Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State slides out of the top spot

With two weeks in the books, a change at number one has already happened in the KSO Power Rankings. Texas’ major victory over Alabama pushed them to the top. There is also a unanimous top three amongst the KSO trio. Where is Kansas State positioned?

1. Texas Longhorns

Mason: 1
DY: 1
Drew: 1

The Longhorns went out and earned the top spot in the rankings this past weekend, slaying Nick Saban and Alabama on the road. Quinn Ewers looked like the quarterback that had been promised and it shot Texas to No. 4 in the latest AP Top 25. Better than Ewers’ showing, the Texas defense looked impressive. That final Kansas State contest in Austin as league foes continues to grow bigger and bigger.
Next game: vs. Wyoming, 7:00 PM Longhorn Network

2. Kansas State Wildcats

Mason: 2
DY: 2
Drew: 2

Things started off a little slow for the K-State offense, but once they got rolling they dominated reigning Sun Belt champion Troy. The Kansas State defense has been incredibly strong through two games and Will Howard has taken some risks, but mostly won out with a surprisingly strong showing from his receivers.
Next game: at Missouri, 11:00 AM SEC Network

3. Oklahoma Sooners

Mason: 3
DY: 3
Drew: 3

Two teams that like to go fast and score points led to a pitcher’s duel early in the Sooners’ showdown with SMU. Eventually, Oklahoma pulled away and the biggest question after the game was why Art Briles was on the field postgame in Sooner gear. Oklahoma has proven exactly why we won’t know their true identity until they play Texas in October, especially since they dodge K-State in their final year in the Big 12.
Next game: at Tulsa, 2:30 PM ESPN2

4. Kansas Jayhawks

Mason: 4
DY: 7
Drew: 4

Kansas jumped out to a 21-0 lead on Illinois on Friday night before the Fighting Illini got their first score with less than a minute to go in the first half. It felt like the momentum might change and it would tighten up, but Jalon Daniels hit a bomb to Luke Grimm and Andy Kotelnicki’s offense scored quickly to make it 28-7 at halftime. Kansas held on to win 34-23 and two things were confirmed. Kansas’ offense is the real deal, but the defense is still very gettable for many top-half Big 12 opponents that the Hawks will face, including Kansas State. It is also quite likely the two best offensive coordinators in the Big 12 both work in the state of Kansas.
Next game: at Nevada, 9:30 PM CBS Sports Network

Phillip Brooks/Kansas State Athletics

5. TCU Horned Frogs

Mason: 5
DY: 4
Drew: 8

It was a good bounceback game for the Horned Frogs as they got to beat up Nicholls. Chandler Morris put up over 300 yards in total offense and scored three total touchdowns without turning the ball over. It was an easy reset for TCU as they get a chance to sit atop the Big 12 by themselves for a week when they open conference play against Houston on the road this weekend.
Next game: at Houston, 7:00 PM FOX

6. UCF Knights

Mason: 6
DY: 6
Drew: 6

The Knights escaped the blue turf in Boise by the skin of their teeth on Saturday, nailing a game-winning field goal with no time on the clock to finish off Boise State 18-16. The fun stopped there for UCF though, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee came out of the game with a leg injury that will now hold him out of the next few games according to coach Gus Malzahn. After their FCS game this weekend, UCF starts Big 12 play against K-State, Baylor, Kansas and Oklahoma. Kansas State and Baylor may not have to face Plumlee in the Knights’ inaugural season in the conference.
Next game: vs. Villanova, 5:30 PM ESPN+

7. Cincinnati Bearcats

Mason: 8
DY: 9
Drew: 5

The winning ways continued for Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats, picking up a win for the Big 12 over the ACC, holding off Pitt 27-21. Emory Jones cooled off from his Week 1 performance, but Corey Kiner ran for 153 yards and a touchdown to carry the offense. Cincinnati at least has proven they aren’t going to roll over this year. That is a win in my eyes.
Next game: vs. Miami (OH), 6:00 PM ESPN+

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Mason: 7
DY: 5
Drew 10

Surprisingly 0-2 now, Texas Tech fought hard and came up just short of reviving the hype with a win over Oregon last weekend. The Red Raiders are going to end up being one of the better teams in the Big 12 this season, but they have to start winning games at some point.
Next game: vs. Tarleton State, 6:00 PM ESPN+

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mason: 9
DY: 8
Drew: 7

Similar to Cincinnati, the Cowboys went on the road to a weak Power Five opponent and secured a much-needed win for the Big 12’s reputation. All three quarterbacks played again for Mike Gundy, as they averaged nine points per quarterback during the 27-15 win. Two bad teams played a close game. I still think the Cowboys are weak despite the 2-0 start. I’m intrigued by what happens when they are visited by K-State in a few weeks.
Next game: vs. South Alabama, 6:00 PM ESPN+

10. BYU Cougars

Mason: 11
DY: 11
Drew: 9

BYU struggled in their season opener against Sam Houston, but bounced back to thrash Southern Utah in their FCS game. Southern Utah pushed Arizona State in Week 1 and only lost by a score, so while not overly meaningful, the 41-16 win means that the Cougars aren’t as bad as Arizona State. The Cougars are still one of the lesser teams in the Big 12 this season and they could be in for a rude awakening this weekend in Fayetteville.
Next game: at Arkansas, 6:30 PM ESPN2

11. Iowa State Cyclones

Mason: 10
DY: 10
Drew: 12

Iowa State was getting blown out and faced an insurmountable lead of 17-3 during the Cy-Hawk rivalry. The late push with 10 fourth-quarter points wasn’t enough and Iowa State is 1-1. Matt Campbell said after the game it was the “best” Iowa State had played against Iowa since he got there. Even though they beat Iowa for the only time under Campbell last season in Iowa City. Hey, as long as they are happy and together in Ames, good for them.
Next game: at Ohio, 11:00 AM ESPNU

Darell Jones and Jet Dineen/Kansas State Athletics

12. Baylor Bears

Mason: 12
DY: 12
Drew: 13

A chance at redemption for the Bears slipped through their fingers in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter against Utah on Saturday. The Bears showed good fight in a game where both sides were using backup quarterbacks, but ultimately an 0-2 start has come in Waco. Baylor is likely not as bad as the opening loss to Texas State would indicate, but their shortcoming against Utah shows that they might be similar to Iowa State from a year ago. Good defense, slow-moving and empty offense.
Next game: vs. Long Island, 11:00 AM ESPN+

13. West Virginia Mountaineers

Mason: 14
DY: 14
Drew: 11

After Cincinnati got their chance to take down Pitt, West Virginia gets the opportunity this week. If Neal Brown wants any chance of convincing athletics director Wren Baker and the public he should keep his job, he has to win the Backyard Brawl in Morgantown this weekend. Congrats on the blowout over Duquesne this past weekend.
Next game: vs. Pitt, 6:30 PM ABC

14. Houston Cougars

Mason: 13
DY: 13
Drew: 14

All the good equity that Dana Holgorsen built for the Cougars in Week 1 with the win over UTSA evaporated instantly this past Saturday. On the road at in-city rival Rice, the Cougars got down 28-0 before storming back to force overtime. Once in OT, the Owls and JT Daniels snuck away with the win. Now 1-1, it is back to the drawing board for the Cougars who don’t have much time as they play the first Big 12 game of the season against TCU on Saturday night.
Next game: vs. TCU, 7:00 PM FOX

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