Big 12 Power Rankings Going into Week 6

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We’re finally getting enough data points to where it doesn’t feel like every result makes a drastic change in power rankings.

This week’s power rankings include the most teams standing pat that I’ve had all year, but there were still some teams that surprised — in good ways and bad.

1. Utah

Record: 4-0
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Kansas

The Utes maintain their spot atop my rankings through their bye. They lead the Big 12 in scoring 43.3 points a game while being third in total offense per game with 491.3 yards.

Utah could still use a signature win, but to this point, the Utes have done all they can do.

2. BYU

Record: 4-0
Week 5 Result: W, 17-10 at TCU
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Iowa State

Winning by 7 against a meh TCU squad isn’t the most powerful of looks, but that game was played on a rainy day in Fort Worth that wasn’t all too conducive to offense.

What’s certainly a negative, though, is the Cougars lost star tailback LJ Martin for the next four to six weeks with a lower body injury.

BYU better be on its A game this weekend, too, as the Cyclones are a tough team.

3. Texas Tech

Record: 5-0
Week 5 Result: W, 29-7 at Colorado
Week 6 Matchup: Bye

I thought about moving Tech back ahead of the Cougars, but if you watched the Red Raiders’ game against Colorado, you’d know it should’ve been closer than it was.

Colorado led 7-3 at the half, and it wasn’t until the Buffaloes threw four second-half interceptions that Tech was able to get away from Colorado.

The passing game has still been an issue, throwing for just 134 yards against CU. But with all that said, Tech is still the unbeaten returning champ.

4. Oklahoma State

Record: 3-1
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Matchup: vs. UCF

The Cowboys held steady on their week off and play a UCF squad that often finds itself in close games this week.

5. Houston

Record: 4-1
Week 5 Result: W, 27-17 vs. UCF
Week 6 Matchup: at Kansas State

An example of the close games that UCF often finds itself in. The Knights led the Cougars 17-0 in the third quarter of this past weekend’s game in Houston before Conner Weigman took matters into his own hands (or legs). He ran three touchdowns in the second half to help the Cougs come back.

Houston’s trip to Manhattan is probably the league’s game of the week this weekend.

6. Arizona

Record: 4-1
Week 5 Result: W, 34-7 vs. Cincinnati
Week 6 Matchup: at West Virginia

Arizona’s steady thumping of a previously unbeaten Cincinnati squad was probably the second-most impressive result of the weekend (the most impressive is coming up next). The Wildcats were up 34-0 before Cincy got a garbage time TD, with the Wildcats running for 238 yards and throwing for 284 yards.

After Cincy had to make the long trip to Tucson, Arizona is now flying a long ways east for an early kick against West Virginia.

7. Baylor (+4)

Record: 4-1
Week 5 Result: W, 55-19 at Arizona State
Week 6 Matchup: Bye

If you didn’t stay up late on Saturday night, you might’ve missed Dave Aranda’s Bears beating the tar out of Arizona State in Tempe.

Baylor is deservedly the highest riser of the week with the Bears’ only loss being Week 1 to Auburn.

8. Cincinnati

Record: 4-1
Week 5 Result: L, 34-7 at Arizona
Week 6 Matchup: Bye

Here’s where a logjam of teams sort of gets started.

After upsetting K-State two weeks ago and vaulting up the rankings, the Bearcats were sent down to earth a bit by Arizona. But despite getting dominated, I’m not going to drop them below a team they just beat.

9. Kansas State (+1)

Record: 3-1
Week 5 Result: Bye
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Houston

K-State slides up a spot while on a bye and coming off a loss because of how catastrophic Arizona State’s loss felt. The Wildcats have a massive game against Houston this week that will tell a lot in terms of how good K-State is.

10. Iowa State (+3)

Record: 3-2
Week 5 Result: W, 45-42 vs. West Virginia
Week 6 Matchup: at BYU

Most of the time shootouts are more associated with the Big 12’s Oklahoma and Texas schools, but Iowa State of all teams came out on the right side of one this past weekend.

Cyclone running back Aiden Flora ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns while also throwing for two TDs.

Iowa State has played teams tough, but the Cyclones have a big test in Provo this week.

11. Arizona State (-4)

Record: 2-2
Week 5 Result: L, 55-19 vs. Baylor
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Hawai’i

Through four games, the Sun Devils’ best win is by a touchdown against Kansas in London. I think Arizona State is probably better than some of the teams I have listed ahead, but the Sun Devils are going to have to prove it after getting ran off their homefield by Baylor.

12. UCF

Record: 3-2
Week 5 Result: L, 27-17 at Houston
Week 6 Matchup: at Oklahoma State

UCF has looked a tougher team than its record might indicate. Both of the Knights’ losses are to teams currently ranked in the Top 25 by a combined 15 points.

Will they be able to clip one of these teams? Odds are if you’re reading power rankings on this site, you hope that doesn’t come this weekend in Stillwater.

13. West Virginia (-4)

Record: 3-2
Week 5 Result: L, 45-42 at Iowa State
Week 6 Matchup: vs. Arizona

Two weeks ago, West Virginia was up to No. 5 in my power rankings. The Mountaineers’ defense hasn’t stopped anyone since.

We’ll see if they can get off the mat with Preseason All-Big 12 QB Noah Fifita traveling to Morgantown.

14. Kansas

Record: 2-2
Week 5 Result: W, 55-0 vs. Middle Tennessee State
Week 6 Matchup: at Utah

The Jayhawks took care of their Group of Six foe this past weekend, but that is also their best win of the year to this point. They’re one of a few teams that its still tough to tell just how good they are.

15. TCU

Record: 2-3
Week 5 Result: L, 17-10 vs. BYU
Week 6 Matchup: Bye

The Horned Frogs hung tight with BYU, but it was a rainy game in Fort Worth. TCU has had chances (whether that be against North Carolina, UCF or BYU) to gain some ground in these rankings, but to this point, the Horned Frogs’ best win is still 31-7 against Arkansas State.

16. Colorado

Record: 2-3
Week 5 Result: L, 29-7 vs. Texas Tech
Week 6 Matchup: Bye

The Buffaloes were scrappy against Texas Tech, but in the end four second-half INTs spelled doom. Colorado has a real issue at the quarterback position. Ask OSU fans from the past few years, that’s not a fun place to be.