1. Texas Longhorns (9–0, 5–0)

Being the lone undefeated team in a conference that is used to seeing its representatives make the national title game is enough to earn the number one spot, and the Longhorns’ ability to turn any game into a blowout is evidence.

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7–2, 4–1)

The running game the Cowboys had been searching for since losing Kendall Hunter surfaced against Iowa State, but a big challenge against Texas Tech this week could make or break the Cowboys chances at earning a BCS bid alongside Texas.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (6–3, 3–2)

Mike Leach’s club was counted out early, but this scrappy squad has found some defense and is in position for a good bowl bid with a solid end to the season. The quarterback controversy that troubled the squad early has subsided, and Baron Batch is stepping as a capable running back in a system that doesn’t understand what that position means.

4. Kansas State Wildcats (6–4, 4–2)

Beating Kansas at home boosted Bill Snyder’s team closer to a bowl bid and atop the Big 12 North by half a game, but with two games left, the Wildcats truly control their own destiny. Running back Daniel Thomas is near the top of the nation in every major rushing category, and Kansas State looks like a contender.

5. Oklahoma Sooners (5–4, 3–2)

Landry Jones looked like freshman in Lincoln last Saturday, but he’ll get some major chances to redeem himself closing the season with Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Riddled by injury and struggling with a tough non-conference schedule, Bob Stoops is going to want to forget this campaign.

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (6–3, 3–2)

Nebraska has struggled too much offensively all season to jump the Sooners, while their defense still looks like an NFL-All Pro corps. Coach Bo Pelini may change up the lineup in the offseason, but has to ride the defense if the Huskers want to get themselves a North title.

7. Texas A&M Aggies (5–4, 2–3)

Mike Sherman’s seat won’t be so hot if the Aggies can get into the postseason, but with a blowout win against Iowa State followed by a defeat to Colorado, no one really knows what the Aggies look like. Inconsistency isn’t a good thing to have with three games left in the season.

8. Kansas Jayhawks (5–4, 1–4)

Imploding like a shoddy skyscraper, the Jayhawks have dropped four in a row and their schedule isn’t going to offer them any breaks. The defense looks incapable of holding teams under 30 points and even the offense is struggling with the nagging concerns about Todd Reesing’s job security. Things need to shape up in Lawrence.

9. Iowa State Cyclones (5–5, 2–4)

Iowa State has dropped two straight as the injuries and athleticism issues finally turn into reality against Big 12 South foes. The Cyclones are like Kansas State though, controlling their own fate against two divisional opponents to close out the season in the manner they see fit.

10. Colorado Buffaloes (3–6, 2–3)

Tyler Hansen made Dan Hawkins look like the smartest man in the room last Saturday, beating a surging A&M team at home. The Buffs are still 0–4 away from Boulder, but they look capable enough to pull off another upset or two.

11. Missouri Tigers (5–4, 1–4)

Gary Pinkel’s group has no understanding of scoring in the second half, falling yet again to a struggling Baylor offense that hadn’t won a conference road game in two years. The Tigers were pleased with Blaine Gabbert early in the season, but wide receiver Danario Alexander can’t get the ball without pass protection and a defense to get the offense the ball back.

12. Baylor Bears (4–5, 1–4)

Baylor is still in the cellar even though its win against Missouri seemed improbable. An offense that hadn’t scored more than one touchdown in a game in a month passed for 427 yards and scored 40 points, ending a losing streak and giving them hope that they still can play spoiler in the Big 12.