Big 12 Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 1 edition
By Phil Poling
Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs aren’t in the bottom half of the Big 12, but they’re hovering throughout the middle with lots of company. They’ll get things kicked off at 8 p.m. when hosting Jackson State Saturday night.
The Horned Frogs are expecting a big bounce-back season for Kenny Hill, with lots of returning weapons on the outside. Senior running back Kyle Hicks is back after turning in over a thousand rushing yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago.
There are plenty of new faces throughout the defense for TCU as well with the departures of Josh Carraway and Aaron Curry. Patterson’s known for his defensive-mindedness, so don’t sleep on the Horned Frogs to pull things together.
For Jackson State, this is the only game on their schedule with listed media programming (FSN). And that’s only because they’re playing TCU. Most of the games opening weekend are already lopsided heading into the contest; big programs versus these small, non-Power 5 contenders. One thing is for certain though: not every favorite pre-game is celebrating post-game.
Bill Snyder is looking to let his Wildcats loose in 2017 after starting the season .500 through Week 6 last year. The Wildcats fell to the Oklahoma schools and West Virginia too, but took care of business against the Texas A&M Aggies in the Advocare Texas Bowl.
Eight starters return from last season’s offense that scored 32 points per game, including quarterback Jesse Ertz. He’ll be guarded with an experienced unit up front. The Wildcats’ defense lost its top tackler and sack man, but a Snyder always seems to figure things out.
Kansas State is another Big 12 school with a late kickoff, starting at 7:10 p.m. versus the Central Arkansas Bears. While the Wildcats are the most well-known school on their schedule, don’t expect Snyder’s squad to take them likely. A convincing win to open the season could go a long way in this Big 12.
The Texas Longhorns received one preseason vote to win the Big 12, but land at No. 4 in our first power rankings. New head coach Tom Herman’s expectations seem to rise every day, but there’s plenty of talent in Austin for the ‘Horns to capitalize.
Sophomore Shane Buechele returns with 12 games under his, including 21 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He’ll avoid that second number from creeping up while improving upon the first. Malik Jefferson will be the catalyst for the Longhorns defense and elevate them to a level not seen recently in Austin.
The Longhorns are the first Big 12 team of the weekend to open with a viable opponent. When the Big Ten’s Maryland Terrapins crawl into town, they’ll have to be ready for a noon kickoff. Texas time, that’s early. But having to travel from the East Coast to play a noon game? That’s an early Saturday morning. Texas could make a big impression in these power rankings with an impressive showing.
Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers are the only Big 12 team to go on the road opening weekend, but their opponent will be traveling too. This neutral-site matchup between the West Virginia Mountaineers and Virginia Tech Hokies will take place at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland — also home to the Washington Redskins of the NFL.
The ‘Eers are eager to get on the field and show off their new weapon at quarterback, Florida transfer Will Grier. Tony Gibson and the defense are reloading again, but his DAWGS are always ready. Dravon Askew-Henry will make his return to the defense too.
More: Game-by-game predictions for WVU Football
Virginia Tech will be thrusting Josh Jackson into the fire at quarterback opening night, with all eyes on the young signal-caller. Did I mention this game — the biggest game in the Big 12 in Week 1 — will be played on Sunday night on ABC? Originally scheduled for Saturday, the game was pushed forward a day, slotting the two former Big East-foes against one another in prime time. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.