Big 12 Power Rankings: After Week 1

Ranking the Big 12 from top to bottom based on the results of the games in week one of the 2018 college football season. 

1. West Virginia (1-0)

W - 40-14 over Tennessee

There is zero question that WVU and Heisman candidate quarterback Will Grier had the best showing against the toughest competition of any week one game by a Big 12 team. It's tough to say much about WVU's defense at this point, but Grier's 429 passing yards and five touchdowns against Tennessee were tremendous. We will see how WVU holds up throughout the season. That seems to be their biggest obstacle after fast starts.

2. Oklahoma (1-0) 

W - 63-14 over Florida Atlantic

Kyler Murray answered questions at least for the short term in regard to his ability to throw the football as he completed 9 of 11 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns against Florida Atlantic. However, the biggest storyline came from the OU defense who dominated an FAU offense early after the Owls scored over 40 points nine times a season ago. 

3. TCU (1-0)

W - 55-7 over Southern

Like Murray, sophomore Shawn Robinson didn't do it to the same extent, but he answered some questions about his ability to throw within the offense as he completed 17 of 24 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. TCU's defense will be stout as always, but their offense replaces nearly every significant contributor from 2017 outside of the running backs.  

4. Oklahoma State (1-0)

W - 58-17 over Missouri State

Another team, another quarterback that needed to prove himself. Taylor Cornelius tosses five touchdowns for 300 yards on 71.4 percent passing. He didn't look incredibly sharp at all times, but he should improve with more reps in coming games. 

5. Iowa State (0-0)

Cancelled 

Iowa State is here by default until they get a game under their belt. Their season opener against South Dakota State was cancelled due to inclement weather. 

6. Kansas State (1-0)

W - 27-24 over South Dakota

Bill Snyder's team needed a significant rally in the fourth quarter to knock of South Dakota on Saturday in Manhattan and they got it. Down 24-12 at half and after the third quarter, KSU got a punt return for a touchdown and a touchdown reception by Isaiah Zuber to complete the climb back. KSU QBs completed just 13 of 28 passes in the game.

7. Texas (0-1)

L - 34-29 to Maryland

The most disappointing loss in the league came in this contest as the Longhorns couldn't take of the distractions within the Maryland program to find victory. Texas turned the ball over three times, including two interceptions by quarterback Sam Ehlinger, and committed 10 penalties for 102 yards. 

8. Texas Tech (0-1)

L - 47-27 to Ole Miss

Not a large surprise that the Texas Tech defense couldn't keep Ole Miss out of the end zone, but Tech being unable to collect more than one turnover after living off of them a season ago was the biggest issue. Ole Miss totaled 546 yards of offense including 210 on the ground at 7.8 yards per carry. Starting QB McLane Carter left the game early with a high ankle sprain. 

9. Baylor (1-0)

W - 55-27 over Abilene Christian

The Bears offense looked considerably improved from a year ago along the offensive front, generating a consistent running game for the first time since the end of 2016. The defense once again was hurt the most by explosive plays, this time specifically in the running game.

10. Kansas (0-1)

L - 26-23 to Nicholls (Overtime)

Lost to Nicholls in overtime.