Big 12 Power Rankings: Cincinnati, Colorado, K-State closing in on BYU and Iowa State
Most assume the Big 12 will only send one team to the College Football Playoff this season, even in its expanded form.
But several paths exist for multiple Big 12 teams to receive berths.
There is even a wild and crazy scenario in which four (!) Big 12 teams could get called up to the playoff.
Hear me out. Let’s say Kansas State and BYU win all of their remaining games and then meet in the conference championship. The Wildcats would be 11-1 and the Cougars would be 12-0. Both teams would be candidates to earn an at-large berth into the playoff, regardless of the result of that game.
But let’s say K-State wins and earns an automatic trip to the playoff. The committee would be hard pressed to snub a BYU team with 12 wins and one loss.
Furthermore, let’s say Iowa State’s only loss comes in the regular-season finale against K-State. Let’s also say Colorado wins out. That would make the Cyclones 11-1 and the Buffaloes 10-2.
Those records would give them both an argument against any Big Ten or SEC team with three losses.
It may seem unlikely for the best teams in the Big 12 to all keep winning, given the chaotic nature of this conference, but it’s within the realm of possibility. It’s certainly something that Brett Yormark will be rooting for.
Now, let’s take some time to analyze everything we have seen up to this point — heading into Week 9 — with a new edition of Big 12 Power Rankings.
Close calls
1. Iowa State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12)
The Cyclones needed a heroic touchdown drive from Rocco Becht in the final moments to defeat UCF on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State entered the game as a favorite of 13.5 points, which shows how hard it is to win every week in this conference. Despite the close call, Matt Campbell’s team remains the class of the league.
2. BYU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12)
The Cougars are a good football team, but a narrow win over Oklahoma State won’t do much to dispel the notion that they are also a lucky football team. BYU needed an injury to Oklahoma State quarterback Garret Rangel and a last-minute comeback to defeat the reeling Cowboys on Friday.
Next in line
3. Kansas State (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)
The Wildcats ran all over Colorado with DJ Giddens and then beat West Virginia through the air with Avery Johnson. K-State is proving it can win in a variety of ways and is well-positioned to reach the Big 12 championship game if BYU or Iowa State stumble.
4. Colorado (5-2, 3-1 Big 12)
It’s time to take the Buffaloes seriously. They are more than just a gimmick team under Deion Sanders. Colorado is playing quality football at the moment. Shedeur Sanders is the best quarterback in the conference and Colorado’s defense is improving. The Buffaloes need Travis Hunter to get healthy, though.
5. Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1 Big 12)
The Bearcats control their own destiny in the Big 12 championship race, thanks to a closing schedule that features games against Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas State.
Heading in the wrong direction
6. Texas Tech (5-2, 3-1 Big 12)
Texas Tech did the most Texas Tech thing possible over the weekend. The Red Raiders wasted a 3-0 start in conference play by losing at home to Baylor in blowout fashion 59-35. It’s hard to see Joey McGuire’s team contending for a league title after that.
7. Arizona State (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham delivered the quote of the Big 12 football season when he said he planned to hold tryouts for a new kicker after the Sun Devils missed two field goals against Cincinnati.
8. Baylor (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
The Bears took a major leap in these power rankings after they dismantled Texas Tech. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson was cooking in that game, as he finished with 274 yards and five touchdowns as a passer.
9. TCU (4-3, 2-2 Big 12)
The Horned Frogs only scored one touchdown against Utah, but that was all they needed to leave Salt Lake City with an ugly 13-7 win.
10. Kansas (2-5, 1-3 Big 12)
The Jayhawks can do something hilarious over the next four games. If Lance Leipold’s team can build off a blowout victory over Houston it will have a chance to play spoiler against the top four teams in the conference standings — K-State, Iowa State, BYU and Colorado.
11. West Virginia (3-4, 2-2 Big 12)
Neal Brown is not a popular man in Morgantown. The Mountaineers squandered an opportunity to move up the Big 12 standings with back-to-back home games against Iowa State and K-State. If quarterback Garrett Greene remains out, future wins could be hard to come by.
12. Arizona (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
Brent Brennan is not very well liked in Tucson right now, either. The Wildcats have taken a massive step back from last season when Jedd Fisch was calling the shots.
13. Utah (4-3, 1-3 Big 12)
What has happened to the Utes? This team is in such a free-fall that Andy Ludwig stepped down as offensive coordinator after a horrid performance against TCU.
14. UCF (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
The Knights may have found something in new quarterback Jacurri Brown. UCF ran for 354 yards and nearly upset Iowa State over the weekend. They will get another shot at a big win when BYU visits the Bounce House on Saturday.
15. Oklahoma State (3-4, 0-4 Big 12)
It’s a shame that Rangel suffered a broken collarbone against BYU and is now out for the season. The Cowboys probably would have won that game with him at quarterback for a full four quarters. Oklahoma State will most likely struggle as it goes back to Alan Bowman.
16. Houston (2-5, 1-3 Big 12)
The Cougars enjoyed a few weeks outside of the conference basement, but they’ll be here for the remainder of the season after suffering a blowout loss against Kansas.
This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Big 12 Power Rankings: Cincinnati, Colorado, K-State closing in on BYU and Iowa State."