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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BIG 12 NOTEBOOK
SHANE JACKSON
@Jacksonshane3
Kansas' weekend win pushes the team ahead of Iowa State
With many teams inactive last weekend due to bye weeks and only one conference matchup, the conference looks almost identical to last week. The one change was Kansas moving up one spot in the Big 12 rankings after its 24-10 victory against Central Michigan.
Kansas State started off the week for the conference with a near upset against championship contender the Auburn Tigers. The Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking 20-16 defeat after committing key turnovers — something that's very uncharacteristic for the Bill Snyer-led team.
In the lone conference matchup, Oklahoma avoided the near road upset to West Virginia. After being deadlocked at the half, the Sooners needed a huge second half from a freshman running back to remain unscathed.
BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS
The Sooners avoided the near upset with the help of freshman running back Samaje Perine. Perine ran for four touchdowns, three in the second half as the Sooners came away victorious on the road.
1. OKLANOMA (4-0)
Last time out: Won at West
Virginia 45-33
Trending: same Next up: at TCU
2. BAYLOR (3-0)
set time out. Rye weel
The Bears enter conference play after the bye as one of the nation's most prolific offenses. Baylor currently averages 654.3 yards and 59.3 points per game, which are both ranked in the top three in the nation.
Trending: same
Next up: at Iowa State
3. KANSAS STATE (2-1)
Last time out: Lost to Auburn 20.15
20-16
The Wildcats nearly pulled off the upset against Auburn, the reigning SEC champions. A few missed field goals and untimely turnovers resulted in the loss, but the Wildcats helped prove that perhaps the Big 12 isn't that far off from the SEC.
Trending: same Next up: vs. UTEP
4. OKLAHOMA STATE (2-1)
Last time out: Bye Week
The Cowboys will begin conference play with their second-string quarterback Daxx Garman. After losing starter J.W. Walsh for the season, Garman threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns in his debut.
Trending: same Next up: vs. Texas Tech
5. TCU (2-0)
Last time out: Bye Week
The Horned Frogs wrap up non-conference play with SMU after the bye week. TCU defense still sits atop the conference in total yards allowed this season.
Trending: same Next up: at SMU
6. WEST VIRGINIA (2-2)
Last time out: Lost 45-33 to Oklahoma
7. TEXAS (1-2)
The Mountaineers almost pulled off the biggest upset within the conference this season. After being tied at the half, the Mountaineers struggled to close against Oklahoma, who's considered the best team in the conference.
Trending: same Next up: vs. Bye Week
Last time out: Bye Week Not many teams need two weeks to prepare for Kansas. Despite the Longhorns coming off two consecutive losses, Texas enters as an early 16.5-point favorite this weekend. The new Longhorns coach Charlie Strong is seeking his first Big 12 conference win.
Trending: same Next up: at Kansas
8. TEXAS TECH (2-1)
Last time out: Bye Week
After the bye week, the Red Raiders will kick-off conference play at Oklahoma State for the Thursday night game. Quarterback Davis Webb has made at least one touchdown pass in each of the first 13 games of his career.
Trending: same Next up: at Oklahoma State
9. KANSAS (2-1)
Last time out: Defeated Central Michigan 24-10
The Jayhawks needed a 14-point fourth quarter to avoid the upset at home against Central Michigan. Defensively, the Jayhawks played their most complete game, but the offense struggled at times to move the ball.
FRANK WEIRICH/KANSAN
Trending: Up
Next up: vs. Texas
10. IOWA STATE (1-2)
Members of the Kansas defense take down a Central Michigan ball carrier. Kansas played against Central Michigan on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Cyclones continue conference play after the bye week. Iowa State will host the Baylor Bears this Saturday in Ames, Iowa. Barring a miraculous performance, the Cyclones could find themselves at the bottom once again in next week's rankings.
Trending: Down Next up: Baylor
Edited by Alex Lamb
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Oklahoma's K.J. Young brings in a pass while West Virginia's Nick Kwiatkoski closes in during the first quarter of the game in Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday.
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