Big 12 Power Rankings Going into Week 9

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The Big 12 had itself a weekend last week, which has jumbled up my power rankings.

Even with the chaos of last week, there is starting to be some clear tiers forming. Looking at this list, I’d say contenders reside in slots 1-6, while the middle of the pack is like 7-12 and the basement is below that. We’ll see if those labels hold a little more true this week than they did last or if someone can make a jump from one tier to another.

1. Utah (+2)

Record: 7-0
Week 8 Result: W, 21-13 vs. Houston
Week 9 Matchup: at Cincinnati

We were waiting on Utah to run into a true test. The Utes did this past weekend, and they won. That along with BYU and Texas Tech losing is enough for the Utes to reclaim the top spot in my rankings.

2. BYU (-1)

Record: 6-1
Week 8 Result: L, 39-31 at UCF
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Arizona State

The Cougars were headed into an obvious trap game, but even in knowing that, they couldn’t escape. BYU had a few chances to win this game late, but credit to the Knights for finding a way. The upper echelon of the Big 12 still has a bit of a buffer space in my power rankings, so despite the loss, the Cougars don’t drop all that far.

3. Texas Tech (-1)

Record: 6-1
Week 8 Result: L, 37-24
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Arizona

Tech is 6-1, but the Red Raiders haven’t looked great. That culminated with Tech getting handled in Cincinnati last week. The Red Raiders’ Houston win (which was incredibly close) is the reason they’re still this high on the power rankings. If they didn’t have that, they’d be down at least two more spots (maybe three) in these rankings.

4. Houston

Record: 6-2
Week 8 Result: L, 21-13 at Utah
Week 9 Matchup: Bye

Houston was given a tough draw by the league’s schedule-makers, as their two losses have come against two of the league’s premier teams and on the road. The Cougars have earned this bye week but need some moving and shaking to happen in front of them to get back in the Big 12 title picture with two losses.

5. Arizona

Record: 6-1
Week 8 Result: W, 39-3 vs. Iowa State
Week 9 Matchup: at Texas Tech

People, myself included, are finally starting to talk about Arizona, as the Wildcats are still lurking with one loss. That loss came to BYU in Week 2. Since, they’ve handled Cincy, West Virginia and Iowa State. This weekend’s trip to Lubbock could be what catapults Arizona into the conversation a bit more.

6. Oklahoma State

Record: 5-2
Week 8 Result: W, 57-24 vs. Colorado
Week 9 Matchup: at Iowa State

The Cowboys round out what I’d consider contenders, with a fairly decent gap between No. 6 and No. 7 in my power rankings. Only one of the Cowboys’ losses is in conference, and the only other contender they have left is a home game against Tech. So, the Cowboys are certainly in this title race, but they can’t afford a hiccup.

7. West Virginia (+3)

Record: 5-3
Week 8 Result: W, 24-20 at TCU
Week 9 Matchup: Bye

The Mountaineers have gone from three-game losing streak to two-game winning streak. West Virginia almost certainly won’t play in Arlington, but the Mountaineers might have a say in who does with games against Tech, Houston and Utah on the horizon.

8. Cincinnati (+3)

Record: 5-2
Week 8 Result: W, 37-24 vs. Texas Tech
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Utah

Cincy was on a two-game skid before the Bearcats beat the Red Raiders this weekend. Similar to West Virginia, Cincy probably isn’t going to compete for a conference title this year, but the Bearcats have upcoming games against Utah, Houston and BYU. Having already knocked off one contender, those three better stay sharp.

9. UCF (+4)

Record: 4-3
Week 8 Result: W, 39-31 vs. BYU
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Baylor

UCF has played three straight contenders — losing at Houston and OSU before going home and beating BYU this past weekend. I have the rest of the Knights’ schedule ranked below them, so this could be an opportunity to close strong.

10. Baylor (-1)

Record: 4-3
Week 8 Result: L, 25-24 at Kansas
Week 9 Matchup: at UCF

Woof. I thought Baylor had a solid start to the season, but back-to-back losses to TCU and Kansas were enough for the Baylor brass to show Dave Aranda the door. Now the Bears have games against BYU, Texas Tech and Houston on the horizon.

11. Arizona State (+1)

Record: 4-3
Week 8 Result: W, 28-17 vs. Kansas State
Week 9 Matchup: at BYU

The Sun Devils found a way to stabilizes after two conference losses that were blowouts. But it doesn’t get easier from here, with games against BYU, OSU and Arizona still to play.

12. Kansas State (-5)

Record: 4-3
Week 8 Result: L, 28-17 at Arizona State
Week 9 Matchup: at Colorado

K-State quarterback Avery Johnson missed the Wildcats’ loss in Tempe, and he’ll be out again this week in Boulder. The ‘Cats are 1-3 in Big 12 play, so it’s not going super ideally in Collin Klein’s first season.

13. Iowa State (-5)

Record: 3-4
Week 8 Result: L, 39-3 at Arizona
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Oklahoma State

The Cyclones had found a way to be competitive even in losses, but that wasn’t the case in Tucson this past weekend. They’re also averaging just 18.8 points in Big 12 games — and that includes a 45-point outburst against WVU.

14. Kansas (+2)

Record: 3-4
Week 8 Result: W, 25-24 vs. Baylor
Week 9 Matchup: at TCU

The Jayhawks picked up their first Power Conference win of the season when beating Baylor. They’ll play TCU in a game where both teams are trying to move up from the basement.

15. TCU (-1)

Record: 3-4
Week 8 Result: L, 24-20 vs. West Virginia
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Kansas

Saturday’s game against WVU was a clash in styles, but despite the game not turning into a WVU-favored shootout, the Horned Frogs still couldn’t quite get it done. Three of TCU’s remaining five games are against ranked Big 12 teams.

16. Colorado (-1)

Record: 2-5
Week 8 Result: L, 57-24 at Oklahoma State
Week 9 Matchup: vs. Kansas State

Colorado had been taking teams to the brink before losing, but in Stillwater, the Buffs could only make it to halftime. OSU scored the final 37 points of its blowout win against Colorado, a team that has now lost five in a row.