Big 12 Power Rankings: Cowboys emerge from Bedlam title contenders
In the wake of Week 10’s results, the Big 12 has found its favorites for the Big 12 title game in Arlington, Texas.
Though there are still several weeks to go in conference play, the Oklahoma State Cowboys walked out of Bedlam in control of their path to the game. Their win over Oklahoma put them in a tie for first place with the Longhorns at 5-1, and they have a very favorable remaining schedule.
Oklahoma State finishes the season at UCF, at Houston, and at home vs. BYU in their regular season finale. Those three teams have a combined conference record of 5-13.
The Cowboys are a far different team than the one that was blown out at home by South Alabama.
With their controversial win over Oklahoma and Texas’ win over Kansas State, the front-runners for the conference title game have emerged. It’s not impossible for Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma or Iowa State to find their way to Arlington, but they’ll need help along the way to make the trip to the DFW Metroplex.
Here’s a look at this week’s Big 12 power rankings.
Texas Longhorns (8-1, 5-1)
Last Week: 1
This Week: Beat Kansas State 33-30 (OT)
The Longhorns jumped to a big lead early in their game against Kansas State, but needed overtime to maintain control of the Big 12 title race. Adonai Mitchell caught eight balls for 149 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Up Next: at TCU
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Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-2, 5-1)
Last Week: 2
This Week: Beat Oklahoma 27-24
Alan Bowman had a fantastic game to lead the Oklahoma State Cowboys to their 20th win over the Sooners in 118 tries. The Cowboys have a real shot at making it to Arlington for the Big 12 title game.
Up Next: at UCF
Kansas Jayhawks (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week: 4
This Week: Beat Iowa State
Kansas’ only losses this season have come at the hands of Texas and Oklahoma State. Kansas struggled to the run the ball, but Jason Bean posted a QBR of 91.4 (out of 100) and the Jayhawks defense produced a pick six from Mello Dotson for the second week in a row.
Up Next: vs. Texas Tech
Kansas State Wildcats (6-3, 4-2)
Last Week: 6
This Week: Lost to Texas 33-30 (OT)
Kansas State had a chance to win in regulation, but ran Will Howard into the teeth of the Texas defense for no gain. It had to settle for a field goal before losing in overtime.
Up Next: vs. Baylor
Oklahoma Sooners (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week: 5
This Week: Lost to Oklahoma State 27-24
That’s two losses in a row for the Oklahoma Sooners, both on the road. In this one, the Sooners’ miscues and some poor officiating were too much to overcome.
Up Next: vs. West Virginia
Iowa State Cyclones (5-4, 4-2)
Last Week: 6
This Week: Lost to Kansas 28-21
The Iowa State Cyclones did a good job slowing the Jayhawks rushing attack. They rallied late, but couldn’t overcome a 21-3 third-quarter deficit.
Up Next: at BYU
West Virginia Mountaineers (6-3, 4-2)
Last Week: 7
This Week: Beat BYU 37-7
West Virginia put a beating on BYU behind 146 yards rushing for Jaheim White and 102 and two touchdowns on the ground from C.J. Donaldson.
Up Next: at Oklahoma
Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-5, 3-3)
Last Week: 9
This Week: Beat TCU 35-28
Behren Morton returned to the lineup for the Red Raiders and threw for 282 yards and a pair of scores. Tahj Brooks ran for 146 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Up Next: at Kansas
TCU Horned Frogs (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week: 10
This Week: Lost to Texas Tech 35-28
The TCU College Football Playoff run was seriously magical. This season, less so. Quarterback John Hoover threw for 353 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions.
Up Next: vs. Texas
Houston Cougars (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week: 11
This Week: Beat Baylor 25-24 (OT)
Donovan Smith carried the ball 20 times for 66 yards, a touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime. He also completed 80% of his passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. This was a game Houston shouldn’t have won. Baylor won the turnover battle and had more total yards in the game.
Up Next: vs. Cincinnati
BYU Cougars (5-4, 2-4)
Last Week: 8
This Week: Lost to West Virginia 37-7
Just a few weeks ago, the BYU Cougars looked like they might be the best of the newcomers, a team capable of playing spoiler to some of the traditional Big 12 schools. That hasn’t been the case, and in the loss to West Virginia, the Cougars struggled to get anything going offensively.
Up Next: vs. Iowa State
UCF Knights (4-5, 1-5)
Last Week: 13
This Week: Beat Cincinnati 28-26
UCF benefited from a big game from R.J. Harvey, who ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns to avoid falling into the Big 12 basement.
Up Next: vs. Oklahoma State
Baylor Bears (3-6, 2-4)
Last Week: 12
This Week: Lost to Houston 25-24 (OT)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Just two years ago, the Baylor Bears were the Big 12 champion. Now, they’re one of the worst teams in the conference. The odds that Dave Aranda is back next year feel slim.
Up Next: at Kansas State
Cincinnati Bearcats (2-7, 0-6)
Last Week: 14
This Week: Lost to UCF 28-26
Cincinnati really dropped off in its first season in the Big 12. Just a few years ago, they were in the College Football Playoff. Now they’re struggling to win a game. Next week against Houston, they should have a shot to get off the losing side of things.
