This week's polls have been released. Here's how the Big 12 fared, from the top of the polls to the bottom, and what it means.
(AP/Coaches)
2/2. Oklahoma State
Nothing changes for Oklahoma State this week as it stays at #2 in both polls. There isn't much to complain about with this ranking, though I suppose if you want to nitpick, you can mention that LSU got every single first place vote in the country. Are we really that sure that LSU is better than Oklahoma State at this point? I'm not saying LSU shouldn't be first in the rankings, as if I had a ballot they'd be first in mine, but I'm somewhat surprised that there isn't someone out there who would rank the Cowboys ahead of the Tigers. My only point is that I don't think the gap between what LSU has done this season and what Oklahoma State has done is as great as the polls seem to be making it.5/5. Oklahoma
The Sooners receive a nice bump despite having the week off. Oklahoma moved up from 7th to 5th in both polls thanks to losses by both Boise State and Stanford. Nothing to complain about with this spot for the Sooners, though it does open some questions. Now that we have so many one-loss teams crossing their fingers and hoping they can sneak into the title game, will the Sooners jump both Oregon and Alabama in the traditional polls if it beats Oklahoma State to end the season? Both schools are ahead of the Sooners right now, which could be a roadblock for the Sooners in these polls and the BCS.16/17. Kansas State
Kansas State didn't get much of a bump in the AP poll as it climbed only one spot to 16th, but it looks like the coaches finally noticed how this team has played since its loss against Oklahoma. The Wildcats move up from 22nd to 17th in the Coaches Poll following an exciting win over Texas A&M. I don't have any complaints about Kansas State's spot in either poll, but I do feel like if teams were ranked based on the exciting nature of their games, then Kansas State would be a lot higher. Every game this team plays seems to come down to the final quarter.25/UR. Baylor
This is a ranking that confuses me, though not as much as Baylor being ranked 22nd in the BCS. Listen, I understand that Baylor has played one of the toughest schedules in the country this season, as have a lot of teams in the Big 12. But I also understand that in every game against strong competition -- Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State -- Baylor has lost. In those two losses against A&M and Oklahoma State it has lost by an average of 31 points. It's strongest win is the opener against TCU, which looks better now, but other than that Baylor's best win has been 5-5 Missouri. Plus, are we going to ignore the fact that Baylor needed a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter and overtime to beat Kansas this week? I'm sorry, but if you need overtime to beat Kansas then you shouldn't be ranked.Others receiving votes
Texas (11 AP/27 Coaches), Missouri (0 AP/ 5 Coaches)
