Big 12 football power rankings: TCU sullies the Monster Energy era - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

The Red Raiders opened the year ranked number one and held that spot in the first weekly rankings of what the paper calls the Monster Energy era of the conference. TCU landed lower in the same rankings, with the Avalanche-Journal saying the Horned Frogs need what it called a hearty reality check. For a fan base still riding the high of Jones AT&T Stadium on a Saturday night, seeing Tech at the top carries weight this early in the season.

Big 12 power rankings shuffle every week, so a preseason-style number one spot after one game means less than it might in October. Still, Lubbock fans who watched the Raiders handle Abilene Christian see the ranking as an early signal the team looks the part. Around town, from sports bars near the Depot District to tailgates outside the stadium, that top ranking is the kind of thing that gets repeated at work on Monday.

The real test comes once conference play ramps up and the schedule gets tougher than an FCS opponent. One win and a number one ranking do not guarantee much in a league already sorting out its contenders.