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Big 12 football power rankings: TCU, Texas jockeying for top spot

By Dante Pryor

Oct 15, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) carries the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (33) carries the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 22: Tight end Mike O’Laughlin #87 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the college football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Lane Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – SEPTEMBER 22: Tight end Mike O’Laughlin #87 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the college football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Lane Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) /

10. Iowa State Cyclones (3-4, 0-4)

The Cyclones are playing much like their interstate counterparts, the Hawkeyes. Iowa State has played solid defense all season but has struggled to score, especially in conference play. No team will have much success scoring 16 points per game in conference play. The losing streak could continue against Oklahoma.

9. Oklahoma Sooners (1-3, 4-3)

Speaking of those Sooners, Dillon Gabriel could not have returned sooner for the Sooners (see what I did there). Gabriel threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas in its 52-42 victory. The offense is dynamic with Gabriel in the lineup, but there is a lot of concern with the defense, which is ironic since head coach Brent Venables is a defensive coach.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3, 1-2)

The Red Raiders were off last week after its 41-31 loss to Oklahoma State on October 8. The question for Texas Tech is who’s the starting quarterback this weekend against West Virginia? Donovan Smith has started since Tyler Shough got hurt. Smith got hurt; enter Berhern Morton against Oklahoma State.

7. Baylor Bears (1-2, 3-3)

The Bears are coming off a disappointing 43-40 loss to West Virginia. Baylor had to replace a ton of skill players on offense but have experience in the trenches. Baylor’s defense has been disappointing, especially on the back end. The run defense got gashed against the Mountaineers. Baylor’s struggling defense will get tested again against Kansas this weekend.

6. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-2, 3-3)

Mountaineers head coach Neil Brown’s hot seat has cooled after their win against Baylor. West Virginia is off this week ahead of its game against Texas Tech. The off week helps get running back C.J. Donaldson healthy and an opportunity to gameplan for the Red Raiders’ spread attack.

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