Some big shake-ups in the week's poll following Oklahoma's dominating win over Texas while the Red Raiders proved no one should be taking them lightly.
A couple more big games are ahead this weekend with Kansas State looking to put a stranglehold on first place in a game with West Virginia and Texas Tech hoping to build on the momentum created after their pummeling of West Virginia.
Here's a look at where everyone stands in the conference as we cross the half way point in the season.
1. (-) Kansas State (6-0): It wasn't easy or a thing of beauty, but nobody thought it would be. The reality is the Wildcats escaped Jack Trice Stadium with their perfect record intact and can now turn their attention to their upcoming trip to Morgantown.
K-State has already won in Norman and a win over the Mountaineers would give Kansas State leg up on the rest of the contenders in the race for the Big 12 title. Tiebreakers are going to be critical at the end. They already have it over OU, can they get another against WVU? Up next: at West Virginia.
2. (↑2) Oklahoma (4-1): The Sooners were down but certainly not out following their loss to Kansas State. The next two games saw Oklahoma's defense come to life in dominating wins over Texas Tech and Texas, and the offense wasn't bad, either. Oklahoma will have a chance to catch their breath this weekend before the Fighting Irish come to Norman in a game that will have a huge impact on the national title race. Up next: Kansas.
3. (↑4) Texas Tech (5-1): The Red Raiders got rid of the sour taste in their mouths following the loss to Oklahoma with a dominating performance against West Virginia. Texas Tech out gained the Mountaineers by over 260 yards and held one of the best offenses in the country to 14 points. Impressive to the least. As important as the win was over WVU, Tech can't afford to take the foot off the gas now because heading to Forth Worth to take on TCU isn't going to be a walk in the park.
Texas Tech doesn't have the best offense in the Big 12 and might not have the best defense (although you can make the argument it does), but there aren't many teams in the league that have a team as balanced as the one we've seen through the season's first six weeks. Up next: @ TCU
4. (↓2) West Virginia (5-1): Blame it on whatever you'd like: the wind, long back-to-back road trips or a defense that has given up 147 points in three Big 12 games. The fact is, the Mountaineers got outplayed on all three sides of the ball this past weekend. They won't have long to feel sorry for themselves with undefeated Kansas State coming to town. A win over the Wildcats would create a serious logjam atop the Big 12 standings. Up next: Kansas State.
5. (↓2) Texas (4-2): The significant improvements Texas has made over the past two seasons took a giant step backwards following another beat down in the Cotton Bowl at the hands of the Sooners. The offensive was nowhere to be found and the defense, oh my, about that defense. Oklahoma racked up 677 yards of total offense and made it look easy most the day.
Texas' offense may indeed be better, but it's nowhere near the unit that can carry a team whose defense has shown no signs of being able to stop anyone with an offensive pulse. It's back to drawing board for Texas but one has to wonder how much improvement can be made midseason. The good news is that UT's schedule lightens up a bit after a brutal three game stretch. Up next: Baylor.
6. (↓1) Oklahoma State (3-2): The Cowboys built a 20 point lead heading to the fourth quarter and then held on for dear life leaving Lawrence with a 20-14 win. What a difference a year makes.
Oklahoma State led Kansas last year 56-0 at halftime on their way to scoring 70 points. But this isn't the same Cowboy team we saw last year and the same can be said of the Jayhawks. Any road win is a good win, however, no matter how much of a struggle it was. This is still a team capable of beating any team on its schedule so maybe KU deserves more credit than they're being given. Up next: Iowa State.
7. (↓1) Iowa State (4-2): The Cyclones wanted this one badly but once again, came up just short against Kansas State. Iowa State struggled in the running game which is something that will need to be addressed over the coming weeks.
All is not lost for ISU, however. They just lost at home to a top-five ranked team by six points. There are plenty of positives to build on going forward. Up next: @ Oklahoma State.
8. (-) TCU (5-1): There were plenty of people doubting the Horned Frogs following their loss to Iowa State but they responded with a convincing win over Baylor. Trevone Boykin looked great in just his second college start at quarterback and the defense came up with six Baylor turnovers in the win.
TCU now has to gear up for a brutal schedule over the second half of the season. It starts this weekend with the Red Raiders coming to town. Up next: Texas Tech.
9. (-) Baylor (3-2): We know about the shortcomings the Bears' have on defense, but what Baylor can't afford is turning the ball over six times as they did against TCU, but then again, what team can? They'll have a chance to right the ship this week against a struggling Texas defense. Can Baylor make it three in a row over the Longhorns? Up next: @ Texas.
10. (-) Kansas (1-5): Baby steps. The Jayhawks might be on a five game losing streak, but look at the bright side, at least they're not getting blown out. Hey, you have to start somewhere, right? (OK, the K-State did game turn into a bit of a blowout).
Michael Cummings came into the game replacing Dayne Crist and led KU to two fourth quarter touchdowns leaving some wondering if he won't get the start this weekend at Oklahoma. Charlie Weis has said he'll make that determination on Tuesday. Whoever plays is likely in for a long afternoon in Norman. Up next: @ Oklahoma.
