Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Week 9

The newbies gave the bluebloods a run for their SEC money but fell short in a pair of emotional battles. In the spirit of Halloween season, K-State dressed up as Georgia against TCU, and Ollie Gordon has OK State rolling. 

Heading into Week 9, the Big 12 Mojo Rankings are an eclectic combination of wins, style, momentum, and other on-and-off-the-field factors. 

1. OKLAHOMA (7-0, 4-0) 

Last Week: (#1) W 31-29 vs. UCF 

The Sooners had to rally in the fourth quarter and ultimately stop a game-tying two-point conversion and onside kick attempt to close the door on UCF's upset bid. A lack of explosive plays in the run game, allowing explosives on defense, and some shaky kicking could eventually cost the Sooners, perhaps as soon as this weekend. Big Noon Kickoff and a sellout crowd await them in Lawrence, but this Venables-led OU variant is a much improved and championship-caliber unit once again. 

Up Next: AT Kansas, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FOX 

2. TEXAS (6-1, 3-1) 

Last Week: (#2) W 31-24 @ Houston 

Texas looked like they may beat Houston 80-0 early on, but their 21-0 lead evaporated, and they needed a favorable — to say the least — spot on the final drive and a subsequent fourth down stop to fend off a total meltdown. QB Quinn Ewers is out for an unknown amount of time with a shoulder injury, so Texas' title hopes are now on the healthy shoulders of Maalik Murphy moving forward, with Arch Manning up next, if needed. Defensively, the secondary got lit up by Donovan Smith. But again, they survived, and days later, spirits were semi-lifted with the commitment of 5-star 2024 WR Ryan Wingo over his in-state finalist, Missouri. 

Up Next: Home vs. BYU, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ABC

3. KANSAS STATE (5-2, 3-1) 

Last Week: (#3) W 41-3 vs. TCU 

The Wildcats made a statement and squashed the Frogs in dominant fashion. The balance of their 2-QB system was effective as the reins shifted back and forth from starter Will Howard to freshman Avery Johnson. How long that lasts is one of the hottest questions in the Big 12 race, in which the Wildcats are supremely well-positioned. KSU also picked up a pair of defensive commits this week. 

Up Next: Home vs. Houston, Saturday @ 11:00 am on ESPN 2 

4. OKLAHOMA STATE (5-2, 3-1) 

Last Week: (#6) W 48-34 @ West Virginia 

RB Ollie Gordon's star turn continued, with the DFW native running for 282 yards and 4 TDs, as the Pokes took down West Virginia in a wild one late in Morgantown. Three TDs and 100+ yards came in the fourth quarter alone for Gordon as they outscored WVU 28-10. They're not perfect, but OSU continues surging after its third straight victory and can earn a bowl bid at home against a struggling Cincinnati squad. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday @ 7:00 pm on ESPN 2

5. IOWA STATE (4-3, 3-1) 

Last Week: (#4) OPEN 

The Cyclones enjoyed a bye week and some extra time to prepare for a trip to Waco. The Big 12 remains muddled, especially in the middle, but two of their three losses were single-digit defeats. OU smoked them, but the 'Clones have a little momentum after back-to-back wins in the aftermath. And they're slight favorites to make it three in a row.  

Up Next: AT Baylor, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on Big 12|ESPN+ 

6. KANSAS (5-2, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#7) OPEN 

It's a big weekend upcoming. The Jayhawks are hosting Big Noon Kickoff and expecting a lively crowd as unbeaten Oklahoma heads to Lawrence to mark the end of an era. KU had extra time to prepare after enjoying a bye week. Despite the time off, the story around star QB Jalon Daniels remains the same, which is to say he's doubtful to play once more. But, it's not lost on anyone that they can qualify for a second-straight bowl berth with a win—a tremendous accomplishment when it occurs, given the wasteland Lance Leipold inherited. 

Up Next: Home vs. Oklahoma, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FOX 

7. WEST VIRGINIA (4-3, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#5) L 48-34 vs. Oklahoma State 

The Mountaineers experienced another brutal and deflating loss. Trying to bounce back from the Hail Mary humbling against Houston, WVU took a 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State last week. And then their defense was humiliated and ran through by Ollie Gordon II, as the Pokes outscored the 'Eers 28-10 in the final frame, and Gordon ran for three of OSU's four late scores. Now, a trip to The Bounce House against a desperate but talented UCF team. These Mountaineers are walking a tightrope. 

