Football: Barfknecht's Big 12 ratings

1. Oklahoma

• This week: Utah State, 6 p.m., PPV. The last time OU came off a five-loss season, it won the national championship. That’s not a prediction, but it’s not an outlandish thought, either. The Sooners look that good.

2. Texas

• This week: Rice at Reliant Stadium, Houston, 2:30 p.m., ESPN. It’s all about establishing a running game at Texas. The Longhorns are going with two backs and the quarterback under center often. How smooth will the transition be?

3. Nebraska

• This week: Western Kentucky, 6 p.m., PPV. Quarterback, quarterback, who’s the starting quarterback? Bo Pelini knows, but he’s not telling. That will be the only drama in this monumental mismatch, a leftover from Steve Pederson.

4. Missouri

• This week: Illinois in St. Louis, 11:30 a.m., FSN. If the Tigers can get enough players out of court, they should roll over the Illini. Still, it’s classic Mizzou to screw up a nice quiet offseason when momentum was building.

5. Texas Tech

• This week: SMU on Sunday, 2:30 p.m., ESPN. The Pirate — fired coach Mike Leach — has set sail, but he didn’t leave the ship unmanned. New coach Tommy Tuberville has the smarts and the schedule to make a run in the South Division.

6. Kansas State

• This week: UCLA, 2:30 p.m., ABC. Let’s see. A coaching matchup between Bill Snyder and Rick Neuheisel. I wonder who wins that battle of wits? KSU needs early momentum to get ready for Nebraska in a month.

7. Texas A&M

• This week: Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m. The Aggies have had about 15 players who are expected to make the two-deep miss part of fall practices with injuries. But A&M doesn’t face a threat until Sept. 30 at Oklahoma State.

8. Oklahoma State

• This week: Washington State, 6 p.m., FSN. After seeing several star players depart and a new offensive coordinator arrive, few are giving OSU much thought. It’s up to coach Mike Gundy to change that — or he might be out.

9. Baylor

• This week: Sam Houston State, 6 p.m. It’s all about RG3 — QB Robert Griffin III. The run-pass threat with Olympic speed is coming off a knee injury. If he is back to form, the Bears have a chance to break their 15-year bowl drought.

10. Kansas

• This week: North Dakota State, 6 p.m., FCS. The Turner Gill Era begins with a turnaround in culture. Positive thinking, no cursing, more focus on team chemistry. KU fans hope for a turnaround on the field after seven straight losses to end 2009.

11. Colorado

• This week: Colorado State in Denver, 1 p.m., The Mtn. After four straight losing seasons and a 16-33 overall record, Dan Hawkins is coaching for his job. Hard to know if seven or eight wins is enough for him to guide CU into the Pacific-10.

12. Iowa State

• This week: Northern Illinois on Thursday, 7 p.m., FSN. The Cyclones face the nation’s most difficult schedule, and it starts early. Northern Illinois is picked to win the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

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