Around the Big 12: Week #5

The Big 12 went 5-2 overall over the weekend, but 1-2 against BCS schools dropping the season record to .500 versus the big schools. That's not going to impress the SEC.

Big 12 vs BCS: 7-7
Big 12 vs All: 38-10

1 (A+ 97%) - Oklahoma (4-0) #1, s = 20
I don't have any questions. Anybody have any questions? The Sooners kick it off at Baylor this Saturday. Televised for your amusement at 11:30 a.m. on FSN.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1)

2 (A 94%) - Missouri (4-0) #4, s = 46
I raised Mizzou by a percentage point because I thought they should be #3 in the polls. The game in Lincoln has all kinds of intrigue. Nothing on paper says the Huskers can keep it close -- except it's in Lincoln. That didn't seem to bother the Hokies much.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2)

3 (A 93%) - Texas (4-0) #5, s = 62
Looks like Texas should beat Colorado 52-10, unless the Buffs want to accept the alternate Texas score of 42-13. Anyway, I'm convinced.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3)

4 (B+ 87%) - Texas Tech (4-0) #9, s = 110
Okay, we finally get to see the Leach offensive machine against BCS competition as Tech travels to KSU Saturday. ABC was interested so you can watch this at 2:30 p.m. on the ol' Telly. We assume Tech can score, but they'll need to limit KSU if they want to find some true believers in the defense.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4)

5 (B 83%) - Kansas (3-1) #15, s = 21
The Jayhawks move up a spot just for accepting the 2008 schedule. That and Colorado had to move down. As the ranked teams close in on the schedule, widespread paranoia grips the KU media -- Rock Chalk Talk, Tom Keegan and Bill Mayer. Take a breather boys -- we start at Iowa State this weekend. We'll worry about the rest later.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5)

6 (B- 82%) - Oklahoma State (4-0) #26, s = 105
I'd sure like to know more about the Cowboys. The 55-24 win over Troy was nice, but I'd like to see them play a real team before I start putting on my highway gear. They host A&M Saturday in a no-win situation. Doesn't really feel like they have done much to prepare to go into Columbia in two weeks.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6)

7 (B- 81%) - Colorado (3-1) #37, s = 79
One tough game too many for the Buffs as they fall to FSU 21-39. Hell month continues with UT travelling to Boulder on Saturday (FSN at 6:00 p.m.). You've got to wonder if the Buffs are going to be completely worn out by mid-October.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7)

8 (C+ 79%) - Nebraska (3-0) #41, s = 11
Strange game against Virginia Tech. Stuffed the Hokies in the red zone, but they couldn't answer on the other end. Seemed like they were throwing the ball around fairly well at times. Hosting the Tigers on Saturday night. We'll all be watching this one as long as it stays interesting.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8)

9 (C- 70%) Baylor (2-2) #81, s = 47
How can I have a two-loss Baylor team ahead of KSU? I don't know, maybe I'm still punishing the Cats for that brutal loss to Louisville. Maybe the Bears can back up this #9 ranking by kicking OU all over the field in Waco this Saturday.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9)

10 (D+ 68%) - Kansas State (3-1) #61, s = 118
The University of Louisana caught an angry KSU team and paid dearly with the 45-37 pounding at Wagner Field. Probably a lot of restless nights coming up this week for Mike Leach. Cat's open Big 12 play at home? First time since 1996. But there is no bias from the conference headquarters.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10)

11 (D+ 67%) Iowa State (2-2) #90, s = 106
The Clones can make it all go away with a simple home win over KU. That used to be a given, but the last three have gone KU's way 24-21 OT, 41-10 and 45-7. The 41-10 score was the last match-up in Ames.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11)

12 (D 66%) Texas A&M (2-2) #84, s = 113
The Aggies can make it all go away with a simple road win over OSU. That's still a given, right? A&M hasn't lost to the Cowboys since 2003.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12)

# = CBS Sportsline Rank

s = CBS Strength of Schedule