Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Tiers Becoming Clearer Entering Week 7

Texas Tech leads the way, but four schools have an opportunity to join the Red Raiders at 3-0. The league slate features five conference games, with six teams off this week. 

Two of the Four Corners clash on Friday night in Tempe, while another pair of ranked teams head into hostile road territory on Saturday evening. Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings entering week seven.

1. IOWA STATE (5-0, 2-0) 

Last Week: (+1) 2nd, WIN 43-21 vs. Baylor 

The Cyclones strung together big plays in all phases, like a blocked punt return for TD to bully past Baylor and get to 5-0 for the first time since 1980. After trailing 14-3, ISU outscored the Bears 40-7 over the final three quarters to turn an upset attempt into a dominant victory. They have the most going for them at the moment, but they're on upset alert again heading into Morgantown this weekend.

Up Next: AT West Virginia, Saturday, 7 p.m. on FOX

2. BYU (5-0, 2-0) 

Last Week: (-1) 1st, OPEN

The Cougars rode some serious momentum into the bye week, but I dropped them a spot just because I believe Iowa State is better now that all things are equal. Still, they are sitting pretty, and even though it's not a night game, there will be plenty of hype and energy in Provo with Big Noon Kickoff in town, plus the chance to earn bowl eligibility and remain undefeated. Kalani Sitake's 3-0 record vs. Arizona is against three different Wildcats head coaches, and he's favored to make it four this weekend against Brent Brennan. 

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX

3. KANSAS STATE (4-1, 1-1) 

Last Week: (+1) 4th, OPEN

The Wildcats return from a bye and head to Boulder for a late-night showdown against Deion and the Buffaloes, a throwback to Big 12 North football and their first meeting since 2010. It's also a premier game for the conference with substantial stakes in the league race. Avery Johnson looked great in their last outing, and the Wildcats' stellar rushing attack will have an exciting battle against an improved CU defense. But like everyone against Colorado, how does the defense hold up? 

Up Next: AT Colorado, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

4. TEXAS TECH (5-1, 3-0) 

Last Week: (+2) 6th, WIN 28-22 @ Arizona 

Tech finally landed an elusive road win and now has partial control of the Big 12 steering wheel as they enjoy a bye week. Joey McGuire and crew have to feel great about where they sit and their chances to make it 6-0 as favorites against Baylor in Lubbock next week. Like BYU, I don't think Tech is a great team, but they're winning close games, which usually equates to success, especially in a league where close games are the norm. 

Up Next: OPEN

5. UTAH (4-1, 1-1) 

Last Week: (-2) 3rd, OPEN

The Utes limped into the bye week, worse for wear after their first loss and a rare home defeat against Arizona. However, the biggest question around this program has been unchanged for the past several weeks. You know the one. Will he, won't he play? And if not, how freshman QB Isaac Wilson bounces back from the worst performance of his young career will be critical. 

Up Next: AT Arizona State, Friday, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN 

6. COLORADO (4-1, 2-0) 

Last Week: (-1) 5th, OPEN

Colorado enjoyed a break last week after an exhilarating 4-1 start. Now, another Saturday night spotlight at home against old Big 12 North rival K-State. The Buffaloes enter as underdogs, but a win here and the top 25 could come calling. It's a big stage and game for the program and Travis Hunter's continued Heisman chances. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 18 Kansas State, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

7. WEST VIRGINIA (3-2, 2-0)

Last Week: (+6) 13th, WIN 38-14 @ Oklahoma State 

The mood is improving around Neal Brown and Morgantown after a difficult non-con. The Mountaineers ran all over Oklahoma State last weekend for a massive win in Stillwater. Their two losses were in the non-con against current unbeaten top 25 teams in No. 4 Penn State and at No. 22 Pittsburgh. And these next two weeks are crucial as they host Iowa State and Kansas State under the lights. To further spice up a big primetime home game against a top-ten team, WVU is breaking out their new all-black Coal Rush uniforms. But more importantly, the 'Eers will need Garrett Greene to be at his best. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 11 Iowa State, Saturday, 7 p.m. on FOX  

8. ARIZONA STATE (4-1, 1-1) 

Last Week: (+4) 12th, WIN 35-31 vs. Kansas 

The Sun Devils were clutch with a pair of late Sam Leavitt touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 16 seconds left, to knock off Kansas for their inaugural Big 12 win. Now ASU turns around for a fantastic Friday night opportunity against a familiar foe at home. Cam Skattebo is one of the league's best and most entertaining players, but against Utah, they'll need Leavitt to build off his career-best performance from last week. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 16 Utah, Friday, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN 

