Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Week 8

Three teams currently have a hold on the league lead, and for the first time this season, the schedule features a full eight-game slate with all sixteen teams in league action. 

Last weekend, multiple teams enjoyed byes while K-State scored a massive moment in the mountains, the wheels finally fell off the Cam Rising comeback and the Cyclones stormed Morgantown. 

This weekend starts with undefeated BYU welcoming the struggling Pokes for some Friday Night Lights, and BU-TT Bowl '24 starts the party on Saturday. Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings as we gear up for week eight.

1 IOWA STATE (6-0, 3-0) 

Last Week: 1st (NC), WIN 28-16 @ West Virginia 

The Cyclones keep stacking wins and passed a significant test on the road in Morgantown. Back at home, against a reeling UCF squad that relies heavily on the run, ISU is looking squarely at a 7-0 start, which would tie the school record set back in 1938. 

Up Next: Home vs. UCF, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FS1

2 BYU (6-0, 3-0) 

Last Week: 2nd (NC), WIN 41-19 vs. Arizona 

Kalani Sitake's Cougars are rolling and knocking on the door of the top ten thanks to great defense and an offense that feasts on turnovers. A Friday night lights game in Provo against the Pokes leans in their favor, so 7-0 is the expectation. 

Up Next: Home vs. Oklahoma State, Friday, 9:15 p.m. on FOX 

3 TEXAS TECH (5-1, 3-0) 

Last Week: 3rd (NC), OPEN

Texas Tech isn't getting the same Big 12 favorites treatment as BYU, Iowa State or Kansas State. But continuing to win will eventually change that. The Red Raiders are favored at home where they are 4-0 this season, although ACU, ASU and Cincy took them to the wire out in West Texas. They're making the big plays and doing the little things that win close games, so we'll see if that continues. 

Up Next: Home vs. Baylor, Saturday, 3 p.m. on ESPN2 

4 KANSAS STATE (5-1, 2-1) 

Last Week: 4th (NC), WIN 31-28 @ Colorado 

K-State won a thriller in Boulder and reinforced their positioning as a Big 12 title contender. Avery Johnson overcame some mistakes and an injury scare to lead a masterful final scoring drive that would give them the last lead. It was a massive moment in his career, and it felt like that nightmare experience in Provo was already paying dividends on the road. 

Up Next: AT West Virginia, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FOX

5 COLORADO (4-2, 2-1) 

Last Week: 6th (+1), LOSS 31-28 vs. No.18 Kansas State 

The Buffaloes lost numerous playmakers, including Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr., but still took K-State to the limit in Boulder last week. Both are set to return on Saturday, and that's great because I want to see Hunter vying for the Heisman. And I want to see Colorado at its best because it's must-watch TV, and this might be the most interesting Boulder gets for the foreseeable future. 

Up Next: AT Arizona, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX

6 ARIZONA STATE (5-1, 2-1) 

Last Week: 9th (+3), WIN 27-19 vs. No. 16 Utah 

The Sun Devils are a prime example of never letting the highs get too high or lows get too low. A couple of days after a signature win over Utah for Kenny Dillingham's young program, we learn QB Sam Leavitt will miss 2-4 weeks with bruised ribs. ASU will turn to turnover-prone transfer Jeff Sims. 

Up Next: AT Cincinnati, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ESPN+ 

7 UTAH (4-2, 1-2) 

Last Week: 5th (-2), LOSS 27-19 @ Arizona State 

QB Cam Rising is officially done for the year, and perhaps a career after sustaining further injuries in last week's return to action and subsequent loss at Arizona State. Can Isaac Wilson play well enough to help secure some more wins? Their title hopes are cooked, and all that offseason trash talk from Utes fans has aged like milk. 

Up Next: Home vs. TCU, Saturday, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN 

8 CINCINNATI (4-2, 2-1)

Last Week: 12th (+4), WIN 19-13 @ UCF 

The Bearcats ground out a substantial road win against their former AAC counterparts, and in doing so, Brendan Sorsby and company are sitting in a good position within the Big 12. At home and with ASU starting Jeff Sims at QB, a 5-2 start is even more realistic. 

