1. TCU Horned Frogs – 23-17 win at Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Despite its inability to put Minnesota away, TCU left Minneapolis with an impressive road win to kick off the season. Trevone Boykin missed on some throws, but still accounted for 338 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. Gary Patterson’s young defense, that was without starting defensive tackle Davion Pierson and defensive end James MacFarland, performed well. If Boykin and the offense can live up to expectations, this team can beat anyone in the country.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

2. Baylor Bears – 56-21 win at SMU Mustangs.

Baylor was challenged by SMU for a half with the score being 28-21. However, the Bears got things cleaned up defensively and pitched a 28-0 shutout in the second half. Despite gaining only a single yard in the second quarter, junior quarterback Seth Russell posted a nice first game. Russell went 15/30 for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns against just one interception. Five-star recruit Jarrett Stidham also threw his first career touchdown pass. With Corey Coleman, KD Cannon and Jay Lee running routes, expect Russell to have a monster season under center. If the Bears can get some consistency on defense, this group will have a good chance of winning its third straight Big 12 Championship.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Lamar Cardinals.

3. Oklahoma Sooners – 41-3 win vs. Akron Zips.

The Baker Mayfield era started with a bang. Mayfield threw for 388 yards and 3 touchdowns in the new Air Raid offense under offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. Running back Joe Mixon hauled in a 76 yard touchdown grab as he accounted for 142 total yards. Samaje Perine also added 33 yards rushing and a score. While the new offense looks good, this Sooner team will go as far as the defense takes it. Oklahoma held the trio of Akron quarterbacks to 6/26 for 88 yards. The Sooners also held the Zips to 138 yards rushing on 44 carries. If Mike Stoops can get his defense back to Oklahoma standards, this group can challenge for a Big 12 Championship.

Next Game: 9/12 @ Tennessee.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys – 24-13 win at Central Michigan Chippewas.

The Cowboys picked up a solid, but unimpressive win on the road against Central Michigan. Quarterback Mason Rudolph threw for 266 yards and a touchdown to lead Oklahoma State. The Pokes also got 89 yards and a score from running back Chris Carson. The Cowboy defensive held an underrated Chippewa attack to under 350 yards. Oklahoma State has been considered a sleeper Big 12 title pick by many coming into this season. The Cowboys need to show more in the coming weeks to get into that mix.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Central Arkansas Bears.

5. West Virginia Mountaineers – 44-0 win vs. Georgia Southern Eagles.

Georgia Southern has been known to knock off quality FBS opponents. West Virginia had other thoughts. The Mountaineers were impressive in its opening shutout victory, especially on defense. West Virginia forced five turnovers including four interceptions of Eagle quarterback Favian Upshaw. Safety Karl Joseph got his All-American campaign underway with three interceptions. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Skyler Howard threw for 359 yards and a pair of scores. Receivers Shelton Gibson and Jovan Durante filled in for Kevin White and Mario Alford who are now playing on Sundays. The duo combined for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Wendell Smallwood added 96 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This team is flying under the radar and head coach Dana Holgorsen likes it that way.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Liberty Flames.

6. Kansas State Wildcats – 34-0 win vs. South Dakota.

Kansas State held up its end of the bargain by beating an FCS team from South Dakota. Bill Snyder’s group got off to a good start after a good 2014. Joe Hubener threw for 147 yards and a touchdown in his debut. Fullback Winston Dimel punched in a pair of touchdowns as well. The Wildcats ran the ball 40 times for 185 yards. With Kansas State losing Jake Waters, Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton on offense, this group is going to have to grind games out with the run game and strong defense. The Wildcats did it against South Dakota. Can it do it against high-flying Big 12 teams?

Next Game: @ UTSA Roadrunners.

7. Texas Longhorns – 38-3 loss at Notre Dame.

Texas looked confused, overwhelmed and out of place in its blowout lost in South Bend. The offense showed no signs of improvement after embarrassing losses to TCU and Arkansas to end last season. Junior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes was ineffective by going 7/22 for 93 yards. Redshirt Freshman Jerrod Heard saw some snaps before exiting with an undisclosed injury. He completed his only pass for 10 yards. Senior running back Johnathan Gray ran for 40 yards on eight carries. The defensive side of the ball wasn’t much better. Notre Dame Quarterback Malik Zaire carved the Longhorn defense up by going 19/22 for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Will Fuller was on the receiving end of two of those scores as he caught 7 balls for 142 yards. The one thing Texas did fairly well was stop the run. Notre Dame piled up 214 yards on 52 carries (4.1 ypc) against the Longhorns. Texas has a lot of issues. Those issues start at the quarterback position. If Swoopes or Heard can’t be effective, it’s going to be another long season in Austin.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Rice.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders – 59-45 win vs. Sam Houston State Bearcats.

Texas Tech began its 2015 campaign with a shootout win over Sam Houston State. Sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes got the nod over Davis Webb and did not disappoint. Mahomes threw for 425 yards and four scores against just one pick. Mahomes also added 48 yards rushing. Receiver Devin Lauderdale had a monster day. The junior hauled in eight catches for 150 yards and two scores. Ian Sadler chipped in 73 yards and two scores receiving as well. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the defense is going to be a problem once again. Tech gave up 637 yards of total offense with 320 passing and 317 rushing. Sam Houston State is a quality FCS program, but Tech simply has to be better than that. The Red Raiders will sneak up on a few teams in the Big 12 this year, perhaps even pick up an upset or two, but the defense will hold this group back.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. UTEP Miners.

9. Iowa State Cyclones – 31-7 win vs. Northern Iowa Panthers.

Iowa State handled an in-state opponent rather easily to get to 1-0. Quarterback Sam B. Richardson threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Receivers Dondre Daley and Allen Lazard were on the receiving end of those scores. The Cyclones weren’t overpowering on offense, but they held the Panthers in check. Northern Iowa was limited to 302 yards and had two turnovers. Iowa State still has a long way to go to get into the upper half of the Big 12, but it could possibly steal a win or two at home.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Iowa

10. Kansas Jayhawks – 41-38 loss vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Poor Kansas. After falling behind 31-7 in the first half, it looked as if the Jayhawks were going to find a way to win late in the game. Terrible clock management and a fumbled snap on a spike attempt erased that chance. Kansas had no answers for the Jackrabbit offense in the first half as South Dakota State scored on its first five possessions. Kansas’ second half surge wasn’t enough. Quarterback Montell Cozart threw for 291 yards and a touchdown to lead the Jayhawks. Cozart also added 94 yards rushing. Running back Ke’aun Kinner rushed for 157 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. It’s only going to get tougher from here for new head coach David Beaty and his squad. A winless season is very possible.

Next Game: 9/12 vs. Memphis.