Week 3 Big 12 Power Rankings

All in all, it was a pretty bad week for the Big 12. Just two games into the season and there are only three remaining undefeated teams. Let’s take a look at where everyone stands heading into Week 3.

1. Texas [2-0]: W 41-7 vs. UTEP (LW: 2)

You can mock the Longhorn hype all you want, but the rest of the Big 12 is faltering while Texas has a win over a top 10 team and played a consistent, solid game on Saturday, beating UTEP from start to finish. They have another early season test as they head to Berkley to play Cal on Saturday.

2. Baylor [2-0]: W 40-13 vs. SMU (LW: 4)

The offense struggled in the first half, leading to a 6-6 halftime tie. But after that, the Bears dominated. They round out their cupcake non-conference schedule with Rice on Friday. Then in Big 12 play we’ll learn how good Baylor really is.

3. West Virginia [2-0]: W 38-21 vs. Youngstown State (LW: 3)

Just like last week, it wasn’t pretty but it was a win. Given the shape of the rest of the Big 12, that’s good enough for #3 on this list, which is pretty sad.

4. Oklahoma [1-1]: W 59-17 vs. Louisiana Monroe (LW: 5)

The Sooners blew out a team they should have blown out. They have a huge chance to redeem themselves from an early season loss to Houston against Ohio State on Saturday.

5. TCU [1-1]: L 38-41 vs. Arkansas (LW: 7)

After a slow start, the TCU offense came roaring back in the second half to force overtime against Arkansas. They ultimately fell short in double overtime, and their defense should still be a concern, as they surrendered more yards and points than the Razorbacks offense probably deserved. Given how poorly the next two teams played Saturday, TCU’s tough loss is enough to move them up two spots.

6. Texas Tech [1-1]: L 55-68 @ Arizona State (LW: 6)

The Red Raiders got their first test of the season, and failed miserably. The defense is still probably the worst in the Power 5, and the offense is still really good. That’s a recipe for another 6-6 or 7-5 season, and a finish towards the bottom end of the middle of the Big 12.

7. Oklahoma State [1-1]: L 27-30 vs. Central Michigan (LW: 1)

The Cowboys suffered the worst loss in the Big 12 this season, falling at home to Central Michigan. The Oklahoma State offense looked absolutely dreadful in the second half, and even though the final Hail Mary shouldn’t have happened, the Cowboys had every chance to win and didn’t do it.

8. Kansas State [0-1]: OFF (LW: 8)

With an early season bye, we don’t know any more or less than we did last week about the Wildcats.

9. Kansas [1-1]: L 21-37 vs. Ohio (LW: 9)

Kansas lost to a team from the MAC (just like Oklahoma State), but it wasn’t a total blowout like we’re used to seeing with the Jayhawks.

10. Iowa State [0-2]: L 3-42 @ Iowa (LW: 10)

Iowa State continued to struggle on Saturday, losing in blowout fashion to in-state rival Iowa.