Big 12 power rankings, Week 5: TCU gets big win over Oklahoma State

WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Oklahoma linemen Neville Gallimore (90) and Kenneth Mann (55) watch action during game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Baylor Bears on September 23, 2017 at McLane Stadium in Waco, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Oklahoma linemen Neville Gallimore (90) and Kenneth Mann (55) watch action during game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Baylor Bears on September 23, 2017 at McLane Stadium in Waco, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 23:Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Nic Shimonek (16) warms up before the football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Houston Cougars on September 23, 2017 at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 23:Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Nic Shimonek (16) warms up before the football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Houston Cougars on September 23, 2017 at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
6

Kansas State Wildcats 2-1

Last week: Bye week
Last rank: 5th

Kansas State was idle in Week 4, but with the success of teams above them, they fell to No. 6 in the Big 12 rankings.

The last time the Wildcats took the field, Vanderbilt won in a paltry 14-7 game. Jesse Ertz threw for just 76 yards and two interceptions, while he ran for 126 yards. It wasn’t enough against a stout Commodore defense that allowed one score throughout (only to be blown out by Alabama).

Kansas State will take the field to face Baylor on Saturday afternoon. The Bears are 0-4 but played Oklahoma tighter than anyone this season. The KSU offense will need to look past the Vanderbilt game, as well. Will that carry over in Manhattan, KS?

5

Texas Tech Red Raiders 3-0

Last week: Win at Houston, 27-24
Last rank: 8th

Alright, let’s give Texas Tech some credit. They’re 3-0 and topped two Power 5 teams, Arizona State and Houston. Both games were close and almost made this team 1-2. However, that doesn’t matter, with the Red Raiders’ momentum for Week 5.

Nic Shimonek didn’t have an all-world game against Houston, but the team has been carried by him in the 2017 season. He threw for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns through three games, and while not Pat Mahomes-esque, the production proved to be more than enough, so far.

Texas Tech will get their first real test on Saturday, when they go to Stillwater, OK to face Oklahoma State. It will be a shootout, but is it one Kill Kingsbury’s offense will keep up with? Or is the annual TTU downfall on the way?