Big 12 Power Rankings: Upsets, Quarterbacks Shake Up The Rankings

Jul 22, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Charlie Weis speaks to the media during the Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

10. Kansas Jayhawks

Previous Rank: 10 (Trend: – )

Last Week: Bye

This Week: vs. South Dakota

Next Week: at Rice

Of any of the teams in the Big 12, Kansas was likely the one with the biggest need for an extra week of practice. Of course, Kansas State, Iowa State, and TCU would probably beg to differ, but heading into the week most probably would have agreed Kansas is the worst team in the conference.

Kansas is still the worst team in the conference, but some of the field is starting to fall back to them. Iowa State lost to a FCS team that hasn’t come close to winning back-to-back national titles. Texas Tech struggled against SMU. West Virginia nearly fell to a FCS team themselves. The early outlook is there are some teams in the Big 12 Kansas can look to as teams they could potentially beat.

The problem with this is the expectations are now raised on the 2013 Jayhawks. There is no reason now that Kansas shouldn’t be able to win one of the games against Tech, ISU, and WVU. And if they don’t, then Charlie Weis’ job has to come into question. Yes, Kansas was a terrible team when he took over and had a long way to go in terms of on-field progress, but with a totally revamped roster, a better quarterback (we think), and much better skill position players on offense, the Jayhawks should be able to win at least one conference game this year.

(Note: Yes, expectations are now raised to winning one conference game. This is an awful program right now.)