For weeks now, that contender part of the Last Word power rankings has remained unchanged. But within one hour, two of the contending teams lost teams they were double-digits favorites against. Now that the top of the standings in the conference has been thrown into flux, it means the Big 12 week 11 power rankings have also been shaken up. So where do all of these teams stand after the dust has settled?
Big 12 Week 11 Power Rankings
16. Oklahoma State (Previous Ranking – 16)
Another week, another extension of the longest losing streak in the Mike Gundy era. Despite some sharp-looking throwback uniforms for homecoming, the Pokes fell to Arizona State by the score of 42-21. They have now lost six in a row and have very few moments of competitive football. It is all but a certainty that the bowl streak is over for Oklahoma State. The only question at this point is what changes Gundy will make in the offseason.
15. Arizona (Previous Ranking – 14)
Speaking of non-competitive, all four wheels have fallen off the wagon for Arizona. In their last four games, they have been outscored 162-64. The Wildcats were the latest victim of the Space Game by UCF and now have lost six of their last seven games. The offense has been a major disappointment for a team returning a ton of offensive firepower, like Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. They have only scored more than 26 points once this season. It came in week one against a New Mexico team that has surrendered at least 35 points in all but one game this season. Year one under Brent Brennan has been rough in Tuscon. Much like Oklahoma State, the Wildcats require changes in many areas.
14. Utah (Previous Ranking – 15)
The Utes were on a bye week resuming play against their in-state rivals, the BYU Cougars.
13. Kansas (Previous Ranking – 12)
Lance Leipold’s team was also on a bye week with a chance to prepare for potentially three straight games against ranked opponents. The first of which is going to be a salty Iowa State team.
12. UCF (Previous Ranking – 13)
For those unfamiliar with the Space Game, might we suggest trying to avoid being the team to show up in Orlando on that day? UCF found itself in a five-game losing streak but had no problem launching the Wildcats into orbit by the score of 56-12. The Knights are now a perfect 8-0 in their space game with an average margin of victory over 30 points a game. Gus Malzahn’s team has been relegated to a spoiler role for this season. Can they go for the full sweep of the state of Arizona against the Sun Devils this week?
11. West Virginia (Previous Ranking – 9)
West Virginia will resume play this week against Cincinnati after being on their second bye week.
10. TCU (Previous Ranking – 7)
Sonny Dykes’ Horned Frogs played well enough to earn a victory over their rivals. They did not turn the ball over, won time of possession, kept penalties to a minimum, and had similar total offense yards as Baylor. But sometimes it just boils down to who has the ball last. Two years ago, TCU took down Baylor with a perfectly executed fire drill field goal. This time, they were on the other side of a game-winning field goal. TCU looks to secure bowl eligibility this week against Oklahoma State.
9. Houston (Previous Ranking – 11)
When Uconn head basketball coach Dan Hurley was hired, he gave one of the most ominous quotes back in 2020 for the college basketball world. After an early-season loss to Villanova, Hurley issued the following warning, “People better get us now. That’s all.” Willie Fritz doesn’t have the same demeanor as the two-time national championship-winning coach. But after defeating Kansas State in a downpour, it had the same feeling as Hurley’s quote. The Big 12 better get Houston this year, because Fritiz is a proven winner and is going to build Houston into one with each passing year he is there.
8. Baylor (Previous Ranking – 8)
Dave Aranda’s team has found something. The Bears have now won three straight with a thrilling 37-34 victory over TCU. After starting 2-4, this Baylor team looks to finally be firing on all cylinders. It is the rushing attack that has been the latest piece of the puzzle to come in place. Byrson Washington led the way with 196 yards and four touchdowns against the Horned Frogs. This team has three very winnable games to close out the season. It would be quite a turnaround for this Baylor squad.
7. Kansas State (Previous Ranking – 3)
A season that started with such promise is now officially on the brink of collapsing. The combined record of their last three opponents is 18-6. This isn’t to suggest the Wildcats are going to lose four straight to finish 7-5. But it is a notice to Chris Klieman’s squad that they have to show up with their “A” game if they want to keep winning. Their performance against Houston included two interceptions thrown by Avery Johnson and other untimely mistakes that doomed the Wildcats. The only good news for Kansas State is they have a bye this week to prepare for a challenging close to the season.
6. Cincinnati (Previous Ranking – 5)
The Bearcats look to keep rolling in Scott Satterfields second season. They are coming off a bye week and host West Virginia this week.
5. Arizona State (Previous Ranking – 6)
Cam Skattebo is going to find his name associated with some end-of-season awards. The senior running back had a combined 274 yards of offense and three touchdowns in a 21-point rout of Oklahoma State. The chaos of this conference has some unexpected names at the top of the standings. But make no mistake; one of the best coaching jobs in the country this season has been performed by Kenny Dillingham.
4. Texas Tech (Previous Ranking – 10)
No team made a bigger jump in the Big 12 week 11 power rankings than Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders. The FWAA National Team Of The Week earned that distinction with a gritty upset over previously unbeaten Iowa State by a score of 23-22. It was far from the cleanest victory a team could earn. Oftentimes, it looked like Iowa State had the counterpunch to knock out the Red Raiders. But Texas Tech hung in there and made the critical winning plays when it mattered. A showdown for second place in the Big 12 takes place Saturday against Colorado. Big Noon Kickoff is coming to Lubbock, so the energy for this one should be palpable and electric.
3. Iowa State (Previous Ranking – 2)
Matt Campbell has got to be sick of seeing Texas Tech late in the season. The Cyclones have now lost their last three games against the Red Raiders. This team had a chance to secure the first 8-0 start in school history in front of their home crowd. But the offense could not get going consistently all game. They also committed some ill-time turnovers and penalties that put a halt to any promising drives. They can turn the page quickly this week against Kansas and get right back into the conference championship race.
2. Colorado (Previous Ranking – 4)
Possibly no team got a bigger boost during their bye week than Colorado. They now sit tied with Iowa State for second place in the standings and resume play this week against Texas Tech.
1. BYU (Previous Ranking – 1)
There now is only one team in the Big 12 week 11 power rankings that also has the title of undefeated. BYU must have enjoyed being on a bye week with the upsets at the top of the conference. They resume play in The Holy War in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.
