Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Week 8

The league's top two teams return to action, while Baylor & Cincinnati battle to avoid rock bottom, UCF too. From style to substance and reality vs. expectations, it's about winning but also the overall program product. Here's the Week 8 Big 12 Mojo Rankings. 

1. OKLAHOMA (6-0, 3-0) 

Last Week: (#1) OPEN

The Sooners enjoyed a bye week and started the second half as the conference's lone unbeaten and best hope for a Playoff contender, slightly above Texas. This week, the duo of QB Dillon Gabriel and OC Jeff Lebby tangle with their past and former home, UCF. It's also a one-time-only battle of old and new Big 12 programs, but the Sooners play host as heavy favorites.

Up Next: Home vs UCF, Saturday @ 11:00 am on ABC 

2. TEXAS (5-1, 2-1) 

Last Week: (#2) OPEN

The Longhorns rested and regrouped post-Red River with a bye week and now begin their stretch run with every prize still up for grabs, including the CFP, but they can't afford a single mulligan. Texas' trip to Houston will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, playing as Big 12 conference foes at TDECU. And on paper, they're expected to roll. 

Up Next: AT Houston, Saturday @ 3:00 pm on FOX 

3. KANSAS STATE (4-2, 2-1) 

Last Week: (#6) W 38-21 @ Texas Tech 

Budding freshman phenom Avery Johnson was a revelation at QB with five rushing touchdowns, giving them an entirely different and dynamic weapon. The Wildcats strode into Lubbock with a new trick and rode out with an assertive rebound win, newfound confidence, and a QB controversy. And how the latter gets handled is a fascinating storyline.  

Up Next: Home vs. TCU, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on ESPN 2 

4. IOWA STATE (4-3, 3-1) 

Last Week: (#8) W 30-10 @ Cincinnati 

The resilient Cyclones dispatched with the Bearcats on the road as things start heating up in Ames thanks to a 3-1 league start. Offensively, Rocco Becht and the offense continue to grind and figure out their identity alongside a strong defense. Now, they get a break and two weeks to prepare for another trip to Waco. 

Up Next: OPEN

5. WEST VIRGINIA (4-2, 2-1) 

Last Week: (#3) L 41-39 @ Houston 

The Mountaineers were well on their way to a 5-1 start before a costly penalty and subsequent Hail Mary shattered their hopes in H-Town. And at the hands of former coach Dana Holgorsen, no less. It was a triple-whammy, given that it also handed WVU their first conference loss instead of a 3-0 start. Still, they're in good shape, so long as they handle business, starting at home against a rising Oklahoma State team. Garrett Greene's late penalty for removing his helmet shouldn't overshadow his career-day passing.

Up Next: Home vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ESPN

6. OKLAHOMA STATE (4-2, 2-1) 

Last Week: (#9) W 39-32 vs. Kansas 

The Cowboys are not fooling around, as RB Ollie Gordon II and big defensive stops helped propel the Pokes over the Jayhawks with a 15-0 run to end the game. QB Alan Bowman remained steady and effective in the starting role. OSU is in the mix and can further solidify that with a win in treacherous Morgantown. It's easier said than done, but it should be an absolute slugfest this Saturday. 

Up Next: AT West Virginia, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ESPN

7. KANSAS (5-2, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#4) L 39-32 @ Oklahoma State 

QB Jason Bean performed admirably once again as star Jalon Daniels remains sidelined. It was a winnable game, but the offense sputtered, and the defense couldn't get a stop in the second half. The Jayhawks' stay in the Top 25 was short-lived. Now an open date to regroup and two weeks to prepare for a home showdown with OU. 

Up Next: OPEN

8. TCU (4-3, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#10) W 44-11 vs. BYU 

No Morris, no problems. Sophomore QB Josh Hoover is the newest gunslinger to know in Fort Worth after the redshirt frosh and a stout defensive effort led the Frogs to a dominant victory over one-loss BYU. Is Hoover the spark they were missing? Is this another Max Duggan moment? We'll learn more this weekend in a huge road challenge and an important game for both schools' remaining Big 12 title hopes. 

Up Next: AT Kansas State, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on ESPN 2 

9. TEXAS TECH (3-4, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#7) L 38-21 vs. Kansas State 

The Red Raiders got run over by Avery Johnson and the 'Cats in front of their home crowd last Saturday night. It was a significant missed opportunity and a harsh outcome in a potential swing game. Freshman QB Jake Strong was forced into making his college debut and was not ready for the spotlight, throwing three picks in relief of injured starter Behren Morton, who left with a shoulder injury. The second half was a disaster, and they could use a bye week, but first, a significant road trip to Provo for bowl hopes and morale. 

Up Next: AT BYU, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on FS1 

10. BYU (4-2, 1-2) 

Last Week: (#5) L 44-11 @ TCU 

That Big 12 measuring stick the Cougars were expecting in Fort Worth hit them upside the head repeatedly. Josh Hoover and the Frogs destroyed BYU's defense through the air, and the Cougars' offense was miserably bad, and Kedon Slovis was worse. Both sides of the ball rank near or at the bottom in the Big 12, and it looked that way against TCU. The record was flimsy, and now we can get realistic again. This Saturday presents an excellent opportunity to rebound, but another loss could send them plummeting, given the remaining schedule.  

Up Next: Home vs. Texas Tech, Saturday at 6:00 pm on FS1 

11. HOUSTON (3-3, 1-2) 

Last Week: (#14) W 41-39 vs. West Virginia

The Coogs' Hail Mary win over WVU earned the program a remarkable and memorable first Big 12 win. The offense came alive in the second half, and lady luck was on their side as Dana Holgorsen earned a stunning victory over his former school. Now, an incredible one-time-only opportunity to host Texas as Big 12 foes. So, TDECU should be a memorable scene on Saturday, although the Longhorns enter as massive favorites. 

Up Next: Home vs. Texas, Saturday @ 3:00 pm on FOX 

12. BAYLOR (2-4, 1-2) 

Last Week: (#11) OPEN

The Bears returned to work during the bye week and will reemerge a complete mystery regarding adjustments and expectations. The results, and both sides of the ball, have been disappointing to date, and anything less than an inspired effort against Cincy would be troubling. This is a first-time-ever matchup, as both programs fight to avoid the bottom of the standings. 

Up Next: AT Cincinnati, Saturday @ 11:00 am on BIG 12/ESPN+ 

13. UCF (3-3, 0-3) 

Last Week: (#13) OPEN

The Knights got a much-needed week off after a brutal start to their Big 12 debut. And QB John Rhys Plumlee will return and start after a brief and unsuccessful attempt to play a couple of weeks ago. The Knights roll into Norman with a Top 5 opportunity and plenty of motivation, squaring off against an all-time program great and familiar face in QB Dillon Gabriel. 

Up Next: AT #6 Oklahoma, Saturday @ 11:00 am on ABC 

14. CINCINNATI (2-4, 0-3) 

Last Week: (#12) L 30-10 vs. Iowa State

The Scott Satterfield era is starting rocky as the Bearcats fell to 0-3 in league play. QB Emory Jones remains far too mistake-prone, and the Cyclones twisted that offense into knots last week. It was especially disappointing coming on the heels of a bye week. Iowa State might be pretty good, but Baylor gives Cincy a better shot to win that elusive first conference game as they remain home for a second-straight week. 

Up Next: Home vs. Baylor, Saturday @ 11:00 am on BIG 12/ESPN+