In a weekend of ugly wins, a few real contenders have started to emerge from the mess of upsets and too-close wins, and unfortunately, O-State is not among them.

Week 6 of 13 means the season is almost halfway over, and the ten teams seem to have settled into three parts – the Big 3, and the Medium 6, and Kansas. Good news is, this is still the Big XII, the Middle 6 have at least a 20% chance of pulling an upset against the Top 3 any Saturday. So, starting from the bottom of the barrel, a breakdown of the weekend:

10. Kansas 2-2, 0-1 After what I’m sure was a thrilling first quarter, where the Jayhawks had 10 unanswered points, the Red Raiders showed off why they are undefeated and tromped them for the last 3.

Last week: L, 16-54 to Texas Tech

Next week: TCU, in Fort Worth

9. Iowa State,1-3, 0-1 As much as I would love to hop on the Hate Texas bandwagon, I just can’t. Yes it was a terrible,wretched call, but bad calls are part of the game, it happens. Good teams don’t rely on good calls to win games. But, it was so heart-wrenching, I almost placed the Cyclones above TCU. Then I realized this is still a team whose only win is over Tulsa.

Last week: L, 30-31 to Texas

Next week: Texas Tech, in Lubbock

8. Texas Christian 2-3, 0-2 Despite being dead last in Big XII standings after a close loss to the Sooners Saturday, the Frogs are the best <.500 team out there, and the best team to play this many games with no quarterback. On top of that, they had THE hardest first half of anyone so far, with Tech and OU, both still 5-0, and a non-conference against LSU. But, since this is about where there are now, 8th is where they sit. But expect this team to move up.

Last week: L, 17-20 to Oklahoma

Next week: Kansas, in Fort Worth

7. Kansas State 2-3, 0-2 The Wildcats tried really, really hard to lose Saturday, and eventually, OSU acquiesced, and managed to win. The Sams/Waters 2-quarterback system hasn’t exactly worked wonders for the Offense yet, but it has produced some big plays. In recent weeks, it’s been the Special Teams and Defense stealing the show. Bottom line: if they want a chance at a winning season, they need to turn big plays into big drives into big wins.

Last week: L, 29-33 to Oklahoma State

Next week: Baylor, in Manhattan

6. West Virginia 3-3, 1-2 Baylor’s demolition of the Mountaineers had some unwieldy offensive stats, but is par for the course for WV this year. They have scored 20+ points 3 times, but held opponents <20 only once, and as a result, join Kansas as the only Big XII team with an overall negative point differential (PF-PA). Recent studies have shown 100% of teams lose when they score less points than their opponent. Yet, this is the same team that upset Oklahoma State, and almost Oklahoma, confusing isn’t it? They play their 4th and final game against a currently-ranked team (Texas Tech) next Saturday after their bye week. An upset here could really turn the season around with no huge challenges down the stretch.

Last week: L, 42-73 to Baylor

Next week: Bye

5. Texas 3-2, 2-0 Norman’s annual “Hate Week” for Texas aura is becoming contagious after last week’s call against Iowa State, but like I said, long story short: it happens. Now tied for the top spot in Big XII play, Texas has been less than impressive this year, when you consider that they’re…well, Texas. But, let’s take off the Rose Bowl-colored glasses, and run down the laundry list of benched athletes they’ve had to deal with this year: 2 Safeties, 2 Corners, 2 Linebackers, 2 Linemen, 2 TEs, 6 (SIX!) WRs, and 2 different QBs. A&M may be home of the 12th man, but this year Austin is trying to be home of the 19th, a tall order. Where’s the madding crowd that wants the Strength & Conditioning Coach fired? But remember, all is forgiven if they beat Oklahoma.

Last week: W, Iowa State 31-30

Next week: Oklahoma, at Dallas

4. Oklahoma State 4-1, 1-1 The AP’s pick to take the Big XII this year isn’t looking too hot. Reeling from an upset against West Virginia, the Pokes didn’t impress against a sloppy Wildcat team, and Cowboy fans are starting to ask “Are they really who we thought they were?”

This year’s starters were expected to shine, as Freshman they were one of OK State most touted recruiting classes under Gundy’s tenure. At 4-1 they are by no means out of the conference race, because with only 10 teams, everybody plays everybody in the new Big XII, and if the ‘Boys manage to sweep the board, they will be cleanly in first.

3. Texas Tech 5-0, 2-0 Rallying behind true Freshman QB Mayfield, Tech has run the gamut so far against its opponents, including conf. members TCU and Kansas. Admittedly, Kansas isn’t exactly a measuring stick for talent, and Mayfield’s 5 INTs with 8 TDs should give the Red Raider faithful pause before promising any bowl games. But what their helmsman lacks in experience, the receiver core makes up for in pure talent. Ten different WRs are averaging more than 10 yds/catch. When Tech meets Baylor in November, expect a traditional Big XII shootout like no other.

1. Baylor 4-0, 1-0 +217. Baylor’s point differential in it’s first four games is more points than any other team has scored at ALL in the Big XII, most of whom have played five games already. #1 in Passing Yards, #2 in Rushing Yards, and #1 Points per game. Normally, this is where “The Best Defense Is A Good Offense” mantra comes in, but they’re only 14th in Points Against so far. The AP, USA Today, and plenty of fans boom the Sooners at best in the conference, but Baylor has had zero weak games. The’re one conference game doesn’t give much of a realistic sample size to project for the season, but impressive nonetheless. What do they need to do to take it all? Exactly what they’re doing. Keep it up.

Water Cooler Statistic Of The Week: All of Baylor’s WRs on roster together average 19.9 yards per catch, a statistic most single receivers could only hope to achieve.