Would love to see some weekly conference discussion posts, so I'll try to get the ball rolling in this community with the Big XII. Looks a little different this year, so welcome to the conference BYU, Cinci, Houston, and UCF!
The conference went 10-4 this week.
Without further ado, here's my tier list and (very cursory) thoughts around the conference this week for the biggest ever (so far) Big XII:
Tier 1
K-State (1-0), OU (1-0), Texas (1-0)
K-State looks very good and took care of business against an FCS opponent (45-0). Senior QB Will Howard brings a lot of experience to the Wildcats offense.
OU blew the doors off poor Arkansas State (73-0). Not sure we learn much from this game. Seemed to me like running up the score is to make up for their poor non-con schedule this year (not their fault).
Texas had a very lackluster performance (37-10), especially in the first half, but Ewers settled in and was pulled very early. Feels like Texas spent most of their time prepping for Alabama next week.
Tier 2
Cinci (1-0), TCU (0-1), UCF (1-0)
Cinci was only favored by 3 scores but won by 6 (66-13). Again, FCS opponents don't tell us much, but you can't ignore the performance of QB Emory Jones who threw 5 TDs and rushed 2.
Putting TCU in this tier is probably controversial after a loss, but they had a very real chance of beating the Buffs in the second half (42-45). I nearly placed them in the next tier down, so we'll see if they bounce back from the loss to justify being here.
UCF looked really good in their Thursday night beatdown of Kent State (56-6). QB John Rhys Plumlee looked very good and I think their style of football will fit in very well in this conference. Welcome back to coaching in a power conference, Gus Malzahn.
Tier 3
Kansas (1-0), Iowa State (1-0), Oklahoma State (1-0)
I raised an eyebrow when I saw Kansas was struggling in the first half. I believe Leipold will bring KU back to regular bowl appearances, and they're still on track as they eventually rolled their FCS foe (48-17).
Iowa State hasn't completely gambled their season away yet, cruising to victory after an early pick six in their FCS matchup (30-9). I understand most would have them lower but I think Matt Campbell can turn things around.
The Pokes were pitching a shutout of their FCS opponent, but struggled in the second half to pull away (27-13). I still have questions about the cohesion of that team.
Tier 4
BYU (1-0), Houston (1-0), Texas Tech (0-1), West Virginia (0-1)
Now we're getting to the struggle bus portion of the conference.
BYU looked tame against FBS newcomer Sam Houston (14-0). I respect the Bearkats for what they've done in FCS (and for my friends that went there) but they are 133rd in my FBS rankings. BYU needs more than a pair of Kedon Slovis rushing TDs to convince me they will be bowl eligible at the end of the season.
I watched nearly the whole Houston game which went down to the wire not unlike last year (17-14). Unlike last year, however, was that UTSA was the one really struggling with 3 picks thrown by Frank Harris. The fact that the Cougars hardly took advantage does not bode well for their P5 conference slate ahead.
Texas Tech, why did you schedule this game? Can't blame them for the weather delay but they did no favors for themselves going on the road so I had them on upset alert. The fighting tortillas limped to a 2OT loss (33-35) which I expect to torpedo morale and their season.
West Virginia wasn't shutout by an immensely more powerful Penn State (15-38) so they get to stay out of the basement. But with Neal Brown still at the helm, it feels like this is where they belong.
Tier 5
Baylor (0-1)
Okay, where do I begin here? Baylor, this loss is absolutely unjustifiable (31-42). You were 28-pt favorites, and the game wasn't even as close as the score indicates. The Bobcats dominated the Bears in their first ever win over a P5 team. Kudos to upstart HC GJ Kinne for getting their squad ready. Turns out this transfer portal thing works (they brought the 4th most amount of transfers this off-season). I don't know how Baylor's defense could be so bad with a "defensive genius" at HC. (Okay, I know they were missing key players in the secondary, but that doesn't explain 10 TFLs.) Do better, Baylor.
I know there are some Big XII fans in here, so I'd love to know everyone's thoughts! And if anyone's interested in taking over posting these, let me know.