Big 12 Power Rankings
- Thread starter PaulSTI
- Start date
Not sure how Kansas "took a step forward against us" on Saturday - we clearly came out flat on a slight hangover in the first half, but only gave up 9 points when it mattered and completely demoralized KU for about 25 of the 30 minutes in the second half (we were clearly scrubbing the last 5 minutes, so it's not to be counted).
Anyway, Can't and won't argue much with the rankings as they are. Right now I think we could be better than not just K-State, but A&M as well, so I would love to see us at the #6 spot. But, with the loss to K-State, it's logical for us to be behind them, even if we are better than them now.
Anyway, Can't and won't argue much with the rankings as they are. Right now I think we could be better than not just K-State, but A&M as well, so I would love to see us at the #6 spot. But, with the loss to K-State, it's logical for us to be behind them, even if we are better than them now.
ISU did come out flat but they also tried to play a straight up defense and not load the box the first half. KU was able to run on them, so they loaded the box the second half and forced KU's 3rd string qb to throw the ball. Once the qb was forced to make plays the game was over.
KU had been outscored by an average of 45 points per game against KSU, Baylor and A&M. Plus all three of those teams had their subs in the entire 4th quarter. That's why they called it a step forward. Basically KU is so bad that it didn't take much to go forward and still be at the bottom and not even close to 11th.
KU had been outscored by an average of 45 points per game against KSU, Baylor and A&M. Plus all three of those teams had their subs in the entire 4th quarter. That's why they called it a step forward. Basically KU is so bad that it didn't take much to go forward and still be at the bottom and not even close to 11th.
Then there is Texas tech and their passing defense:
Clones have a better pass defense than Texas Tech...
They kept it within 5 TDs. It was a huge step forward. Our offense should be embarrassed to only have scored 28 points.
Paul Rhoads pretty clearly let off the gas after 28. I'm not sure whether that's classy, foolish, or what. I think it's pretty clear that the Cyclones could have scored at least two more TD's if the starters had stayed in.
I think it was a good call. We aren't in a position where we care about style points and this was one of our only opportunities all year to get the starters out before people got hurt and, just as importantly, give the backups some gameday experience.
The Dallas Morning News - which never shows much love toward I-State - raised us from #10 to #7 on their Big 12 power rankings. Even after beating Texas a week ago they left us at #10 but now after the Kansas game they move us up to #7.
Paul Rhoads did let off the gas which was nice. The other 3 Big 12 teams took their starters out after the 3rd quarter and we still lost by 48, 52 & 35. I would say that it can't get much uglier than that except we still have OSU and NU at their place and MU in Arrowhead. Ugly, very ugly.
I don't think it was a question of trying to be kind to KU. We're beat up, tired, and thin after our recent gauntlet. We needed to rest our starters as much as possible and get our backups as much experience as possible.
The other teams that have rolled Kansas have sufficient depth that they can put in their backups and still score points/shut down Kansas. We don't.
I think the point in KU's case is they were competitive for a part of the game. In the other Big 12 games they were down to Baylor 27-7 at half. KSU 31-0, and A&M 31-10. As a Jayhawk it's sad it's come to that but this is actually the only half of a game in the conference where we were competitive.