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With the start of Big 12 play being last week, I figured I should start the first rankings of the season. This will be a bi-weekly update due to the schedule being stretched out with multiple off-weeks during the season, but what I hope with these rankings is to put my opinion out there and get feedback from you, the fans. So, with that being said, here are my week one Big 12 Power Rankings.
The Mad Hatter strikes again at the bottom of the rankings and the Jayhawks look worse than last year. Surprisingly coming into the season, there was optimism surrounding the Jayhawks accomplishing something that hasn’t been done since 2014 which is not finishing last in the Big 12. With a demoralizing loss to Coastal Carolina, the streak looks like it will continue if nothing changes in the locker room and with the playbook of Les Miles.
Yes, the Red Raiders won their game but, a shootout against Houston Baptist 35-33. The team from Lubbock looks very similar to last year where they went 1-6 in their last 7 games. If things don’t turn around quickly for Tech then expect this close win and Kansas to be their only wins in 2020. (Also the Red Raiders announce 5 players test positive on Monday so probably no games for the next 2 weeks).
Putting an 0-1 team above a 1-0 team says something about both but, the Wildcats were upset by Arkansas State on Saturday 35-31. The Red Wolves are a good team but KSU came into the game as 10.5 point favorites. Expect Kansas State to go 0-2 unless they can work up the same magic they produced last year against their next opponent, Oklahoma.
TCU has had some controversy over the off-season with coach Gary Patterson using a racial slur during practice and the whole team walking out of practice on him. They have also had their encounters with injuries and medical conditions with star quarterback Max Duggan reportedly being held out of practice due to a life-long medical condition that was detected during screenings heading into camp. The question that is circulating the Horned Frogs is can they overcome the controversy and be a good team? Only time will tell with their first game probably being against Iowa State next Saturday after the game against SMU was postponed due to COVID-19.
6. Iowa State (0-1)
Who called this upset? Surprisingly a lot of people including my colleague Graeme Simpson and Thunder star Chris Paul on College Gameday. The Cyclones proved that they are overrated and they will be a middle-tier team this year. With Louisiana embarrassing Iowa State 31-14, expect the Cyclones to re-evaluate their depth chart because they have the pieces to be a good team they just need to figure out what works best.
With Baylor losing Matt Ruhle to the NFL, I have the Bears being a middle-tier team in 2020. Expect a new look for Baylor, when they play Houston this week, with a new playbook and being more focused on the defensive side with former LSU defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda as Head Coach.
4. West Virginia (1-0)
As expected, West Virginia blew out Eastern Kentucky 56-10. But, don’t expect this to continue with their next game being at Oklahoma State next week. West Virginia is a good team and will likely finish in the top 25 if they stay healthy. They will probably finish #4 at the end of the season in the Big 12.
Shocker? Yes. I have the Longhorns at #3 and before you say I am biased let me explain. Texas lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and before I can put them at 1 or 2 I need to see more people step up and take over. Sam Ehlinger was great in the 59-3 win against UTEP and the Longhorns first test will be the biggest all season with a matchup against Oklahoma on October 10th.
2. Oklahoma State (0-0)
If this was an episode of Slightly Biased I would have my Cowboys at #1 but Steve hasn’t produced an episode in months so this is my unbiased opinion. Unlike what many people think, I think Oklahoma State will surprise everyone and go undefeated this year IF they can overcome controversy from the offseason with Mike Gundy’s T-Shirt and if Spencer Sanders can have a breakout year. Chuba Hubbard is going to win the Doak Walker Award and Tylan Wallace will win the Biletnikoff Award but, the main goal for the Cowboys in 2020 is the Big 12 Championship and ultimately the CFP Championship.
It pains me to write this but, Oklahoma is going to be good again this year. (Yeah I know, Shocker) Spencer Rattler shined in the blowout win against a Missouri State team who is now just a punching bag for Big 12 teams. The question heading into the season for the Sooners is who will step up in the running game to lead the Sooners back to the CFP? After Kennedy Brooks opted out and Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State the RB chart was without experience in the Big 12. I expect Seth McGowan and Marcus Major to become the key running backs for the Sooners.
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