

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