2013 Big 12 Power Poll: Week 8

Big 12 Power Poll: 

1. Baylor – Previous Week: 1

Result:  Win vs. Iowa State, 71-7

Baylor just cannot be stopped offensively. The Bears almost even pitched a shutout against the Cyclones defense, giving up a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, the Bears returned the kickoff for a 97-yard touchdown. They are extremely dangeruos and might even be better than Robert Griffin III’s senior year team.

They’ll surely roll next week against Kansas but I wouldn’t be so sure that they score 70 points again. Their only game this season they didn’t score at least 69 points was against K-State… in Manhattan, KS. Maybe the Kansas soil is the Baylor Bear kryptonite.

Next week: at Kansas

2. Texas Tech  – Previous Week: 2

Result: Win vs. West Virginia, 37-27

Despite uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Red Raiders continued their winning ways.

Next week: Oklahoma

3. Oklahoma State – Previous Week: 4

Result: Win vs. TCU, 24-10

The offensive juggernaut that showed themselves early on has turned into a team that has some trouble scoring. Despite the offensive deficiencies, they’re still winning games because of defense. The Cowboys had three interceptions and recovered a fumble. Unfortunately, their offense did the same thing…  They’ll need to figure out their offense pretty quickly with an important game against Texas Tech in two weeks.

Next week: at Iowa State

4. Oklahoma – Previous Week: 3

Result:  Win vs. Kansas, 34-19

Oklahoma bounced back after a tough loss to Texas by getting outscored 13-0 in the first quarter. Yeah, they controlled the game after that point but I was very unimpressed with the Sooners. Kansas essentially could have lost by four less points if they had made both of their extra points (one was blocked and returned for 2 points. So the Sooners really won by 11… to Kansas. Not impressed.

Next week: Texas Tech

5. TCU – Previous Week: 5

Result: Loss vs. Oklahoma State, 24-10

They followed up an unimpressive win vs. Kansas with a very disappointing performance against the Cowboys. I might give them some credit if they put up some points against the Cowboys but they just couldn’t get much going.

Next Week: Texas

6. Texas – Previous Week: 6

Result: Bye week

The Longhorns need to get a victory against TCU to keep their Red River Rivalry momentum going. This shouldn’t be much of a problem for Texas but you never know with Mack Brown…

Next week: at TCU

7. West Virginia – Previous Week: 7

Result: Loss to Texas Tech, 37-27

Tough to lose a game like they did to Texas Tech this week.

Next week:  at Kansas State

8. Kansas State – Previous Week: 8

Result: Bye Week

At least they didn’t embarrass themselves on national TV this week….

Next week: West Virginia

9. Kansas  – Previous Week: 9

Previous Week: Loss vs. Oklahoma, 34-19

Kansas looked really good in the first quarter…until they missed an extra point. After going up 13-0, things unraveled a bit and Oklahoma made their way back into the game. Momentum shifted after Weis put in Montell Cozart, pulling his redshirt, with the lead and then Kansas got called for holding. After a 3-and-out, Oklahoma scored to take a 15-13 lead and the Sooners were in command of the game.

Kansas almost got back into in the fourth quarter after scoring to make it 25-19 but a blocked extra point that went for an OU PAT made it an 8-point game. On the next OU possession, Kansas almost forced a fumble that would have given them decent field position and the wind at their backs (which for whatever reason, Weis thinks is important). Instead, the fumble call was not overturned in a review and Oklahoma scored to seal the victory for the Sooners.

If Kansas could have just eliminated a couple mistakes (mainly on special teams), this might have turned out differently for the Jayhawks. The defense performed admirably and James Sims played like his usual self…  Unfortunately, the special teams (which has been a plus for Kansas all year) couldn’t come through. If they just eliminated a couple mistakes (the blocked punt, the missed PATs), Kansas would have lost by six less points than they did. A nine point loss is a lot different than a 15 point loss.

Next week: vs. Baylor

10. Iowa State  – Previous Week: 10

Result: Loss vs. Baylor, 71-7

Big step back for the Cyclones this week. Almost feel bad for them…

Next week: vs. Oklahoma State