Big 12 Power Rankings: Can KU, K-State or Iowa State catch Oklahoma State and Texas?
Call it Separation Saturday.
There was a huge logjam at the stop of the Big 12 football standings last week. That isn’t the case anymore.
Texas defeated Kansas State to cement its status as the top-ranked team in the conference. Oklahoma State proved it has staying power by defeating Oklahoma in an emotional rivalry game.
It seems like those two teams are now destined to meet in the conference championship game. K-State, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Kansas and West Virginia remain in the conversation, but they will face uphill climbs as they try to catch the Cowboys and the Longhorns.
There was also separation at the bottom of the league, where Cincinnati looks destined for last place following yet another loss.
That leads us into this week’s Big 12 Power Rankings:
1. Texas (8-1, 5-1 Big 12)
Last game: 33-30 win over K-State
Next game: at TCU
Analysis: The Longhorns are on track for the Big 12 championship game after they survived an upset bid from K-State over the weekend. Texas has the best all-around team in the conference. Its defense is SEC worthy and its running game is elite. But it needs Quinn Ewers back at quarterback sooner rather than later. Backup Maalik Murphy makes far too many turnover-worthy throws.
2. Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1 Big 12)
Last game: 27-24 win over Oklahoma
Next game: at UCF
Analysis: I put some thought into ranking the Cowboys first this week. I really did. Mike Gundy’s team has been on an absolute tear since its bye week. They have won five in a row behind quarterback Alan Bowman and running back Ollie Gordon, who suddenly looks like a Heisman Trophy contender. At long last, they are also finally ranked in the top 25. The only thing that could prevent Oklahoma State from reaching the Big 12 championship game is a letdown after Saturday’s enormous Bedlam win over rival Oklahoma.
3. Kansas (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)
Last game: 28-21 win at Iowa State
Next game: Texas Tech
Analysis: The Jayhawks showed maturity by going on the road and beating Iowa State. That was a difficult spot for Lance Leipold’s team. The Cyclones are hard to beat at home, especially at night, and KU was coming off its biggest win in decades. No one would have blamed the Jayhawks for not bringing their “A” game. But they took care of business and logged an impressive victory. Jason Bean is starting to make people forget that Jalon Daniels remains out with an injury.
4. Kansas State (6-3, 3-2 Big 12)
Last game: 33-30 loss at Texas
Next game: Baylor
Analysis: It seems unlikely that the Wildcats will make a return trip to the Big 12 championship game after having lost to Oklahoma State and Texas, but they still have plenty to play for down the stretch with a pair of rivals on the schedule and bowl season right around the corner. A winning streak is possible if Will Howard can build off his strong showing (327 yards and four touchdowns) against the Longhorns.
5. Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)
Last game: 27-24 loss at Oklahoma State
Next game: West Virginia
Analysis: Dropping the Sooners this far might be a bit harsh, considering they are the only team in the conference that has defeated Texas. But I simply haven’t been all that impressed by Oklahoma outside of that one game. A few key injuries also seem to have slowed the Sooners of late. It must also be demoralizing for teams to storm the field in back-to-back weeks against them.
6. West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 Big 12)
Last game: 37-7 win over BYU
Next game: at Oklahoma
Analysis: The Mountaineers have taken advantage of an easy stretch on their schedule by logging consecutive blowout victories over UCF and BYU. If you can’t stop the run, you are in for a long day against them. It seems like Neal Brown will be back for at least another season in Morgantown.
7. Iowa State (5-4, 4-2 Big 12)
Last game: 28-21 loss to Kansas
Next game: at BYU
Analysis: The Cyclones took a step back in the conference standings over the weekend, but their pursuit of a conference championship is far from over with a home game against Texas still on the schedule. Iowa State is the only Big 12 team that has beaten Oklahoma State. Matt Campbell’s team can still play spoiler. But it will need to execute better than it did against KU for that to happen.
8. Texas Tech (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)
Last game: 35-28 victory over TCU
Next game: at Kansas
Analysis: Behren Morton is a massive upgrade at quarterback for the Red Raiders. He threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns in an important victory over TCU. Texas Tech’s bowl hopes are very much alive if he can stay healthy.
9. TCU (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)
Last game: 35-28 loss at Texas Tech
Next game: Texas
Analysis: Has any team in college football dipped more than the Horned Frogs? Last season, they made it all the way to the national championship game. This season, they may not make a bowl.
10. BYU (5-4, 2-4 Big 12)
Last game: 37-7 loss at West Virginia
Next game: Iowa State
Analysis: Things have not gone well for BYU since the start of conference play. The Cougars started 3-0, with one of those wins coming at Arkansas. But Big 12 teams have taken turns beating them by huge margins. It might be a while before things get better with Iowa State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State next up on the schedule.
11. Houston (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)
Last game: 25-24 win at Baylor
Next game: at Cincinnati
Analysis: The Cougars are the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde team. One week, they are capable of beating West Virginia or pushing Texas to the brink. The next they aren’t even competitive against TCU or K-State. Houston is coming off one of its better showings, and its bowl hopes remain alive after a win at Baylor.
12. Baylor (3-6, 2-4 Big 12)
Last game: 25-24 loss to Houston
Next game: at K-State
Analysis: Is Dave Aranda on the hot seat? Probably not. He hasn’t been at Baylor very long and he has a Big 12 championship on his resume. But that seems like a long time ago when you watch the Bears play right now.
13. UCF (4-5, 1-5 Big 12)
Last game: 28-26 win at Cincinnati
Next game: Oklahoma State
Analysis: The Knights got a much-needed win at Cincinnati. Perhaps they can build on that and finish the season with a winning record.
14. Cincinnati (2-7, 0-6 Big 12)
Last game: 28-26 loss to UCF
Next game: at Houston
Analysis: Another week, another loss for the Bearcats. It’s starting to look like they may go winless during their first trip through a Big 12 schedule.