AP
No question about it -- the Big 12 South is the best division in college football. With Texas (6-0), Oklahoma (5-1), Texas Tech (6-0) and Oklahoma State (6-0), the division blows away all competition. This became utterly apparent with today's developments:
• In a thrilling, back-and-forth shootout at the Cotton Bowl, No. 5 Texas knocked off No. 1 Oklahoma, 45-35.
• No. 17 Oklahoma State passed its first true test of the season with flying colors, traveling to Columbia and shocking No. 3 Missouri 28-23.
• Although it definitely wasn't Texas Tech's finest effort of the season, the seventh-ranked Red Raiders stayed undefeated by beating Nebraska 37-31 in overtime.
When the AP poll comes out later today, the Big 12 South should claim 40 percent of the top 10. This begs one obvious question: How do you rank the division's top four teams?
Here's what I'm thinking:
1. Texas: Even with Colt McCoy as a top Heisman candidate, these Longhorns lack the overwhelming star power usually associated with Mack Brown teams. But who cares? McCoy and Co. just outperformed the No. 1 team in all the land. There's no time for the 'Horns to rest on their laurels, though. Not with this three-week stretch in their immediate future: vs. Missouri, vs. Oklahoma State, at Texas Tech.
2. Oklahoma: The Sooners led Texas for most of the 103rd Red River Shootout. And the Sam Bradford-led offense can put up points on anyone. OU's defense looks questionable, though, and now it must move forward without its unquestioned leader, LB Ryan Reynolds (torn ACL). Even with the loss, the Sooners stay above Oklahoma State on this list. After all, Oklahoma comfortably beat that Missouri team twice last season.
3. Oklahoma State: Nobody gave the Pokes a chance against Missouri, but they won fair and square, improving to 6-0 for the first time since 1945. Oklahoma State boasts the most underrated offensive trio in college football: QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant. And Mike Gundy's on the verge of being recognized for his coaching ability, as opposed to his YouTube antics.
4. Texas Tech: Sure, the Red Raiders are undefeated, but what is their most impressive win to date? A 30-point victory at Kansas State? Not too inspiring. But Texas Tech still has plenty of opportunities to prove its might; the Red Raiders will face every team on this mini poll before the regular season ends.
So, how do you rank these four Big 12 South powers?
Janipher Choi
Tori Praver
Mavs Dancers
College Football, Top 25 Review
Comments (119) Add A Comment
I agree. So where does Texas Tech go in the poll?
coreybower
Total Comments (11)
I agree with those rankings. The question is how much to elevate Oklahoma State. I say they are a Top-10 team now.
Redwing19: MARCH…
Ottawa, ON
Total Comments (3209)
How can you rank OU #2 when they haven't beaten anybody and they just lost by double digits today?!?! I mean OU's BEST "quality" win is against a non-BCS conference team, TCU (at home). Meanwhile OSU just stopped the "Unstoppable" offense of Mizzou, and Texas Tech's best win is over, at least, a BCS conference team, Nebraska. Until OU proves something to somebody other than blowing out cupcakes and I-AA teams, the proper rankings will have them ranked behind the teams that haven't already lost, and they haven't beaten.
Sandy Underpants
Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (241)
POWER RANKINGS
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Penn State
4. Ok. State
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. Texas Tech
8. USC
9. Mizzou
10. LSU
11. Georgia
12. BYU
13. Ohio State
14. Oregon
15. Michigan State
16. Utah
accountmenot
Total Comments (54)
also i hate to say it but Dez Bryant is a name meant to scorch the college football record books
accountmenot
Total Comments (54)
What, BYU all the way down at #12? C'mon accountmenot, their 59-0 shutout was far more impressive than Tech's ot win vs. a mediocre Nebraska. And Oregon in the top 15? Where did that come from????
POWER RANKINGS:
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Penn State
4. Oklahoma St.
5. BYU
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida
8. USC
9. Texas Tech
10. Mizzou
11. Utah
12. Geor3gia
13. Ohio State
14. LSU
15. Boise State
dletcher
American Fork , UT
Total Comments (1)
Are you serious, BYU #5 and Utah 11, you have got to be kidding me. These teams don't play quality teams. At least have BYU behind Utah, they at least beat Oregon State. But the Power rankings should be similar to this:
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Penn State
4. Florida
5. Oklahoma
6. Georgia
7. USC
8. Oklahoma State
9. Missouri
10. LSU
11. Texas Tech
12. Ohio State
13. Utah
14. Boise State
15. BYU
16. North Carolina
And i realize i have texas tech behind both Oklahoma and Missouri, but a OT win over Nebraska just doesn't impress me, and talent-wise, these rankings are different with USC, Florida, and Georgia being top, but it's how things are now. And please let BYU play a team that is any good at all, Washington and UCLA just won't cut it this year.
