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Big 12 Power Rankings: West Virginia is for real, Oklahoma rebounding

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Oct 22, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers players celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers players celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Justin Silmon (32) finds room to run against the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won, 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Justin Silmon (32) finds room to run against the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won, 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

Just like that, Kansas State goes from potentially being under .500 to 4-3 and decent position in the Big 12 conference. Their 24-21 win over Texas put the Longhorns into panic mode and lined themselves up for a somewhat easy schedule for the rest of the season.

The Wildcats had 234 rushing yards in this game, including three different players having at least 50 on the ground. The leader of the pack was quarterback Jesse Ertz, who had 78 yards and two touchdowns to go with 171 in the air.

Iowa State will be their next opponent on the road. The Cyclones stand at just 1-6, so this could be a gimme for Kansas State. If they win, they’ll battle with Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas, and TCU to finish the year. Finishing with at least six wins seems feasible, for now.

Oklahoma State has become one of the Big 12’s hottest teams. Beating Kansas put them at four victories in their last five games after having a controversial start to the season. They have been led by quarterback Mason Rudolph and his 2,259 passing yards, 220 of which came in the most recent game.

After seven games, the Cowboys sit at 3-1 in the Big 12, one game behind Baylor, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. They have a chance to hurt at least one of these team’s chances this Saturday, as the Mountaineers will come into town in arguably the conference game of the weekend. A win could give Oklahoma State a future edge on the conference championship. Of course, it all depends on what happens with Baylor and Oklahoma.

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