MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With six weeks of data compiled, the computer polls that compose the calculus wing of the BCS rankings might differ on where individual teams rank, but they essentially agree on conference strength—with the Big 12 way down the list at No. 5 (ranking just ahead of the American Athletic Conference).
That’s bad math for the chiefs at XII roman-numeral headquarters, though there’s always a positive spin to be spun when you’ve got Bob Stoops in charge of PR and Art Briles’ bunch going for 70 every Saturday. On to this week’s power rankings:
1. Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0)
Result:The Sooners defeated TCU 20-17 despite converting only 3-of-13 third downs and averaging only 7.5 yards per completion. OU has won its two league games scoring a total of three touchdowns. Contrast that to the No. 2 team in this week’s rankings …
2. Baylor (4-0, 1-0)
Result: Walloped West Virginia 73-42, scoring so many long touchdowns the Bears’ starters became too pooped to play in the second half.
3. Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-1)
Result: After beating K-State 33-29, the J.W. Walsh haters should chew on these two factoids: (1) He actually made enough throws to win at West Virginia, and (2) he was 4-of-5 for 59 yards and a TD on the Cowboys’ go-ahead drive against the Wildcats.
4. Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0)
Result: Freshman quarterback Baker Mayfield left with a knee injury but the Red Raiders whipped Kansas 54-16 anyway. Mayfield, who needs his wheels to be effective, is unlikely to play against Iowa State, but could return to face WVU on Oct. 19.
5. TCU (2-3, 0-2)
Result: The Toads managed just 16 yards in the first half at Oklahoma, yet were in the game until the very end of a 20-17 loss. Yes, the 113th-ranked offense is depressing, but Gary Patterson’s team has lost three games to teams with a combined record of 15-1.
6. Texas (3-2, 2-0)
Result: Convincingly beat Iowa State 31-30 thanks to an end-of-half Hail Mary and an end-of-game non-fumble that wink, wink was too close to overturn.
7. West Virginia (3-3, 1-2)
Result: Lost 73-42 at Baylor. When TSA agents showed up two hours late for WVU’s charter flight home, the team said “That’s OK—we’re used to busted assignments.”
8. Kansas State (2-3, 0-2)
Result: During a 33-29 loss at Oklahoma State, the Wildcats nearly overcame five turnovers and 92 yards in penalties.
9. Iowa State (1-3, 0-1)
Result: The Cyclones lost 31-30 to Texas, because according to NCAA Rule 2, Section 11, Article 1: “A ball stripped from a Texas running back shall only be ruled a fumble in the event of conclusive video evidence, two notary signatures and a U.N. security council resolution.”
10. Kansas (2-2, 0-1)
Result: Scored the first 10 points against Texas Tech as well as the last six. Too bad the Red Raiders scored the 54 in between.
