Texas Tech football: Big 12 Power Rankings for Week 12
The Big 12 has shown it is a conference where no one is safe. An upset is likely to happen weekly and no team can ever be certain of a victory. This weekend TCU clinched a trip to the Big 12 Championship while other teams’ dreams died in some exciting Week 11 Big 12 games. Below are my power rankings going into Week 12.
1) TCU
Previous Rank: 1
TCU gets a trip to Arlington with a huge win in Austin. The Horned Frogs struggled on offense all game but squeezed by for a 17-10 victory over Texas. TCU’s offense was held under 300 total yards and had a turnover which resulted in a defensive touchdown. However, TCU’s defense possibly played its best game of the season. The defense held Texas to 199 total yards and no offensive touchdowns.
TCU holds its spot at #1 on the list.
2) Kansas State
Previous Rank: 4
Kansas State completely manhandled Baylor beating them 31-3 in Waco. The Wildcats held The Bears to 103 rushing yards which played a major role in this dominating victory. Kansas State also exposed Blake Shapen’s throwing ability holding him to 203 passing yards and two interceptions. The Wildcats came out with a plan to shut down the run which forced Baylor to pass the ball.
Kansas State ends Baylor’s hope at another Big 12 Championship moving the Cats to #2 on the list.
3) Oklahoma State
Previous Rank: 3
Oklahoma State went 1-14 on third downs against The Cyclones’ defense but held on in the end to win 20-14. The Cowboys struggled to run and throw the ball accounting for only 244 total yards. Their defense kept them in the game by forcing three interceptions and two fumbles.
The Cowboys get the win at home moving to 7-3 and staying at #3 on the list.
4) Texas
Previous Rank: 2
Texas falls at home in a long defensive battle against TCU. The only touchdown Texas accounted for came from the defense in the fourth quarter. The college football world has now seen a healthy Quinn Ewers and the numbers are concerning. Ewers went 17/39 for 171 yards. He also had one interception and averaged under 5 yards a throw. TCU was also able to shut down the Heisman hopeful Bijan Robinson who had 12 carries for only 29 yards.
Texas loses in Austin moving to 6-4 on the season and #4 on the list.
5) Baylor
Previous Rank: 5
Baylor’s passing game showed its weakness in a despicable 31-3 loss against Kansas State. After a great defensive battle in the first quarter, The Wildcats would drop 17 points before going into halftime with the lead. Baylor’s run game was shut down forcing Shapen to make plays with his arm. Shapen went 22-38 not being able to get into a rhythm throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Baylor falls at home keeping them at #5 on the list.
6) Texas Tech
Previous Rank: 8
Texas Tech gets a much-needed win at home over a good Kansas team. The Red Raiders started the game on fire putting up 17 quick points. Tyler Shough showed the Texas Tech fan base what he is capable of and what he has to offer.
Do Shough’s last two performances hold up to Behren Morton’s two starts earlier in the year? We’ll touch more on that later in the week. Shough went 20-33 for 246 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The senior showed he is capable of understanding the offense and his ability to make changes after reading the opposing defense. Texas Tech was able to force two key turnovers that helped drive momentum and close the game. Tech’s defense also played better only giving up 7 points in the second half after giving up 21 in the first.
Texas Tech passes Kansas 43-28 moving their record to 5-5 and jumping to #6 on the list.
7) Kansas
Previous Rank: 7
Kansas will hold their spot after losing to an on and off again Texas Tech team. The Jayhawks would give up 17 quick points in the first quarter and had to battle back all game. Kansas put up more yards than Tech (525-510) but lost the time of possession battle and had two turnovers. Both of the turnovers would result in points. Three points right before the half and seven at the end of the game to seal it.
While still bowl-eligible, Kansas falls to 6-4 staying at #7 on the list.
8) Oklahoma
Previous Rank: 8
Oklahoma falls to 5-5 after a tough loss in Morgantown. Despite rushing for 236 yards Oklahoma lost the time of possession battle (37:15 to 22:45) . This would result in Oklahoma losing 23-20 to a scrappy West Virginia team.
Oklahoma stays at #8 after a tough battle against West Virginia.
9) West Virginia
Previous Rank: 9
West Virginia stays at #9 after a great win against Oklahoma. The Mountaineers have now had two great wins at home against Baylor and Oklahoma. Will those wins be enough to keep Neal Brown around for another year?
Garrett Greene looked good rushing for 119 yards and throwing for 138. Greene also accounted for three touchdowns after replacing JT Daniels. However, West Virginia has not been able to replicate this success on the road and they are still below .500 on the season.
West Virginia improves to 4-6 on the year but stays at #9 on the list.
10) Iowa State
Previous Rank: 10
Iowa State played well enough on the road against Oklahoma State. If you take away Hunter Dekkers’ three interceptions this game could have ended in an Iowa State victory. Iowa State won the time of possession and put up more yards than Oklahoma State (333 to 244). Their defense played well forcing two turnovers and holding The Cowboys to under 250 yards. Despite this, The Cyclones would fall in Stillwater 20-14.
This loss puts Iowa State at 4-6 on the season keeping them at #10 on this list.
Conclusion
After this week I would put my guess on seeing Kansas State and TCU in the Big 12 Championship. Once again the Big 12 shows teams have to show up every Saturday if they want to win. Next week brings some good matchups as we get closer to wrapping up the season.