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Big 12 Football: 2017 Power Rankings entering Week 3

By Andrew Miller

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

There’s nothing that the Baylor Bears can do to make the 2017 campaign much worse than it already is. After losing to an FCS opponent in the Liberty Flames in Week 1, they followed up with getting upset by the UTSA Roadrunners, 17-10.

It was the first time that UTSA had defeated a Power Five conference team since they made the jump to the FBS. However, things might start swinging in Baylor’s direction a bit more since head coach Matt Rhule named sophomore quarterback Zach Smith the starter.

Related Story: Zach Smith gives Baylor new life after rough start

This week, Baylor hits the road to face the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace-Wade Stadium. It’s the toughest opposition that Baylor faces during the non-conference slate. This one could get ugly if Baylor does not put up some more points on offense.

There was a chance that the Kansas Jayhawks finished up their out-of-conference portion of the schedule undefeated. However, the Central Michigan Chippewas proved that Kansas still has some work to do before competing with the better half of the Big 12.

Head coach David Beaty has shown measurable progress with this program, but more needs to happen. Kansas can notch themselves a huge victory over a solid Group of Five team in the Ohio Bobcats this week.

Not much movement in the rankings in the bottom three from one week ago. The Iowa State Cyclones nearly defeated their in-state rival Iowa Hawkeyes. Yet, Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley had himself a career day with 333 passing yards and five touchdowns.

Iowa State fell just short of Iowa in overtime. However, this Iowa State team has the talent to win a few games and possibly even reach a bowl game. Teams like Texas, Texas Tech, and Baylor seem to have fallen quite a bit while the Cyclones continue to improve.

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