Big 12 Football Power Rankings, Week 4: Oklahoma State nearly chokes

Not much happened this weekend in Big 12 football, but there’s still plenty of movement among our weekly Saturday Blitz power rankings.

With just one Big 12 team taking the field in Week 3, our power rankings remain relatively the same as last week’s. But there is some movement after seeing how Big 12 opponents’ fared this weekend.

Oklahoma State, though — the only Big 12 participant this weekend — finally played their first game of the 2020 season. Their opponent, Tulsa, was scheduled to travel to Stillwater and play last weekend with the rest of the Big 12, but due to COVID-19 concerns, was postponed until Saturday, Sept. 19. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t look like your typical Mike Gundy-coached Cowboys team.

The combined record of teams who faced a Big 12 member school is 7-7. Those opponents’ games do have an effect on these particular power rankings — call it a strength of schedule component.

Typically, that isn’t the end-all be-all, but for this week it sort of is due to the fact only one Big 12 team played this weekend. With that in mind, don’t fret if your team is higher or lower without having played a game. Things will iron out when conference play begins on Sept. 26.

No. 10: Kansas State Wildcats

Last week, we had the Kansas State Wildcats slotted at No. 8 in our power rankings. But following along other Big 12 opponent’s this weekend, it only right we push the Wildcats back. They’ll play Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman.

No. 9: Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks remain at No. 9 this week, although Coastal Carolina notched another win on Friday after defeating the Jayhawks the previous week. It helps their SOS, but they still haven’t won a game themselves. The Jayhawks travel to Waco to face Baylor this upcoming weekend.

No. 8: Iowa State Cyclones

After coming in at No. 10 in our first power rankings, Iowa State leapt to No. 8 this week without even playing. Louisiana-Lafayette is ranked in the Top 25, though, giving the Cyclones a “good loss” if there ever was one. They’ll square off with TCU on Saturday.

No. 7: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech didn’t move this week, and that’s neither good nor bad for the Red Raiders. Their win against Houston Baptist wasn’t anything special, but it’s still better than being 0-1. Texas Tech will host the Longhorns on Saturday.

No. 6: Baylor Bears

We’ve yet to see the 2020 Baylor Bears on the gridiron, but that’ll change this weekend when they host the Kansas Jayhawks in Waco. Remember, Matt Rhule is gone, though. The Dave Aranda Era will look to get off to a hot start.

No. 5: TCU Horned Frogs

The Horned Frogs have prepared for a bout with Houston for multiple weeks now, having been scheduled and postponed then rescheduled and postponed again. Unfortunately for TCU, they’ll stroll into their first game of the season – a conference game versus Iowa State — without any prior game experience.

No. 4: Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were No. 2 in last week’s power rankings not having played a game yet, but after seeing them on the field for the first time, they’ve got plenty of improving to do to compete for the 2020 Big 12 Championship. They’ll get their first test when they host West Virginia this upcoming weekend.

No. 3: West Virginia Mountaineers

Neal Brown’s Mountaineers moved up a spot in this week’s power rankings, but only because the Cowboys dropped after beating Tulsa just 16-7. If they’re capable of winning in Stillwater, though, it’s possible the 2020 Mountaineers are legitimate conference contenders.

No. 2: Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns moved into the second slot in our Big 12 Power Rankings following a bye week, and they’ll get an opportunity to impress when they travel to Lubbock for a bout with Texas Tech.

No. 1: Oklahoma Sooners

Lincoln Riley and the Sooners come in at No. 1 following a weird scheduling week in the Big 12. With a game against Kansas State on the horizon, expect Oklahoma to pour another 40-plus performance on their opponent.

This upcoming weekend is a massive one for the Big 12. Many believe the season doesn’t start until you get into conference play, and I agree. These games will separate the Big 12 pretenders from the contenders. Buckle up.