Texas Tech reclaims the top spot, Oklahoma rolls at home and TCU looks like a shell of themselves

Viva the Matadors’ Week 7 Rankings:

1. #7 Texas Tech Red Raiders: 24-6, 3-3 (LW 2)
Texas Tech takes back the No. 1 spot this week thanks to TCU, but boy did it look in doubt on Thursday as Tech dropped the opener against West Virginia to go 1-3 in conference. The Red Raiders would respond though to take the series and get back to .500 in conference. Oklahoma is in front of them in the rankings and their matchup with TCU this weekend could have the Sooners overtake Tech next week regardless of how Tech does against Kansas.

Texas Tech needs a big weekend in Lawrence against an improved Kansas team as the conference schedule will get harder as the season goes on. Tech has to take advantage.

2. Oklahoma Sooners: 20-10, 6-0 (LW 4)
Back to back sweeps for the Sooners have them up in our power rankings. This time handling Baylor in Norman, but unfortunately for Oklahoma, their extended home stand is coming to an end. For the first time in almost 20 games, the Sooners will leave Norman and travel down to Fort Worth for a weekend series with TCU.

3. Texas Longhorns: 18-12, 6-3 (LW 3)
Texas standing pat at No. 3 is more to do with the TCU debacle than Texas doing well. I also have a touch of hangover from their 5-1 start in conference which has stayed my hand at the moment. Kansas State is a underrated team, but I still expected a series win.

Texas gets Baylor in Austin this weekend looking to get back to their winning ways.

4. TCU Horned Frogs: 14-11, 3-3 (LW 1)
What an unbelievable bad rut the Horned Frogs find themselves in. After sweeping Kansas State in their opener, they turn around and get swept by Oklahoma State. To add to the frustration, TCU still dealing with the hangover, loses their mid-week game against Dallas Baptist. I keep trying to talk myself out of thinking TCU (and the Big 12 in general) is weak this year, but I think the Horned Frogs non-conference play was the rule and not the exception. Couldn’t handle the pressure of the top spot in VTM’s Power Rankings apparently.

TCU gets Oklahoma this weekend.

5. Oklahoma State: 15-10-1, 4-2 (LW 7)
The surprise of the week! Much to the joy of Texas Tech fans, which are now back in the thick of it thanks to Oklahoma State’s road sweep of TCU this past weekend. As in the past, Oklahoma State always seems to hang around until the last weekend and teams will need to keep an eye on them going forward.

Oklahoma State gets Kansas State in Stillwater this weekend.

6. Kansas State Wildcats: 15-13, 2-4 (LW 8)
In the past we’ve attributed all Kansas State teams to having the same demeanor as the Wildcat football team led by Bill Snyder. Just when you think they are done they surprise you with a big win. Kansas State did just that with a series win over Texas who was rolling through the early part of conference. Can it be sustained or was that truly just a hiccup for the Longhorns?

Kansas State travels to Stillwater this weekend to take on Oklahoma State.

7. Kansas Jayhawks: 17-11, 2-4 (LW 5)
After a strong non-conference push, Kansas has fallen back to earth, and in our power rankings, in conference play. The Jayhawks went 2-2 last week, their conference bye week, but struggled to separate against Morehead State.

Texas Tech comes to town this weekend.

8. Baylor Bears: 14-13, 3-6 (LW 6)
Baylor has now gone 1-5 in conference play since winning the opening series against Texas Tech. Strange for a Baylor team that looked completely different against Oklahoma than they did against Tech. Maybe Oklahoma is that good? Baylor travels to Austin this weekend.

9. West Virginia Mountaineers: 11-14, 1-5 (LW 9)
West Virginia surprised the conference with an opening game win over Texas Tech in Lubbock. Even more surprising was doing it in shutout fashion. Texas ended up rebounding though and winning the series. West Virginia showing signs of life against Texas Tech, but this season is done. The Mountaineers will host UNLV this weekend.