1 - Baylor Bears (6-0, 3-0 Big 12, Last Week: 1)

After dismantling an overmatched Kansas squad, the Bears get to rest up again to prepare for a trip to Austin in Week 9. In all honesty, this team has two big matchups left against Oklahoma and West Virginia. They should cruise through the rest of the schedule.

Up Next: Bye

2 - West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0 Big 12, Last Week: 2)

Every week I have people telling me that West Virginia isn’t really that good. But seeing that defense shut down the Texas Tech offense was pretty impressive. This team hasn’t really gotten credit for their accomplishments, but they will once they beat Oklahoma or Baylor.

Up Next: vs TCU

3 - Oklahoma Sooners (4-2, 3-0 Big 12, Last Week: 4)

A huge win against Kansas State gets them back on track, and they are still undefeated in the conference. It’s looking more and more like the conference race is going to come down to these top three teams. Oklahoma still has the most talent, so now they just need to finish putting it together against the top competition.

Up Next: @ Texas Tech

4 - Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2, 2-1 Big 12, Last Week: 3)

With a bye week to rest up for Kansas and the home stretch of the season, the Cowboys are still a bit of an unknown. They play down to their competition quite a bit, and that has already bitten them once this year. Who beats them in conference that shouldn’t?

Up Next: @ Kansas

5 - Kansas State Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Big 12, Last Week: 5)

So much for them having an offense. While the QB situation is pretty much settled, they still can’t seem to move the ball consistently. And that’s going to be a problem against the rest of the high powered offenses in the conference. They could easily slide down the rankings if they don’t find a way to move the ball and take some pressure off that defense.

Up Next: vs Texas

6 - Texas Longhorns (3-3, 1-2 Big 12, Last Week: 7)

Is the defense back, or did Iowa State finally tire out from emotional letdowns in two prior weeks? They get another shot at a struggling offense when they travel to Manhattan this week.

Up Next: @ Kansas State

7 - TCU Horned Frogs (4-2, 2-1 Big 12, Last Week: 8)

The bye week was kind, and hopefully they can find a way to limit a West Virginia team that seems to get better each week. They still have a chance at making a run for the Big 12 title, but that defense has to improve greatly.

Up Next: @ West Virginia

8 - Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3, 1-2 Big 12, Last Week: 6)

The high-flying offense was limited to just 17 points. The defense was a sieve as usual. It doesn’t get any easier when Oklahoma comes to town on Saturday

Up Next: vs Oklahoma

9 - Iowa State Cyclones (1-6, 0-4 Big 12, Last Week: 9)

Unfortunately, the two field goals in the first quarter was all they could muster. It’s not clear if Texas’ defense is really back or if the offense that lit up Oklahoma State and Baylor disappeared on its own. At least they can’t lose this week and should catch the Jayhawks in the standings.

Up Next: Bye

10 - Kansas Jayhawks (1-5, 0-3 Big 12, Last Week: 10)

It was an ugly week in Waco, but not really unexpected at all. Baylor never has any trouble with this Kansas squad, and the beatdown by the Bears was completely predictable. The upcoming game against the Cowboys should be interesting given the trouble that they have had with lesser opponents.

Up Next: vs Oklahoma State

Fun With Stats

Once again, we use this segment to drown the pain of another Big 12 loss by finding an area that our Kansas Jayhawks are the best team in the conference. In previous weeks, we highlighted Total Kickoff Return Yards (KU is now 3rd), 4th Down Conversion Percentage Defense (T1st in conference, 13th nationally), Team Tackles for Loss Per Game (2nd in conference, 8th nationally) and 3rd Down Conversion Percentage (1st in conference, 30th nationally). Up this week: Red Zone Defense.