Big 12 Power Rankings: As Expected, Kansas Jayhawks Descend

In the world of ranking teams, everybody tends to react after a big loss such as the legendary Kansas Jayhawks with history and pageantry losing to TCU that hasn’t seen much success with its men’s team…ever really. But then there’s holding back from declaring them the best when you see weaknesses, and then pouncing on them when they finally collapse.

Feb 06, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self and TCU Horned Frogs head coach Trent Johnson meet before the game at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. TCU won 62-55. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

It could simply be a team that, due to being highly touted as the class of the Big 12, doesn’t take weaker foes seriously. But when Kansas has to come from behind against Texas in the final minutes and struggling to put away West Virginia, there are some problems.

These last two games for the Jayhawks, it’s a combination of playing a tough team like Oklahoma State, and then simply taking lazy shots against TCU early that exposes the team Kansas really has.

A team that’s already looking ahead to March.

Hopefully Wednesday was just a reality check for Kansas and can rebound from a devastating loss like that. Fans may never get over the loss, it may hinder their chances at one of the top seeds, but there’s still a lot to play. Outside of beating Ohio State and blowing out some bad teams in December, what have they done to impress us?

• A new team is at the top of the Big 12 for the first time this season, Kansas State.
• Iowa State wins two straight at home against the upper six teams in the conference and move up two spots. The only way they can reach one of the top spots is getting a big win on the road like this Saturday in Manhattan.
• If Oklahoma doesn’t rebound, they may join the bottom four of the conference and lose their chance at an NCAA at-large bid.

Jan 30, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Romero Osby (24) and guard Steven Pledger (2) react during the game against the Baylor Bears at the Ferrell Center. Oklahoma won 74-71. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Big 12 Power Rankings

Rankings reflect AP poll. Records as of Thursday, February 7th.

1. (13)Kansas State (18-4, 7-2) LW: 2
2. (22)Oklahoma State (16-5, 6-3) LW: 4
3. (5)Kansas (19-3, 7-2) LW: 1
4. Iowa State (16-6, 6-3) LW: 6
5. Baylor (14-8, 5-4) LW: 5
6. Oklahoma (14-7, 5-4) LW: 3
7. West Virginia (11-11, 4-5) LW: 7
8. TCU (10-12, 1-8) LW: 10
9. Texas (10-12, 2-7) LW: 8
10. Texas Tech (9-11, 2-7) LW: 9

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Clones Confidential. Get more Cyclones coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook.