Big 12 Football: Week 7 Power Rankings

By VF Castro | Oct 18, 2016

Oct 15, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Shelton Gibson (1) prepares to make a catch in front of Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back D.J. Polite-Bray (3) at Jones AT&T Stadium. West Virginia defeated Texas Tech 48-17.Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 15, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D /

7. Texas Longhorns (Record: 3-3)

Texas head coach Charlie Strong had a lot to prove going into this game since taking over defensive play calling from Vance Bedford, and the Longhorns certainly delivered.

In its 27-6 victory, the Longhorns defense registered eight sacks, and held the Cyclones to a second-half shutout. Its defense largely contributed to snapping its three game losing streak, but on the offensive side of the ball, D’onta Foreman accounted for 136 rushing yards and one touchdown, and freshmen Shane Buechele put up 296 yards, with two touchdowns, and an interception.

This win certainly took the heat off Coach Strong (for now), but against a balanced Kansas State team, the Longhorns will be tested without the comforts of a home game crowd. The Longhorns will also face a potent Kansas State defense that ranks No. 19 in the nation, allowing 334 yards-per-game, and just 21 points-per-game. I think we’ll have a better idea of how much the Longhorns have progressed under a new defensive strategy after Saturday, but on the flip side, Kansas State will face an offense that’s improving.

Next Game:

Sat, Oct 22

Kansas State

vs.

Texas

Manhattan, Kan.

11:00 a.m.

ESPN2

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