Only about half the league was actually in action this weekend with Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Iowa State securing wins. Missouri of course was the lone loss, but in reality I didn't think it was a bad loss for the Tigers. The biggest concern in Columbia might be the growing list of injuries.
In Austin a QB switch was made, Ames stormed the field and broke the trophy against the Hawkeyes, Okie Light dominated Arizona and of course we all know what happened in Lawrence. With that, let's break down the power rankings for week three.
1. Oklahoma
How They Fared: Off
Previous Ranking NC
Sooners did not play this week but there certainly isn't a reason to move them from the top spot because no one else looked like a top team in week two. HUGE test this weekend when the Sooners take on the Florida State Seminoles in a #1 v #5 matchup.
2. Texas A&M
How They Fared: Off
Previous Ranking NC
So it sounds like A&M to the SEC is about as official as we're going to get for the moment and the Aggies could be the first domino in a series depending on what OU decides to do. I think it would be a bit disappointing if the top two (potentially) teams in the league tear this apart because everyone gets sick of big bad Texas.
3. Oklahoma State
How They Fared: 37-14 win over Arizona
Previous Ranking NC
The final score doesn't really indicate how easily the Cowboys beat up on the Tuscon Pac 12 representative. Arizona was never really in this thing and Okie Light may have turned a few heads with their defensive play in this one.
4. Baylor
How They Fared: Off
Previous Ranking NC
Nothing new from Baylor this week and we're all still enamored with RGIII's week one performance against TCU. This week is SF Austin so we won't get any idea as to whether he's the real deal until he faces another legit opponent. For now we'll just watch him compile stats and wins while Baylor sues the college football world.
5. Missouri
How They Fared: 37-30 loss to Arizona State
Previous Ranking NC
Mizzou loses but it wasn't as if they played horribly. Yes they were more undisciplined than a normal Gary Pinkel team and Pinkel himself made some odd calls especially late. At the same time they look to be VERY tough to run the ball against, James Franklin is exactly the type of QB that Turner Gill is probably targeting and if you take away the slew of injuries this is a good team. Problem is those injuries exist and it's going to be a battle for the Tigers. It's one they can still win but they've hit a tough stretch of luck early on.
6. Texas
How They Fared: 17-16 win over BYU
Previous Ranking NC
Longhorns rallied from behind after replacing Garrett Gilbert with a quarterback named McCoy. Imagine you're Gilbert. You arrive at Texas and sit behind a guy named McCoy. He goes down in the title game and you go in with zero expectations. Lose but show pretty well and then come out a year later and the team goes 5-7. Second game of your now junior year and some kid named McCoy replaces you. Texas is talented but beatable this year unless McCoy has a roommate named Shipley. Then we should all just throw in the towel and watch them fish.
7. Texas Tech
How They Fared: Off
Previous Ranking NC
Tech was off in week two and faces New Mexico in week three. I think that's a bye in the eyes of some fans.
8. Iowa State
How They Fared: 44-41 win over Iowa
Previous Ranking #10
I'll probably draw some heat here but Iowa State looked significantly better in week two. The Cyclones looked like Paul Rhoads team and that's a team that competes for 60 minutes, never gives an inch and they'll fight you tooth and nail until the end. Even the quarterback situation looks significantly improved. That said, it starts and ends at quarterback and through two weeks we have two distinct samples, one bad...one good. How far the Cyclones go will depend on which Steele Jantz shows up.
9. Kansas
How They Fared: 45-42 win over Northern Illinois
Previous Ranking 8
Big win over Northern Illinois and they did show many of the same qualities that make Iowa State an attractive pick at #8. Kansas was competitive, they didn't give up and offensively they are definitely a different team than a year ago. That said, the defense leaves cause for concern and Kansas has probably faced the two weakest defenses that they will face all year.
10. Kansas State
How They Fared: Off
Previous Ranking #9
Honestly Kansas State didn't do anything to deserve this spot minus the fact that they didn't play well in week one, they were off in week two and the two others in contention for the bottom spot played, won and looked good. That isn't to say that the Wildcats can't catapult up this thing in a hurry but this week it's more a matter of circumstance so ease up Wildcat fans maybe it's just a better league this year?