It wasn't that long ago that the know-it-alls in the mainstream media were making light of the Big 12 Conference.
Texas, Oklahoma and everybody else is what they were saying not that long ago, claiming the North Division was a joke and the South Division was a two-team race.
Nobody's laughing at the Big 12 right now, though. In fact, those same pundits that were chastizing the conference are now singing its praises and showing their respect with half of the conference listed in this week's AP and coaches polls. That number could have been seven had Nebraska been able to come from behind in its 35-30 loss to Virginia Tech, as the Hokies have moved back into the ratings after their win Saturday in Lincoln.
Oklahoma leads the parade right now as they moved into the No. 1 spot in both polls after USC was upset by Oregon State on Saturday. The Sooners lead a group of four Big 12 teams that are ranked in the top 10 this week. Missouri is ranked third in the coaches' poll and fourth in the AP poll, Texas is fifth in both polls and Texas Tech is seventh in the AP and eighth in the coaches poll.
Two conference schools are also ranked this week. Kansas is 16th in both polls and Oklahoma State is 21st in the AP and 22nd in the coaches poll.
This week's major polls are as follows:
Associated Press
1. Oklahoma
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Missouri
5. Texas
6. Penn State
7. Texas Tech
8. BYU
9. USC
10. South Florida
11. Georgia
12. Florida
13. Auburn
14. Ohio State
15. Utah
16. Kansas
17. Boise State
18. Wisconsin
19. Vanderbilt
20. Virginia Tech
21. Oklahoma State
22. Fresno State
23. Oregon
24. Connecticut
25. Wake Forest
USA Today Coaches
1. Oklahoma
2. LSU
3. Missouri
4. Alabama
5. Texas
6. Penn State
7. BYU
8. Texas Tech
9. USC
10. (tie) Georgia and South Florida
12. Ohio State
13. Florida
14. Auburn
15. Utah
16. Kansas
17. Wisconsin
18. Boise State
19. Vanderbilt
20. Oregon
21. Fresno State
22. Oklahoma State
23. Connecticut
24. Virginia Tech
25. Wake Forest
Things aren't going to be easy for the Huskers, obviously, as their next two games are against teams ranked in the top 10. Saturday, they will face Missouri at Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. on ESPN, and the following week they hit the road for the first time for a 2 p.m. game against Texas Tech on Fox Sports Network.
You can get tickets for all the Husker games from your number one ticket source, Ticket Express -- where no Husker game is ever sold out.
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