Barfknecht's Big 12 football rankings

World-Herald staff writer Lee Barfknecht ranks the Big 12 teams from top to bottom. Published Sept. 7, 2010.

* * *

1. Texas (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Rice 34-17.

• This Week: Wyoming, 6 p.m., FSN. I was tempted to leave the No. 1 hole vacant. No one in the Big 12 distinguished itself the first week. The Longhorns move up by default after Oklahoma's home struggles.

2. Nebraska (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Western Kentucky 49-10.

• This Week: Idaho, 11:30 a.m., PPV. Keep the lid on the Kool-Aid for a few more weeks. The Huskers have intriguing potential, but more proof is needed against better competition.

3. Oklahoma (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Utah State 31-24.

• This Week: Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC. The Sooners' national-best home winning streak of 31 will be threatened this week by Florida State. The sloppiness in the opener must be cleaned up.

4. Missouri (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Illinois 23-13.

• This Week: McNeese State, 6 p.m., no TV. Give the Tigers credit for keeping their poise and actually executing some halftime adjustments after falling behind Illinois 13-3.

5. Kansas State (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat UCLA 31-22.

• This Week: Missouri State, 6 p.m., no TV. Daniel Thomas is a man's man at running back. But he might not survive the beating if the quarterback play doesn't improve and give him some room to move.

6. Texas Tech (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat SMU 35-27.

• This Week: at New Mexico, 7 p.m., the mtn. A solid win in Tommy Tuberville's opener, though the final should have been about 42-10. The Red Raiders can practice against New Mexico, a 72-0 loser to Oregon.

7. Oklahoma State (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Washington State 65-17.

• This Week: Troy, 6 p.m., no TV. There's something to be said for pounding opponents you are supposed to pound. TB Kendall Hunter may balance this offense more than we thought.

8. Baylor (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Sam Houston State 34-3.

• This Week: Buffalo, 6 p.m., FCS. You can hear the glee in coach Art Briles' voice when he talks about QB Robert Griffin being back to full speed. That makes the Bears a threat.

9. Texas A&M (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Stephen F. Austin 48-7.

• This Week: Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m., no TV. The best news from the opener for what normally is a mistake-riddled Aggie team — no turnovers and just three penalties for 12 yards.

10. Iowa State (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Northern Illinois 27-10.

• This Week: at Iowa, 2:30 p.m., ABC. Cyclone fans need to savor all of these games against Iowa. When the Big Ten goes to a nine-game league schedule, this rivalry may end.

11. Colorado (1-0)

• Last Week: Beat Colorado State 24-3.

• This Week: at California, 2:30 p.m., FSN. Don't get too carried away yet, Buff fans. Colorado State is on a 10-game losing skid. And you have an 11-game losing streak on the road.

12. Kansas (0-1)

• Last Week: Lost to North Dakota State 6-3.

• This Week: Georgia Tech, 11 a.m., FSN. Turner Gill isn't the first Kansas football coach to get booed, but he might have been the first to have it happen to him in his first game.

« Sports - Main

Share