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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; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) intercepts a pass intended for West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daniel Shorts, Jr., (6) during the third quarter 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; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) intercepts a pass intended for West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daniel Shorts, Jr., (6) during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

6.  Texas Longhorns (Record: 5-5)

The Texas Longhorns have had a very similar situation under head coach Charlie Strong, as the Red Raiders have had under Kliff Kingsbury, in that, for every big game won, even bigger losses follow. Last year, the Longhorns beat Oklahoma; this season, it was Notre Dame (albeit the Fighting Irish were overrated), and Baylor. Through four losses this season, the Longhorns kept the point margin within seven, so despite losses, at least the consistency has been there in pretty much eliminating blowouts.

Texas forced West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard into making some throws he probably shouldn’t have. In fact, through every game this season, Howard has thrown a total of nine interceptions, but against Texas, he threw three. That defensively dominating performance says one of two things: either West Virginia underestimated the Longhorns’ power and didn’t plan accordingly, or that Texas is, actually, improving under Coach Strong’s defensive direction. I’m going to say it’s likely a bit of both, but Texas did a great job containing the Mountaineers, and has a legitimate shot at bowl eligibility with Kansas and TCU to round out the season.

Next Game:

 Sat, Nov 19 Kansas vs. Texas Lawrence, Kan. 2:30 p.m. ABC / ESPN2
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