1. Nebraska (5-0, 1-0). As expected, the Husker defense shut down Kansas State and Nebraska won big, 48-13. Even Daniel Thomas couldn’t get anything going, with only 63 yards on 22 carries (2.9 ypc). By contrast, on 23 combined carries, Cornhuskers Taylor Martinez and Roy Helu, Jr ran for a ridiculous 351 yards. The only question with the Cornhuskers is if they can pass it well enough to come from behind late, but with their running game (#2 nationally) and defense (#12 nationally), they might never have to find out. Next week Nebraska finally gets its rematch of last year’s Big XII Championship Game against Texas.
2. Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0). Bye week for OU, but they hold on to the #2 spot. The Sooners’ defense has been questionable, allowing 22.8 ppg (56th nationally), while the offense has put up a respectable 32.8 ppg. Neither of those numbers is awe-inspiring, but it’s worth remembering that OU has played a tough schedule, having already faced Texas, Florida State, and a 5-1 Air Force squad. QB Landry Jones and RB DeMarco Murray have combined for 20 touchdowns in their first five games. Next week OU gets to show off against an Iowa State team that just allowed 68 points and almost 600 yards to Utah.
3. Oklahoma State (5-0, 1-0). Just another day at the office for the Cowboys’ offense against Louisiana-Lafayette: 54 points on 492 yards. Oklahoma State is now #2 in the nation in total offense and #4 in scoring offense (52.6 ppg). But the Cowboys are also 87th in total defense and 88th in points allowed (29.2 ppg). Giving up that many points against a mostly bad schedule (Texas A&M is the only respectable team OSU has played) has to be a concern with several big games left on the docket for the Cowboys. If this defense can’t hold the Ragin’ Cajuns under 28 points, what can it do to slow down Nebraska and OU, or even Texas Tech next week?
4. Missouri (5-0, 1-0). Gutsy effort from Blaine Gabbert to play through a hip pointer as long as he could, though the entire offense could’ve sat this one out, as the Tigers’ defense outscored Colorado 2-0. Misleading stat of the year: Missouri is currently #3 in the nation in points allowed (11.2 ppg). Watch what happens to that ranking as the Tigers play their next four games: @ Texas A&M, Oklahoma, @ Nebraska, and @ Texas Tech. Nevertheless, the Tigers have played two very solid games in a row since narrowly avoiding the upset against San Diego State. Maybe they’re starting to come together.
5. Texas (3-2, 1-1). Texas ranks #6 in the nation in total defense and #71 in total offense. It’s probably a good thing that Greg Davis coaches from the booth and isn’t on the sideline within reach of Will Muschamp during the games. Next week’s game in Lincoln looks unwinnable on paper for the Longhorns, but Texas has beaten Nebraska in eight of nine meetings since the inception of the Big XII, including all three games played in Lincoln. Still, the Longhorns will have to come up with their best effort of the year to avoid losing three games in a row for the first time since 1999.
6. Texas A&M (3-2, 0-1). The Aggies took a shot at the Razorbacks in Jerryworld, but came up a touchdown short. Jerrod Johnson finally got the interceptions under control, throwing only one, but the Aggies also lost three fumbles. With only one conference loss, Texas A&M is still in the running to win the South, but it’s hard to predict that kind of success for a team that has turned it over a staggering 14 times in its last three games. And how is a quarterback as mobile as Johnson getting sacked 3.2 times per game? This is a talented group that makes entirely too many mistakes. Next week the Aggies host #21 Missouri in a must-win game.
7. Texas Tech (3-2, 1-2). After an ugly loss to Iowa State, they turned around and beat a pretty good Baylor team 45-38. Taylor Potts had a huge game, posting 462 yards and 4 TDs with only 1 INT on 59 passes. In fact, this was his fourth very good game out of five so far. This team can only be described as erratic — I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pick up a win they aren’t supposed to get and a loss they aren’t supposed to get before the season is through. Tech will get another test when they host #20 Oklahoma State next week. Final score should be something like 119-116.
8. Kansas State (4-1, 1-1). Outclassed badly by Nebraska last week. This just hasn’t looked like a very good football team no matter what its record says. Sure, they beat the first four cupcakes on the schedule, but only one by double digits. The Wildcats’ running game is very solid, but their passing game is awful (107th in the nation) and their defense isn’t much better (82nd in the nation). They should be able to win at Kansas next week, but if that defense doesn’t improve a lot, more losses are coming.
9. Baylor (4-2, 1-1). Tough loss for the Bears last week. They were in it the whole way, but they couldn’t get the defensive stops they needed in the second half. Robert Griffin III lit up the stat sheet through the air again, with 384 yards passing, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs, but the Red Raiders managed to hold him to just 18 yards rushing on 11 carries. Baylor is now just 1-2 outside of Waco, and the Bears are headed to Boulder to take on Colorado next weekend. Baylor needs a win in that game before its schedule gets tougher.
10. Colorado (3-2, 0-1). Shutout by Mizzou last week, 26-0. The Buffaloes may have a winning record (for now), but they’ve been blown out badly in both of their losses and they’re only scoring 18.2 points per game. With two almost completely unwinnable games (@ OU and @ Nebraska) and at least three other potential losses (Baylor, Texas Tech, and Kansas State) remaining, a fifth consecutive losing season is a real possibility.
11. Iowa State (3-3, 1-1). The Cyclones set off the upset alert against #10 Utah with a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Then they lost by 41. Iowa State plays its next game in Norman, which is the college football equivalent of invading Russia in winter. Cyclone fans would be well-advised to watch the Ohio State at Wisconsin game instead. Might want to avoid SportsCenter that night, too.
12. Kansas (2-3, 0-1). Last weekend’s bye means the Jayhawks will be looking to extend their season-best 11-day unbeaten streak when they take on KSU this Thursday night.
TexArcher 