Big 12 Football: Week 8 Power Rankings

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With Week 8 of the Big 12 Football calendar in the books, it’s time for another round of conference power rankings.

Week 7 provided for some smooth wins for several teams, some tense moments for others and more offense than most people are used to. In some way or another, this weekend was probably one of the most definitive measuring sticks for how we can expect the rest of the season to play out in the Big 12 conference.

Some teams were able to bounce back after almost demoralizing performances, others just can’t seem to find a rhythm and build on momentum and some appear to be on the easy path to a New Years Six bowl game–if not the National Championship. For outsiders, the Big 12 conference is one that lacks discipline and defense. But for those who know the conference well, it provides endless entertainment, instant classics and plenty of conversation.

Disclaimer:

The following power rankings are based on observations for weeks 1-8, while forecasting playoff implications; there are no additional factors, so expect these rankings to change a lot this season based off how powerfully these teams are performing.

For those keeping track, here are my Big 12 Power Rankings for Week 7.

Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (55) and defensive end Breckyn Hager (44) and linebacker Anthony Wheeler (45) tackle Iowa Stte Cyclones quarterback Joel Lanning (7) during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

10. Iowa State Cyclones (Record: 1-6)

Iowa State was handed its fourth in-conference loss against the Texas Longhorns in Austin two weeks ago. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the performance only highlighted a growing list of issues for Matt Campbell’s team this season.

The Cyclones’ defense started off strong in the first half by defending Texas’ run game, and held the Longhorns’ to just 3 points before the half. But it was in the second half where freshman quarterback Shane Buechele and the Texas offense switched for a more potent passing game that was completely mismatched for the Cyclones. Many Big 12 teams stressed conditioning in the offseason to prepare for situations that would exploit defenses, and unfortunately for Iowa State, neither side of the football stacks up, making even practices difficult to prepare for a game plan.

Hopefully the much needed bye week offered the Cyclones some time to recover before taking on Kansas State this week.

Next Game:

Next: 9. Kansas Jayhawks

Oct 15, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Carter Stanley (9) looks to the sidelines during a game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 49-7. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

9. Kansas Jayhawks (Record: 1-6)

Say what you want about the Kansas Jayhawks, the record doesn’t accurately represent how much promise that team shows, or how much fight it has. Against a good Oklahoma State team last weekend, the Jayhawks were holding strong while trailing the Cowboys 13-17 at the half.

Up until that point, both teams were in a relatively toe-to-toe situation, but second-half adjustments by Oklahoma State and Jayhawks’ turnovers really started shifting the momentum into the Cowboys’ favor.

Junior quarterback Montell Cozart accounted for 250 yards and one touchdown, but unfortunately was intercepted for two of the Jayhawks’ three turnovers. Three receivers had positive gains, but the biggest offensive highlight on Homecoming was the Kansas run game, which averaged 10.4 yards-per-carry. Considering Kansas put up 454 total yards of offense on Oklahoma State, if it can limit turnovers and full-quarter shutouts, it could make for at least one upset this season.

Next Game:

Next: 8. Texas Longhorns

Oct 22, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive back DJ Reed (2) breaks up a pass intended for Texas Longhorns cornerback Davante Davis (9) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won, 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

8. Texas Longhorns (Record: 3-4)

The Texas Longhorns’ 27-6 win over the Iowa State Cyclones two weeks ago was much needed for head coach Charlie Strong–whose seat went from warm to scalding in the past month. But despite the victory snapping a four game losing streak, the Longhorns were unable to hold it together against Kansas State.

Texas was able to take advantage of some second-half mistakes by Kansas State, which was stout through the first half. Having led by 21 at halftime and scoring just a field goal through 30 minutes of play proved that defensive adjustments the Longhorns have made thus far have been efficient. But in order to be the difference maker in a league dominated by offense, it needs to become more consistent.

Kansas State quarterback Jesse Ertz dominated the Longhorns’ run defense with 18 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns. So against a Baylor team that scored five rushing touchdowns against Kansas last weekend, adjustments must be made this week.

Next Game:

Next: 7. Kansas State Wildcats

Oct 22, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) has the ball stripped by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Jordan Willis (75) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won, 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

7. Kansas State Wildcats (Record: 4-3)

A win is a win, but Texas dominated Kansas State in the second half, holding the Wildcats to just a field goal after quarterback Jesse Ertz accounted for a passing touchdown in the first quarter and two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. Considering the weapons Kansas State has, Ertz shouldn’t be the only one racking up points.

Ball security was also an issue, as the Wildcats turned the ball over three times. The clock also seemed to be an issue as Kansas State maintained possession for 38:27, compared to just 21:33 by the Longhorns. To escape with a marginal three-point win against a struggling team, that says the Wildcats simply aren’t being efficient enough on offense. While the Kansas State defense held the Longhorns to just 2.3 yards-per-carry rushing, it also allowed a total of 344 yards of total offense, too.

Kansas State has the manpower to dominate Iowa State this weekend, but in Ames, anything is possible.

Next Game:

Next: 6. TCU Horned Frogs

Oct 22, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jaelan Austin (15) catches a touchdown pass while defended by West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

6.  TCU Horned Frogs (Record: 4-3)

Coming off a bye, TCU was handed a 34-10 loss in front of a rowdy Mountaineers’ crowd on Saturday. Trailing by 11 points before the half, TCU still had an opportunity to mount a comeback in hopes of an upset, but was held scoreless against a stout West Virginia defense that’s been one of the Mountaineers’ biggest storylines this season.

