Big 12 Post-Week 8 Power Rankings

Author:
Steven Lassan
Oct 22, 2012 5:00 AM EDT

In this story:

Iowa State Cyclones

TCU Horned Frogs

Oklahoma Sooners

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Kansas Jayhawks

Texas Longhorns

Baylor Bears

West Virginia Mountaineers

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Kansas State Wildcats

College Football

If there was any doubt Kansas State was the No. 1 team in the Big 12, those questions were erased with a convincing 55-14 win over West Virginia in Week 8. The Wildcats improved to 7-0 and have a commanding lead in the conference, especially with a win over Oklahoma earlier this year. The Mountaineers have faded over the last two weeks, but the Sooners are on the rise. Oklahoma has won three Big 12 games in a row and is back in the national title mix. Texas Tech is one of the conference's most-improved teams this year and will have a shot at Kansas State this Saturday.

Big 12 Post-Week 8 Power Rankings

1. Kansas State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12)
Last Week: 1
Week 8 Result: Beat West Virginia 55-14
There’s no debate for the No. 1 team in the Big 12 standings. With the Wildcats' 55-14 win over West Virginia, they clearly own the top spot in the power rankings and are squarely in the mix for a national title appearance. Quarterback Collin Klein bolstered his Heisman campaign with seven touchdowns against the Mountaineers, while the defense held West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith to 143 passing yards. The Wildcats play their next two games at home, before finishing the season with three matchups against teams from Texas.
Next Game: Texas Tech

2. Oklahoma (5-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Last Week: 2
Week 8 Result: Beat Kansas 52-7
Coming off a win over Texas and a huge contest next Saturday against Notre Dame, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops had to be wary of a letdown against Kansas. However, the Sooners came out firing on all cylinders, opening a 38-0 lead at halftime and cruising to a 52-7 victory. Quarterback Landry Jones threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns, while Oklahoma scored twice on special teams to easily dispatch of the Jayhawks. Since scoring only 19 points in a loss to Kansas State, the Sooners have scored at least 41 in each of their last three contests.
Next Game: Notre Dame

3. Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Last Week: 4
Week 8 Result: Beat TCU 56-53
Letdown. That was the dreaded word tossed around Lubbock this week, as the Red Raiders hoped to avoid a road loss after beating West Virginia 49-14 last Saturday. However, Texas Tech quickly forgot about the win over the Mountaineers and outlasted TCU for a 56-53 win in three overtimes. The defense allowed over 500 yards, but quarterback Seth Doege threw for 318 yards and seven touchdowns, including an eight-yard score to Alex Torres to win the game. The victory over the Horned Frogs gave the Red Raiders back-to-back wins in Big 12 play for the first time since 2009.
Next Game: at Kansas State

4. West Virginia (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)
Last Week: 3
Week 8 Result: Lost to Kansas State 55-14
A promising season has gone by the wayside for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were one of the nation’s top title contenders through the first six weeks but have lost back-to-back games in blowout fashion. Quarterback Geno Smith’s Heisman hopes have taken a huge hit, as he has only two touchdown passes over the last two contests. While the offense isn’t playing well, the biggest culprit for West Virginia’s struggles is the defense. The Mountaineers rank 113th nationally in yards allowed, 115th in scoring defense and 120th passing defense. Even though West Virginia’s national title hopes are finished, it can still salvage a 10-win season and maybe a BCS bowl. However, the rest of the schedule isn’t easy, as TCU and Oklahoma visit Morgantown, with a road trip to Oklahoma State coming up on Nov. 10.
Next Game: TCU

5. Texas (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)
Last Week: 6
Week 8 Result: Beat Baylor 56-50
The Longhorns snapped a two-game losing streak with a 56-50 win over Baylor. The defense was shredded for 607 yards, but Texas’ offense used five touchdowns from running back Joe Bergeron to hold off a late charge by the Bears. The victory was crucial to get the Longhorns back on track after a rough two-game patch. Barring a surprise collapse by Kansas State, Texas is out of the mix for a Big 12 title. However, this team can finish with 10 wins and can play spoiler with a matchup against the Wildcats on Dec. 1.
Next Game: at Kansas

6. Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)
Last Week: 7
Week 8 Result: Beat Iowa State 31-10
A week after a sluggish performance against Kansas, the Cowboys got back on track with a 31-10 win over Iowa State. Oklahoma State recorded over 600 yards of offense, including 153 on the ground from running back Joseph Randle. Quarterback J.W. Walsh was sharp, completing 32 of 47 passes for 413 yards and one touchdown. The Cowboys were short-handed at receiver with Tracy Moore and Isaiah Anderson out, but Charlie Moore, Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson stepped up in their absence. The news from Saturday's game wasn't all positive, as coach Mike Gundy announced on Sunday Walsh was done for the year with a knee injury.
Next Game: TCU

7. TCU (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)
Last Week: 5
Week 8 Result: Lost to Texas Tech 56-53
The Horned Frogs found themselves on the losing end of one of Week 8’s most entertaining games. TCU trailed 36-26 with five minutes to go but rallied behind quarterback Trevone Boykin. The redshirt freshman connected with LaDarius Brown on a 60-yard touchdown and later led the team into scoring position for a field goal to send the game into overtime. The Horned Frogs pushed the Red Raiders into the third overtime but lost when Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege found receiver Alex Torres for an eight-yard touchdown.
Next Game: at Oklahoma State

8. Iowa State (4-3, 1-3 Big 12)
Last Week: 8
Week 8 Result: Lost to Oklahoma State 31-10
The Cyclones jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the first quarter but failed to score a point the rest of the game and lost 31-10 to Oklahoma State. Both sides of the ball share blame, but the offense failed to find a rhythm after the first 15 minutes. Quarterback Jared Barnett completed only 19 of 39 throws and led the team with 49 rushing yards. Iowa State’s defense has been solid all season, but Oklahoma State simply had too much firepower to hold in check. The Cyclones have lost three out of their last four games.
Next Game: Baylor

9. Baylor (3-3, 0-3 Big 12)
Last Week: 9
Week 8 Result: Lost to Texas 56-50
Once again, the Bears had enough offense to win, but the defense failed to make key stops in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nick Florence recorded four total touchdowns and had 352 passing yards, but his effort was overshadowed by a Baylor defense that gave up 525 yards. The Bears have allowed at least 500 yards in five out of their six games this season. Baylor has yet to win a conference game this year and the road won’t get any easier with a trip to Iowa State next week. Considering the Bears close with Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, beating Iowa State and Kansas the next two weeks is a must.
Next Game: at Iowa State

10. Kansas (1-6, 0-4 Big 12)
Last Week: 10
Week 8 Result: Lost to Oklahoma 52-7
The Jayhawks continued their downward spiral with a 52-7 defeat to Oklahoma. Kansas has played well in the first half og games throughout the year, but the Sooners jumped out to a 38-0 lead after two quarters. Michael Cummings replaced Dayne Crist at quarterback, but he threw for only 116 yards and tossed two picks. The lone bright spot for Kansas’ offense has been the play of running back James Sims, who recorded 102 yards on 28 attempts on Saturday. The Jayhawks play their next three games against opponents from Texas, before finishing the year with Iowa State and West Virginia.
Next Game: Texas