Every Wednesday, we rank the SEC and Big 12 teams in one power poll. The order of the SEC teams is based on the Week 3 SDS SEC Power Poll.

The Big 12 went 4-3 in its seven games against power conference opponents Saturday. Texas nearly upset No. 12 UCLA. The rest of the big hitters, though, all won, including Oklahoma (against Tennessee) TCU and West Virginia. Iowa State even upset Iowa.

Arkansas ran Texas Tech off the field in the worst loss. Kansas also got embarrassed at Duke.

Overall, the Big 12 is a top-heavy conference this season. We’ll know more about Kansas State tomorrow night, as the Wildcats host Auburn. But beyond KSU, TCU and Oklahoma State seem like the only schools capable of propping up Oklahoma and Baylor at this juncture.

Overall, the Big 12 claims just three of the top 12 in the combined power rankings along with four of the bottom five.

THE HEAVY FAVORITES

The Big 12 in 2014 has and will be about two teams, which don’t play each other until November. The SEC looks more and more like it will lean on the West Division this year. There are three other Top 10 teams in the division, but until Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia or South Carolina prove otherwise, there are two clear favorites in the SEC right now as well. Lest we forget, Alabama or Auburn has played in the national championship game in each of the last five seasons.

1. Oklahoma
2. Alabama
3. Auburn
4. Baylor

SECOND TIER, PERHAPS UNWISELY

These teams are second-liners in their respective conferences for now, but will have every opportunity to upset the apple cart, either within the division or in the SEC championship.

5. Texas A&M
6. LSU
7. South Carolina
8. Ole Miss
9. Kansas State
10. Georgia

LURKING IN THE SHADOWS

This group is a combined 10-1 thus far, with the only loss coming in a close game against No. 1 Florida State. Missouri, the defending SEC East champs, has mowed through its non-conference slate, while TCU’s 30-7 win against Minnesota was impressive. Mississippi State gets a chance to make a statement for this group Saturday against LSU, but as a whole, these teams are playing well under the radar.

11. Missouri
12. Mississippi State
13. Oklahoma State
14. TCU

COACHES IN LIMBO

Will Muschamp is hanging onto his job by a thread at this point. He wouldn’t have gotten fired if the Gators lost to Kentucky — at least not immediately — but it would’ve been tough to overcome a loss to UK. Meanwhile, Dana Holgorsen’s Mountaineers were lucky to pull out a win against Maryland in the fourth quarter to avoid what would’ve been a 1-3 start to the season (assuming a loss to Oklahoma this weekend).

15. West Virginia
16. Florida

GOAL: PROGRAM TRACTION

With all due respect to Razorbacks fans, this season is going nowhere for either of these teams. But the bigger hope is that the new and newish coach begins to shift the culture of both teams. Charlie Strong has proven stubborn. Will the Longhorns respond? And can Bret Bielema survive winning one or two SEC games in two years?

17. Texas
18. Arkansas

LIVING FOR UPSETS

The bubble burst for three of these teams Saturday, while Iowa State long since had been relegated to head-hunting. The Cyclones, though, took down Iowa, and Kentucky nearly clipped Florida. One of these teams will pull off another big upset by the end of the season.

19. Kentucky
20. Tennessee
21. Texas Tech
22. Iowa State

ANY VICTORY IS A CELEBRATION

Vanderbilt and Kansas both have experienced that joy at least once this season. There may not be many more victory Sundays for these players and fans.

23. Vanderbilt
24. Kansas