Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Week 11

Texas takes control, Oklahoma State takes Bedlam and crushes OU's CFP dreams, while Kansas encounters history. 

Five Big 12 teams occupy spots in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, but the race to Arlington is narrowing at the top with last week's results and just three games to go.  

Here are the Big 12 Mojo Rankings entering Week 11. 

1. TEXAS (8-1, 5-1) 

Last Week: (#1) W 33-30 vs. #23 Kansas State 

The Longhorns secured a massive win against the Wildcats, starting fast, faltering, and finishing with a dramatic fourth down stop on the final play. Maalik Murphy continues holding down the fort, with much help from his friends, as Quinn Ewers moves to day-to-day status and his return looms. Adonai Mitchell was a brilliant offseason acquisition. 

Up Next: AT TCU, Saturday @ 6:30 pm on ABC 

2. OKLAHOMA STATE (7-2, 5-1) 

Last Week: (#4) W 27-24 vs. #9 Oklahoma 

The Cowboys took the final Big 12 Bedlam, reeled off five straight wins, and put themselves in the driver's seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. RB Ollie Gordon remains an unstoppable force and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors for a record-tying fourth straight week. Gordon vs. the UCF defense should put everyone on NCAA record watch. Watch out, Samaje Perine. Just kidding, sort of. 

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

3. KANSAS (7-2, 4-2) 

Last Week: (#5) W 28-21 @ Iowa State 

The Jayhawks earned their first win in Ames since 2008 as the Lance Leipold era continues to rewrite the KU media guide. Coincidentally, that was also the last time they won seven games and the last time the Jayhawks won back-to-back conference games. All that, and there are still three games to go. The only downside is that this level of success in Lawrence means lots of Lance Leipold discussion and speculation for open jobs like Michigan State. You know how that goes. 

Up Next: Home vs. Texas Tech, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FS1 

4. KANSAS STATE (6-3, 4-2) 

Last Week: (#2) L 33-30 @ #7 Texas

The Wildcats overcame a slow start in Austin but couldn't overcome miscues or the Longhorns' defense with the game on the line. It was a brutal loss and a huge missed opportunity. The 'Cats no longer control their destiny and now teeter on the edge of ranked status, but on paper, hosting Baylor should be a cakewalk at home this weekend. 

Up Next: Home vs. Baylor, Saturday @ 2:00 pm on Big 12|ESPN+ 

5. WEST VIRGINIA (6-3, 4-2) 

Last Week: (#7) W 37-7 vs. BYU 

The Mountaineers ran all over BYU thanks to a terrific offensive line and the thunder-and-lightning combination of CJ Donaldson and Jahiem White. After beating up on newcomers recently, WVU gets their final crack at Oklahoma as Big 12 brethren and at home. Neal Brown seems safe at this point, successfully cooling down one of the hotter seats in the land and backing up his media day claims that his team would make preseason media projections look foolish. 

Up Next: AT #17 Oklahoma, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on FOX 

6. OKLAHOMA (7-2, 4-2) 

Last Week: (#3) L 27-24 @ #22 Oklahoma State

Two losses in a row wiped out OU's CFP hopes and have now put the odds of even appearing in the Big 12 Championship Game in serious jeopardy. But that wasn't just a loss last week; that was a devastating blow to the ego, losing to little brother in their final (for now) meeting. The Sooners are no longer in control; even the head-to-head vs. Texas has weakened in power. 
Up Next: Home vs. West Virginia, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on FOX 

7. IOWA STATE (5-4, 4-2) 

Last Week: (#6) L 28-21 vs. #21 Kansas 

The Cyclones tried to rebound from a slow start, but their comeback bid fell short against the Jayhawks. It was ultimately a disappointing home showing, as consistency remains a struggle. The Cyclones are better than BYU, but late Saturday nights in Provo can get weird. It's also their best shot at win #6, with Texas and Kansas State still to follow. 

Up Next: AT BYU, Saturday @ 9:15 pm on ESPN

8. TEXAS TECH (4-5, 3-3) 

Last Week: (#10) W 35-28 @ TCU 

Texas Tech earned a desperately needed victory over rival TCU as QB Behren Morton returned to action. The Red Raiders need two wins in the last three for a bowl berth. So, quite the opportunity and matchup this weekend in Lawrence against a Top 25 Jayhawks squad. There's a path to some late-season momentum, but Tech is 1-3 on the road this year. 

Up Next: AT #16 Kansas, Saturday @ 11:00 am on FS1 

9. TCU (4-5, 2-4) 

Last Week: (#8) L 35-28 @ Texas Tech 

The Frogs fought back and took the lead in Lubbock but surrendered any chances of a win with two costly interceptions down the stretch. Josh Hoover will remain the starter at QB for the third straight game. A year removed from the National Championship game, they must win two of the next three to make a bowl return. They could totally redeem themselves with an upset over the Longhorns this weekend. 

Up Next: Home vs. #7 Texas, Saturday @ 6:30 pm on ABC 

10. BYU (5-4, 2-4) 

Last Week: (#9) L 37-7 @ West Virginia 

The Cougars got thoroughly whooped in Morgantown last week. After a fine first start, Jake Retzlaff gets the nod again at QB this week. But the offense as a whole remains a major project. That doesn't bode well vs. Iowa State, but what does is homefield advantage. The Cougars clearly benefit from playing at home, especially late night Mountain time. 

Up Next: Home vs. Iowa State, Saturday @ 9:15 pm on ESPN

11. HOUSTON (4-5, 2-4) 

Last Week: (#12) W 25-24 (OT) @ Baylor 

Donovan Smith walked it off in Waco, and the Coogs beat Baylor in dramatic but stressful fashion to earn one of their biggest wins as a fledgling Big 12 program. There were a lot of ramifications and bragging rights with that win, but most of all, it was a much-needed morale booster. A bowl game remains in play, and the Cougars are slight favorites at home against Cincy. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday @ 6:00 pm on FS1 

12. UCF (4-5, 1-5) 

Last Week: (#13) W 28-26 @ Cincinnati 

We have liftoff. Finally, the Knights are in the Big 12 win column, thanks to a road victory over fellow rookie Cincinnati. UCF also snapped a five-game losing streak as RB RJ Harvey ran to Co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. And now, the Knights are presented with a golden opportunity at home to play upset against a Top 15 Big 12 title contender and conference original. Although, it could also be a nightmare. This Knights' rush defense vs. Ollie Gordon is a comical matchup on paper unless you're Gus Malzahn and the fandom, as UCF is 132/133 nationally in rushing yards allowed per game, at 228 yards per contest. 

Up Next: Home vs. #15 Oklahoma State, Saturday @ 2:30 pm on ESPN 

13. BAYLOR (3-6, 2-4) 

Last Week: (#11) L 25-24 (OT) vs. Houston

So, that happened. The Houston loss was a new low point for the program this season. Getting walked off at home in overtime, after your own comeback bid, vs. a newly renewed in-state rival, is a nightmare combination. But for the Bears, it's also their reality. The red zone execution issues and lack of complementary football mean they have zero room for error. There are flashes of hope and optimism, but they're too few and far between. All signs point to a potentially ugly showdown in Manhattan. 

Up Next: AT #25 Kansas State, Saturday @ 2:00 pm on Big 12|ESPN+ 

14. CINCINNATI (2-7, 0-6) 

Last Week: (#14) L 28-26 vs. UCF 

The Bearcats are now the only team in the Big 12 without a conference win, new or otherwise. Times are tough as Cincy aims to snap their 7-game losing streak, taking on fellow rookie U of H down in Houston. The Bearcats' overall execution leaves much to be desired, as does the play at QB. 

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