Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Big 12 power rankings

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech (2-1)
Last game: Lost to Arizona 28-14
This week: Bye

The Red Raiders had a chance to really climb this list last week against Arizona, but looked pedestrian on offense in a 28-14 loss on the road.

Still, don’t count Texas Tech out. The Red Raiders look better on defense than in year’s past and if Alan Bowman and company can get things rolling on offense against a quality opponent they are going to be the kind of team that can compete with anyone on their schedule.

This week the Red Raiders are off on a bye, but they’ll get their shot at the defending champs on the road in two weeks in what might be the toughest matchup the Sooners have seen so far this year.

Kansas (2-1)
Last game: Beat Boston College 48-24
This week: vs. West Virignia

The Jayhawks are a tough nut to crack so far this year. They struggled with Indiana State, then lost to Coastal Carolina. However, just when it seemed this was going to be another lousy season in Lawrence Les Miles pulls a rabbit out of that mad hat of his to double up on Boston College 48-24 on the road.

It was Kansas’ first road win over a power-five opponent 48 tries and came over a potential bowl team. The Jayhawks have also found another back to in Khalil Hebert to compliment. He rushed for 187 yards against Boston College.

Whether this is a statement that Kansas is improving, the Big 12 is getting better as a conference or that the ACC is dismal this year outside of Clemson remains to be seen, but it gets the Jayhawks out of the cellar for at least one week, though they could very well end up back there after  this week when they play current occupant West Virginia.

West Virginia (2-1)
Last game: Beat North Carolina State 44-27
This week: at Kansas

Austin Kendall showed everyone why Lincoln Riley was so high on him last week in a win over NC State. The transfer from Oklahoma went 27-of40 for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns in what has been to this point his best performance by far.

For at least one week the Mountaineers looked like a team that could cause trouble in conference play, but we have to put everything in proper context. The spectre of the worst loss of any team in the conference still looms over West Virginia’s head in the 38-7 drubbing they took from Missouri the week before. As does the near-embarrassment in week one when they had to squeak by James Madison.

We are left wondering if West Virginia (much like its opponent this week in Kansas) is improved or if the ACC is really that bad. Either way, it should make for an interesting match up this week when in Lawrence. We know we’ll be watching.

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