Kansas (5–2, 1–2)

Last week: L 35–13 vs. No. 25 Oklahoma

This week: @ Texas Tech

That 5–0 start faded as quickly as the Jayhawks’ defense, as the game against Iowa State proved to be sight of what was to come. Giving up more than 34 points in each of its last three games, Kansas isn’t going to catch a break as it heads to Lubbock to take on a team that is coming off a loss and is known for lighting up the scoreboard.

Todd Reesing struggled against the fast Sooner defense, throwing three interception, but the Jayhawks might need this win to remain optimistic about becoming bowl eligible. The remaining games after visiting the Red Raiders include traveling to in-state rival Kansas State, hosting Nebraska, an ill-fated trip to Austin to take on Texas and a visit to Arrowhead Stadium with rival Mizzou to close the season. None of those games appear to be “gimmes,” and Mark Mangino’s squad needs to find its remedy quickly in the topsy turvy Big 12.

Reesing’s pass completion needs to get back above 60 percent if that is all they have on offense, and the Jayhawks need some of that Orange Bowl-season spark to get themselves back on top in the North.

Kansas State (5–3, 3–1)

Last week: W 20–6 @ Colorado

This week: @ No. 22 Oklahoma

Raise your hand if you saw Kansas State leading the Big 12 North heading into week nine. I better not see any hands. That includes you, Bill Snyder.

The Wildcats are becoming a national surprise, as the elderly coach came back from hiatus and immediately took his transfer-laden squad into contention for the Big 12. Kansas State started the year shaky, but have capitalized on the lack of run-stopping in the conference schedule. That includes a firm rebound from a debacle against Texas Tech — a 52-point loss — by defeating Texas A&M seven days later by 48.

The win over Colorado this week wasn’t going to impress any pollsters, as neither team scored in the second half, but a win is a win and there is a reason this team is the lone North squad with a trio of conference victories. Snyder was upset after the game, stating, “We did not play well. This is all about getting better, and we did not.”

Snyder might want to see more improvement, especially heading on the road to play the Sooners this week, but purple-clad fans are pleased with the effort thus far. Running back Daniel Thomas is still important to this club, holding onto his 100-yard per game average, and Kansas State will need it to pull off the upset this week. But don’t tell them it’s an upset.

Nebraska(4–3, 1–2)

Last week: L 9–7 vs. Iowa State

This week: @ Baylor

The Nebraska offense looked to be out of sync against Iowa State, at best. The Huskers had 362 total yards on offense, but the stand-out stat was the eight turnovers surrendered against the Cyclones, four of which were inside their own five-yard line. If they are to get it back on track, the Huskers must do it against lowly Baylor this week, as they will face Oklahoma and Kansas in back-to-back weeks following this weekend.

Running back Roy Helu Jr, second in the Big 12 in rushing, will need to become healthy again for the Cornhuskers. He sat out much of last week’s loss with a shoulder injury and only accounted for 24 yards, a season low for him.

The quarterback play will also have to improve for Nebraska to compete for the Big 12 North title they were all but given before the season started. Starting quarterback Zac Lee has struggled to maintain the offense’s consistency and the Husker faithful are calling for his job to be taken away by backup Cody Green.

Colorado (2–5, 1–2)

Last week: L 20–6 vs. Kansas State

This week: vs. Missouri

After Colorado’s decision to give quarterback Tyler Hansen the starting nod against Kansas paid off in a 34–30 upset, the Buffaloes seemed to have their season headed back in the right direction. That thought lasted less than a week.

Hansen was given the offensive reins against Kansas State last weekend, but this time the result was less than satisfactory. Four turnovers and an out-of-sync offense resulted in a 20–6 loss to the Wildcats. A flustered Hansen was sacked four times, threw for only 89 yards and fumbled a snap. Hansen was eventually pulled in favor of former starter Cody Hawkins.

Hawkins produced similar results, as he completed 10-of-23 passes for 95 yards, including two picks. Colorado must still face Oklahoma State and Nebraska this season, but that is tempered by the fact three of its last five games are held at home.

Missouri (4–3, 0–3)

Last week: L 41–7 vs. No. 3 Texas

This week: @ Colorado

Three games into its Big 12 schedule, Missouri’s woes have yet to subside. Last Saturday’s 41–7 trouncing by Texas was Missouri’s third straight loss — all three of which have been Big 12 games. Texas rocketed out to a 21-point lead before Missouri was able to score a touchdown early in the second quarter. But that score would be the Tigers only foray on the scoreboard. Missouri’s offense has struggled for the last three games to put up points, averaging only 12 points per game in that stretch.

