Big 12 Power Rankings - Week 7: Stability

I missed week 6 of the power rankings, and while they were different than week 5, the three games from last week didn’t change my rankings at all. So if I had done them last week, then this week would have been the same. The “Last Week” rankings will show the week 5 rankings.

A reminder that these are power rankings, not resume rankings. They are intended to be a current snapshot, and the opinion of the author on how teams would likely fair if they played everyone else in the conference this coming week. They are highly influenced by recent history, and if you don’t like them, feel free to give your own in the comments.

1 – #5 Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) (LW - 1)

Last Week: Won 34-27 vs #11 Texas
This Week: vs West Virginia (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)

The Sooners don’t really have any competition for the top spot in the conference right now. The offense is explosive as ever, despite taking a while to get started the last two weeks. The defense is definitely improved from last year, and it might be enough to be serious title contenders.

2 – #15 Texas Longhorns (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) (LW - 2)

Last Week: Lost 34-27 vs #6 Oklahoma
This Week: vs Kansas (2-4, 0-3 Big 12)

It was a tough loss to Oklahoma, and this game wasn’t actually as close as the final score indicated. But what they’ve been able to do despite all their injuries has been very impressive.

3 – #18 Baylor Bears (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) (LW - 4)

Last Week: Won 33-30 (2OT) vs Texas Tech
This Week: at Oklahoma State (4-2, 1-2 Big 12)

It was a close call against Texas Tech last week, with a botched illegal snap call the only thing that saved them in overtime. But there were enough controversial reffing calls (and non-calls) that it’s not fair to say they should have lost. The main thing this team has going for it is that they’ve shown the ability to win in many different ways.

4 – Iowa State Cyclones (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) (LW - 7)

Last Week: Won 38-14 at West Virginia
This Week: at Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)

It seems like the Cyclones have figured out their offensive issues. The defense has been better the last few weeks as well. Brocktober is in full swing.

5 – #21 Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) (LW - 3)

Last Week: BYE
This Week: vs #18 Baylor (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)

A puzzling loss to Texas Tech has everyone trying to decide if Oklahoma State can avoid another random meltdown. They are actually favored against the Bears this week. Spencer Sanders is going to be the x-factor for the rest of the season.

6 – TCU Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) (LW - 6)

Last Week: BYE
This Week: at Kansas State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12)

TCU got embarrassed their last time out, but I still think they are a more proven team than the Texas Tech. However, that could change this week if they let Kansas State dominate the line of scrimmage.

7 – Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) (LW - 10)

Last Week: Lost 33-30 (2OT) at #22 Baylor
This Week: vs Iowa State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)

The Red Raiders seem to have found a defense. You could write it off as a fluke against Oklahoma State, but backing it up on the road against a solid Baylor offense has turned me into a reluctant believer. I’m not sure if Jett Duffy can keep this going, especially against a good Iowa State defense.

8 – Kansas State Wildcats (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) (LW - 5)
Last Week: BYE
This Week: vs TCU (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)

The bye couldn’t have come at a better time, as the team struggled without a fully healthy Malik Knowles. The offense has been abysmal in the last two games, and they will look to re-establish themselves against a formidable TCU defensive line.

9 – West Virginia Mountaineers (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) (LW - 8)

Last Week: Lost 38-14 vs Iowa State
This Week: at #5 Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)

It was a tough loss to Iowa State, a team that finally seems to have figured out how to get their offense going. The Mountaineers are playing better than expected, but they don’t have the talent level necessary to keep up with most of the other Big 12 teams.

10 – Kansas Jayhawks (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) (LW - 9)
Last Week: BYE
This Week: at #15 Texas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)

It’s not that Kansas did anything horribly wrong in the loss to Oklahoma before the bye, it’s that Texas Tech finally got a defense. Brent Dearmon gives the Jayhawks a chance to show us something new, but facing Texas isn’t the best spot to try and change minds about this team.