Big 12 Power Poll
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
1. Kansas State: Despite losing
an opportunity to play in the BCS
national championship game,
the Wildcats still have much to
play for. A win over visiting Texas
on Senior Day would lock down
the Big 12 championship.
2. Oklahoma: The Sooners have
dropped 27 spots to No. 44
nationally in total defense after
facing Baylor, West Virginia and
Oklahoma State (all which boast
top 11 offenses nationally). OU
doesn’t mind much after picking
up three victories.
3. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys
were oh so close to beating
the Sooners before the overtime
setback. Instead, OSU was dealt
its ninth loss to Oklahoma in the
past 10 Bedlam meetings.
4. TCU: Have to admire the
coaching job that Gary Patterson
has done with the Frogs entering
the Big 12. Now it’s his goal
to break a three-game home
losing streak (Iowa State, Texas
Tech, Kansas State) to league
opponents.
5. Texas: Texas has three conference
losses. All of its league
wins were single-digit triumphs
except for a 33-7 win over Iowa
State. Mull that over a bit.
6. Baylor: Waco will be a dangerous
place for Oklahoma State
to play on Saturday. The Bears —
bowl bound for the third year in
a row, a program first — are 5-1
at Floyd Casey Stadium.
7. West Virginia: The question
that Oklahoma fans likely would
like answered: How did Iowa
State hold Tavon Austin to 74
rushing yards? Mountaineers
broke five-game losing streak
with 31-24 victory.
8. Iowa State: The Cyclones are
struggling down the stretch after
losing their third game in four
weeks. Now it’s all up to waiting
for its bowl destination for the
third time in four years.
9. Texas Tech: Remember last
year when Tech didn’t win a
game again after beating Oklahoma?
The Red Raiders have
had a similar finish to 2012 with
losses in four of five games.
10. Kansas: Ninety percent of
the Big 12 Conference teams will
play in a bowl game this season.
Any wild guesses to which
school is about to pack up the
gear for good?
BEST GAME
Texas at Kansas State, 7 p.m.
Saturday: If Oklahoma can get by
TCU, its fans will be watching
this game closely. The only guarantee
to a BCS game is with a
Texas victory. Doubt the Sooners
fans will be singing “The Eyes of
Texas,” but you may get a quick
“Horns Up” hand gesture if the
Longhorns come through for OU.
WORST GAME
Kansas at West Virginia, 1:30
p.m. Saturday: Geno Smith and
Tavon Austin will make their
last home appearance against a
Kansas team that is just playing
out the season. It’s hard to bet
against the Mountaineers as they
try to get consecutive victories
for the first time since Oct. 6.