Up Next: AT UCF, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FS1 

8. TCU (4-4, 2-3) 

Last Week: (#8) L 41-3 @ Kansas State 

Shortly after a stunningly lopsided loss, Sonny Dykes said he was shocked and embarrassed by the performance against K-State. New QB Josh Hoover got a reality check and looked every bit like a new, inexperienced starter rather than the next golden boy to follow Max Duggan. The defense was awful. The bye week is a blessing. It was terrible, but that whooping doesn't hold a candle to the 65-7 showing in the Natty. 

Up Next: OPEN 

9. BYU (5-2, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#10) W 27-14 vs. Texas Tech 

Homecoming weekend was a success, as the Cougars feasted on five Texas Tech turnovers, earning their first conference win over a Big 12 original. It was a considerable rebound following the TCU blowout a week earlier. Up next, a Top 10 conference challenge on the road, and a former BYU QB on the opposing sideline in Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. This game is truly a unique, one-time-only opportunity for the program, and they enter as heavy underdogs despite Texas' QB question. Given all the circumstances, an upset win would be colossal. 

Up Next: AT Texas, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ABC 

10. TEXAS TECH (3-5, 2-3) 

Last Week: (#9) L 27-14 @ BYU 

The loss in Provo was brutal and unnecessary, but five turnovers doomed their chances. Young QB Jake Strong has potential but wasn't ready for the bright lights. Now the Red Raiders get a much-needed bye week to recover and regroup. On that front, QB Behren Morton returned to throwing at practice this week and will start next Thursday vs. TCU. Elsewhere, the program teased a new multi-year apparel deal with Adidas in conjunction with star alum and brand rep Patrick Mahomes. There's massive marketing potential there, and the move comes on the heels of nearly two decades with Under Armour and takes effect next summer.  

Up Next: OPEN

11. BAYLOR (3-4, 2-2) 

Last Week: (#12) W 32-29 @ Cincinnati 

The Bears won a hard-fought but ugly contest in Cincinnati thanks to a superpowered special teams effort and a different approach offensively. WR Ketron Jackson had his best game as a Bear, and kicker Isaiah Hankins rightfully took home weekly conference honors for his immense impact. This team will have to scratch and claw for any subsequent win, and they better have those claws sharpened for Iowa State. A strong opponent and opportunity at McLane, and the Baylor community is overdue for the payoff of a big home win. 

Up Next: Home vs. Iowa State, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on Big 12|ESPN+ 

12. HOUSTON (3-4, 1-3) 

Last Week: (#11) L 31-24 vs. Texas 

The Coogs got jobbed on a horrible third-down mark from the officials and couldn't convert on a subsequent fourth and 1, ending their upset bid against Texas. It was a heartbreaking loss but an inspired effort in an electric atmosphere. The type of effort you're proud of, but there will never be another set of circumstances like that again. There is no time to mope, though, not with the potential buzzsaw that awaits on the road in The Little Apple if the Coogs don't refocus and build off last Saturday. 

Up Next: AT Kansas State, Saturday @ 11:00 am on ESPN 2 

13. UCF (3-4, 0-4) 

Last Week: (#13) L 31-29 @ Oklahoma 

UCF had the football late, and a chance to force overtime, but a failed two-point play ended their shot to knock Oklahoma from the ranks of the unbeatens. And beating Dillon Gabriel would have been sweet, too. The Knights thrived on explosive plays and OU miscues, and while John Rhys Plumlee wasn't close to 100%, his return was a welcomed one. For a disappointed defense, the Knights showed some grit against a top-ten Sooners offense. Still looking for that first Big 12 win and trying to snap a 4-game losing streak, the Knights are favorites as struggling WVU comes to Orlando. 

Up Next: Home vs. West Virginia, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FS1

14. CINCINNATI (2-5, 0-4) 

Last Week: (#14) L 32-29 vs. Baylor 

After this past weekend, Cincinnati is bringing up the bottom following a fifth straight loss. They wasted a golden opportunity at home against Baylor, failing to play well enough or consistently enough to win. Given the evidence, It's hard to see a path where they roll into Stillwater against a hot Cowboys squad and earn their first Big 12 victory, but that's why they play the game. Former Bearcat Travis Kelce dating Taylor Swift remains the program's 

Up Next: AT Oklahoma State, Saturday @ 7:00 pm on ESPN2