Texas was not kind to sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert, as the Longhorn defense allowed him to complete only eight passes for 84 yards. Gabbert was pulled in the third quarter for backup Jimmy Costello, who mustered only 25 yards passing and was picked off twice. Despite sitting in last place in the Big 12 at 0–3, the Tigers have a favorable close to their season, with no current ranked opponents scheduled in their last five games.

No. 13 Oklahoma State (6–1, 3–0)

Last week: W 34–7 @ Baylor

This week: vs. No. 3 Texas

The time has come for the Cowboys to prove they’re for real. This weekend they will face off with No. 3 Texas at home in what has become the battle for the Big 12 South’s top spot.

The Cowboys have bounced back nicely from their week-two loss to then-No. 17 Houston, as they have rattled off five straight wins by a combined score of 157-85, even without two of their top offensive weapons.

Keith Toston had another solid game in place of the injured Kendall Hunter, running for 109 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries against Baylor. Sophomore Hubert Anyiam also continued his strong play filling in for the suspended Dez Bryant with nine catches for 83 yards. But the performance that had everyone in Stillwater talking was that of quarterback Zac Robinson. The senior Robinson threw 23-of-27 for 250 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cowboys..

No. 22 Oklahoma (4–3, 2–1)

Last week: W 35–13 @ No. 24 Kansas

This week: vs. Kansas State

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Not only are the Sooners 4–3 with almost no chance remaining for a Big 12 title, but Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford announced last week he would be having season-ending shoulder surgery and will declare for the NFL Draft next April. All of this means that coach Bob Stoops and the Sooners can now move forward with freshman Landry Jones as the top quarterback and not just Bradford’s backup.

Jones has 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season filling in for Bradford, and he has looked solid in each game he’s been asked to play in..

However, even with all their struggles, the Sooners have the toughest part of their schedule behind them After back-to-back games against No. 3 Texas and then-No. 24 Kansas, they now face Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Texas Tech before their year-end matchup with Oklahoma State.

Baylor (3–4, 0–3)

Last week: L 34–7 vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State

This week: vs. Nebraska

This season has gotten progressively worse for coach Art Briles’ squad, as the injured and beleaguered offense is struggling to put up points and the defense can’t slow down teams in its own division. The Bears have only scored 24 total points in their last three games, taking on teams with superior speed, and it doesn’t get any easier as a ticked-off Nebraska group that is ready to rebound from two losses comes to Waco.

Oklahoma State did just about anything they wanted on offense and defense last Saturday, and if the Bears want to earn some belated respect among the conference in an upset, the Cornhuskers may be the team to give it to them with their lack of offensive execution.

Starting Nick Florence at quarterback like they did early in the year may help kick start some life into this team, but the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Baylor fans have to be upset about having to swallow their expectations for another year.

No. 3 Texas (7–0, 3–0)

Last week: W 41–7 @ Missouri

Next week: @ No. 13 Oklahoma State

Texas avoided a letdown game as the Tigers were sandwiched between their matchups with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Instead, the Longhorns beat Missouri by their second-largest margin of victory this season. This week against the Cowboys, the Big 12 South title will be on the line. Both teams are undefeated in the Big 12, and Oklahoma State hasn’t lost since a week-two upset against Houston. The Longhorns own the all-time series with a 21–2 edge and have not lost to Oklahoma State since 1997.

Texas A&M (4–3, 1–2)

Last week: W 52–30 @ Texas Tech

Next week: vs. Iowa State

The Aggies shook off a nasty three-game losing streak against a Texas Tech team that had been impressive lately, including a 31–10 win over Nebraska. Texas A&M beat the Red Raiders with an impressive rushing attack that racked up 321 yards on the ground. This week’s game against the Cyclones will be important for the Aggies to maintain some of that momentum and help them qualify for a bowl game. Currently, Texas A&M is two games away from bowl eligibility, but the Aggies have contests against Oklahoma and Texas left on their schedule.

Texas Tech (5–3, 2–2)

Last week: L 52–30 vs. Texas A&M

Next week: vs. Kansas

The Red Raiders suffered a disappointing loss last weekend to the Aggies. Along with a loss to the last-place team in the Big 12, Texas Tech gave up 321 yards rushing. The Red Raiders will have to fill the holes in their defense quickly to stop a Jayhawk offense that averages almost 150 yards rushing per game.