Even with Oklahoma and Texas Tech both losing this past weekend, there's not much movement in this week's power poll, althought Oklahoma State is making up ground in a hurry after dropping two early season games. They'll have a chance to prove exactly how good they are this week when they take on the Big 12's best who is coming off a second straight dominating performance.
Here's a look at how the rankings shake out heading into the final month of the season this will see Kansas State continue it's bid to get into the BCS title game, while Oklahoma State and Oklahoma cling onto Big 12 title hopes. Everyone else will be simply jockeying for bowl position with TCU and Iowa State searching for the all important sixth win somewhere in November.
1. (-) Kansas State (8-0): Another contender up, another contender down. The Wildcats continued their impressive run through the Big 12 with a 31 point victory over Texas Tech. The talk of playing in the BCS national championship will only continue to increase over the final month so long as the Wildcats continue their winning way. They'll have another tough challenge on their hands this week. Up next: Oklahoma State.
2. (-) Oklahoma (5-2): The Sooners chance of playing for the national title are likely over following their loss to Notre Dame. Even so, their hopes for a possible Big 12 title are still alive and well. Now if somebody could just beat Kansas State. The Sooners need to win out to keep their chances alive and will have do it three times on the road starting this weekend. Up next: @ Iowa State.
3A. (-) Texas Tech (6-2): Things got off to a great start against Kansas State but then the second half happened and the Red Raiders couldn't keep up. All is not lost for Texas Tech, however. They have four winnable games ahead which would leave them with a 10 win regular season if they win them all. Not bad for a team that was predicted to finish ninth in the conference. Up next: Texas.
3B. (↑1) Oklahoma State (5-2): Nobody has been talking much about the Cowboys who have quietly won three in a row while being forced to juggle freshman quarterbacks because of injury. Beating TCU was nice, but Oklahoma State has a chance to make a gigantic statement this weekend in Manhattan.
Last year the Cowboys had their national title hopes dashed in Ames. Can they play the role of spoiler this year? If so, their reward could be a second straight Big 12 title. Remember, the Pokes have just one conference loss although the upcoming schedule is brutal. Up next: @ Kansas State.
5. (-) Texas (6-2): Well, that was a little to close for comfort. The Longhorns escaped Lawrence by the skin of their teeth scoring the winning touchdown with just 12 seconds remaining. And you think the howls coming from Austin were loud following their loss to OU, I can't imagine what it would have been like had they lost to Kansas. Case McCoy directed the winning touchdown drive although Mack Brown said on Monday David Ash is still his guy.
The Longhorns now head to Lubbock for a game that will have a big say in the Big 12's bowl pecking order. Up next: @ Texas Tech.
6. (-) West Virginia (5-2): West Virginia watched all the action from the sidelines this weekend. Did they find any answers to what was ailing their team following back-to-back blowout losses during the bye week? We'll find out on Saturday when they take on TCU who has had a few issues of their own over the past several weeks. Up next: TCU.
7. (↑1) Iowa State (5-3): Steele Jantz is back! Paul Rhoads gave Jantz another chance and he didn't disappoint throwing for 381 yards and five touchdowns. It was a huge win for the Cyclones and moves them within one game of bowl eligibility. Rhoads' squad won't have much time to savor the win, however, with Oklahoma and Texas coming up the next two weeks. Up next: Oklahoma.
8. (↓1) TCU (5-3): The Horned Frogs lost for the second straight week falling to Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Things looked to be heading in the right direction after one quarter with TCU holding 14-3 lead but unfortunately, there were still three more quarters to play and TCU wouldn't score a point the rest of the way.
TCU is sitting on five wins with a month left but with games against West Virginia, Kansas State, Texas, and Oklahoma, the Horned Frogs will need to pull an upset somewhere along the way if they want to go bowling for the holidays. Up next: @ West Virginia.
9. (-) Baylor (3-4): The good news on Saturday for Baylor, they held their first Big 12 opponent under 40 points this season. The bad news, their offense only scored 21 points and turned the ball over four times. Baylor's chance of playing in the postseason look less and less each week. The Bears will try to end a four game losing streak this weekend against a Kansas team that for the first time in three seasons isn't a pushover. Up next: Kansas.
10. (-) Kansas (1-7): Oh, so close. The Jayhawks hung right with Texas all afternoon but came up one play short. Hey, it might be just baby steps, but KU has made a bunch of them this year even if it doesn't show in their record. Is their first Big 12 win under Charlie Weis on the horizon? Up next: at Baylor.