9. UCF (3-2, 1-1) 

Last Week: (-2) 7th, LOSS 24-13 @ Florida 

The Knights were already reeling from the Big Noon disappointment against Colorado, and then, things took a turn for the worse as they were chewed up and spit out by the Gators down in The Swamp. It was a great opportunity squandered and a reality check in some ways. Despite Hurricane Milton battering the state of Florida, Saturday's game is still a go in Orlando. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 

10. ARIZONA (3-2, 1-1) 

Last Week: (-1) 9th, LOSS 28-22 vs. Texas Tech 

I was wholly unimpressed with Arizona's performance vs. Texas Tech. The excitement over the Utah win and change at play-caller was short-lived, and it's clear there was some hangover effect. That and Arizona is a rollercoaster of inconsistency. Tetaroia McMillan ended up with some impressively empty stats and one gigantic fumble. And Noah Fifita got outplayed by Behren Morton. Tech deserves some credit, but 'Zona was still enjoying the Utah high. They could give BYU problems if their good version shows up, but who knows with them? 

Up Next: AT No. 14 BYU, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX 

11. CINCINNATI (3-2, 1-1)

Last Week: (-1) 10th, OPEN

The Bearcats recovered and regrouped over the bye week after a disappointing and physical loss in Lubbock. Last we saw, they were down their top RB in Corey Kiner, among others, but in stellar news, Kiner will return to action this weekend, which gets this Bearcats offense back to its full potential. These two teams first met in 2015 and have played every year since, with UCF holding a 5-4 advantage. 

Up Next:  AT UCF, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 

12. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-3, 0-3) 

Last Week: (-4) 8th, LOSS 38-14 vs. West Virginia 

Mike Gundy's Cowboys are in shambles after an embarrassing home loss that saw his defense give up nearly 400 yards rushing. Alan Bowman was benched again and replaced by Garret Rangel. Also, star RB Ollie Gordon left the game with an injury, and many are speculating on whether he'll now sit out to prepare for the NFL. Who is QB1, and is Gordon going to be back? Those are answers we won't get during this bye week. But either way, the options aren't good. The offense is terrible, and the defense is worse. 

Up Next: OPEN

13. HOUSTON (2-4, 1-2) 

Last Week: (+3) 16th, WIN 30-19 @ TCU 

Houston caught TCU slipping, earning a glorious upset win for Willie Fritz's program. After back-to-back shutout losses, the Cougars got off the mat to earn their first Big 12 win over TCU and first conference win this season. But it was also the Coogs' first win over the Horned Frogs since 1992. New QB1 Zeon Chriss performed well before exiting with an injury, and Donovan Smith came off the bench to help close the upset bid in Fort Worth. The defense remains stingy, and they earned their way out of what looked like it could be a permanent 16 spot. 

Up Next: OPEN 

14. TCU (3-3, 1-2) 

Last Week: (-3) 11th, LOSS 30-19 vs. Houston 

Sonny Dykes called their unimaginable home defeat to Houston a "devastating loss" and appeared blindsided by the depth of their struggles. On the field, the turnovers on offense and lack of them on defense are plaguing the Frogs. There may be cultural problems to some extent. The Frogs go into the bye week with plenty of doubt hanging over their heads. If you were wondering how much goodwill making the National Championship game gives you at TCU, we're in the midst of finding out. 

Up Next: OPEN  

15. BAYLOR (2-4, 0-3) 

Last Week: (-1) 14th, LOSS 43-21 @ No.16 Iowa State 

The Bears may look somewhat improved, but unfortunately for Dave Aranda, the results are not changing. The start in Ames was promising, but they were battered in the later rounds and outmatched. When this team is fighting, it's like there's one hand tied behind their back. I'm fascinated to see how the next six games play out and how that dictates whatever comes next. But first, a break in the action after a grueling six-game opening stretch. 

Up Next: OPEN

16. KANSAS (1-5, 0-3) 

Last Week: (-1) 15th, LOSS 35-31 @ Arizona State

No team in America is experiencing more agonizingly close losses week-to-week, and making a bowl game is now in extreme doubt after a fifth straight defeat. On the bright side, Jalon Daniels had his best game of the year, and WR Quentin Skinner had the most productive game of his career. That may carry over, but this is another team that can only benefit from a break in the action. 

Up Next: OPEN