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Big 12 Football: Week 11 Power Rankings

By VF Castro

Nov 12, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Will Johnson (12) and linebacker Emmanuel Beal (14) tackle Baylor Bears wide receiver Blake Lynch (2) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Will Johnson (12) and linebacker Emmanuel Beal (14) tackle Baylor Bears wide receiver Blake Lynch (2) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback William Crest, Jr., (17) and linebacker Adam Pankey (57) and defensive linesman Adam Shuler II (88) react after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback William Crest, Jr., (17) and linebacker Adam Pankey (57) and defensive linesman Adam Shuler II (88) react after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

2. West Virginia Mountaineers (Record: 8-1)

West Virginia had minimal expectations going into this season, so after posting a 4-1 record in Big 12 play headed into Austin to play the Longhorns, the necessity to win was sufficiently elevated. I like to use the Texas Tech game as a measuring stick for how West Virginia has been able to make even the most pass-happy offenses a non-factor. Given the production running back D’Onta Foreman has had for Texas, passing the ball wasn’t going to be the Longhorns’ go-to attack, and against a good West Virginia team, Texas’s one-dimensional side showed.

Teams have struggled to keep D’Onta Foreman out of the end zone, but the Mountaineers managed to limit the Longhorns to just one rushing touchdown, scored by quarterback Shane Buechele. This says more about the West Virginia defense than anything, which should make for a really interesting game against Oklahoma.

West Virginia is looking for its first win against the Sooners, and if it can avoid repeating history, the Mountaineers could not only stall out Oklahoma’s shot at a playoff berth, it could set up a bid for excellent bowl placement.

Next Game:

Sat, Nov 19 West Virginia vs. Oklahoma Morgantown, W. Va. ABC
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