Who’s the best team in the Big 12? Who’s the worst? From now until the end of the season, the Iowa State Daily will answer that question every week. Seven college football reporters and editors — Chris Conetzkey, Kyle Oppenhuizen, Michael Zogg, Nate Sandell, Luke Plansky, Corey Aldritt and Matt Gubbels — will fill out their personal choice of where every team in the conference should be ranked. Then all the picks will be added together to form a 1 through 12 ranking system, with the lowest point total at the top. Not only will you be able to see our rankings, but readers will have the opportunity to see the Big 12 in a nutshell with our commentary on each team.

Enjoy this week’s debut of the rankings, and then check back every Tuesday on the left side of the sports page. Agree or disagree? Feel free to send comments to [email protected] or to managing editor of sports, Kyle Oppenhuizen, at [email protected]. Remember, your comments may be published in the paper.

1. Missouri (4-0), 10 points: Jeremy Maclin wasn’t kidding at Big 12 Media Days this summer, when he said that he got faster. He has contributed to Chase Daniel’s ridiculous 76 percent completion percentage and 12 touchdowns through the first four weeks of the season.

2. Oklahoma (3-0), 11 points: The Sooners are ONLY averaging 54 points per game. They do, however, run into one of the top defenses in the country this season, when they play the TCU Horned Frogs in Norman.

3. Texas (3-0), 22 points: Despite having their Arkansas game postponed until this weekend due to Hurricane Ike, Texas has not missed a beat offensively. Two things to worry about: QB Colt McCoy is the Longhorns’ leading rusher, and their defense has given up quite a few yards.

4. Texas Tech (4-0), 31 points: The Red Raiders are 4-0 but haven’t played a BCS opponent. They have also have put up pedestrian offensive numbers compared to what they were able to do at this point last season. With three very winnable games to open the conference, they could easily head into Kansas 7-0.

5. Kansas (3-1), 34 points: Kansas opens Big 12 play with Iowa State, averaging 350 yards passing per game. The game with South Florida last week was unbelievable, but their other three non-conference opponents have been far from impressive.

6. Oklahoma State (3-0), 43 points: The Cowboys have dominated opponents running the ball, which has helped a somewhat shaky defense have time to come together. Oklahoma State hosts Troy this week, which handed them a 41-23 loss last season on the road.

7. Colorado (3-0), 46 points: That hard-fought win at home over a ranked West Virginia squad was impressive, especially with two freshmen running backs and a sophomore quarterback leading the offense. The unfortunate reward of that win — next week the Buffaloes travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on Florida State.

8. Nebraska (3-0), 55 points: Joe Ganz pulled off a rare feat against New Mexico State in the Huskers’ last game. He threw, ran for and caught a touchdown pass from Marlon Lucky all in the same game. Virginia Tech will finally test the Huskers this weekend, though.

9. Kansas State (2-1), 63 points: The Wildcats looked very impressive in their first two games, rolling up 40-point wins. Kansas State looked like the 2007 version of their team in a lackluster 38-29 loss to a below average Louisville team.

10. Iowa State (2-2), 72 points: The loss to UNLV hurts, but coming back from 21-0 down at halftime to force overtime was impressive. Austen Arnaud distanced himself in the quarterback race and the Rebels needed a ridiculous catch in overtime to win. The biggest problem right now is cutting down the penalties.

11. Baylor (2-2), 75 points: New coach Art Briles has installed a toughness with this Baylor team that has not been seen much in the past few seasons. The Bears lost a tight contest to UConn but true freshman quarterback Robert Griffin has shown some flashes of what could be to come with him.

12. Texas A&M (1-2), 84 points: Coach Mike Sherman’s first year in Aggieland has been much to be desired. The Aggies dropped their opener at home to Arkansas State, and then barely defeated a struggling New Mexico team. That was before an embarrassing loss in which Texas A&M was dominated in every facet by Miami at home.