Another week in the books and we've got our top two contenders pretty well defined with a second tier of two teams right behind them. That's where the water gets murky until we hit no. 9 and no. 10 where we have two teams that look like they could well settle in for the duration of the season.
1. Kansas State
How They Fared: 56-16 win over Kansas
Next Up: Iowa State
Previous Ranking #1
I did have a hard time not jumping WVU over K-State but I look at this as a team that can do it in a lot of different ways. I think that's an advantage and I think they should have little trouble clearing nearly every hurdle minus Texas and WVU. Those are the two games that will turn K-State's season barring an upset.
2. West Virginia
How They Fared: 48-45 win over Texas
Who's Next: Tech
Previous Ranking #3
This is a good team without a doubt. I think this might be the team with the best chance at winning the league if I had to guess and I say that only because they have some incredible offensive weapons. That said, they're going to have to play better defense and they don't have that. I witnessed the first sack for West Virginia this weekend. The confidence in getting a stop among this fanbase is lower than that of Kansas. I think they stumble and I think Snyder can draw something up to give them a hard time in that head to head.
3. Texas
How They Fared: 48-45 loss to WVU
Up Next: OU
Previous Ranking #2
I have to say my trip to Austin was a huge success. Great city, good time and Texas fans aren't nearly the arrogant fanbase that they are built up to be. WVU on the other hand? They definitely have some Missouriesque qualities to them. No doubt WVU had reason to be confident but Texas did a nice job in this one and had a chance to get the win if they could have avoided a couple of critical errors late. If you ever get the opportunity to take in a game in Austin, I suggest you do and I'd also suggest that you TRY THE BRISKET! All of it.
4. Oklahoma
How They Fared: 41-20 win over Tech
Who's Next: Texas
Previous Ranking #4
Yeah it was a win, but I'm still not overly impressed with this team. I'm also not overly impressed with Texas just yet. Both are solid teams, but are they on the top 10 team? I don't think so. One gets a leg up on the other this weekend, but this really looks like a two horse race between Kansas State and WVU at this moment.
5. Texas Tech
How They Fared: 41-20 loss to Oklahoma
Next Up: WVU
Previous Ranking #5
Tech wasn't able to seize the opportunity against Oklahoma and make a stronger case for more respect and this week they have a very tall order in West Virginia. I see Tech and Baylor in a race for 5th most likely.
6. Baylor
How They Fared: Bye
Who's Next: TCU
Previous Rankin: #6
Baylor was off last week, they need to handle business against TCU this week to stay in the conversation as a team with potential.
7. Iowa State
How They Fared: 37-23 win over TCU
Up Next: Kansas State
Previous Ranking #9
A nice win at home for the Cyclones but it doesn't carry as much weight because of the obvious erosion of the TCU offense throughout the season. This week they'll host the Wildcats as part of what has become known as Farmageddon. A win here would really boost their stock but it's not likely. The big question with Iowa State is whether or not they can beat a team like Oklahoma State or Baylor this year to really solidify their spot in the pecking order, or do they end up back near the bottom perception wise.
8. Oklahoma State
How They Fared: Bye
Up Next: Kansas
Previous Ranking #7
I'm told I'm underestimating this team but I just don't know what else anyone has to go off of. They've put up big numbers against two bad teams. Arizona controlled that game and while they played Texas tough, it wasn't enough. This week we're not going to get a good read on them so it's going to be into week seven before we know what this team brings to the table.
9. TCU
How They Fared: 37-23 loss to Iowa State
Next Up:Baylor
Previous Ranking #8
TCU had already looked like a team that might be exposed at some point and then they lost their starting quarterback to a DUI. Things aren't going the best down in Fort Worth during their inaugural Big 12 season, quite the opposite of their counterpart WVU.
10. Kansas
How They Fared: 56-16 loss to Kansas State
Up Next: Oklahoma State
Previous Ranking #10
Kansas was competitive through a half but it did take a few miscues by the Wildcats and a few very gutsy calls by head coach Charlie Weis. Kansas had nothing to lose, they played like that four 30 minutes, then the second 30 happened.