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By David Ubben
1. Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2, last week: 4) The Sooners are hitting their stride and look like they have figured out how to take their "A" game away from Owen Field. They will need it next week in Cowboys Stadium.
2. Texas A&M (9-3, 6-2, LW: 2) I did not have the Aggies at No. 2 in my top 25 ballot, but there is still no denying they are playing as well as anyone in the league. You have to feel for a team who knocked off both Big 12 title game participants in the past month. But 3-3 starts are hard to overcome, no matter how good those losses look now.
3. Nebraska (10-2, 6-2, LW: 3) The Huskers found some offense with Cody Green last week, but expect plenty of conversation about whether he will start again next week with Taylor Martinez's ankle on the mend.
4. Oklahoma State (10-2, 6-2, LW: 1) Oklahoma State did not play badly as much as it just could not stop Oklahoma on third downs. If it did, that would have been a much different game. With the top five teams this close, one loss is enough for a big drop in the power rankings.
5. Missouri (10-2, 6-2, LW: 5) The Tigers took care of business against Kansas, and the defense is finishing like it began: strong. Missouri has allowed just seven points in its final two games.
6. Texas Tech (7-5, 3-5, LW: 6) The Red Raiders lead the second tier of Big 12 teams as winners of three of their past four games, including a win over Missouri. It was not always pretty, but Texas Tech continued its bowl eligibility streak. Seven wins is a down year in Lubbock, but it is not bad.
7. Baylor (7-5, 4-4, LW: 7) Baylor will be disappointed with its finish that included three double-digit losses to close the season. Unlike other seasons that have ended that way before, Baylor should have a good chance to finish with a bowl win.
8. Kansas State (7-5, 3-5, LW: 8) Bill Snyder was not very happy with his team's 49-41 win over North Texas. But a win is a win, and Kansas State can probably make plans to head from the Little Apple to the Big Apple for the holidays.
9. Colorado (5-7, 2-6, LW: 9) Expect Brian Cabral to get a decent look for the Colorado job, but Nebraska kept the Buffaloes from taking advantage of a chance at a bowl. You have got to hand it to Cody Hawkins, though: He never stopped competing and made some great plays late against a tough Huskers secondary.
10. Texas (5-7, 3-5, LW: 10) It is time to make some changes in Austin. The Longhorns turned in a nice effort against the rival Aggies, but 5-7 is unacceptable, and should mean new faces will be headed to Forty Acres in 2011.
11. Iowa State (5-7, 3-5, LW: 11) The Cyclones did better than expected with a brutal schedule, and even though they missed a bowl game. The future looks bright in Ames and Paul Rhoads unquestionably has the program moving in the right direction.
12. Kansas (3-9, 1-7, LW: 12) Kansas was getting better at the end of the year, but this group will need to improve a lot to get Kansas back in contention for a Big 12 title. It is time for Turner Gill to earn his way on the recruiting trail.
Originally posted by ESPN.com - Big 12 Blog
Click here to view the article.
1. Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2, last week: 4) The Sooners are hitting their stride and look like they have figured out how to take their "A" game away from Owen Field. They will need it next week in Cowboys Stadium.2. Texas A&M (9-3, 6-2, LW: 2) I did not have the Aggies at No. 2 in my top 25 ballot, but there is still no denying they are playing as well as anyone in the league. You have to feel for a team who knocked off both Big 12 title game participants in the past month. But 3-3 starts are hard to overcome, no matter how good those losses look now.
3. Nebraska (10-2, 6-2, LW: 3) The Huskers found some offense with Cody Green last week, but expect plenty of conversation about whether he will start again next week with Taylor Martinez's ankle on the mend.
4. Oklahoma State (10-2, 6-2, LW: 1) Oklahoma State did not play badly as much as it just could not stop Oklahoma on third downs. If it did, that would have been a much different game. With the top five teams this close, one loss is enough for a big drop in the power rankings.
5. Missouri (10-2, 6-2, LW: 5) The Tigers took care of business against Kansas, and the defense is finishing like it began: strong. Missouri has allowed just seven points in its final two games.
6. Texas Tech (7-5, 3-5, LW: 6) The Red Raiders lead the second tier of Big 12 teams as winners of three of their past four games, including a win over Missouri. It was not always pretty, but Texas Tech continued its bowl eligibility streak. Seven wins is a down year in Lubbock, but it is not bad.
7. Baylor (7-5, 4-4, LW: 7) Baylor will be disappointed with its finish that included three double-digit losses to close the season. Unlike other seasons that have ended that way before, Baylor should have a good chance to finish with a bowl win.
8. Kansas State (7-5, 3-5, LW: 8) Bill Snyder was not very happy with his team's 49-41 win over North Texas. But a win is a win, and Kansas State can probably make plans to head from the Little Apple to the Big Apple for the holidays.
9. Colorado (5-7, 2-6, LW: 9) Expect Brian Cabral to get a decent look for the Colorado job, but Nebraska kept the Buffaloes from taking advantage of a chance at a bowl. You have got to hand it to Cody Hawkins, though: He never stopped competing and made some great plays late against a tough Huskers secondary.
10. Texas (5-7, 3-5, LW: 10) It is time to make some changes in Austin. The Longhorns turned in a nice effort against the rival Aggies, but 5-7 is unacceptable, and should mean new faces will be headed to Forty Acres in 2011.
11. Iowa State (5-7, 3-5, LW: 11) The Cyclones did better than expected with a brutal schedule, and even though they missed a bowl game. The future looks bright in Ames and Paul Rhoads unquestionably has the program moving in the right direction.
12. Kansas (3-9, 1-7, LW: 12) Kansas was getting better at the end of the year, but this group will need to improve a lot to get Kansas back in contention for a Big 12 title. It is time for Turner Gill to earn his way on the recruiting trail.
Originally posted by ESPN.com - Big 12 Blog
Click here to view the article.