ESPN College Football

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.