Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 12
By Ross
1. Oklahoma State – The Pokes just keep rolling as they destroyed Texas Tech last Saturday, 66-6. With both Stanford and Boise State losing over the weekend, Brandon Weeden is starting to get much more Heisman consideration. The Pokes were up 49-0 at halftime and ended the game with 637 yards of total offense. The Cyclones are going to have their hands full when the Cowboys come to Ames on Friday.
2. Oklahoma – The Sooners had a bye last week but their chances of a trip to the BCS title game improved with Stanford and Boise State losing. If they can beat Oklahoma State, it is likely that they will be playing for a national championship. Oklahoma hosts Baylor this week.
3. Kansas State – It took four overtimes for the Wildcats to top the Aggies on Saturday. Kansas State came back from two double-digit deficits. QB Collin Klein threw for 281 yards and also rushed for 5 touchdowns. The Wildcats travel to Austin this week.
4. Texas – The Horns were looking good in the weeks prior to last week’s game against Mizzou. The offense scored over 35 points six straight games but could only muster up 5 points against Mizzou. They couldn’t run or throw the ball against the Tigers. To make things worse, senior RB Fozzy Whittaker is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
5. Baylor – The Bears survived a big-time scare against Kansas. Baylor was down 27-3 after the 3rd quarter but rallied to take the game into overtime. Baylor scored a touchdown but so did Kansas. Instead of kicking the field goal, KU decided to go for the win but it didn’t work out. RGIII completed 22 out of 29 passes for 312 yards including 3 TDs (1 INT). The Bears take on the Sooners next week.
6. Missouri – The Tigers beat Texas 17-5 to improve to 5-5 overall. However, they lost star running back and the Big 12’s leading rusher, Henry Josey, for the year. Missouri looks to become bowl eligible as they host Texas Tech this weekend.
7. Texas A&M – Unbelievable. Just when you thought it couldn’t get much worse for A&M, it does. They blow another double-digit lead and eventually lose to Kansas State in four overtimes. The Aggies are now 5-5 but could easily be 9-1 if not for second half collapses. Cyrus Gray had a great day, rushing for 218 yards but it wasn’t enough to beat the Wildcats.
8. Iowa State – As you know, the Clones had a bye last week. They will try to get their sixth win against #2 ranked Oklahoma State on Friday. If the Cyclones can manage to shock the Cowboys and the world, it will be the biggest win in the history of the program. With Iowa State having a bye week before the game, it being senior night, and the game being on national television, I think the Clones may have the right ingredients to pull of a historical win.
9. Texas Tech – I think the Red Raiders decided to quit on the season after they beat Oklahoma in Norman. Since that win, the Red Raiders have lost three straight games and have been blown out in all of them. It looked like Tech was going bowling after their win against the Sooners but not anymore. They are sitting at five wins and face Baylor and Mizzou to end the year.
10. Kansas – The Jayhawks came so close to finally getting a conference win. They had a big lead going into the fourth quarter but let Baylor score 21 straight points to force overtime. The Jayhawks went for the win by going for two points instead of the field goal but failed to convert the PAT. They end the year with A&M and then the rivalry game with Mizzou.