Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 8

It was a crazy weekend in college football that saw four of the top 10 teams lose. Let’s see where the Big 12 stacks up as we head into Week 8.

10. Kansas (2-4, 0-3 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 10
Result: BYE; Up Next: @Texas Tech

Kansas had the week off to rebound from the last game against WVU. The Jayhawks will be heading to Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders.

9. Oklahoma State (4-3, 1-3 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 7
Result: Lost to Kansas State 31-12, Up Next: BYE

After what looked like a promising start to the season, the Cowboys have now dropped three of their last four games, with the only win coming against Kansas. On paper, this should have been an easy game for the OSU, but the Cowboys found themselves unable to stop an impressive running performance from KSU. Their offense came into the game averaging 523 yards per contest, but it was held to just 311 in Manhattan. The season isn’t totally lost for Oklahoma State just yet, but the Cowboys need to come out of the bye looking much better than they did last weekend.

8. Baylor (4-3, 2-2 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 8
Result: Lost to Texas 23-17 , Up Next: BYE

With Texas QB Sam Ehlinger leaving early in the first quarter, the Bears had a chance to knock of a highly ranked Texas team. The Bears had a decent offensive performance and racked up over 300 yards, but it wasn’t quite enough. They also had a chance late to tie the game, but missed several opportunities with the clock winding down. The Bears will be off this week as they prepare to travel to Morgantown for a Thursday night matchup.

7. Kansas State (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 9
Result: Win vs Ok State 31-12, Up Next: BYE

K-State was able to snap its three-game losing streak as it dominated the Cowboys. OSU had no answer as the Wildcats ran for nearly 300 yards on the day. The defense was able to hold the normally high-scoring Cowboys to just 12 points on the afternoon. Kansas State will have next week off as they prepare for a visit to Norman to face the Sooners.

6. TCU (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 4
Result: Lost to Texas Tech 17-14, Up Next: Oklahoma

TCU’s turnover struggles continued with two interceptions and a lost fumble. As a result, the Frogs lost their third game in four weeks Despite holding the top ranked Red Raiders offense to just 353 total yards, the Horned Frogs were still unable to outscore them, and only found the end zone twice on the day. The schedule doesn’t get much easier for TCU, as they will be welcoming the Sooners who had the last week off.

5. Texas Tech (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 6
Result: Win vs TCU 17-14, Up Next: Kansas

Texas Tech came out of their week off and was able to win a hard fought battle against TCU. Tech did have some quarterback issues. Despite starting, QB Jett Duffey was benched after halftime, and when McLane Carter showed he wasn’t quite ready, Duffey was called on to return. Tech managed just 202 yards through the air, but their 151 on the ground was enough to propel them over TCU late.

4. WVU (5-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 1
Result: Lost to Iowa State 30-14, Up Next: BYE

The Mountaineers faced their toughest test of the season on the road, at night against a surging Iowa State team. The offense was completely shut down throughout the game, and held to a season-low 152 yards. The defense held their own for most of the games, but with an offense that failed to mount a drive longer than five plays, they never really had much of a chance. The good news is that with OU and UT still on the schedule, West Virginia still controls its own destiny in the Big 12. They will have the next week off to improve on their offensive struggles from the last few weeks.

3. Iowa State (3-3, 2-2 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 5
Result: Win vs WVU 30-14, Up Next: BYE

Iowa State had a lot to prove coming off it’s win over OK State. With a win over WVU, the Cyclones now have back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. They were able to hold WVU to a season low in points and yardage and have now held all six of their opponents below their season average. True freshman QB Brock Purdy had another spectacular performance, throwing for 254 yards and 3 TDs and RB David Montgomery added almost 200 yards on the ground. ISU is in a good spot heading into its off week.

2. Oklahoma ( Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 3
Result: BYE; Up Next: @TCU

Oklahoma slides up to No. 2 in this week’s rankings after a disappointing game from the Mountaineers, coupled with its earlier win against ISU. The Sooners should be well rested as they head to Fort Worth to take on a struggling TCU team.

1. Texas (6-1, 4-0 Big 12)
Previous Ranking: 2
Result: Win vs Baylor 23-17; Up Next: BYE

Texas is the new No. 1 team in our Power Rankings, and deservedly so. Despite an injury to QB Sam Ehlinger in the first quarter, the Longhorns were able to hold off the Bears and escape with a win. Back-up QB Shane Buechele played well enough to put the Longhorns ahead, and the UT defense was able to stop a last minute rally by the Bears. Despite the win, Texas did not look as solid as in past week. Its upcoming bye comes at a perfect time, as it will give Ehlinger a chance to heal up before an upcoming game with Oklahoma State.