Welcome to the third edition of the weekly Big 12 Football Mojo Rankings.
A fresh set of rankings will drop each Thursday, reflecting my thoughts on how the conference race stacks up in more ways than just pure wins.
These rankings are about winning, but I also factor in other ingredients like momentum, swagger, star power, style, schedule, and the overall state of the program.
The conference slate gets underway down in H-Town this weekend, the rest a bit m, but most of the league remains murky. Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings entering week three.
1. TEXAS (2-0)
Last Week: (#1) W 34-24 @ #3 Alabama
The 'Horns looked for real, and Quinn Ewers looked like the golden boy with the golden arm against the Crimson Tide. That was a milestone victory for Ewers and the Steve Sarkisian era. The defense is nasty, and they have an embarrassment of riches in the passing game. Now, it's all about how they handle the hype and consistency. At their best, it's hard to see a lot of threats. Wyoming beat Tech in the opener, so they're not sneaking up on anybody in Austin.
Up Next: Home vs. Wyoming, Saturday @ 7 pm on LHN
2. KANSAS STATE (2-0)
Last Week: (#2) W 42-13 vs. Troy
The 'Cats crushed a respectable Troy program, as Will Howard spread the love in the passing game, and the defense dominated outside the second quarter. A nice little Big 12/Big 8 reunion this weekend against Mizzou. It's a road challenge against an SEC opponent, so it's a solid opportunity to close the non-con.
Up Next: AT Missouri, Saturday @ 11 am on SEC Network
3. OKLAHOMA (2-0)
Last Week: (#3) W 28-11 vs. SMU
The big story during the game was the Sooners' inability to put away the Ponies until late. The biggest story following the game was Art Briles' appearance on the field in OU gear, next to son-in-law Jeff Lebby. That became a whole dramatic ordeal this week in Norman. And although the noise has mostly died down, it's exposed a rift in the collective parts of Sooner Nation. It's fair to wonder if the Venables/Lebby relationship has suffered some irreparable damage. On the bright side, the defense again played well, which is encouraging.
Up Next: AT Tulsa, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ESPN2
4. UCF (2-0)
Last Week: (#4) W 18-16 @ Boise State
The Knights overcame a rough night in the red zone thanks to the leg of kicker Colten Boomer, whose fourth and final field goal, from 55 yards out, sent UCF to 2-0 with a walk-off road win at Boise State. However, the celebration was short-lived with the news that star QB John Rhys-Plumlee will miss at least a 'few weeks' with an undisclosed leg injury. In his absence, sophomore transfer Timmy McClain takes the reins. UCF has a good defense and will be back at The Bounce House, but 'Nova has scored some points, and with the change at QB, the Knights may need to tread lightly this weekend.
Up Next: Home vs. Villanova, Saturday, 5:30 pm on ESPN+
5. KANSAS (2-0)
Last Week: (#5) W 34–23 vs. Illinois
Jalon Daniels is back, and his 2023 debut was a success, as the Jayhawks offense was dynamic. The defense also held up their end of the bargain. Their lead was 34-7 late in the third, but turnovers were costly. Still, they controlled the game and looked good, earning a notable victory over the Big 10's Illini. KU is solid, just picking up and improving from last season.
Up Next: AT Nevada, Saturday @ 9:30 pm on CBSSN
6. CINCINNATI (2-0)
Last Week: (#6) W 27-21 @ Pittsburgh
Up 27-7 late in the 3rd quarter, Cincy held on for a signature River City Rivalry and Power 5 win for first-year head coach Scott Satterfield. And, oh yeah, it was on the road, to boot. Pitt may not be great, time will tell, but the Bearcats are off to a pleasant, if not promising start, with a defense capable of wreaking havoc up front. QB Emory Jones came back down to Earth with the step-up in competition. But they have some potential to fit the bill of a Big 12 sleeper.
Up Next: Home vs. Miami (OH), Saturday @ 6:00 pm on ESPN+
7. TCU (1-1)
Last Week: (#7) W 41-6 vs. Nicholls State
The Frogs nabbed their first win and fully moved on from the Colorado debacle. QB Chandler Morris had a good showing, and the offense saw 15+ players get touches on the night. This was a regrouping, confidence builder against an outmatched opponent. Like you'd want. Now, the Frogs kickoff Big 12 play at Houston, in what will be some fun Big 12 and state of Texas football history.
