TupaTalk: Big 12 landscape is seismically jumbled. A look at where the shakeup came from.
As I scan the landscape of the Big 12 football, I wonder how I missed the earthquake.
There’s got to be some reason for the seismic upheaval that has jumbled up the accustomed topography and left the experts shaking their heads.
Kansas (2-3) ahead of Oklahoma (1-3) in the standings halfway through the conference schedule?
TCU (4-0) owning the top spot as the lone unbeaten? Iowa State languishing in the lowland at 0-4?
Coming out of last weekend, the current Big 12 standings are: TCU, 4-0; Oklahoma State, 3-1; Kansas State, 3-1; Texas, 3-2; Baylor, 2-2; Texas Tech, 2-2; Kansas, 2-3; Oklahoma, 1-3; West Virginia, 1-3; and Iowa State, 0-4.
Whew!
The CFN’s preseason poll, in order, proclaimed Oklahoma as the uncontested No. 1, followed by Oklahoma State and Texas (tied), Kansas at No. 10 and TCU and Kansas State tied for sixth.
The Bleacher Report listed Oklahoma and Baylor at the top, followed by Oklahoma State and Texas. TCU landed in sixth place and Kansas resided in the cellar.
The Sporting News also tabbed Oklahoma as No. 1, followed by Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas. TCU appeared at No. 8 and Kansas at No. 10.
Predictors for CBS sports were about divided evenly between Oklahoma and Baylor as No. 1.
One of them stuck TCU in the No. 2 spot but dropped Oklahoma State to No. 6.
The entire panel put Kansas in last place, and Iowa State ranked anywhere from No. 5 to No. 7.
So where has the shakeup come from?
1st) No one saw the revival of Kansas, which gained momentum with a 3-0 mark in non-conference games. The Jayhawks stunned West Virginia and Iowa State in their first two conference games. But, a bit of the luster has come on with three-straight conference losses — although they fell to TCU by only a touchdown, 38-31. Three of the final four games could be pretty winnable for Kansas if it continues to develop offensively.
2nd) TCU has simply refused to lose. Led by gritty quarterback Max Duggan and his character-driven competitiveness, TCU has won its most recent three conference games by a combined point total of 20 points. Duggan has averaged more than 305 yards passing the past six games, while running back Kendre Miller has averaged 125 yards rushing the past five games.
3rd) The 41-34 loss on Sept. 24 against Kansas State might have taken a chunk out of the Sooners’ confidence and momentum after going 3-0 in non-conference, including a 49-14 whipping of Nebraska. K-State, TCU and Texas all scored 40-plus points against the Sooners — and they gave up 42 points in a 52-42 win against Kansas. Defense obviously is an area of emphasis, but also goes along the offense maintaining possessions and putting the defense in a good position. According to current standings, the Sooners have played the toughest part of their schedule — other than the Bedlam Game on Nov. 19. This week’s showdown against Iowa State could give a good insight into OU’s mindset going into its final five regular season games. Dillon Gabriel is off to an impressive start as the Sooner QB (13 touchdowns, one interception, 65.1 completions) but the offense just hasn’t been completing the circle.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Tupa: Big 12 landscape is seismically jumbled
