Big 12 Power Rankings Week 10: Prepare for an Exciting November
Four weeks remain to determine who will fight for the Big 12 Conference Championship in Arlington, as the league kicks off November in style with its first full Saturday slate this season. All ten teams, five games, over half the league's teams are pushing for a title game invite, and most are still pursuing a bowl berth.
Entering the month, unbeaten TCU sits solely atop the standings after an escape in Morgantown.
Elsewhere, K-State and Texas prepare for a critical battle in the Little Apple, OK State tries to recover from the KSU shellacking, Baylor and OU fight to keep the good times rolling, while Texas and Kansas return from regrouping. And not to be outdone, Iowa State and West Virginia tussle to avoid the ten spot.
Here are my latest Big 12 Power Rankings, entering week ten of the college football regular season.
1. TCU (8-0, 5-0)
W 41-31 @ West Virginia
Last Week: #1
The trip to Morgantown wasn't without some drama, but once again, the Frogs finished the fight, standing tall on the way to 8-0 and an initial No. 7 CFP ranking. TCU is sitting pretty in the conference race, but clearly, a Playoff opportunity is only occurring with a perfect record. Even then, no one left on their schedule is currently ranked, but TCU has looked vulnerable, and no wins are guaranteed in the chaotic Big 12. A ticked-off Tech squad could be dangerous.
Up Next: Home vs. Texas Tech // Saturday, 11:00 am, FOX
2. KANSAS STATE (6-2, 4-1)
W 48-0 vs. #9 Oklahoma State
Last Week: #3
Will Howard retook the QB1 reins with Adrian Martinez sidelined again and proceeded to dominate, as K-State shocked the country with their defeat of former top ten Okie State. KSU is a different team with Howard, who gives the offense a formidable passing attack and pairs nicely with the excellent Deuce Vaughn. However, even with the positive mojo, the 'Cats are underdogs at home this weekend.
Up Next: Home vs. #24 Texas // Saturday, 6:00 pm, FS1
3. TEXAS (5-3, 3-2)
Open
Last Week: #4
The Longhorns remain in the Big 12 hunt at 3-2 but have little room for error. They enjoyed an off week, which came at a good time given the ugly loss to Oklahoma State and wind-hindered Quinn Ewers' performance. Despite three losses, those were impressive, as Texas remains a Top 25 team and are favorites heading into Manhattan.
Up Next: @ #13 Kansas State // Saturday, 6:00 pm, FS1
4. BAYLOR (5-3, 3-2)
W 45-17 @ Texas Tech
Last Week: #5
Amidst a blackout, many lights seemed to come on for this team in Lubbock. A satisfying win in RaiderLand, thanks to the continued rise of Richard Reese, five turnovers, six sacks, and some much-needed attitude. If they continue playing complementary football, the Bears could be rounding into form at the right time. They've shown enough to believe in another road win possibility, but how much of last week was due to the circumstances and easy motivation?
The Bears got terrible news with the season-ending fibula injury to tight end Drake Dabney, so it wasn't all positive last week. But the show must go on, and the Bears must retake their performance on the road as underdogs.
Up Next: @ Oklahoma // Saturday, 2:00 pm, ESPN+
5. OKLAHOMA STATE (6-2, 3-2)
L 48-0 @ #22 Oklahoma State
Last Week: #2
There was talk about how banged-up Oklahoma State was entering last week's game — but leading to the worst blowout in the Gundy era? Yeah, no one saw that total annihilation coming. We may have had a better understanding beforehand, if armed with the knowledge Gundy dropped in the postgame presser, about altering practices due to injuries. He refused to divulge further details but left it vague enough that one might assume they didn't practice at all based on the showing. No matter. Now it's a question of how the Pokes pick themselves back up and dust off. And who's healthy enough to do so?
Not 32-year-old senior punter Tom Hutton, who suffered a fourth-quarter season-ending injury in the K-State beatdown. Even at 32, the Aussie still has his COVID year remaining but made it clear he's done. As a result, an excellent special teams weapon is now gone from the Cowboys' shrinking arsenal.
They have wins over No. 3 and No. 4 above, but they just lost 48-0, so something has to give. Are the Pokes running out of gas?
Up Next: @ Kansas // Saturday, 2:30 pm, FS1
6. OKLAHOMA (5-3, 2-3)
W 27-13 @ Iowa State
Last Week: #7
The Sooners' confidence is building after consecutive wins, and now with a home game upcoming against a Baylor squad that's only won in Norman once in 15 tries, back in 2014. Last week, OU won in Ames thanks to terrific special teams and a run game building steam. Winning their third straight to get bowl eligible would be a big turnaround from the mood surrounding the program just a month ago. They might not be the best execution-wise, but they're going to fight to earn a win.
Crazy Stat: Brent Venables' press conference this week was 51 minutes. 51 MINUTES. I'm not sure they're always that long, but that's crazy. Aranda usually rings in around 20, give or take a few minutes.
Up Next: Home vs. Baylor // Saturday, 2:00 pm, ESPN+
7. TEXAS TECH (4-4, 2-3)
L 45-17 vs. Baylor
Last Week: #6
The Red Raiders missed an ample opportunity against Baylor last weekend in Lubbock as all three quarterbacks combined for five interceptions, and the Bears played keep away. But the sky isn't falling, and speaking of significant opportunities, I'd anticipate a ticked-off, focused effort against unbeaten TCU in Fort Worth. So how do they manage the QB rotation?
Up Next: @ #7 TCU // Saturday, 11:00 am, FOX
8. KANSAS (5-3, 2-3)
Open
Last Week: #8
The Jayhawks are coming off a much-needed respite, having lost three straight contests before the bye week. Reports out of Lawrence indicate shooting star QB Jalon Daniels was back practicing after missing time with an injury. A time that just happened to coincide with KU going on a losing streak. Not that Jason Bean is totally at fault.
Starting 5-0 and missing a bowl game would be a tough pill to swallow. However, this weekend hosting OSU, they face a wounded yet dangerous team.
Up Next: Home vs. #18 Oklahoma State // Saturday, 2:30 pm, FS1
9. IOWA STATE (3-5, 0-5)
L 27-13 vs. Oklahoma
Last Week: #9
The Cyclones can't run the football, and the offense stinks overall. The defense played well enough to beat Oklahoma, but that lousy O and another showing of poor special teams were too much to overcome. As a result, this weekend presents their most winnable game remaining, which is by no means a sure thing.
Up Next: Home vs. West Virginia // Saturday, 2:30 pm, BIG 12/ESPN+
10. WEST VIRGINIA (3-5, 1-4)
L 41-31 vs. #7 TCU
Last Week: #10
The Mountaineers put up a tough fight against TCU at home, but the Frogs proved slightly too explosive in the end. WVU is scrappy and had its opportunities in this one, but instead, it's just another disappointing outcome for Neal Brown, who has to be feeling worn down. His team seems so close and yet so far away at the same time. In unfortunate news, freshman RB CJ Donaldson is out the remainder of the season following surgery on an undisclosed injury.
Iowa State is beatable, so this should make for a weirdly intriguing clash as both teams look to avoid occupying last place in the conference race.
Up Next: @ Iowa State // Saturday, 2:30 pm, BIG 12/ESPN+