ugsoccer08
Mc Donough, GA
Total Comments (8)
After reading Account's ridiculous top 16, I wanted to ask if anyone on this very board believes that Auburn will continue to be ranked in the top 25 this Sunday? This weekend they were ranked at #20 despite having beaten nobody, 4 teams with a combined record of a 7-17, and two of those 4 teams were non-BCS conference teams. It's the ridiculousness of the SEC conference, that for some unknown reason these inferior teams are propped up and given the benefit of the doubt for no good reason as the next top-ranked SEC team slinks under the ever lowering bar of expectations because they play in this over-rated conference. Florida just lost at home to a 3-3 team and Account has them ranked at #5. Get some standards buddy. LSU was ranked because of their helmet, they are a gawd awful program this year and that will come out after they play another team that doesn't suck. Hopefully Florida doesn't end up in a bowl game against Michigan again or else they will suffer another blow out loss to a Big-10 team.
Sandy Underpants
Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (241)
POWER RANKINGS
1. Texas - After watching today's game I can't see Alabama keeping up with Texas' offense.
2. Alabama - Solid team. If they win out they will get in the Championship.
3. Florida - Great win vs. LSU. Offense looks dangerous for any SEC team on it's schedule.
4. Ok. State - Won away. Big 12 south wide open.
5. Penn St. - Racking up wins but against who? Time will tell.
6. Oklahoma - Losing to number 5 makes them #6.
7. Texas Tech - Defense looks suspect yet again. Will still put up big numbers on ya.
8. Mizzou - Will have a chance to rise again but needs to be perfect.
9. USC - Weak, weak schedule. I just can't fathom in NC game unless every team has a bad loss.
10. BYU - BCS buster? Have the feel of a Texas Tech. Again, can't make Championship without a lot of teams losing. Computers will really be against them and many teams can leapfrog over.
SurfinTT
Sherman , TX
Total Comments (25)
Brought to you by the same person that thinks USC could beat half the NFL teams. Clearly this irrational USC fan is about 8 years old.
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
If 6 points is a "blowout loss" than I guess your precious USC got "blown out" by a 1-2 Oregon State team, right?
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
I don't see OSU passing OU in the polls this week. I realize their fans are pumped, and even this Sooner fan is grateful for their win over Mizzou, but they'll need to show a few more games of performing consistent with their good body of work that makes up their season so far. I'm all for it ... go Pokes! ... its good for this state and region, but we've gotten our hopes up before and they've never really come through in a big way. I hope they win the national championship, but I'm still watching with a bit of a jaded eye.
toe slide 360
Total Comments (107)
Great win for OSU. I have to say it was a little odd seeing the Head Coach not paying attention when his defense was on the field but whatever, they won. Pressure Chase Daniel and they become a very average team.
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
I am curious which OSU will be ahead in the polls. Who'd of ever thought that? My office was a sea of engineers wearing orange polos friday ... Monday is going to be miserable.
toe slide 360
Total Comments (107)
I would think Okie State. They went on the road and beat a #3 team.
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
Buckeyes 1 loss was 35-3, Cowboys are undefeated.
This is the problem with the Big 12 this year. I am an SEC fan and we hate it too. It happens every year. These teams will beat each other up during conference. There isn't a "free ride" like there is in the Big East or Pac 10.
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
If anybody can put it together, Stoops can, but I don't see how he's going to patch that defense up to the caliber necessary to support a championship team. Our offense under Bradford sure was good to watch yesterday, although I was expecting them to take more and deeper shots at the UT secondary. I realize you have to have the run game to keep everybody honest, and they're the experts, but that continues to puzzle me.
toe slide 360
Total Comments (107)
It will be hard for OU to make it to the NC because of the loss yesterday. Texas would now have to lose 2 conference games.
I really thought OU was the better team in the first half and thought they may break it open in the second but Texas did what they had to do and made a few stops.
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
Do people in Oklahoma think of Gundy as a nutcase like the rest of the country?
KingFootball
Total Comments (1709)
Success is what separates "nut case" from " a guy with a lot of passion and colorful personality" and that remains to be seen. I think he's just very young on a very big stage. OSU has long played the role of the spoiler who can occasionaly put together a good game, or even a good run ... I hope they can prove themselves to be more this time.
Colt McCoy is beginning to strike me as a ... dare I say ... a Bradshaw with the physicality, toughness and raw talent to take the intangibles and gut out a wn.
toe slide 360
Total Comments (107)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.