Two weeks in and the sample gets a little stronger. Some teams proved they were better than originally advertised, some may have shown they aren't.
While still others just raised the level of "what the heck" to an even higher level.
How They Fared: 47-17 over Florida State
Week Three: Air Force
Previous Ranking #4
The biggest improvement in any football team is said to occur between weeks one and two. Oklahoma set out and dominated a top 20 opponent in Florida State. Landry Jones earned offensive player of the week honors and the Sooners in general showed that Utah State was nothing to get concerned about. Back to the top for Bob Stoops and another good non-conference test next week against Air Force.
2. Texas A&M
How They Fared: 48-16 over LaTech
Week Three: FIU
Previous Ranking #1
A&M didn't look quite as sharp early but still look explosive offensively and backed up their week one defensive performance with another solid effort. Right now I'd say A&M is poised to be a tough game for anyone and everyone in the conference. The biggest challenge might be a the mental side of things against OU and/or Texas.
3. Texas
How They Fared: 34-7 over Wyoming
Week Three: Texas Tech
Previous Ranking #2
Another slightly shaky start but a strong finish and the Longhorns appear to be going through some ever so slight growing pains. Nothing to get concerned about, realistically they could easily be at #2. A&M has just looked more impressive early. Next week will be big as the Longhorns head to Lubbock for a matchup with the Red Raiders.
4. Nebraska
How They Fared: 38-17 over Idaho
Week Three: Washington
Previous Ranking #3
The defense still looks to be the strength forcing 6 turnovers in this one, but an offense that put up plenty of yards also gave it away four times. The Huskers were able to run early and often in this one and that made for a relatively painless win, but it will be interesting to see how things look offensively as the competition stiffens. The Huskers are good, but how good?
5. Missouri
How They Fared: 50-6 over McNeese State
Week Three: San Diego State
Previous Ranking #6
Missouri jumped out in front big in this one. They were balanced on offense and did the job defensively. The Tigers get back a pair of starters this week from injury and suspension and should continue to improve throughout the season. Saturday October 16th at Texas A&M could be a big one for the Tigers.
6. Oklahoma State
How They Fared: 41-38 over Troy
Week Three: Tulsa
Previous Ranking #5
This one was closer than Cowboy fans would have liked and Troy put up some numbers, but they're also no stranger to playing big time opponents. The narrow win was enough to drop the Cowboys one spot, but it's not enough to drop much more than that at this point. The offense still looks extremely explosive, the defense will just need to improve in order to compete against Texas, OU etc.
7. Baylor
How They Fared: 34-6 over Buffalo
Week Three: TCU
Previous Ranking #8
These next three are all even in my mind after two weeks. Baylor played the best defensively though and there really wasn't much variance in the competition level. Nod goes to Baylor for the moment, but we'll see what they look like next week against TCU. Things should separate themselves a bit between that game and the UT v Tech matchup.
8. Kansas State
How They Fared: 48-24 over Missouri State
Week Three: Farmageddon
Previous Ranking #10
Look OUT!! Carson Coffman went off. Well as much as Coffman can. 280 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Does K-State have an offense? Or is this the product of a weak opponent? Either way they played well, the defense needs to get better next week however as the Wildcats head to Arrowhead. Iowa State is a good team with a tough schedule so it will be a decent test to gauge where the Wildcats really stand.
9. Texas Tech
How They Fared: 52-17 over New Mexico
Week Three: Texas
Previous Ranking #7
On paper a 52-17 win looks pretty good. But when you consider that a week ago New Mexico only amassed 107 yards of offense in a 72-0 loss to Oregon it puts things in perspective a little more. The Lobos had over 300 yards passing and nearly 100 yards on the ground in the loss while putting up 17 points. Tech is definitely a decent team no doubt about it, but this one raised some questions on at least one side of the ball.
10. Iowa State
How They Fared: 35-7 loss to Iowa
Week Three: Farmageddon
Previous Ranking #9
The Cyclones lost to a top 10 team, no shame in that but I'm sure Cyclone fans won't tell you that. A loss to rival Iowa is a tough pill to swallow, but I'm still a believer that this team can compete. Tough to gauge where they really stand at this point based on the variance in competition through two weeks, but K-State at Arrowhead awaits and an opportunity to gain some momentum.
11a. Kansas
How They Fared: 28-25 win over Georgia Tech
Week Three: Southern Mississippi
Previous Ranking #12
Week one's loss may have come against a less than stellar opponent, but week two's win was a big one. Kansas is still a big question mark though as they've shown they can be bad and good in the span of seven days. A Friday night non-conference trip to Hattiesburg will be a big sign as to how much Turner Gill has truly swung the momentum. For now, Kansas sits tied at the bottom awaiting a little more proof.
11b. Colorado
How They Fared: 52-7 Loss to Cal
Week Three: Hawaii
Previous Ranking #11
Colorado had it handed to them on Saturday and once again reminded the world that the Buffs have struggled in recent years. A win over rival Colorado State in week one looked far less impressive after the Nevada Wolfpack took the Rams out back and slapped them around to the tune of 51-6. Hawkins is back on thin ice in Colorado, a win against Hawaii is a must or things could get ugly in a hurry. Colorado still has the talent, but the faith in coaching continues to slide.
Players of the Week
Justin Springer - 15 tackles, 3 TFL's, 1 sack. The Jayhawks needed someone to step up and the senior linebacker did just that. He was all over the field on Saturday and the primary spy on Josh Nesbitt who was held to just 33 yards on 15 carries.
Best Games of the Coming Week
Texas at Texas Tech
The Longhorns head to Lubbock in the Big 12 conference opener. A couple years ago this one was a thriller, now we get to see what the Tuberville led Raiders are made of.
Baylor at TCU
TCU is going to be favored and likely wins this one, but it's an opportunity for the Bears to measure themselves before heading into conference play. Griffin has looked good through two, but this will be the first real test.
Oklahoma vs. Air Force
The Falcon are a borderline Top 25 team. Oklahoma is good and should get the win but it could be a fun one.
Kansas at Southern Miss.
Kansas head to Hattiesburg on this weeks unsolved mysteries with Robert Stack