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona State, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ESPN+ 

9 WEST VIRGINIA (3-3, 2-1)

Last Week: 8th (-1), LOSS 28-16 vs. No. 11 Iowa State

The natives are getting restless after the latest big game letdown. To put it mildly, Neal Brown and the program need a good showing and a win as another golden opportunity arrives at their front door in the form of the No. 17 Wildcats.  

Up Next: Home vs. No. 17 Kansas State, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FOX

10 UCF (3-3, 1-2) 

Last Week: 7th (-3), LOSS 19-13 vs. Cincinnati 

The slide continues like a bad ride at Disney World. The Knights started freshman EJ Colson after deciding to bench KJ Jefferson. Colson played rough, and eventually, after some back-and-forth, transfer Jacurri Brown fully took over beginning in the mid-second quarter. Losing to a former AAC foe stings a little more, too. The Knights are struggling and suddenly have some big questions, especially on offense. No big deal, just a trip to Ames up next. 

Up Next: AT No. 9 Iowa State, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FS1

11 ARIZONA (3-3, 1-2) 

Last Week: 11th (NC), LOSS 41-19 @ No. 14 BYU

The bad version of Noah Fifita showed up last week with four total turnovers —  three interceptions and a fumble. As a result, the Wildcats' offense could not finish drives, and points were wiped out, quickly erasing their upset chances in Provo. It's Homecoming in Tucson, but Prime's coming to spoil the show. 

Up Next: Home vs. Colorado, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX

12 HOUSTON (2-4, 1-2) 

Last Week: 13th (+1), OPEN

The Cougars earned a bye week to recover from an otherwise brutal start to Big 12 play with a program-building win over TCU two weeks ago. They're still figuring things out in many places, but Zeon Chriss will start again at QB. 

Up Next: AT Kansas, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+ 

13 TCU (3-3, 1-2) 

Last Week: 14th (+1), OPEN

After an incomprehensible home loss to Houston, the Frogs hopped into the bye on a low note. Now, they clash with their former Mountain West rivals for the first time since 2010. Both programs have come a long way since then, but both desperately need a win for some confidence and positivity in 2024. 

Up Next: AT Utah, Saturday, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN 

14 OKLAHOMA STATE (3-3, 0-3) 

Last Week: 10th (-4), OPEN 

The Pokes have a rough draw exiting the bye week as they attempt to get on track and salvage this season. Playing on a Friday night in Provo against an undefeated BYU squad is challenging, especially when Mike Gundy mentioned that he's never coached there. There's no word on who's starting at QB, but you've benched Alan Bowman twice in six games. Is Ollie Gordon playing? Does it matter? Not if the defense doesn't improve. Adding insult to injury, literally, Mike Gundy had to do his press conference by telephone after a headbutt from his cattle left him with a busted-up eye and some dizziness. 

Up Next: AT No. 13 BYU, Friday, 9:15 p.m. on FOX 

15 BAYLOR (2-4, 0-3) 

Last Week: 15th (NC), OPEN

The Bears enjoyed a week off, sliding into the bye on a three-game losing streak. It's all pretty straightforward: they need to win some games, and an upset in Lubbock would feel like chicken soup for the soul. Through six games, the story is being close but not close enough. The odds don't favor them heading into this weekend, either. Will they put it all together before it's too late? 

Up Next: AT Texas Tech, Saturday, 3 p.m. on ESPN2 

16 KANSAS (1-5, 0-3) 

Last Week: 16th (NC), OPEN

The Jayhawks dealt with excruciating losses in the first six weeks but got a welcome reprieve with the bye. Last we saw, Jalon Daniels appeared to be improving, which is a good sign, but they need better defense, too. This is a Homecoming game, albeit at the Chiefs stadium, coming off a bye, and against arguably the worst team in the league. Must win? You bet. 

Up Next: Home vs. Houston, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+