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Big 12 Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 2 edition

By Phil Poling

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 17 : Head Coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys takes the field before 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 : Head Coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys takes the field before 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) /
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WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames rushes for an 8 yard touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames rushes for an 8 yard touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Matt Rhule’s debut as Baylor head coach didn’t go as planned, losing to FBS-Independent Liberty. Surrendering 48 points to a team that’s literally not on your level is something Baylor fans will struggle to stomach as their season continues.

Liberty is transitioning to the FBS level and will play as an Independent next season, alongside Army, BYU, Massachusetts and Notre Dame. In 2019, the Flames will be bowl eligible.

It was Arizona graduate-transfer Anu Solomon running the show for Rhule’s Bears, and his numbers weren’t all that bad: 14-of-29 for 329 yards and three touchdowns (and one interception) through the air. He added 96 yards on the ground, including a game-long 44-yard scamper.

The Liberty offense racked up 585 yards for the game (447 passing) against the Bears, something Big 12 opponents will certainly be licking their chops at. If the Bears can’t stop Liberty, how are they going to contain Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Texas Tech?

After ranking seventh in last week’s power rankings, the Bears fall to the basement of the league. The good thing about being there? Nowhere but up to go. They’ll play host to UTSA Saturday night.

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