Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
1. Oklahoma -- Sooners return from off week against a tough TCU team that was the last opponent to win at Owen Field.
2. Missouri -- Lethargic defensive performance and fumbles will give Gary Pinkel plenty of inspirational fodder during Tigers' off week -- after his trip to the ESPN campus this week.
3. Texas -- Superb defensive effort vs. Rice has Texas cruising into the Arkansas game. But Mack Brown still would have liked to have played the Razorbacks a couple of weeks earlier.
4. Texas Tech -- Could this be the most balanced offensive team that Mike Leach has ever had? If Shannon Woods keeps grinding inside, the Red Raiders might shuck some of their pass-happy tendencies.
5. Kansas -- Lack of ground game has Mangino considering big changes in the offensive line. And he wouldn't mind if one of his backs could find holes, too.
6. Oklahoma State -- Cowboys' loss to Troy last season set up Zac Robinson's promotion and Mike Gundy's infamous rant.
7. Colorado -- Look for another fierce defensive battle as offensively-challenged Buffaloes and Seminoles battle in Jacksonville, Fla.
8. Nebraska -- Cornhuskers have a statement game approaching against Virginia Tech in their most legitimate test to date this season.
9. Baylor -- Strong performance at Connecticut shows that the Bears are for real. Don't be surprised if and when they notch an upset or two once conference play begins.
10. Kansas State -- Lack of a running game and a weak run defense have buzzards lining up around Ron Prince -- despite his contract extension.
11. Iowa State -- Nice comeback from a huge halftime deficit to force overtime against UNLV, but still ended up as Cyclones' 13th straight road loss.
12. Texas A&M -- Jerrod Johnson represents the future. But to get there, the Aggies will have to flounder through a present that looks like it might produce only three or four victories this season.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
