Big XII RoundUp: Week Four

If there was even a hint of doubt about how forcefully the South reclaimed the conference, that is now gone. My thanks to Nebraska for pulling it together at the half and staving off Baylor, holding in tact any sliver of credibility the North is still holding onto within the league. For those interested, I went 4-2 TGS and 2-4 ATS. Ouch. That drops the season totals to 18-6 TGS and 12-12 ATS. Not good.

1. Texas (8-0, 4-0) – beat OSU 28-24: OSU's balance was a tough match-up for them (as it is for anyone), but once again they rose to the occasion. If they beat Tech this week, they should be allowed to play in the MNC even if they lose in Kansas City (which won't happen anyway). Up next: The Super Bowl according to Lubbock.

2. Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1) – lost @ UT 28-24: OK, I give up. They're for real. I thought Texas would score more easily on them, but that defense just keeps on hitting. They've got two gimmies and two tough ones, but 11-1 is not out of the question. Remarkable. Up next: A visit from the Cyclones and this one could get ugly.

3. Texas Tech (8-0, 4-0) – ass raped KU in Lawrence 63-21: And it wasn't that close. Look, we all know Tech isn't that much better than Kansas. But give them credit for coming out and exploiting every possible advantage to the point that Kansas gave up even before the half. Simply stunning: Up next: A visit from Texas, a team they haven't beaten in 6 years, but there's no time like the present.

4. Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1) – won @ KSU 58-35: And let J-Free throw for just shy of 500 yards in the process. Using nothing more than the Texas score we have to have them well above Methzou. But is there really any reason to think they could stop Methzou even once? I really don't think 9-3 is that unlikely and for a team with MNC aspirations, that's more than a little disappointing. Up next: A blast from the past with Nebraska visiting (and playing much better).

5. MU (6-2, 2-2) – humiliated CU 58-0: I expected something similar, but when it comes to fruition, you have to give credit where it's due. This team was never as elite as they thought they were, but they're still damn good. The recipe has always been to fluster Chase – when it happens, they lose, when it doesn't, they usually win. Clearly, the latter prevailed on Saturday. Up next: Their mid-season nap continues as they go down to Waco.

6. Kansas (5-3, 2-2) – demoralized by Tech 63-21: The one thing Mangino promised from the beginning is that his teams would never give up. That held true for six years + 7 games and came to a screeching halt on Saturday. Just an awful loss by every standard in which you judge a football team. Up next: A visit from J-Free and the Genie.

7. Nebraska (5-3, 2-2) – beat Baylor 32-20: Quite frankly, they have a (huge) case to be ahead of Kansas this week and that game in Lincoln is looking rather salty as well. But you can't put too much stock into one day and so I'm leaving them here for the time being. It may not last long, though. And that's now three straight games where they have absolutely controlled the clock to perfection**, which is how you hide a bad defense (please read this Mark Mangino!!!). Up next: a trip to Norman in which I would recommend sticking with the ball control offense.

** Their TOP in the last three games: 40:12 (@Tech), 37:11 (@ISU), 38:37 (Baylor).

8. Baylor (3-5, 1-3) – lost @ Nebraska 32-20: Unfortunately, they probably only have one more win on their schedule (MU, @ UT, A&M, @ Tech). That's not indicative of this team's (read: Robert Griffin) talent or ability. Disagree? Name a team below them on this list that you would take straight up against the Bears. That's what I thought. Up next: A visit from the Tigers.

9. Colorado (4-4, 1-3) – run off Faurot Field 58-0: I definitely saw this coming, but I thought that they could at least score once. As awful as this team has looked during every conference game so far (and really every game all season), they might have three wins left on their schedule (@ A&M, ISU, OSU, @ NU). More evidence of the dramatic tiers in the Big XII this year. Up next: A visit from the Sherminator.

10. KSU (4-4, 1-3) – lost v. OU 58-35: I'd say there was no shame in this loss. But they did give up 55 points in one half. There's a whole lot of shame in that. I didn't see the game, so I have no clue how OU played the second half, but on a day when KU gave up, I will give the Wildcats credit for coming out and limiting the humiliation in the second stanza. Credit J-Free for having a career day (hopefully he won't surpass it Saturday), but then there's also those picks he's known to throw as well. Up next: A quick trip over to the better part of the state.

11. Texas A&M (3-5, 1-3) – won the conference Toilet Bowl in Ames 49-35: They've actually developed a pretty decent passing offense down in College Station. But I still don't see them winning again, but with that said 2-2 is not entirely out of the question. Up next: a visit from Colorado.

12: Iowa State (2-6, 0-4) – hosted and lost the Toilet Bowl 49-35: And so goes another season without a league win for the Cyclones. This team has never been good, but they've looked beyond awful ever since halftime of the KU game. You've got some work ahead of you, Gene. Up next: A trip to Boone Pickens Stadium. Yikes.