Big week upcoming as #1 and #2 in our power rankings square off in Columbia. College Gameday will be there, this one will be worth watching.
1. Oklahoma
How They Fared: 52-0 over Iowa State
Week Eight: Missouri
Previous Ranking #1
On top of the BCS, on top of the Big 12. This team has played a tough non conference, they are starting to run through the conference. Could big game Bob be in line for another title shot? HUGE test this week against the Tigers in Columbia. A win against the Tigers certainly solidifies this spot and the Sooners spot atop the BCS standings.
2. Missouri
How They Fared: 30-9 over Texas A&M
Week Eight: Oklahoma
Previous Ranking #4
The Tigers made a believer out of me on Saturday. Why? Well, Gary Pinkel seems to have a defense in place to make a serious push at the Big 12 title. Mizzou will have a shot to prove it even more this week as they welcome Oklahoma to Columbia and a College Gameday appearance in Columbia. This is as big a game as Mizzou has hosted on as big a stage as you can ask for. A win and the Tigers could be on their way to a 2007 type season and it's definitely a year where college football as a whole is wide open.
3. Nebraska
How They Fared: 20-13 loss to Texas
Week Eight: Oklahoma State
Previous Ranking #2
Yes the Huskers lost, but they did it to themselves in a lot of ways. Intimidation by the neighborhood bully ultimately did them in, further justifying the Husker retreat to the Big 10. I still believe Nebraska is good. I still think they have a more complete game than last year and they will compete for the North, but make no mistake the Corn had this one circled on the calendar for a 10 months and failed. Another stiff test awaits in Stillwater as the Husker D faces it's toughest test.
4. Oklahoma State
How They Fared: 34-17 win over Texas Tech
Week Eight: Nebraska
Previous Ranking #3
Oklahoma State finally slowed a little bit offensively but all in all they still look like a solid team. Everyone keeps waiting for the wheels to come off, they can't be this good right? Well, maybe they can. This week they get the Huskers who will certainly be hungry to reestablish themselves after a loss to the Longhorns. If the Cowboys can pull of the victory, everyone should start to by in and Mike Gundy is going to look like a pretty smart guy.
5. Texas
How They Fared: 20-13 win over Nebraska
Week Eight: Iowa State
Previous Ranking #5
After a three week stretch that saw some tough games and a difficult loss, the Longhorns might just be emerging a bit on the mend. A home game against Iowa State will certainly help fuel the resurrection and from there the Longhorns have to get ready for a very competitive South schedule. Winning the conference isn't completely out of the question, but the Longhorns will need a one week at a time approach and defensive play like they got in Lincoln.
6. Kansas State
How They Fared: 59-7 win over Kansas
Week Eight: Baylor
Previous Ranking #7
So who is the real Kansas State? A big low after the Nebraska loss paved the way for a pretty incredible stomping of the worst team in the league. So where does the reality lie for Kansas State. At the moment it's tough to say. Baylor awaits in Waco, K-State certainly looked good in Lawrence, but can they set out an prove it once again? The road for the Wildcats get's extremely tough from here on out and the next four games will tell a lot.
7. Baylor
How They Fared: 31-25 win over Colorado
Week Eight: K-State
Previous Ranking #9
Look, it's easy to say that Baylor only beat Colorado. But Colorado is a decent defensive team that actually played fairly well offensively on Saturday as well. Baylor went on the road, in the Big 12 and got a win. That's not easy to do even if it is Colorado. Nice win for the Bears, one win shy of bowl eligibility and they'll look to do that and increase the profile again next week with a game against K-State.
8. Texas A&M
How They Fared: 30-9 loss to Missouri
Week Eight: Kansas
Previous Ranking #6
Mike Sherman's job is most likely on the line at this point. The Aggies are 3-3 and 0-2 in the conference. Things aren't looking good at this point and a three game skid is never good for a team. The good news? A trip to Lawrence Kansas and a game which sees the Aggies as a near 15 point favorite from the start. If the Aggies drop one in Lawrence you can bet that things will get ugly in College Station in a hurry. If there's one thing the Aggies won't be able to stomach, it's losing to a team with Carl Torbush as defensive coordinator.
9. Texas Tech
How They Fared: 34-17 loss to Oklahoma State
Week Eight: Colorado
Previous Ranking #8
Tech heads to Boulder in need of a conference win to get things back on track. A slow start against the Cowboys ultimately did in the Red Raiders and defensively they've definitely taken a big step back in 2010. A winnable game on the road against a team from the bottom half of the North is exactly the type of thing that can get you back on track.
10. Colorado
How They Fared: 31-25 loss to Baylor
Week Eight: Texas Tech
Previous Ranking#11
Dan Hawkins does some funny things in terms of decision making. I think it's pretty clear from his actions and the rumors surrounding the program that he knows he's done and he's going for broke. Why not right? That said I think the team is better than what he's coaching on the field and for that I give them a slight nod over Iowa State. Another South opponent comes knocking this week and Tech is certainly not the Tech of last year. Can THUNDER Dan stay out of the way and let his team get a win?
11. Iowa State
How They Fared: 52-0 loss to Oklahoma
Week Eight: Texas
Previous Ranking #10
Murderers row. Utah, Oklahoma and then a trip to Texas. Damn that's rough. Hard to judge a team in the bottom half of the conference based on the extremely high caliber of opponent that they are playing. Colorado v Iowa State will be a game to watch. It's going to determine who is just slightly better than Kansas. Unless of course A&M continues to fall.
12. Kansas
How They Fared: 59-7 loss to K-State
Week Eight: Texas A&m
Previous Ranking #12
Kansas just vomited all over themselves. This year is beginning to look like a complete lost cause in Lawrence. At this point it might be time to put in the youngsters turn the team completely over to youth and tell them that this is their program, now shape it. Oh..and please start shaping it with at least a little fight.