ONE

# 6 Baylor — 18-1 (6-0)

The Bears have established themselves as the top team of the Big 12 Conference after six games. Baylor leads the Big 12 in both points allowed and opponent’s field goal percentage and boasts victories against Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M. The next week will decide if they retain the top spot as Texas visits Waco followed by a trip to Kansan State and then Oklahoma State to face the dynamic Andrea Riley and the Cowgirls.

TWO

#18 Kansas State — 14-5 (6-0)

There has been no bigger surprise than the Wildcats’ perfect start to the conference season after an 8-5 start. Picked by Big 12 coaches to finish eighth during the preseason, Deb Patterson’s team has proven those predictions to be shortsighted. By winning on the road at Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma State, Kansas State has proven they have what it takes to compete for a Big 12 North title and NCAA Tournament berth.

THREE

#11 Oklahoma — 13-4 (3-2)

Although Big 12 play didn’t start the way Oklahoma expected, losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State are nothing to be ashamed of. The Sooners appear to be back on track after beating #17 Georgia 65-57 on Sunday. Junior center Courtney Paris h as been dominating. She’s averaging a ridiculous 16.4 points and 15.4 rebounds each game. In fact, Oklahoma is out-rebounding opponents by almost 16 boards a game. If the Sooners can build enough momentum before a brutal final seven games, they will be in a prime position to control their own destiny.

Four

#21 Oklahoma State — 16-3 (4-2)

As sophomore point guard Andrea Riley goes, so do the Cowgirls. With Riley’s dominating play driving the conference’s best offense, Oklahoma State is poised to challenge Baylor and Oklahoma for Big 12 South honors. After starting conference play with four consecutive wins over the likes of Oklahoma and Texas A&M, Oklahoma State stumbled against Texas and Kansas State. If Riley can continue to play the way she has through six games, there is no limit to what the Cowgirls can accomplish.

Five

Nebraska — 15-5 (4-2)

Junior forward Kelsey Griffin is leading a balanced attack in which seven players average more than six points. The Cornhuskers losses have come on the road against Baylor and Oklahoma. If Nebraska can give Kansas State its first conference setback at home on Wednesday, it will be in prime position to challenge Big 12 North poll position. Also working to their advantage is a kind remaining schedule. Other than two games against the Wildcats, only a home date against Andrea Riley’s Cowgirls looms large.

SIX

#25 Texas — 15-5 (3-3)

Texas’ problem so far is in its inability to win on the road in Big 12 play. Losses at Nebraksa and Texas Tech were never really within reach. Fortunately the Longhorns have begun to gain confidence after home wins over Oklahoma State and Missouri. Sophomore guard Brittainey Raven is beginning to show why she was a top-five recruit out of high school. But with a road date against Baylor and home game against Oklahoma on the horizon, things could quickly get worse.

SEVEN

Texas A&M — 14-6 (2-4)

Oh how the mighty have fallen! Last season’s conference champs and preseason coaches picks to win the Big 12 are going through a rough patch. Despite the disappointment, there is hope on the horizon. The Aggies have only played two games in College Station, and although they lost both, a remaining schedule full of home dates could be the remedy for whatever ails them. Texas A&M has the talent, but it remains to be seen if they can rebound in a deep Big 12 South.

EIGHT

Texas Tech — 14-6 (2-4)

Unfortunately for the Lady Raiders, the Big 12 South is just too talented to improve on last season’s 6-10 conference mark. Losing to cellar dwellers Missouri was a low point, and Texas Tech’s inability to hit the three − a Big 12 low 29 percent from beyond the arc − makes wins hard to come by. Unless Texas Tech finds its road form, a last place finish in the Big 12 South is in the cards.

NINE

Colorado — 13-6 (2-4)

Despite the stellar play of 6-3 senior forward Jackie McFarland (18.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg), the Buffaloes face an uphill battle to better last season’s six conference victories. Colorado’s two conference wins thus far have come against Kansas and Missouri − not exactly national powerhouses − and Saturday’s blowout loss at Texas Tech doesn’t inspire confidence. Match-ups with Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Baylor remain and more than five conference wins would be a success.

TEN

Kansas — 12-7 (1-5)

A promising non-conference campaign is fading after a dismal start in Big 12 play. For their part, the Jayhawks have had a chance to come away with a win in every game but in the games against Baylor and Nebraska. Kansas has enough talent to string together some wins, but problems scoring in conference play have doomed the young squad. At only 49.7 points per game in the Big 12, Kansas is dead last in total offense. To put together a run similar to last season’s, Bonnie Henrickson’s team will have to cut down on turnovers and hit the defensive glass.

ELEVEN

Iowa State — 12-6 (1-4)

Unlike Kansas, Iowa State isn’t having trouble scoring. The Cyclones are averaging a respectable 65 points per game against Big 12 opponents. The problem is they can’t stop anyone else from putting the ball in the basket. For the season they are limiting opponents to 57 points per game. In Big 12 play that number jumps to 73. Luckily, for Iowa State the weakness of Big 12 North means their season isn’t completely lost, but that they must step up the defensive focus to improve their standing.

TWELVE

Missouri — 8-11 (1-5)

The Tigers have talent but not nearly enough to compete in the ultra-competitive Big 12. Junior guard Alyssa Hollins and sophomore forward Jessra Johnson have the ability to score, but other than them the cupboard is relatively bare. Despite a top-four conference finish in 2005-2006, the Tigers have a long way to go. Missouri is being outscored by almost 15 points a game in Big 12 play and there is no real reason to think they will turn it around.

­— Edited by Nick Mangiaracina