The state of the Big 12 Conference aptly was reflected in the release of this week's Associated Press poll. For the first time since its formation two decades ago, the league failed to have a single team ranked in the top 15.
Of course, no poll is needed to dissect where the Big 12's playoff chances stand after just three weeks of a season that has become collectively depressing.
Going into the weekend, the Big 12's playoff hopes had been dimmed by an already dismal nonconference showing. Then in the span of two hours, Ohio State finished off its 45-24 spanking of overrated Oklahoma at Owen Field, just as Cal was scoring at will on its way to a 50-43 win over Texas, whose return to prominence evidently was greatly exaggerated.