Up Next: AT Houston, 7:00 pm on FOX
8. OKLAHOMA STATE (2-0)
Last Week: (#9) W 27-15 @ Arizona State
We previewed the Big 12's future as OK State took on Arizona State in Tempe for some after-dark action. And get ready because it was 12:30 am CT at one point, and there were still 8+ minutes left in the game. Team-wise, it was a nice win against a Pac-12 and Power 5 opponent in foreign territory. The Pokes' three-QB experiment continued with mixed results and has no end in sight. It remains strange. On the flip side, the defense played well and is undoubtedly an early strength.
Up Next: Home vs. South Alabama @ 6:00 pm on ESPN+
9: BYU (2-0)
Last Week: (#10) W 41-16 vs. Southern Utah
BYU took care of Southern Utah with relative ease. QB Kedon Slovis had a monster day with five total TD against the Thunderbirds. They took care of business against a lesser foe, and now, this weekend, a chance for the Cougars to earn a win over an SEC squad. It's still too soon to get an excellent feel for them, but the picture will be clearer after this weekend's road trip.
Up Next: AT Arkansas, Saturday @ 6:30 pm on ESPN2
10. IOWA STATE (1-1)
Last Week: (#11) L 20-13 vs. Iowa
The Cyclones lost hold of the Cy-Hawk Trophy after just one season, as the rival Hawkeyes controlled most of the game. ISU remains stellar on defense but pedestrian on offense. They'll need to be very careful and at their best on the road this weekend.
Up Next: AT Ohio, Saturday @ 11:00 am on ESPNU
11. TEXAS TECH (0-2)
Last Week: (#8) L 38-30 vs. #13 Oregon
The Red Raiders are reeling a little. Despite not playing all that well, Tech had Oregon on the ropes, and the pieces were there for a game-winning drive in front of a packed Saturday night crowd on national TV against a ranked opponent. And led by a QB facing his old team? Come on. It was a perfect Hollywood storyline. That is until Tyler Shough threw an improbable pick-six to seal the defeat, instead—a brutal bursting of the bubble in the LBK. But, the commitment of 5-star WR Micah Hudson a couple of days later numbed the pain and returned focus to the promises of a bright future. An 0-2 start wasn't in the plans, but win number one will arrive this weekend.
Up Next: Home vs. Tarleton State, Saturday @ 6 pm on ESPN+
12. WEST VIRGINIA (1-1)
Last Week: (#13) W 38-15 vs. Duquesne
The Mountaineers beat up an inferior opponent just like you'd want and did so with some flash. Walk-on redshirt freshman WR Hudson Clement saw his name go up in lights after turning zero career stats into five catches with 177 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Dukes. That performance led to Neal Brown awarding him a scholarship this week. Just in time for "The Backyard Brawl". The 'Eers can hand Pitt a second-straight rivalry game loss to a Big 12 team.
Up Next: Home vs. Pitt, Saturday @ 6:30 pm on ABC
13. HOUSTON (1-1)
Last Week: (#12) L 43-41 @ Rice / OT
Yikes. The Coogs kicked The Bayou Bucket, falling to rival Rice just a few miles from home. To their credit, Houston climbed out of a massive 28-0 hole to force overtime but couldn't finish the whole job. It is an embarrassing and painful result with a lot to unpack. But up next, a tremendous opportunity will come attached with some pretty cool history, as the Cougars play and host their first Big 12 game, as TCU rolls into town to kick off the conference's league schedule a week before everyone else.
Up Next: Home vs. TCU, 7:00 pm on FOX
14. BAYLOR (0-2)
Last Week: : (#14) L 20-13 vs. #12 Utah
I don't believe they're the worst team, but all things considered, they have to pull up the rear right now. A Top 15 win was there for the taking, but the Bears couldn't finish late against their future conference mate. There was progress defensively, although Utah looked like a much different machine manned by Nate Johnson vs. Bryson Barnes. Meanwhile, Sawyer Robertson made some costly mistakes in his starting debut but also showed flashes of good. His ankle injury is salt in the wound, to a rough start. Now, they need to go out and finish and enjoy winning their first game. Beyond this, there are no more gimmes.
Up Next: Home vs. Long Island, 11 am on ESPN+
