Week seven and we're out of the bye week cycle that comes with the beginning of conference play for the most part.
Full slate of games this week starting with Kansas vs. Kansas State on Thursday night and wrapping with a couple nice matchups Saturday.
Missouri travels to Texas A&M and Nebraska plays Texas in Lincoln. A little North vs. South bragging rights up for grabs and some potentially fun games to watch.
1. Oklahoma
How They Fared: Bye
Week Seven: Iowa State
Previous Ranking #1
Bye week and no one really did enough to leapfrog the Sooner. I will say that a couple weeks ago I was starting to think that the Big 12 was probably fourth in the pecking order and not likely to see a BCS title bid, but now with both OU and the Huskers on a collision course as top 5 teams, it might be a possibility.
2. Nebraska
How They Fared: 48-13 Win over K-State
Week Seven: Texas
Previous Ranking #3
After being on the Oklahoma State bandwagon for the past couple weeks I have to admit I'm changing allegiances. Nebraska looked VERY good against Kansas State this past Thursday. The Huskers might have the best offensive line in the league and quite clearly the most explosive player in Taylor Martinez. Throw in the fact that they have a solid defense capable of stopping almost any style offense and the Huskers could very well be in the hunt. A big one against Texas this weekend and a chance to show some consistency.
3. Oklahoma State
How They Fared: 54-28 win over ULL
Week Seven: Texas Tech
Previous Ranking #2
The offensive juggernaut roles on, but once again the Cowboys are showing a bit of weakness on the defensive side of the ball and as the competition ticks up to an every week battle, there won't be time for a let down. This is a good team, but it will be interesting to see how things work out as they play against consistently better defenses.
4. Missouri
How They Fared: 26-0 win over Colorado
Week Seven: Texas A&M
Previous Ranking #4
It wasn't flashy but it was a solid win. Missouri controlled the game almost from the outset and put up another shutout of the Colorado Buffaloes. 26 points might look low for a Missouri offense, but Blaine Gabbert sat the entire fourth quarter and if Colorado seems to have a strength it's their defense which seems to be coming around. Good win for Missouri, big chance to make a few more believers as they head outside the state of Missouri for the first time all year when they play Texas A&M.
5. Texas
How They Fared: Bye
Week Seven: Nebraska
Previous Ranking #6
The Longhorns are on a skid right now and things don't get any easier this weekend in Lincoln. Stopping Taylor Martinez will be the mission of Will Muschamp this week and finding an offense against the best defense in the league the goal for Garrett Gilbert. Texas has solid top to bottom talent and I can't envision putting them lower than this for the moment, even if they drop a 3rd straight in Lincoln.
6. Texas A&M
How They Fared: 24-17 loss to Arkansas
Week Seven: Missouri
Previous Ranking #7
A&M's brutal schedule continues. A loss to Oklahoma State followed by another close loss at the hands of nationally ranked Arkansas. A home game against a nationally ranked Missouri might be just what the doctor ordered, but if A&M can't find a way to pull the upset it might be a blow to the hopes of the season. The Aggies definitely are taking a haymaker with this three game stretch, getting out with one win seems pretty much the minimum.
7. Kansas State
How They Fared: 48-13 loss to Nebraska
Week Seven: Kansas
Previous Ranking #5
Based on the team speed displayed by the Wildcats against Nebraska this feels a little high. But when you start to think about the fact that Taylor Martinez looks like that every week and Nebraska looks as tough as anyone in the conference you start to soften that stance. Quarterback play is obviously the biggest concern. K-State tried to soften up the Husker defense early to open up the running attack and it just didn't work. Still a good team though and against over half the conference Bill Snyder will feel more than comfortable sticking with his Daniel Thomas grind it out gameplan. This week does pose an interesting matchup with the Jayhawks.
8. Texas Tech
How They Fared: 45-38 win over Baylor
Week Seven: Oklahoma State
Previous Ranking #11
Well Tech seems to have a bit of the on week/off week mentality going for them at the moment. One week they lose to Iowa State, the next they come out and win in a shootout against a team that had some solid momentum in Baylor. A big game this week as the Okie State Cowboys come to town and we have what looks to be another shootout on our hands. Can Tech keep pace?
9. Baylor
How They Fared: 45-38 loss to Tech
Week Seven: Colorado
Previous Ranking #8
Baylor couldn't keep up with the Red Raiders to secure their fifth victory of the season. This week the Bears head to Boulder Colorado in an interesting matchup. Baylor and Robert Griffin would seem to have an edge based on what they've been able to do offensively, but the Colorado defense has looked better every week. Perhaps this one comes down to how well the Baylor defense plays, which wasn't that well in week six.
10. Iowa State
How They Fared: 68-27 loss to Utah
Week Seven: Oklahoma
Previous Ranking #9
Strong start, rough finish. Iowa State opened the game with a 14-10 lead after one quarter. Obviously that didn't continue. Utah is still a good team though and the Cyclones have been competitive for the most part this year. Things don't get any easier though as the Cyclones running of the gauntlet continues with a game against the Sooners.
11. Colorado
How They Fared: 26-0 Loss to Mizzou
Week Seven: Baylor
Previous Ranking#10
One week they look decent and the next they can't find an offense to save their lives. The ultimate demise of Dan Hawkins at CU might well be due to the fact that he's never been able to part ways with his son at quarterback. Furthermore he's never been able to recruit or find a quarterback period. Cody Hawkins played in the loss to Missouri after Tyler Hansen failed to get anything going. Hawkins seems to have a defense that's coming along, running backs that can carry the load and an offensive line that should be solid, they just can't get any consistency in the passing game and it's going to spell the end in my opinion.
12. Kansas
How They Fared: Bye
Week Seven: Kansas State
Previous Ranking #12
Thursday night a game where Kansas actually matches up better than most. It's an opportunity to get a win under their belt and then think about, dare I say it, a second in a row? Either way getting the first will be tough enough. Team speed aside, Kansas State has one major weapon in Daniel Thomas and Kansas couldn't do a thing to stop him last year.