THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
PAGE 5
BIG12 RANKINGS
The Kansan's conference reporter analyzes the 10 teams after two weeks
ETHAN PADWAY
epadway@kansan.com
SOCCER
1. Oklahoma State (11-0)
The Cowgirls are the unequivocal favorites to win the Big 12 in 2011. So far this season, Oklahoma State has produced a stifling defense giving up only three goals in 11 contests. They currently rank in the Top 5 in all three college soccer polls.
2. Missouri (8-2)
The Tigers started out the year facing four ranked opponents, including the Florida Gators who beat Kansas last Sunday 7-2. Missouri also lost to Florida, 2-0, on Friday. Sophomore forward Alyssa Diggs leads the Tigers with 10 points in the non-conference. Freshman goalkeeper McKenzie Sauriewin lead Big 12 with 32.
3. Texas A&M (6-4)
Don't be fooled by the Aggies' record. Texas A&M has put up some monster numbers this year beating two teams by more than nine goals, including a 13-1 victory over Fordham on Sunday. The two point leaders in the conference reside in College Station with freshman forwards Annie Kunz (21) and Kelley Monogue (17). Kunz is also the league leader in goals with nine in her first 10 games.
4. Kansas (6-3)
The Jayhawks continue to show flashes of brilliance and have vastly improved on the offensive end of the field. The 19 goals scored so far this season already surpasses the 17 goals put up in 2010. If the defense can improve during conference play, the Jayhawks might be contenders in San Antonio.
5. Texas (6-2)
In the Longhorns last two games, they've clashed with teams Kansas played earlier in the year. They defeated USC in double overtime on Sept. 11, but lost to San Diego on Sept. 9. Texas ranks second in assists with 22.
6. Baylor (7-2)
The Bears dropped their Big 12 opener on Sunday to Texas A&M, 2-1. Freshman forward Natalie Huggins is tied for first in game-winning goals.
7. Texas Tech (5-3-1)
With only 13 goals in nine games, the ladies in Lubbock have struggled to put up points so far in 2011. Texas Tech's sophomore goalkeeper Victoria Esson continues to impress with 30 saves, third highest in the Big 12.
8. Oklahoma (5-4)
The Sooners battled through a difficult non-conference schedule to stay above .500. Nonetheless, junior forward Caitlin Mooney shines for the Sooners. She was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 6 after scoring seven points in two games.
9. Iowa State (6-3-1)
It's been an up-and-down season for the Cyclones. They went unbeaten in their four games of the year, and then lost three straight matches. Now they are on a three-game winning streak heading into conference play.
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FOOTBALL
1. Oklahoma (2-0)
National Ranking: No.1 AP
National Ranking: No. 8 AP
Oklahoma went to Florida State and proved to the nation that it deserved to be ranked No. 1 by defeating then No. 5 Florida State 23-13.
2. Oklahoma State (3-0)
3. Texas A&M (2-0)
National Ranking: No. 7 AP
The Cowboys had to wait out a thunderstorm before running over Tulsa early Sunday morning. They get the nod over Texas &M because they boast the top-ranked pass offense in the league.
The Aggies face off against Oklahoma State on Saturday in College Station, Texas, in a game that could and the loser's chance of capturing the Big 12 title.
4. Baylor (2-0)
National Ranking: No.17 AP
The Bears rolled over Stephen F. Austin last week 48-0. Their schedule looks pretty easy the next three weeks against Rice, at Kansas State, and vs. Iowa State. They should be undefeated entering their Oct. 15 tilt with Texas A&M.
5. Texas (3-0)
National Ranking: No.19 AP
The Longhorns found their stride in their victory at UCLA. Case McCoy and Jaxon Shipley have fans excited and making comparisons to the stars of the 2009 team.
6. Iowa State (3-0)
The Cyclones have won three games by one, three and four points, and they get Texas at home this week. A win could find Iowa State in the Top 25 for the first time under coach Paul Rhodes.
7. Missouri (2-1)
A 69-0 victory will do wonders for quarterback James Franklin's confidence, but with a showdown at Oklahoma looming, a return to .500 seems likely.
8. Texas Tech (2-0)
Quarterback Seth Doege has led the Red Raiders to the third-ranked passing offense in the nation, but they have faced opponents with a record of just 1-5 so far.
9. Kansas State (2-0)
The Wildcats ran over Kent State. They face their first true test on the road against Miami this weekend. The Wildcats currently have the nations No. 1-ranked scoring defense.
10. Kansas (2-1)
On the bright side, the Jayhawks rank 17th in the nation in rush offense. The Jayhawks will need a solid showing against Texas Tech in two weeks to regain some of the fans' support.
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REALIGNMENT CONTINUED
Boren told ESPN.com that Oklahoma has had "warm, constructive" talks with the Pac-12 Conference. He said his main focuses are either joining the Pac-12 or staying in the Big 12 with equal revenue sharing.
"Our goal is to be an equal partner in any network, and we think it ought to be the goal of every other member of any conference that we're a part of to be an equal member of that conference," Boren said to the Associated Press. "We all ought to value each other — every single member of that conference — and none of us should seek to play a stronger leadership role than anyone else."
If, as expected, Texas and Oklahoma join the Pac-12, they would bring Texas Tech and Oklahoma State along with them. This would leave the Big 12's remaining members — Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri and Baylor — with very few options.
According to the Associated Press, the Big 12 and the Big East are in active discussions on how to merge the remaining members of the two depleted conferences if Texas and Oklahoma leave.
With the departures of Pittsburgh and Syracuse, the Big East only has six football schools remaining, while also adding TCU in 2012. However, multiple reports have speculated that the ACC would add Connecticut and Rutgers, two Big East members, if the conference decided to expand to 16 teams.
The Big East schools that are left seemingly would have no other option besides merging with the remaining Big 12 if other BCS conferences do not come calling. It has yet to be determined whether the Big East's seven non-football members would be included in these discussions.
"We continue to apply all effort and resources toward assuring our members that maintaining the Big 12 is in the best interest for their institutions," Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said in a release yesterday.
Edited by Jayson Jenks