Big 12 Power Rankings: Baylor, Kansas, and Oklahoma State All have Big Weekends
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 16, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT
1. Baylor Bears
Record: 9-0 (6-0)
Previous Ranking: 1
Last Week: Baylor 63, Tech 34
This Week: at #10 Oklahoma State
Next Week: at TCU
Baylor blew past Texas Tech after weathering the early storm from the Red Raiders. The intensity is only going to ramp up as the games become more meaningful and the opponents become more skilled. And this week, Oklahoma State provides Baylor with their most difficult opponent of the season.
The key for Baylor is to stay calm and build an early lead. OSU has a strong defense, but not one that is anymore difficult than Oklahoma. An early lead will force OSU quarterback Clint Chelf to winning the game with his arm, which is not something he is capable of doing. OSU is far better when they are able to run a balanced attack that is getting a lot of yards on the ground. Maintaining that balance will be difficult if Baylor puts an early distance between themselves and the Cowboys on the scoreboard.
A win Saturday means Baylor will be, at worst, third in the BCS standings this time next week. Only .0013 separates Baylor from Ohio State in this week’s rankings. A win over a top 10 ranked Oklahoma State on the road will be enough to add distance between Baylor and Ohio State in the computers and flip some votes in the Coaches and Harris polls.
Baylor is still going to need some outside help, however. Either Alabama or Florida State is going to need to drop a game in the next month for the Bears to jump into the top two. While wins over OSU and Texas should help Baylor stay ahead of Ohio State and all other challengers, it won’t be enough to get them into the top two.
The best opportunities for that loss to happen will come in two weeks win Alabama travels to Auburn and if Alabama plays for the SEC championship game. Both are very losable games for Alabama, especially the Auburn game. Auburn has slowly started to develop a passing game of late to aid an offense that’s averaging 39 points per game, has the 28th best defense in the nation by points allowed, and will have a bye week before to help them prepare.
Oh, and the game is at home for Auburn.
If Alabama doesn’t lose to Auburn then it is hard to see them not going to the national championship game.