MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12’s reputation has seen better weeks, but it’s early. We haven’t even gotten a look at what newfangled schematic advantages Charlie Weis is cooking up.
On with the first conference power rankings of 2013, to be taken with two Advil if your name’s Bob Bowlsby:
1. Texas (1-0)
Result: Beat New Mexico State 56-7. Does a team that managed zero points in the first 28 minutes deserve the No. 1 spot? Nope. But a team that scored 56 in the final 32 minutes might.
2. Oklahoma State (1-0)
Result: Beat Mississippi State 21-3. Growing bored with touchdowns and explosive plays, the Cowboys flashed some SEC-style defense instead. They held MSU to 2-of-16 on third downs.
3. TCU (0-1)
Result: Lost to LSU 37-27. Sheez, was that Gary Patterson or Bob Stoops coaching the Frogs? “Everybody who says we can’t compete against the SEC is wrong. I don’t think there’s any doubt we can play with them. We got stronger in the fourth quarter.” Annnnnd, you were out-gained 448 to 259.
4. Oklahoma (1-0)
Result: Beat Louisiana-Monroe 34-0. Bob Stoops moved within seven of the all-time OU wins record and paid homage to Barry Switzer by bringing back his offense.
5. Baylor (1-0)
Result: Beat FCS member Wofford 69-3. Baylor enjoyed its biggest point total since 1929, and the defense held Wofford to three plays or fewer on nine drives, leading safety Ahmad Dixon to get. “Just because it was Wofford don’t think we won’t be like that every week. I don’t care if it’s against UT, I don’t care if it’s against TCU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State. We’re going to be like that against everybody we play.”
6. Texas Tech (1-0)
Result: Beat SMU 41-23. Walk-on freshman quarterback Baker Mayfield contributed five TDs and completed 43-of-60 passes. That should at least earn the kid a Pell grant.
7. West Virginia (1-0)
Result: Beat FCS member William & Mary 24-17. The Mountaineers rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to avoid dropping beneath Kansas.
8. Kansas (0-0)
Result: Idle. How did KU jump up two spots from its customary home? Because, unlike the teams below, the Jayhawks actually beat their FCS opponent last year.
9. Kansas State (0-1)
Result: Lost to North Dakota State 24-21. Frets about the Wildcats’ retooled defense were justified when the Bison drove 80 yards in eight minutes for the winning score. Oh yeah, NDSU also scored the game’s final 17 points.
10. Iowa State (0-1)