Big 12 Power Rankings Week 4: Can Kansas keep winning?
By Dante Pryor
Big 12 Power Rankings
10. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-2, 0-1)
This is a pivotal week for the Mountaineers. With Arizona State parting ways with Herman Edwards and Nebraska firing Scott Frost before that, Neil Brown could be the next domino on the coaching carousel. Transfer quarterback JT Daniels has played well, but West Virginia has had two tough-luck losses.
The Mountaineers and coach Brown could have some grace if they bring the Black Diamond Trophy to Morgantown this weekend.
9. Kansas State Wildcats (2-1)
Adrian Martinez needed to improve as a passer. It was not beyond reason to think; eventually, a marginal passing game would catch up to the Wildcats. There might have been doubts that it would catch up with them against Tulane. The Green Wave were 2-10 last season, and there was nothing that indicated Tulane would pull this upset.
When they travel to Norman on Saturday night, things get no easier for Kansas State to take on Oklahoma.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-1)
Texas Tech traveled to Raleigh and ran into a buzz saw called the North Carolina State Wolfpack defense. The Red Raiders turned the football four times and were held over 100 yards below its season average. Last week was a good measuring stick for first-year head coach Joey McGuire to see where they are and how far they need to go.
Texas Tech invites interstate rival #22 Texas this weekend.
7. TCU Horned Frogs (2-0)
The Frogs were off this week ahead of its annual rivalry game against SMU for the Iron Skillet. TCU travels through the metroplex to Gerald Ford Stadium to take on the Mustangs. After TCU won seven games in a row, SMU has won the last two.
This game should be entertaining, with both Sonny Dykes and Rhett Lashlee new to their schools, though Dykes is not unique to the rivalry.
6. #17 Baylor Bears (2-1)
The Bears travel to Ames to take on Iowa State in the slobber knocker of the week. Both teams are solid in the trenches and want to run the football. Head coach Dave Arranda and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes need a receiver to step up and become the alpha since Tyquan Thorton is now in the NFL to complement the running game.