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Three weeks in and all but two Big 12 teams have a least one tick in the loss column. Just as we all expected. With the conference taking massive hits to its reputation in non-conference play, where exactly does that put the Big 12? With so much parity and/or less-than-stellar teams can they get a team in to the playoff? Could a three-loss team end up winning the Big 12? The jury is still out. Regardless, there are still ten teams in the Big 12 and it is time to rank them.
10. Iowa St. Cyclones
The Cyclones put up 20 on TCU, which, frankly, surprised me. Still, this team is very Not Good™ and has a long way to go to get out of last place.
9. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas got beat down by a Big 12 reject. Their lone chance at a another win is the Iowa State game, barring some crazy shenanigans.
8. Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats moved up, in my mind, to the "middle-tier" of Big 12 teams with an impressive 63-7 win over FAU. I admittedly have not seen them play enough to rank them about Tech right now, but the ‘Cats may surprise some teams this year.
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Patrick Mahomes might well be in the race for the Heisman this year. He’s certainly the clubhouse leader for "Best Performance in a Losing Effort"right now. Tech has an incredible offense that is quite enjoyable to behold, but that defense. Man, that defense is BAD.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
I do not know what to make of Oklahoma. On the one hand, they have two losses already. On the other, they’ve played two Top Five teams. On the other, they got straight up embarrassed in both of those games. Sixth place for now.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Any of the teams in the 3-5 slot could be switched with another and I wouldn’t complain. I have the Cowboys here because they have the worst loss of the three teams. We’ll see how well they do against the Bears on Saturday.
4. TCU Horned Frogs
A close, weird loss against Arkansas and a struggle again South Dakota State has the Horned Frogs in fourth right now. They do hold the lone conference win, though.
3. Texas Longhorns
If y’all did not stay up until the wee hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning, y’all missed a classic #Pac12AfterDark game. Cal, a team with a defense almost as bad as Tech’s, was somehow able to get just enough stops to hand the Longhorns their first loss. Texas probably should have won this game, and I bet they would have if they just ran the dang ball. Not that I’m one to complain about #LonghornTears.
2. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers have a nice win over Missouri and a win over an FCS school. They’re undefeated and these rankings matter not one bit, so I’m going to put them in second place. Their mascot is super friendly, too.
1. Baylor Bears
That leaves your Baylor Bears sitting pretty at the top slot. Sure, the Bears haven’t really played a good team, but they are undefeated. A team with high implosion potential, as (I believe) Kendall called it, the Bears could well end up 6-6 or 10-2 or better. The Big 12 is fully embracing Team Chaos this year, it seems.
Top Four
After three games, I think it is finally time to put some real teams in the Top Four. These are teams that I think are the best in football right now. The picks will probably end up looking very dumb at the end of the year.
4. Houston Cougars
This team is fun to watch and is a force to be reckoned with. Oklahoma’s loss hurts the appearance of the Coogs’ win over the Sooners, though.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
You knew they would be on here.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes looked very impressive in their win at Oklahoma.
1. Louisville Cardinals
Following a classic #BEATEMDOWN game against Florida State team, I am prepared to say that Lamar Jackson is good at football. Louisville-Houston later in the year is going to be wild fun.