PAGE 6
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY OAILY KANSAN
XII BIG 12 CONFERENCE
BIG 12 RANKINGS
The Kansan's conference reporter analyzes and ranks the 10 teams four weeks into the season.
ETHAN PADWAY epadway@kansan.com
1. Oklahoma (2-0) (Last week 1)
National Ranking: No.2 AP
Oklahoma had to overcome an early deficit to defeat Missouri at home, and it cost them the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press poll. They still remain the favorites and the team, to beat in the Big 12.
2. Oklahoma State (3-0) (Last week 2)
National Ranking: No. 5 AP
The Cowboys moved into the top 5 of The AP poll after defeating Texas & AM in College Station. Quarterback Brandon Weeden set a school record with his 438 passing yards in the comeback victory.
3. Baylor (3-0) (Last week 4)
National Ranking: No.15 AP
Dual threat quarterback Robert Griffin III continued his torrid pace on offense; he now has thrown for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. Griffin is the Kansan's early favorite for Big 12 player of the year.
4. Texas A&M (2-1) (Last week 3)
National Ranking: No.14 AP
The Aggies face a challenge climbing back into the Big 12 title race after losing their conference opener at home. Now that the SEC has officially accepted the Aggies over the weekend, A&M can now step out of Texas' shadow and into the shadows of Alabama, Florida and LSU.
5. Texas (3-0) (Last week 5)
National Ranking: No. 17 AP
Texas gears up to travel to Ames, Iowa this weekend for a chance to avenge the loss to the Cyclones that knocked the Longhorns out of the Top 25 rankings for the season.
6. Iowa State (3-0) (Last week 6)
The Cyclones have won all three of their games by a combined eight points, but a win this weekend against Texas would launch them into the Top 25 and make them more than just a Big 12 doormat.
7. Kansas State (3-0) (Last week 9)
Kansas State 3-0 (Last Week 9): The Wildcats shocked the college football world defeating Miami (FL) in Miami over the weekend, in their first game against a true opponent. They will keep climbing in the rankings if they can contain Robert Griffin III and Baylor as they open up their Big 12 slate.
8. Missouri (2-2) (Last week 7)
Missouri hung around long enough against Oklahoma to force The AP voters to move the Sooners down to the No. 2 spot in the rankings. Still, the Tigers are the only team in the Big 12 without a winning record.
9. Texas Tech (3-0) (Last week 8)
The Red Raiders keep falling down the rankings. They survived Nevada over the weekend, outlasting them 35-34. The Red Raiders have struggled at times this season, including when they fell behind by 14 to Nevada last week and when they trailed Texas State 10-9 at halftime of their opening.
10. Kansas (2-1) (Last week 10)
The Jayhawks' upcoming matchup against Texas Tech may have moved into the winable zone after Texas Tech struggled to defeat Nevada over the weekend. The Jayhawk coaches will have had two weeks to prepare for the Red Raiders, so a win is conceivable.
KEEPING THE HAWKS ROLLING SINCE 1974
Don's Auto Center Inc.
Auto Repair and Machine Shop
785.841.4833 11th & Haskell
Weeden threw for a school record 438 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys (4-0, 1- Big 12) overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to beat the Aggies 30-29. Weeden leads the Bowel Subdivision with 393 yards
Kansas State linebacker Tre Walker is the league's defense goal of the week after making three straight tackles inside the 2-yard line as part of the Wildcats' game-saving goal line stand in a 28-24 win over Miami.
Weeden earns Big 12 honor
IRVING, Texas — Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is the Big 12 offensive player of the week after a record-breaking passing performance in a come-frobehind victory at Texas A&M.
Ben McRoy is the special teams selection after setting Texas Tech's school record with 203 kickoff return yards in a 35-34 win against Nevada.
BIG 12
ASSOCIATED PRESS
passing per game and 10 touchdown passes.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden throws a pass in a game versus Texas A&M. He was named the Big 12 offensive player of the week.