Big 12 Preseason Power Rankings
Nov 22, 2012; Austin, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Stansly Maponga (right) recovers a fumble by Texas Longhorns quarterback David Ash (14) during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks of practice are behind us, the helmets are getting polished and the grass is getting one last grooming before the season openers. College football is just over 24 hours away.
For the Big 12, a group of contenders have their sights set on earning the leagues crown. Quarterback races are entering the final stretch and story lines are becoming game previews.
All that is left before the season gets going: the final preseason Big 12 Power Rankings from SaturdayBlitz.com.
1. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are one of two Big 12 teams with a neutral site game against the SEC in Week. OSU takes on Mississippi State at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Cowboys’ two-QB system will be tested at the hands of a SEC defense. If it can prevail, Oklahoma State could solidify its spot at the top of the Power Rankings for weeks to come.
2. TCU
The Horned Frogs will be tested from the get-go, taking on LSU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday night. If TCU can pass that test, the Frogs can be considered legitimate contenders for the Big 12 championship.
3. Texas
Moving up two spots from my Big 12 media poll, the Longhorns are bringing back a tone of experience and have looked good in practice. Texas should have little trouble with New Mexico State. However, few will be able to watch the likely rout due to Longhorn Network broadcasting this one.
4. Oklahoma
The upset of preseason QB races happened in Norman, Okla. Trevor Knight was named the Sooners opening week starter over Blake Bell. A PPV game against Louisiana-Monroe of the Sun Belt should tip Bob Stoops’ hand on how he is going to use Knight, as well as Bell, in coordinator Josh Heupel’s offense.
5. Baylor
Baylor looks scary on paper. The question is if its defense can hold its opponent enough to give the offense a chance. Some polls have the Bears in the top 25, but I am not convinced until this team faces a real test. Saturday’s meeting with Wofford won’t do much to prove the Bears’ mettle.
6. Kansas State
The Wildcats open the season with three consecutive games against lesser competition. North Dakota State is the reigning two-time FCS champion, but the defending Big 12 champion should not struggle against lower subdivision competition. KSU’s meeting with Texas though in Week 4 will give the ‘Cats an opportunity to start climbing the list.
7. West Virginia
Dana Holgorsen’s high-powered offense has a week to figure out its identity without Geno Smith. After the date with William & Mary, the Mountaineers travel to Oklahoma to open up Big 12 play.
8. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are wild cards in the conference. The team is under the radar and could be a dangerous spoiler in the Big race. Texas Tech opens on Friday at SMU, then hosts TCU two weeks later on a Thursday night to open up conference play for both teams.
9. Iowa State
There is not another team in the conference that has caused more heartbreak than Iowa State. The Cyclones ended national championship hopes for Oklahoma State in 2011, but will likely be a bottom dweller for another season and thus waiting for its opportunity to play spoiler again. Iowa State opens with three winnable games before facing Texas on Oct. 3, a Thursday night.
10. Kansas
The Jayhawks are in familiar territory: backs against the wall and last in the conference in the preseason. The 2013 version of Kansas football begs the same question for the university: when does basketball season start? Kansas does not look great on paper and again has the reigns of the team in the hands of a transfer at quarterback, former BYU play caller Jake Heaps. Kansas is off in Week 1 and faces South Dakota next week.