Big 12 Power Rankings: After Week 2
Ranking the Big 12 from top to bottom based on the results of the games in week two of the 2018 college football season.
Previous: Week 1
1. Oklahoma (2-0)
W - 49-21 over UCLA
Previous: 2
Kyler Murray is showing he can run the Lincoln Riley offense at an elite level so far while the Oklahoma defense has more pure talent than it has had in quite awhile. Oklahoma won their toughest non-conference game of the season over UCLA on Saturday by 28 points and will open conference play on the road against Iowa State Saturday morning.
2. West Virginia (2-0)
W - 52-17 over Youngstown State
Previous: 1
Will Grier is still the best quarterback in the league and WVU didn't do anything to hurt themselves against Youngstown State despit the move from the top spot. At this point they are elite on offense and just good enough on defense to hold on to No. 2. Their scheduled game against NC State has been cancelled.
3. Oklahoma State (2-0)
W - 55-13 over University of South Alabama
Previous: 4
The Cowboys haven't beat anyone yet, but Mike Gundy's offense is chugging along through two games despite a new quarterback, averaging over 55 points per game. They sit at No. 3 for now, but we will know a lot more about OSU after their matchup with Boise State this weekend in Stillwater.
4. TCU (2-0)
W - 42-12 over SMU
Previous: 3
It's hard to read much into TCU's rough first-half performance against SMU last Friday, but what we do know is that Shawn Robinson still has a ways to go to being consistent enough to lead TCU higher than No. 4 on in the Big 12. Whatever weaknesses may or may not have will be exposed this weekend by Ohio State.
5. Iowa State (0-1)
L - 13-3 to Iowa
Previous: 5
Three points against Iowa in 2018 was a huge surprise considering the 41 they put up on the Hawkeyes last season. Quarterback Kyle Kempt could possibly miss the matchup with Oklahoma this weekend, but even if he plays, the Cyclones are in danger of starting off 0-2. Their season opener against South Dakota State was cancelled.
6. Texas Tech (1-1)
W - 77-0 over Lamar
Previous: 8
A 77-point victory that includes a shutout is impressive no matter who the opponent it. The victory was a nice rebound for Tech after getting pushed around by Ole Miss in week one, but it's hard to say much about the Red Raiders just because of a blow out over Lamar. Tech faces a tough Houston team this weekend
7. Texas (1-1)
W - 28-21 over Tulsa
Previous: 7
It's never a question about the talent Texas has, but it's always about if they can put it all together. The first half against Tulsa looked terrific as the Longhorns jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the break, but Tulsa held Texas to seven points in the second half and scored touchdowns on three-straight possessions to end the game. Texas will face USC this weekend in a game which they are favored.
8. Baylor (2-0)
W - 37-20 over UTSA
Previous: 9
After another quick start to get out to a 10-point lead in the opening minutes, Baylor never lost control of the game, but they couldn't put it away either. The offense found plenty of success with Charlie Brewer on the field, but the first true test for the offense comes against Duke Saturday in Waco.
9. Kansas State (1-1)
L - 31-10 to Mississippi State
Previous: 6
After nearly losing to South Dakota to open the season, Kansas State followed up with a lackluster performance against Mississippi State. It's hard to put a Bill Snyder team this low, but their performance to date doesn't allow for much more. The Wildcats get UTSA at home this weekend before moving into conference play.
10. Kansas (1-1)
W - 31-7 over Central Michigan
Previous: 10
I wasn't surprised by the win (much), but the 24-point victory was a little surprising. Kansas still has some climbing to do to move ahead of any other Big 12 team, but a road victory for the first time since........... is something to build on.