Big 12 Power Rankings - Week 9: Blood Week Shuffle

Week 9 in the Big 12 was brutal. In each game, the higher ranked team in our power rankings lost. With all the upsets, it’s hard to know exactly what to think about any of these teams.

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 – #12 Baylor Bears (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) (LW - 2)

Last Week: BYE
This Week: vs West Virginia (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)

The Bears benefit from sitting out the weekend. Instead, they get to host a West Virginia team that is looking for some positive momentum heading into the offseason. All indications are that they should roll, but the Big 12 loves some chaos.

2 – #10 Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) (LW - 1)

Last Week: Lost 48-41 at Kansas State
This Week: BYE

The Sooner Schooner flipped against West Virginia. The wheels came off the team last week. They’ll have to lick their wounds during the bye week before hosting the Cyclones.

3 – Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) (LW - 4)

Last Week: Lost 34-27 vs Oklahoma State
This Week: BYE

I’m not sure what that was, other than the Cyclones falling flat on their faces. They only move up because I’m still not sold on any of the winners behind them. Their advanced stats still peg them as one of the better teams in the conference, but the schedule is severely backloaded.

4 – #22 Kansas State Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) (LW - 7)

Last Week: Won 48-41 vs #5 Oklahoma
This Week: at Kansas (3-5, 1-4 Big 12)

What a huge win for the Wildcats. They have all but assured themselves of a bowl game, but now they to clinch the spot as they travel to the Jayhawks for the Sunflower Showdown. I’m not convinced they are as good as they seemed against Oklahoma, but their lines are back to looking dominant for long stretches..

5 – Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) (LW - 5)

Last Week: Won 34-27 at #23 Iowa State
This Week: vs TCU (5-3, 2-3 Big 12)

I’m still baffled by this team. The defense was the biggest reason that they beat Iowa State. Spencer Sanders and the offense were good for about a quarter, and then the defense dominated the rest of the game. I don’t know where to move them to, so they stay put for now.

6 – TCU Horned Frogs (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) (LW - 6)

Last Week: Won 37-27 vs #15 Texas
This Week: at Oklahoma State (5-3, 2-3 Big 12)

Looks like I was wrong about the Horned Frogs, at least when it comes to where they are in relation to the Wildcats. The defense is still solid, but the offense isn’t as good as they looked. Texas is really struggling, and they just happened to be able to take advantage. They’ll get a chance to move up on Saturday.

7 – Texas Longhorns (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) (LW - 3)

Last Week: Lost 37-27 at TCU
This Week: BYE

The excuses have run out. The defense is bad, and at this point the reason doesn’t matter. Sam Ehlinger is pressing, which is leading to him making too many mistakes. They just are not a good team right now, and they may have to win the finale against Texas Tech just to be bowl eligible.

8 – Kansas Jayhawks (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) (LW - 9)

Last Week: Won 37-34 vs Texas Tech
This Week: vs #22 Kansas State (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)

Yes, the last two weeks have come against VERY bad defenses. But the offensive philosophy looks completely different. The changes FEEL like they are real. The defense still needs work, but they have handled the loss of key players fairly well. The Sunflower Showdown legitimately feels like it is up for grabs this week, which is incredible for this team.

9 – West Virginia Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) (LW - 10)

Last Week: BYE
This Week: at #12 Baylor (7-0, 4-0 Big 12)

With the bye, the Mountaineers were able to move up in the rankings. But I think West Virginia may have preferred to join the rest of the underdogs in Big 12 Blood Week. They’ll get a chance to extend it on Thursday against the Bears.

10 – Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) (LW - 8)

Last Week: Lost 37-34 at Kansas
This Week: BYE

That loss was a crushing blow. The way they lost made it especially painful. The defense still has big problems. The offense goes quiet for stretches. There isn’t much separating the bottom 3 (and maybe 4), but they get the short end of the stick for this week.