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PAGE 12
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Big 12 power rankings: TCU, Baylor, K-State pull away
STELLA LIANG
@stelly_liang
There is never a dull weekend in the Big 12. After Kansas State's loss to TCU on Saturday, there are no more undefeated teams in conference play. Kansas' victory against Iowa State leaves the Cyclones as the only team without a conference victory.
The other results from this weekend were eye-catching as Oklahoma continued its tumble while unpredictable West Virginia lost to Texas.
TCU, Baylor and K-State have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. They each have one conference loss and are the only teams from the Big 12 ranked in the Associated Press poll.
POWER RANKINGS
1. No. 5 TCU 8-1 (5-1 Big 12)
Last time out: Won vs.
K-State 41-20
In the matchup of the week, TCU easily took care of K-State. Quarterback Trevone Boykin was effective both through the air and on the ground, scoring a total of four touchdowns.
As part of the three-way tie for first place with Baylor and K-State, TCU gets the edge in schedule for the last three games of the regular season. TCU has remaining matchups with Kansas, Texas and Iowa State, none of which have winning records, although Texas has a 4-3 conference record.
Trending: Up
Next up: at Kansas
2. No. 6 Baylor 8-1 (5-1)
Last time out: Won at Oklahoma 48-14
doesn't really matter as Baylor completely outplayed Oklahoma.
It's all been said before — Baylor can score. This time, instead of overwhelming its opponent immediately, the Bears sat back a little before they struck. Of course, that
in the second quarter, Baylor trailed 3-14 before scoring the next 45 points. The running corps notched five touchdowns to lead the Bears to their first-ever road victory against the Sooners. After losing to West Virginia three weeks ago, Baylor has looked nothing but dominant.
TCU running back Aaron Green (22) cuts against Kansas State defensive back Randall Evans (15) on his way to scoring a touchdown Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 41-20.
Trending: Up
Next up: Bye week
3. No. 13 K-State 7-2 (5-1)
Last time out: Lost at TCU
20-41
One strength of the Wildcat team is its rushing defense, but it allowed TCU to run for 334 yards and four touchdowns. According to ESPN Stats, it is the most rushing yards allowed by K-State since 2012 against Baylor.
When trying to make a comeback bid in the third quarter, K-State just couldn't stop TCU from scoring. K-State relinquished its sole place on top of the standings with the loss. Still on the schedule are road games with West Virginia and a showdown with Baylor.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trending: Down
Next up: Bye week
4. Oklahoma State 5-4 (3-3)
Last time out: Lost at K-State
11:48 am | Nov. 1
Oklahoma State moves up the rankings after a bye week by virtue of ugly losses by Oklahoma and West Virginia. Two weeks ago, the Cowboys lost soundly to K-State. They will try to get back to their winning ways when they play against Texas.
irending: Same Next up: vs. Texas
5. Oklahoma 6-3 (3-3)
5. Oklahoma b-3 (3-3)
Last time out: Lost vs. Baylor
14-48
The team that
The team that was once the
one to beat has faded into oblivion. How often can that be said about a Sooner team? To be fair, each of its losses has been to one of the top three teams in the conference. To be frank, to prove itself as a contender, it needed to win at least one of those games.
To make it worse, after the first quarter against Baylor, Oklahoma didn't put up a fight. After throwing for two early touchdowns, quarterback Trevor Knight was ineffective and also suffered an injury that took him out of the game for good in the fourth quarter. This is the first year Oklahoma has lost two home conference games in 16 years under coach Bob Stoops. The Sooners do have a favorable remaining schedule.
Trending: Down
Next up: at Texas Tech
6. Texas 5-5 (4-3)
Last time out: Won vs. West
Virginia 33-16
Don't look now, but the Longhorns are one win away from becoming bowl-eligible. Written off by many earlier in the season — the first under coach Charlie Strong — Texas has won two in a row.
The Longhorns controlled the game against West Virginia and kept the Mountaineers from scoring a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Heading into the last period, Texas was leading 24-3. Running back Jonathan Gray did much of the damage with 101 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Next up: at Oklahoma State
7. West Virginia 6-4 (4-3)
Last time out: Lost at Texas
16-33
Once the dark horse of the conference, West Virginia looks like it might be headed to a late-season slide. They have lost two straight for the
first time this season and have K-State coming up next, which could easily turn the slide into three.
Quarterback Clint Trickett had no touchdowns and threw one interception. The Big 12 leader in receptions per game, Kevin White, caught a school-record 16 passes for 132 yards but did not catch a touchdown.
Trending: Down
Next up: Bye week
8. Texas Tech 3-6 (1-5)
Last time out: Lost vs. Texas
Last time out: Lost vs. Texas 13-34 (on Nov. 1)
13-34 (on Nov. 1)
The Red Raiders did not have a game this past weekend. Not much changed except Texas Tech now has competition for the eighth spot in the league,
with Kansas earning its first Big 12 victory.
**Trending:** Same
**Next Up:** vs. Oklahoma
9. Kansas 3-6 (1-5)
Last time out: Won vs. Iowa
State 34-14
Somebody had to win the matchup of last-place teams, but the Jayhawks defeated the Cyclones thoroughly. It was only Kansas' second Big 12 victory in four years.
The Jayhawk offense was efficient in all facets. Quarterback Michael Cummings completed 24 of 40 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Corey Avery and Tony Pierson each scored a touchdown. The remaining schedule is unfavorable for the
Jayhawks as matchups with TCU and K-State loom.
Trending: Up
Next up: vs. TCU
10. Iowa State 2-7 (0-6)
Last time out: Lost vs. Kansas 14-34
Having the title of only winless team in conference play is a dubious one. With its best chance for a victory coming against Kansas, the offense was listless and the defense didn't stop much of anything. Iowa State's next game in two weeks against Texas Tech might be its last realistic chance at a victory.
Next up: Bye week
Trending: Down
CAMPUS STYLES
Edited by Rob Pyatt
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