Just when the college football world wants to talk about multiple undefeated conference champions, the Kansas Jayhawks remind everyone that going undefeated is really hard. Their monumental victory over the Sooners resulted in some major shakeups to the top of the week ten Big 12 power rankings. The re-shuffling at the top also meant the bottom half of the conference remained relatively unchanged. So who feels best about their position as the calendar turns to November?
Week Ten Big 12 Power Rankings
14. Cincinnati
The week ten Big 12 power rankings start with a familiar face in the bottom spot. The Bearcats were uncompetitive in their sixth-straight loss to Oklahoma State. Even with the Miami (OH) loss again better, as the Redhawks are 7-1, Cincinnati’s last win came against what is now a 2-6 Pitt team. There is one reason to hold some hope for Bearcat fans. The next two games on their schedule involve the teams just in front of them in the week ten Big 12 power rankings.
13. Houston
That Hail Marry victory over West Virginia feels more like two months ago after getting dump trucked by Kansas State. Dana Holgorsen’s team has had quite a wild ride in their first Big 12 season. They boast a non-conference victory over UTSA, which could very well win the AAC this season after their slow start. The Cougars were also 15 yards away from potentially upsetting Texas. However, in Houston’s three other Big 12 games against TCU, Texas Tech, and Kansas State, they have lost all three of those by a combined margin of 126-41. With remaining games against Baylor, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, and UCF, they still have a path to a bowl game. But hard to see the consistency necessary to make that happen at this point.
12. UCF
With last week’s loss to West Virginia, we can finally put away any talk of UCF being good this season. Vegas tried to tease us making the Knights a touchdown favorite against the Mountaineers. But the reality is, as good as they looked in non-conference play, Gus Malzahn’s team is clearly not ready for the weekly grind of the Big 12 yet. The Knights have proven they can play above their weight class on any given week. However, the currently lack the depth in order to play to that same level weekly. If they don’t get their first Big 12 victory this weekend against the Bearcats, the Knights are staring at a nine-game losing streak to close out their season.
11. Baylor
The Bears continue the trend of teams that if they don’t win this weekend, they could be done winning for the rest of the year. After getting sat on for four quarters by Iowa State, Dave Aranda’s team welcomes Houston to Waco. The Aranda experience in Waco has seen the highest of highs, but more often has seen some low points. There have not been any rumblings of Aranda’s job being in any real danger. However, if they miss the bowl season for the second consecutive year, he will enter 2024 with one of the hotter seats in the Big 12.
10. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were on a bye last week. Joey McGuire is looking to get his team back on track Thursday hosting TCU.
9. BYU
BYU has made it clear that they were the most ready for a full season of Power Five football. That said, they are the best of a group of four teams that aren’t worth writing home about. While BYU doesn’t have any bad losses, they have gotten manhandled in their few conference losses. In their three losses to Kansas, TCU, and Texas, they were outscored by a total of 117-44. Also, unlike the other three new members who have a chance to steal some wins down the stretch, the Cougars are hitting the most difficult stretch of their season. Every one of their remaining opponents has a current 5-3 or better record. The Cougars will not be able to back their way into the postseason.
8. TCU
TCU also was on bye last week in preparation for its Thursday trip out to Lubbock.
7. West Virginia
Neal Brown built this 2023 boat on a good rushing game. It has paid off the season as West Virginia is now one win away from securing bowl eligibility. The defense shined as well in a 41-28 win against UCF, forcing three interceptions of quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. With the remaining schedule, the Mountaineers are primed to go bowling and allow Brown to keep his job in 2024. He has done a tremendous job in a year in which his team was picked to finish dead last in the conference.
6. Iowa State
We now enter the contender’s section of the week ten Big 12 power rankings. Remember with Iowa State lost to Iowa and Ohio in consecutive weeks? Things looked bleak for the Cyclones. Since then, Iowa State has won four of its last five games in the conference. It has been a remarkable turnaround for Matt Campbell and the company. Because they have handled their business against the bottom of the conference, they can absolutely play their way into a conference title game appearance. It is unlikely they do so with games against Kansas, Texas, and Kansas State still remaining. But, if they can find enough offense to take down the Jayhawks this upcoming weekend, then all bets are off.
5. Oklahoma
The Sooner’s wagon took a mighty spill against Kansas. The Sooners still very much control their destiny to reach the Big 12 championship game. With only one loss, it simply wins out and they are in. However, this team has yet to look anything like the same team that went toe-to-toe with Texas. The schedule gets no easier for Oklahoma as they will be playing in possibly the most hostile Bedlam environment on Saturday. Brent Venables’ defense also has to find an answer for one of the best offensive playmakers in the Big 12 if they are going to take down the Cowboys.
4. Oklahoma State
The Big 12 has three of the top 10 leaders in rushing yards. And with all due respect to Tahj Brooks and Jonathon Brooks, the folks in charge of the Doak Walker Award might need to just slap Ollie Gordon II’s name on the trophy already. He currently leads the country with 1087 rushing yards. This is even more incredible considering that 117 combined yards in three non-conference games. No one has found an answer to slow him down since Big 12 play started. He has only gotten better with each passing game. Will he be enough to knock off the Sooners for only the fourth time in the Mike Gundy era? Gundy is currently 3-16 against their in-state rival.
3. Kansas
Soak it all in Kansas. This has been an incredible journey that Lance Leipold has brought everyone along for. It would behoove Kansas’ athletic director to call Leipold’s agent today and give him a 10-year extension. That is because Michigan State, Northwestern, and *cough cough* Michigan might be calling this offseason. But before the ride ends, the question now becomes how high can this team go this year. They would still need some help to get to the Big 12 championship game, even if they finish 10-2. However, they need to refocus quickly to make that dream a reality with a stiff test from a stingy Cyclones defense this weekend.
2. Kansas State
Look out, everyone. The Wildcats are peaking at the absolute perfect time in the season. They have steamrolled through Texas Tech, TCU, and Houston in consecutive weeks. Each game has been slightly different offensively. Yet, with all the differences, all have been dominating performances. The two-quarterback system is being managed beautifully by offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and head coach Chris Klieman. Kansas State’s defense has not allowed a touchdown in its last nine quarters of football. Will the Cats get a chance to defend their Big 12 championship after all?
1. Texas
It was a very good day for the Longhorns. In addition to their biggest rival losing a game, they dominated an overmatched BYU team. Steve Sarkisian continues to erase the old Texas narrative of dropping “dumb” games. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee the Longhorns will make it to Arlington this year. Especially since the Wildcats might have something to say about that on this coming Saturday. But if they can pass that test, the remaining schedule should prove to be basically frictionless on their march for a conference championship game appearance.