On three of just five second-half possessions in the second half, the Horned Frogs were forced to punt. And coupled with three turnovers–including two fumbles and one interception at the hands of quarterback Kenny Hill–nothing was going right for TCU. West Virginia also held TCU to a season low 300 total yards of offense, and despite leading rusher Kyle Hicks putting up 100 yards on 15 carries, he wasn’t able to get into the end zone once.

TCU averaged 4.8 yards-per-pass, and 5.2 yards-per-rush against West Virginia, which is good, but the Horned Frogs struggled to convert on third downs, and were just 2-of-11 on the day.

Next Game:

Next: 5. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) scores a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 66-59. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Record: 3-4)

Some may be wondering how or why I have Texas Tech ranked so high after its 59-66 loss against the No. 16 ranked Oklahoma Sooners, but OFFENSE.

When comparing Texas Tech and Oklahoma, the biggest difference in stats were turnovers, and had Jonathan Giles not fumbled (which set the Sooners up for a touchdown), perhaps overtime would have happened. Perhaps if Patrick Mahomes hadn’t turned the football over in the second quarter, he would have matched Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback Baker Mayfield’s seven touchdowns on the night. If only…

When you consider the offensive numbers the Sooners and Red Raiders put up, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a performance like that again–especially not in most of our lifetimes. Mahomes was spectacular with five touchdowns and 734 yards passing, which tied the NCAA record for passing previously set by Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday against California back in 2014.

Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury described the team’s overall performance as “passionate,” as the Red Raiders were playing inspired football following the two turnovers. Defensively, Tech was improved since the West Virginia blowout, as it accounted for two punts, three stops, and a huge 4th and 1 stop. Sacks and turnovers were an issue, and if Tech’s defense was able to get to Mayfield, perhaps Tech could have created or prevented scoring opportunities.

All around, an improved team, but Texas Tech needs to take this momentum into TCU this week and find a way to get a win.

Next Game:

Next: 4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oct 8, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) talks with head coach Mike Gundy before a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

4.  Oklahoma State Cowboys (Record: 5-2)

Oklahoma State was able to create separation after the half, where it led Kansas by just 17-13. Nobody has ruled out an upset at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks this season, so leading by that margin wasn’t very settling for the Cowboys.

Kansas held on to a momentary lead, but running back Justice Hill managed to inch one into the end zone just before the half. Capitalizing off three turnovers, the Cowboys scored 17 points, which included an interception by safety Jordan Sterns. Oklahoma State attempted several laterals before they were downed at the 1-yard line, but scored on the following play.

While Oklahoma State was able to do a much better job at taking care of the football and preventing Kansas from some defensive opportunities, the Cowboys’ offensive line was no match for Kansas, which registered five sacks on quarterback Mason Rudolph. Against a West Virginia team that ranks No. 71 in the nation in sacks at 12, for 101 yards, protecting the quarterback next week will be a concern for Mike Gundy’s offense.

Next Game:

Next: 3. Oklahoma Sooners

Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Jordyn Brooks (20) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Oklahoma Sooners (Record: 5-2)

Like Texas Tech, the offensive numbers the Sooners put up were insane. I’m sure anyone watching who wasn’t akin to the way Big 12 offenses function was taken aback at the video game numbers. But it’s safe to say in Baker Mayfield’s return to Lubbock, he was pretty satisfied with the overall offensive performance–despite only winning by seven points.

Discussing all the statistics and records that were broken that day requires another article, so I’m skipping the offensive praises in favor of a more pressing issue: the Sooners’ defense. After its offense put up exactly 854 yards of total offense, Oklahoma’s defense allowed 854 total yards of offense, 42 first downs and allowed the Red Raiders to convert on 20 of its 25 third down conversion attempts. Oklahoma now ranks No. 127 in the nation in total passing defense after Mahomes’ vertical attack, and No. 116 in total defense. This has led to a growing number of Sooners’ fans wanting defensive coordinator Mike Stoops’ resignation, or for him to be fired.

Oklahoma faces Kansas at home this weekend, but if the Sooners want to keep moving up in the polls, defensive adjustments must be made.

Next Game:

Next: 2. West Virginia Mountaineers

Oct 22, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Skyler Howard (3) and West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Tyler Orlosky (65) celebrate after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

2. West Virginia Mountaineers (Record: 6-0)

Next Game:

West Virginia continues to dominate, and even pundits such as ESPN’s Brett McMurphy have the Mountaineers scheduled to represent the Big 12 in the Sugar Bowl. Avenging a 40-10 loss last year, West Virginia wanted to make sure it sent a strong message to anyone doubting its progress, and as a result, limited the TCU Horned Frogs to one of its worse games in recent history.

Mountaineers’ quarterback Skyler Howard was 16 of 23 for 231 yards and four touchdowns. Howard averaged 10 yards per pass, which frustrated TCU’s defense all day despite holding WVU rushers to zero touchdowns. Moving forward, West Virginia has to focus on ball protection, as it gave up two fumbles.

Much of its progress has been attributed to its defense, where West Virginia ranks No. 57 in the nation in total defense–behind Baylor, which comes in at No. 18. If the Big 12 title game is between those two teams, expect each defense to play a critical role.

Next: 1. Baylor Bears

Oct 15, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Shock Linwood (32) smiles on the bench in the closing moments of a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 49-7. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

1. Baylor Bears (Record: 6-0)

The Baylor Bears currently rank No. 8 in the Associated Press Poll, and No. 6 in the Coaches Poll through six games. With a bye before taking on the Texas Longhorns in Austin this weekend, it certainly gives the Bears time to recover in hopes of avoiding an upset, and maintaining its conference dominance.

With the Longhorns’ defense in an adjustment period, there will be only film from Texas’ loss against Kansas State to dissect and analyze; which could be beneficial for Charlie Strong.

Next Game:

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