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Big 12 Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 1 edition

By Phil Poling

NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game Oklahoma State Cowboys December 3, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 38-20 to become Big XII champions. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game Oklahoma State Cowboys December 3, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 38-20 to become Big XII champions. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 17 : Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys calls a play during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers September 17, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Pitt 45-38. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 17 : Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys calls a play during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers September 17, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Pitt 45-38. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

The Oklahoma State Cowboys open things up Thursday night at 7:30 when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. While other’s must wait till the weekend, the Pokes get an early start.

With Big 12 title games and College Football Playoff scenarios swirling, Mike Gundy and the Cowboys get to set the tone for the 2017 college football season. Will Mason Rudolph stake his claim for the Heisman in Week 1? How will James Washington perform after his recent injury concerns?

More: Is Mason Rudolph the best QB in the Big 12?

It’s not all about the Cowboys, though. The Golden Hurricanes won 10 games last year, including victories over Cincinnati, Fresno State, Memphis and SMU. They squared off against Ohio State last year as well, but get to play the real OSU in 2017.

Well, here we are. Another college football season, another year for Big 12 teams to chase the Sooners. Bob Stoops isn’t around anymore, but new head coach Lincoln Riley looks to seamlessly make the transition and pick up where the Stoops left off.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield hopes to do the same, but he’ll be without his former head coach and a number of weapons on offense. Gone is the running back duo of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, but also Mayfield’s Heisman date – Dede Westbrook; Westbrook hauled in 17 touchdowns a year ago. Mark Andrews is still spending time in Norman though, leaving Mayfield with one target everyone in the country envies.

More: Is Mark Andrews the best-kept secret in college football?

The Texas El Paso Miners aren’t really known for their football prowess, but managed four wins last season. This university, prior to being renamed the University of Texas at El Paso, was simply Texas Western. Texas Western is the subject of the famous basketball movie Glory Road. Don’t expect the Miners to come out victorious in this one, though. The 3:30 p.m. kickoff will be the Sooners first test of the season.

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