Around the Big 12: Week #4

The slide continues as the conference went 5-4 overall and 2-2 against BCS schools. Texas, Nebraska and CU will have high profile BCS games coming up this week.

Big 12 vs BCS: 6-5
Big 12 vs All: 33-8

1 (A 95%) - Oklahoma (3-0) #2, s = 84
The last team to beat OU at home was this week's opponent -- 4-0 TCU (ranked #24 in the AP).
(HD rank 1-1-1-1)

2 (A 93%) - Missouri (4-0) #5, s = 26
I docked Mizzou a percentage point for keeping it close against Buffalo in the first half (42-21 final), but I'm sure they're just getting bored. I suspect they'll be ready to play at Lincoln in two weeks.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2)

3 (A- 90%) - Texas (3-0) #8, s = 83
Holding Rice (52-10) to their lowest score this season could be a good sign for the defense. The Arkansas game is this week and is our first real look.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3)

4 (B+ 87%) - Texas Tech (4-0) #11, s = 118
UMASS went down easy (56-14) and now it looks like KSU might not provide much a challenge either (even in Manhattan). Tech gets a bye before the K-State matchup and the won't face a ranked team until 10/25 (@KU).
(HD rank 5-5-4-4)

5 (B 84%) - Colorado (3-0) #26, s = 55
You gotta move the Buffs up after representing against the Big East with the 17-14 OT win over WVA. It could be a short stay though as they take on FSU (2-1, 3-12 home loss to Wake Forest) at Jacksonville. Of course, a win there gets the bandwagon really rolling. 
(HD rank 7-8-8-5)

6 (B 83%) - Kansas (3-1) #17, s = 51
KU fans have defended the Jayhawk football program all off season. They'd like to see the players do the same. The 38-14 win over Sam Houston didn't necessarily electrify the Jayhawk nation. Maybe the USF game took a little more out of the tank than we thought (it was a hard-hitting epic down there in Tampa). The bye week comes at a good time as the Hawks prepare for a road trip to Ames and KU needs a few guys to return to the line-up.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6)

7 (B- 81%) - Oklahoma State (2-0) #31, s = 120
The Cowboys had a bye week and get ready to host 2-1 Troy. The Trojans might provide a game as they put up a little bit of a fight against Ohio State in a 28-10 loss.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7)

8 (C+ 79%) - Nebraska (3-0) #37, s = 12
The Huskers get into the meat of it now. They'll host Virginia Tech (3-1), then Missouri and then travel to Texas Tech -- the critical stretch of the 2008 campaign for Nebraska.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8)

9 (C- 70%) Baylor (2-2) #80, s = 40
The Bears soar into the #9 spot by virtue of losing to UCONN 31-28. The Huskies are better than Louisville, so that gives Baylor the edge over Captain Ron and the Wildcats. The Bears have a bye week then they'll host OU (ouch).
(HD rank 11-11-10-9)

10 (D+ 68%) - Kansas State (2-1) #64, s = 116
It was more the way they lost, than who or where. KSU falls 38-29 at Louisville and everything appears the same as it was at the end of 2007. Louisiana-Lafayette should provide a little morale boost before conference play.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10)

11 (D+ 67%) Iowa State (2-2) #87, s = 91
I guess losing to UNLV 34-31 OT and Iowa on the road is better than losing to Arkansas State and Miami at home. The Clones get to rest up before the Jayhawks come to town.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11)

12 (D 64%) Texas A&M (1-1) #90, s = 88
Kind of a tough draw to have to beat Miami to escape the cellar. That didn't work out (41-23 loss), but Army comes to town and the Black Knights are 0-3. The early part of the Big 12 schedule isn't impossible or anything so if the Aggies can build some confidence they could start to turn this thing around.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12)

# = CBS Sportsline Rank

s = CBS Strength of Schedule