Big 12 Power Rankings: The fallout from ugly losses for Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech

The opening weekend of college football season was far from a resounding success for Big 12 teams.

As Week 1 came to a close the Big 12 was staring at a 10-4 record with losses to Colorado, Penn State, Texas State and Wyoming.

Only of those defeats (West Virginia at Penn State) was expected. TCU losing a shootout against the Buffaloes was a surprise, Texas Tech falling at Wyoming turned some heads and Baylor losing at home against Texas State was downright ugly.

Those losses made it a disappointing start for the conference.

But it wasn’t all bad news. The teams that won over the weekend mostly won big. The average margin of victory in the Big 12 was 33.1 points, with three teams winning by 50 or more. Oklahoma set the pace with a 73-0 demolition of Arkansas State.

Those results led to plenty of changes in this week’s Big 12 Power Rankings.

1. Texas (1-0)

Last game: 37-10 win over Rice

Next game: At Alabama

Analysis: The Longhorns didn’t run up the score on Rice like some of their conference peers, but I’m guessing that was by design with a massive game against Alabama on deck. Quinn Ewers looked good throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns. The Owls only mustered 176 yards even with JT Daniels at quarterback. That was enough to move Texas up to the No. 1 spot this week.

How long will it last? We will obviously learn much more about Texas when it takes on the Crimson Tide.

2. Kansas State (1-0)

Last game: 45-0 win over SEMO

Next game: Troy

Analysis: One could argue the most impressive Big 12 performance of the week belonged to the Wildcats. They dominated in every way possible against the SEMO Redhawks, with Will Howard throwing for 297 yards and making school history as a touchdown scorer. The defense also flexed its muscles with 11 tackles for loss. Nobody takes care of business against FCS teams better than Chris Klieman, who now owns a 71-6 record against them.

3. Oklahoma (1-0)

Last game: 73-0 win over Arkansas State

Next game: SMU

Analysis: Brent Venables coached like a Cobra Kai sensei against Arkansas State, as Oklahoma struck first, struck hard and showed no mercy on its way to a 73-0 victory. The game was out of hand at the end of the first quarter. The Sooners rolled to 642 yards of offense and outclassed the Red Wolves in every way possible. I considered moving Oklahoma up even higher than this. My only hesitation: The Sooners blitzed overmatched teams last year in nonconference play and still finished with a 6-7 record.

4. UCF (1-0)

Last game: 56-6 win over Kent State

Next game: At Boise State

Analysis: The Knights gained (not at typo) 723 yards of offense in their first game of the season. And 389 of them came on the ground. Holy cow. Talk about making a strong debut as a Big 12 team. UCF can make an ever bigger statement next week when it hits the road and plays Boise State.

5. Texas Tech (0-1)

Last game: 35-32 loss at Wyoming

Next game: Oregon

Analysis: The Red Raiders jumped out to a 17-0 lead against Wyoming and then let the game slip away until the Cowboys were able to win in double overtime. My preseason pick to win the conference is off to an ugly start, but my enthusiasm for Texas Tech remains strong. It out-gained Wyoming 431 yards to 320 yards and probably would have won if not for committing seven penalties for 69 yards. K-State lost to Tulane last year and rebounded to win the Big 12. Oklahoma lost two of its first three games in 2020 and rallied to win the league. Texas Tech could do the same. But it will be interesting to see how it responds this week against Oregon.

6. Kansas (1-0)

Last game: 48-17 win over Missouri State

Next game: Illinois

Analysis: Concerning as it was to see Jason Bean start at quarterback instead of Jalon Daniels, the Jayhawks didn’t have any problems dispatching Missouri State in their first game of the season. Bean produced a good stat line (22 of 28 for 276 yards and two touchdowns) and KU averaged 6.4 yards per rush behind Devin Neal. The defense was probably the most pleasant surprise of the night, as it limited the Bears to 217 yards while forcing two turnovers. The Jayhawks could use Daniels as QB1 against Illinois, though.

7. Houston (1-0)

Last game: 17-14 win over UTSA

Next game: At Rice

Analysis: I’m going to reward Houston for scoring an impressive win for the Big 12 in Week 1. UTSA is one of the best teams in the AAC with Frank Harris back at quarterback, and the Cougars found a way to beat them behind 233 yards and two touchdowns from Donovan Smith. The Road Runners did gain more yards (417 to 334) than the Cougars, though. Houston will need to toughen up on defense, especially against the run, to keep winning.

8. Oklahoma State (1-0)

Last game: 27-13 win over Central Arkansas

Next game: At Arizona State

Analysis: The Cowboys needed a late touchdown run from Elijah Collins to pull away from Central Arkansas, which is obviously not a great sign for Mike Gundy’s team. A win is a win, but Oklahoma State didn’t look nearly as impressive as its conference peers in Week 1. Garret Rangel starting at quarterback instead of Michigan transfer Alan Bowman was a surprise. The Cowboys played three quarterbacks in their opener. That will need to change in a hurry.

9. TCU (0-1)

Last game: 45-42 loss against Colorado

Next game: Nicholls

Analysis: Maybe Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are way better than anyone realized and this loss will look much more understandable in time. But losing at home as a 21-point favorite is never a good look. The Horned Frogs surrendered 510 passing yards and committed 10 penalties for 78 yards.

10. Iowa State (1-0)

Last game: 30-9 win over Northern Iowa

Next game: Iowa

Analysis: The Cyclones looked better than expected against a team that has given them problems in the past. Rocco Becht completed 10 of 13 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State forced two turnovers on defense and led 30-0 at one point. But offense could still be an issue for Matt Campbell’s team, as it only gained 250 yards against a FCS opponent.

11. Cincinnati (1-0)

Last game: 66-13 win over Eastern Kentucky

Next game: At Pittsburgh

Analysis: The Bearcats gained 667 yards and had no problems against Eastern Kentucky. Quarterback Emory Jones was brilliant with 345 yards and five touchdowns. Maybe Cincinnati will be better than some expected this season. Or maybe Eastern Kentucky is really bad.

12. BYU (1-0)

Last game: 14-0 win over Sam Houston State

Next game: Southern Utah

Analysis: The Cougars were fortunate to beat Sam Houston State at home, as they only gained 257 yards. BYU did look good on defense, though. It held Sam Houston State to 185 yards and forced three turnovers.

13. West Virginia (0-1)

Last game: 38-15 loss at Penn State

Next game: Delaware

Analysis: Garrett Greene threw for 162 yards and ran for 71 yards and a touchdown, but it didn’t matter. The Mountaineers needed much more than that to compete with Penn State on the road. This could be a long season for West Virginia, though things will get considerably easier next week.

14. Baylor (0-1)

Last game: 42-31 loss to Texas State

Next game: Utah

Analysis: Things haven’t gone well for Dave Aranda at Baylor since he led the Bears to a Big 12 championship two years ago. Baylor slumped to six wins last year and then got 2023 off to an embarrassing start. Losing to Texas State was a humbling result for the Bears, and things might get worse next week with Utah on deck. The only saving grace here might be that Texas State should be much improved this season under new coach G.J. Kinne. Still, losing to Texas State at home is ugly.