Big 12 power rankings

The Big 12 Conference trotted out a weird line this week in its conference notes (spelling is correct):

"A team in the Big 12 doesn't contend for the Conference title because of the teams not on it's conference schedule. Everyone plays everyone!"

The sentiment ... yeah, I get it. But, what was the point, really? If it was a dig at the SEC, here's really hoping Baylor doesn't lose all year. If so, tout conference stoutness if you like, but when half of the league is .500 or worse overall ...

Anyways, speakin' of dem Bears, big game on the big stage this Thursday!

1. Baylor Bears (7-0, 4-0) — New power gets to meet traditional power on Thursday night. A conference statement and BCS relevance are on the line. Don't care who ya cheer for, you should be excited for this one.

2. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 4-1) — If OU knocks off Baylor, Bob Stoops ties Barry Switzer for the most victories in OU history with 157. I now feel old.

3. Texas Longhorns (6-2, 5-0) — Sooo, yeah ... say what you will, and Texas boosters still might, but you're on notice Big 12: Mack Brown officially has this thing rolling in the right direction.

4. Oklahoma St. Cowboys (7-1, 4-1) — National recognition is gone for 2013, but the Cowboys' 52-34 win on the road at Texas Tech caused some regional folks to circle-back and reconsider how dangerous OSU may be the rest of the year.

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2, 4-2) — It has been a couple of humbling weeks for the Red Raiders, who now are facing a bit of gut-check time for the first time this year as a quickly solidified K-State defense comes calling.

6. Kansas St. Wildcats (4-4, 2-3) — After smoking a couple of cheap cigars in WVU and Iowa St., the Wildcats and a new-found confidence head to Lubbock to take on a wobbled-but-not-down Tech.

7. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-5, 2-4) — I can explain Dana Holgorsen's hairstyle more easily than I can how the Mountaineers beat TCU. OK, that's a lie. Neither are explainable.

8. TCU Horned Frogs (3-6, 1-5) — 58 is: A) the number of pass attempts last weekend for Casey Pachall; or, B) the number of years Pachall has been at TCU? Answer: Yes.

9.5 Kansas Jayhawks (2-6, 0-5) — Dead curious to know how many first-half spreads KU has covered this year. Also curious what the hell Charlie Weis does at halftime that his team continues to fall apart in the last two quarters.

10. Iowa St. Cyclones (1-7, 0-5) — Didn't really think it was possible considering the program's relatively low ceiling, but Paul Rhoads might be on the hot seat. This team is an absolute mess and trending down.