It's always good to be able to quickly review how opponents past and present are performing, which can obviously have quite an effect on OSU in the polls.

The title will be indicative of the week...week 1 is Opponents 101. Week 2 will be Opponents 201, and so on. Got it?

We finally have some common opponents showing up, so while we have no idea yet how good anyone in the Big 12 is on the national stage, we might actually be able to tell how good they are relative to each other.

Unless otherwise noted, all games are on Saturday. Without further delay, here's the list for 2014:

Central Michigan Chippewas

Record: 1-1 (MAC West, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Monmouth (NR)

Result: W, 31-10

Next Opponent: @ Syracuse (NR)

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

The Chippewas recovered nicely, dipping their toes in the FCS opponent pool. They jump back in the deep end on the road at Syracuse. The Orangemen are 2-0 with wins over URI and Wake Forest.

Central Arkansas Bears (FCS)

Record: 0-2 (Southland, 0-0)

Last Game: @ Oklahoma State (NR)

Result: L, 32-8

Next Opponent: Bye

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

The Bears got lathered up again, but not as bad as the previous week. That's good news for them, bad news for their opponent. UCA gets a much needed bye this week.

UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio) Roadrunners

Record: 0-2 (Conf USA - West, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Kansas State (NR)

Result: L, 30-3

Next Opponent: @ #25 Oklahoma State

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

After a promising road loss at Arizona, the Roadrunners laid an egg at home against a Kansas State team playing with a backup QB. Things don't get any easier, as they will face a stout defense on the road in Stillwater, as well as an offense that needs to show they are making progress before Big 12 play begins.

Texas Longhorns

Record: 1-1 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Rice

Result: W, 42-28

Next Opponent: vs Cal (NR)

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

Wow again. After changing play callers and starting QB's, the Longhorns found some offense. How much offense no one can tell, as it was against Rice, whose opening game was a blowout of Wagner. We should get some indication as Texas hosts 2-0 Cal from the Pac 12.

Kansas State Wildcats

Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: at UTSA (NR)

Result: W, 30-3

Next Opponent: vs La Tech (NR)

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

The Purple Wizard continues to make me very uncomfortable. The backup QB is looking like Collin Klein 2.0 (he has an arm). God help us.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs #15 Liberty (FCS)

Result: W, 41-17

Next Opponent: Bye

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

Thank heavens they have a bye after two brutally difficult opponents to start the season. [sarcasm font]

Kansas Jayhawks

Record: 0-2 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Memphis (NR)

Result: L, 55-23

Next Opponent: Bye

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

Thank heavens they have a bye after two brutal losses to start the season.
[not sarcasm font]

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: at UTEP (NR)

Result: W, 69-20

Next Opponent: @ Arkansas (NR)

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

After a slow start, the defense straightened up a bit, albeit against the Miners. I was going to talk about a tough test coming against Arkansas, but Toledo. Still, the Razorbacks will likely come out pissed off, so this should still be the stiffest competition they've faced.

TCU Horned Frogs

Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Stephen F Austin (FCS, NR)

Result: W, 23-17

Next Opponent: vs SMU (NR)

National Ranking: 3

Comments:

What do you do when you've basically lost your entire LB corp? Play a really soft opponent. Based on what we saw when SMU faced Baylor, this one won't be so soft, and will likely put pressure on the very position group where the Frogs are vulnerable.

Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 1-1 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Iowa (NR)

Result: L, 31-17

Next Opponent: at Toledo (NR)

National Ranking: NR

Comments:

So much for new stadium mojo. Now you have to play a team on the road that just beat an SEC squad.

Baylor Bears

Result: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: vs Lamar (FCS, NR)

Result: W, 66-31

Next Opponent: vs Rice (NR)

National Ranking: 5

Comments:

After offensively smoking two soft opponents, the defense is definitely leaving something to be desired. Their next opponent, Rice, gave up 42 points to Texas. Can you imagine?

Oklahoma Sooners

Record: 2-0 (Big 12, 0-0)

Last Game: @ #23 Tennessee

Result: W, 31-24

Next Opponent: vs Tulsa (NR)

National Ranking: 16

Comments:

Sooner Magic indeed. OU took full advantage of a PI penalty on an uncatchable ball in the end zone, and pulled out a road win in the SEC, although it was just middle of the road Tennessee. Stoops and Company get a fairly soft landing this week in the Golden Hurricane. Let's see if Lincoln Riley can figure out how to get the offense working in the first half.

Keep and eye out at CRFF for game times and channels for all the Big 12 action.