Big 12 Power Rankings: Baylor’s Offense Proves Ready for Big 12 Schedule

Oct 3, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Longhorns fans celebrate after their road win against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Texas Longhorns

Record: 3-2 (2-0)

Previous Ranking: 6

Last Week: Texas 31, ISU 30

This Week: vs. #12 Oklahoma (at Dallas, Cotton Bowl)

Next Week: Bye

It is better to be lucky than good, and Texas was certainly lucky on Thursday night.

This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last, that Texas has gotten a call in a critical spot against an inferior team. Texas needed that call in order to continue their rise in the Big 12 standings and save their season. It isn’t their fault the ball bounced their way on the bad call, and kudos to them for taking advantage of the moment.

This is also a huge boost to the Big 12, who cannot afford any more bad losses by teams that are supposed to be considered top teams in the league. Texas is down, yes, but should they have fallen further then the rest of the Big 12 would have suffered a huge hit.

Moving on, Texas has to figure out why their defense is still terrible. Iowa State racked up 463 total yards against the Longhorns and averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt. While Oklahoma isn’t a very potent on offense, they can run the ball very well. Texas has to figure out a way to toughen up in the front seven, otherwise they are going to get crushed by their rivals.

3-3 with six games remaining is not a place Texas wants to be.