The Big 12 has the top five teams in the FBS’ toughest schedule rankings and every Big 12 team is ranked in the top 15.
The Big 12 has a team that leads the nation in scoring offense (Oklahoma State), scoring defense (Texas Tech), total offense (Oklahoma State is No. 1, Texas Tech is No. 2) and total defense (Texas Tech is No. 1).
Seven Big 12 quarterbacks are in the top 20 for pass efficiency, holding the top three rankings and five of the top seven.
Total offensive yards per game (all games)
Big 12 (32 games): 503.53 ypg
PAC 12 (44 games): 429.50 ypg
ACC (47 games): 420.66 ypg
SEC (55 games): 420.04 ypg
Big East (29 games): 413.00 ypg
Big 10 (46 games): 411.50 ypg
Total yards allowed per game (all games)
Big East (29 games): 330.31 ypg
Big 10 (46 games): 331.78 ypg
SEC (55 games): 333.24 ypg
Big 12 (32 games): 338.31 ypg
ACC (47 games): 357.89 ypg
PAC 12 (44 games): 378.75 ypg
Points scored per game (all games)
Big 12: 41.5 ppg
SEC: 33.3 ppg
ACC: 33.2 ppg
PAC 12: 31.6 ppg
Big 10: 29.9 ppg
Big East: 27.7 ppg
Of the six major conferences, the Big 12 is averaging (all games)…
-Most yards per offensive play (6.80)
-Most offensive plays per game (74.0)
-Most pass completions per game (23.7)
-Fewest punts per game (3.2)
-Fewest turnovers per game (1.47)
Baylor (3-0; defeated Louisiana-Monroe 47-42; at West Virginia Saturday)
Aaron Jones’ 34-yard field goal at the half was his eighth career field goal on the last play of the first half.
Lanear Sampson has caught a pass in 33 consecutive games, the nation’s third-longest streak. Tevin Reese had 26 consecutive games with at least one reception.
The Bears are ranked in both the coaches’ (No. 24) and media (No. 25) polls. Baylor has been ranked in the top 25 three straight years for the first time since 1974-76.
Baylor’s nine-game winning streak is second-longest in the country (TCU has the longest streak at 11). It’s the school’s longest winning streak since winning 10 in a row over the 1936 and 1937 seasons.
Iowa State (3-0; idle; vs. Texas Tech Saturday)
The Cyclones will try to start 4-0 for the first time since 2000 when they open Big 12 play by playing host to Texas Tech. Iowa State last won its conference opener in 2002.
Kansas (1-3, 0-1; lost to Northern Illinois, 30-23; at Kansas State Oct. 6)
Sophomore running back Tony Pierson had three receptions. He has nine catches over the last two games. Prior to that, he had eight catches in his career.
Sophomore linebacker Ben Henney (12) and senior linebacker Anthony McDonald (11) each had career highs for tackles.
Kansas has forced 13 turnovers, tied for second-most in the NCAA.
Kansas State (4-0, 1-0; defeated Oklahoma, 24-19; vs. Kansas Oct. 6)
Running back John Hubert had 130 yards rushing, the first 100-yard game by a Kansas State running back against Oklahoma since Darren Sproles had 235 against OU in the 2003 Big 12 Championship game.
K-State was 3-of-3 in the red zone. Of the last 80 red zone chances dating back to last season, K-State has scored 71 times, including 54 touchdowns.
Since 1990, Kansas State has the most non-offensive touchdowns (84) in the NCAA.
Oklahoma was ranked No. 5 and became the highest-ranked team Kansas State has ever defeated in a road game.
Oklahoma (2-1, 0-1; lost to Kansas State, 24-19; at Texas Tech Oct. 6)
Quarterback Landry Jones moved into ninth place in FBS history with 13,511 passing yards.
Making his first start, freshman Sterling Shepard had career highs for receptions (seven) and yards (108).
Kicker Michael Hunnicutt kicked two field goals and has made 24 of 28 in his career.
Oklahoma’s last home loss in September was a 17-10 loss to TCU on Sept. 3, 2005. OU lost at home to a ranked team for the first time under Bob Stoops, breaking a 14-game win streak dating back to 1999.
Oklahoma State (2-1; idle; vs. Texas Saturday)
The Cowboys open Big 12 play by playing host to Texas. Oklahoma State has beaten the Longhorns each of the last two seasons; both games were in Austin.
Since 2009, Oklahoma State’s 20-5 Big 12 record is the best in the Conference.
TCU (3-0, 1-0; defeated Virginia, 27-7; at SMU Saturday)
Casey Pachall became the first TCU quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in consecutive games since Casey Printers in 2001 versus East Carolina (319) and UAB (310).
Josh Boyce is TCU’s career leader in touchdown receptions with 18.
TCU is second nationally in opponents’ third-down efficiency (18.6 percent). The Frogs held Virginia to 3-of-16 on third down attempts (18.7 percent).
TCU’s 11-game winning streak is the longest in the nation.
Texas (3-0; idle; at Oklahoma State Saturday)
The Longhorns open Big 12 play at Oklahoma State Saturday. The Longhorns have lost their last two games with the Cowboys and both were in Austin. During Big 12 play, Texas has lost once in Stillwater (1997).
Texas Tech (3-0; idle; at Iowa State Saturday)
The Red Raiders will try to match last season’s 4-0 start by starting Big 12 play with a victory at Iowa State. Both of Texas Tech’s conference victories last season came on the road (at Kansas, at Oklahoma).
West Virginia (3-0; defeated Maryland 31-21; vs. Baylor Saturday)
Geno Smith has attempted 1,065 passes, the most in school history.
Tavon Austin has the most receptions in school history with 208. His 13 receptions against Maryland matched the school single-game record.
Since 2000, West Virginia is 78-3 when scoring 30 or more points.
West Virginia didn’t score a rushing touchdown in a victory for the first time since defeating South Florida 20-6 in 2010.