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

Aug 30, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Texas Tech won 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 1-0

Previous Rank: 8 (Trend: up)

Last Week: Defeated SMU, 41-23

This Week: vs. Stephen F. Austin

Next Week: vs. TCU

It took a three quarters before the Red Raiders finally ran away from SMU, but it did happen. Kliff Kingsbury lands his first win as a head coach.

Baker Mayfield, the walk-on true freshman who is the Red Raiders starting quarterback, threw 60 times for 413 yards and four touchdowns. And it is a good thing as the running averaged just 1.8 yards per carry on 27 attempts. A road win over SMU is nothing to scoff at as the Mustangs have made four-straight bowl games.

There are some concerns for Tech, however.

Mayfield was running for his life on several plays, getting sacked four times and nearly losing a fumble three times. The need for the offensive line to improve and for Mayfield to show better ball security is going to be extremely important. If the rushing offense is not going to exist, the need for Mayfield to hang on the ball and remain upright needs to become a top priority. Especially since they have TCU’s defense coming for them in two weeks.