Big 12 Mojo Rankings: New No. 1, Bears Rising, Clinchers ahead in Week 13

From a Holy War high to a Provo low, BYU is no longer perfect and will now play with fire this weekend in Tempe. 

Baylor continued to roll and became the eighth Big 12 team to reach a bowl. Two more can achieve that goal with wins, while five other programs face postseason elimination with a loss. 

All 16 teams are in action on Saturday, and the 2:30 p.m. slot features co-game of the week headliners with conference title implications in Arizona State vs. BYU and Kansas vs. Colorado.

These are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings entering an all-important Week 11, based on success, momentum, the eye test and overall vibes. 

1. COLORADO (8-2, 6-1) 

Last Week: 2nd (+1), WIN 49-24 vs. Utah

Winners of four straight, Colorado pulled away from Utah and took the top spot after BYU's first stumble. Those results set the stage for a massive road game at red-hot Kansas. It's simple for the Buffaloes. Win the next two, and you'll play for the Big 12 Championship. They have wins, momentum, and style points all working in their favor. 

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

2. BYU (9-1, 6-1) 

Last Week: 1st (-1), LOSS 17-13 vs. Kansas 

The Cougars' magic ran out in front of a stunned home crowd, but the warning signs were there, so it wasn't entirely shocking. With two weeks to play, they control their destiny, but that will change this weekend out in the Arizona desert if they don't rebound. 

Up Next:  AT No. 21 Arizona State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

3. ARIZONA STATE (8-2, 5-2) 

Last Week: 4th (+1), WIN 24-14 @ #16 Kansas State 

Sam, Skatt and the Sun Devils shockingly jumped all over the Wildcats as they built up a 24-0 lead, eventually earning a marquee win for the program and Dillingham era. It sets the table for Tempe to host one of its biggest games in ages as BYU rolls into town. The winner takes the lead for a Big 12 title spot.  

Up Next: Home vs. No. 14 BYU, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

4. IOWA STATE (8-2, 5-2) 

Last Week: 5th (+1), WIN 34-17 vs. Cincinnati 

The Cyclones got back in the win column and remain somewhat alive for a trip to Arlington, although it's out of their control and requires some chaos. A victory in Utah would give them a program-record nine wins for just the fourth time in school history (1906, 2000, 2020). 

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

5. BAYLOR (6-4, 4-3)

Last Week: 7th (+2), WIN 49-35 @ West Virginia 

The Bears are one of the hottest teams in the country, and not only are they officially going bowling, but Dave Arands is also officially returning next season. After a historic win in Morgantown, they have a chance at five straight and a Texas sweep down in Houston.  

Up Next: AT Houston, Saturday, 6 p.m. on FS1

6. KANSAS STATE (7-3, 4-3) 

Last Week: 3rd (-3), LOSS 24-14 vs. Arizona State

The Wildcats' season was already rocky compared to their 2024 expectations, but it took a turn for the worse with an embarrassing home showing vs. ASU. The stunning defeat was followed by an emotional postgame from Chris Kliemann, who has recently dealt with undisclosed personal issues, which led to his dispelling of retirement rumors this week. I'm interested to see how they bounce back, or not, on Senior night. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2

7. TCU (6-4, 4-3) 

Last Week: 8th (+1), OPEN

The Frogs enjoyed a final bye week, and the odds of a shootout are high this weekend, given the ingredients. While Sonny Dykes and the Frogs return to the postseason, they are astonishingly unremarkable as a program, apart from a couple of individual standouts here and there.  

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona, 2 p.m. on ESPN+

8. TEXAS TECH (6-4, 4-3) 

Last Week: 9th (+1), OPEN

Last we saw Texas Tech, emotions and frustrations ran high for numerous reasons, mostly losing. But they're bowl-eligible, got a timeout to cool down and have to be chomping at the bit to unleash Tahj Brooks on Oklahoma State's defense.

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

9. KANSAS (4-6, 3-4) 

Last Week: 12th (+3), WIN 17-13 @ No. 6 BYU 

We said all week that BYU needed to be on upset alert, and that proved prophetic, as Kansas stated their case for the hottest team in the country honors. The Jayhawks have become the biggest wildcard in the Big 12 Championship deck. After standings-rattling wins over contenders ISU and BYU, Rock Chalk now has its sights set on league-leading Colorado. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 16 Colorado, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX

10. CINCINNATI (5-5, 3-4)

Last Week: 6th (-4), LOSS 34-17 @ Iowa State 

Cincy beat ASU a month ago for their fifth win, but they've since lost three straight. Those same Sun Devils just won in Manhattan, so it's possible for the Bearcats, too, but getting win number six is in danger of slipping away from Scott Satterfield. 

Up Next: AT Kansas State, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN 2 

11. HOUSTON (4-6, 3-4) 

Last Week: 10th (-1), LOSS 27-3 @ Arizona 

Houston was battered in Tucson as Zeon Chriss and an anemic offense only mustered a measly three points. Their defense has kept them in games, but something has to give as they line up against a searing-hot Baylor offense.

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

12. WEST VIRGINIA (5-5, 4-3)

Last Week: 11th (-1), LOSS 49-35 vs. Baylor 

The home crowd went home unhappy again amid the harsh reality Morgantown no longer has the mojo. Garrett Greene returned to action, but it was empty calories because the Bears were a better team, and the scoreboard could have been worse. Neal Brown needs to win this game. 

Up Next: Home vs. UCF, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU 

13. UCF (4-6, 2-5) 

Last Week: 13th (NC), OPEN

The Knights rested last week and will head to Morgantown as slight favorites, with postseason hopes still alive. If they win this weekend, a home finale vs. Utah for bowl eligibility would be their reward. Otherwise, that Utah game becomes a lackluster season finale. 

Up Next: AT West Virginia, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU 

14. ARIZONA (4-6, 2-5) 

Last Week: 14th (NC), WIN 27-3 vs. Houston 

The Wildcats snapped a five-game losing streak just in time for win-or-go-home stakes. Enjoy the Fifita-McMillan connection for these two more guaranteed games because it's likely the end of a dynamic duo that's spanned the years from youth football teammates to high school to college. 

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

15. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-7, 0-7) 

Last Week: 15th (NC), OPEN

Oklahoma State returns from a bye, and only two games remain mercifully before the Pokes head into a defining offseason for this stage of the Mike Gundy era. Only two games until the program bids farewell to Ollie Gordon, Brennan Presley and Alan Bowman, among other familiar faces. 

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

16. UTAH (4-6, 1-6) 

Last Week: 16th (NC), LOSS 49-24 @ No. 17 Colorado 

There were no bigger Kansas fans last Saturday night than the Utes. Much earlier in the day, they put up a respectable effort against league-leading Colorado in Boulder but fell short and now must win out to earn an extra game. It's a far cry scenario from their "run the Big 12" offseason narrative.

Up Next: Home vs. No. 22 Iowa State, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FOX