Week 9 Big 12 Mojo Rankings: BYU & ISU survive, Baylor & KU thrive

Two unbeaten remain atop the standings after dueling close calls, while a third team joined them in booking a postseason trip. Meanwhile, three other programs can join bowl season with wins this weekend. 

The all-Saturday league slate features seven matchups, while Arizona State and Iowa State enjoy their final open date.  

Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings ahead of week nine, based on a combination of wins, program health and overall buzz, among other categories.  

1. IOWA STATE (7-0, 4-0) 

Last Week: 1st (NC), WIN 38-35 vs. UCF 

The Cyclones averted a full-blown catastrophe at home as Rocco Becht engineered the drive of his life — so far —  and repelled UCF's upset shot. They're 7-0 after that scare and have plenty to work on entering a final bye week, but it's the best start in school history, and more records will undoubtedly be rewritten this season. 

Up Next: OPEN

2. BYU (7-0, 4-0) 

Last Week: 2nd (NC), WIN 38-35 vs. Oklahoma State

Sometimes, it's just your year, and that's certainly what it felt like when Darius Lassiter broke through awful tackling to give BYU the win with 10 seconds remaining. Two of three first-half BYU interceptions came from Jake Retzlaff, but overall, he was superb in multiple big spots, and his feet helped the Cougars avoid the Pokes' knockout blow before landing their own. After that drama, many have them on upset alert heading to Orlando. 

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

3. KANSAS STATE (6-1, 3-1) 

Last Week: 4th (+1), WIN 45-18 @ West Virginia 

The Wildcats had little trouble with West Virginia in Morgantown thanks to a dominant second half. Now, the annual Sunflower Showdown, where KU holds the all-time lead, but Kansas State has won 15 straight in the series. The Wildcats are, at worst, the clear number three in the league. 

Up Next: Home vs. Kansas, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2 

4. COLORADO (5-2, 3-1) 

Last Week: 5th (+1), WIN 34-7 @ Arizona 

The Buffaloes can reach bowl eligibility as favorites at home this weekend. They effortlessly dispatched Arizona in Tucson behind a significant effort from the defense. Travis Hunter is getting closer to good health, per Deion Sanders, as his Heisman hopes hang in the balance. Shedeur Sanders vs. Brendan Sorsby is an exciting duel of former Texas high school quarterbacks. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

5. CINCINNATI (5-2, 3-1)

Last Week: 8th (+3), WIN 24-14 vs. Arizona State

After jumping out to a 24-7 halftime lead, Cincy went scoreless in the second half but held on and can earn a bowl berth this weekend. Starting with the visit to Boulder on Saturday, three of their five remaining games are road trips to Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas State.

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

6. TCU (4-3, 2-2) 

Last Week: 13th (+7), WIN 13-7 @ Utah 

That was ugly, but ugly wins are better than ugly losses. Based on Utah's offensive shortcomings, I don't quite know what to make of that result.  But I know Josh Hoover can throw for hundreds of yards on Tech's defense, and so long as he limits turnovers, I tend to lean toward Frogs here. 

Up Next: Home vs. Texas Tech, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX 

7. TEXAS TECH (5-2, 3-1) 

Last Week: 3rd (-4), LOSS 59-35 vs. Baylor 

The Red Raiders got rocked at home, leaving the program and fanbase dazed and confused. The 5-1 record being a little flimsy wasn't a shock, but no one was banking on Baylor outright bullying them on their front lawn. It was a harsh reality check, and now, how they respond is critical. 

Up Next: AT TCU, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX 

8. ARIZONA STATE (5-2, 2-2) 

Last Week: 6th (-2), LOSS 24-14 @ Cincinnati 

Two missed field goals in the final nine minutes led to HC Kenny Dillingham's postgame plea for kicking help and campus tryouts. He would later publicly apologize for the rant after realizing the bad optics of singling out one player and group. Lesson learned. And now they have extra time to sort out kicking or other issues with their final bye week.  

Up Next: OPEN

9. UTAH (4-3, 1-3) 

Last Week: 7th (-2), LOSS 13-7 vs. TCU 

What a tumble, as the receipts keep coming for Utah and its online fandom. They should beat Houston, right? But if they don't, the reactions will be swift, merciless and hilarious. 

Up Next: AT Houston, Saturday, 6 p.m. on ESPN+

10. WEST VIRGINIA (3-4, 2-2)

Last Week: 9th (-1), LOSS 45-18 vs. No. 17 Kansas State

Another big game, another big disappointment. Another home loss, another week of WVU fans getting more fed up with the Neal Brown era. Last I saw, Garrett Greene's health status was up in the air, and despite his struggles, it's not like Nicco Marchiol has set the world on fire. 

Up Next: AT Arizona, Saturday, 5 p.m. on FS1

11. BAYLOR (3-4, 1-3) 

Last Week: 15th (+4), WIN 59-35 @ Texas Tech

You don't have to stress about winning close games when you blow out the other team. That was a vital and exhilarating win in Lubbock that drummed up some intrigue, but only if they build off that road trip and give their fans something to celebrate back home. 

Up Next: Home vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+ 

12. UCF (3-4, 1-3) 

Last Week: 10th (-2), LOSS 38-35 @ Iowa State

A massive upset in Ames was there for the taking, but they fell short despite rushing for 354 yards, almost all from star RB RJ Harvey and new QB1 Jacurri Brown. Amidst a four-game losing streak, Gus Malzahn desperately needs a win, and what an upset opportunity at home against unbeaten No. 11 BYU. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 11 BYU, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

13. ARIZONA (3-4, 1-3) 

Last Week: 11th (-2), LOSS 34-7 vs. Colorado 

This team is a mess and one of the more feast-or-famine offensive extremes in the game. It's far too early to make a final judgment on Brent Brennan, but with Fifita and McMillan returning, this season was supposed to be so much more. This game seems like a true tossup.

Up Next: Home vs. West Virginia, Saturday, 5 p.m. on FS1

14. KANSAS (2-5, 1-3) 

Last Week: 16th (+2), WIN 42-14 vs. Houston 

The Jayhawks took out some pent-up aggression on the inferior Cougars and snapped a five-game skid. Star CB Cobee Bryant recorded three of KU's four interceptions, and Jalon Daniels led a balanced performance on offense. Nothing could flip this season's mood quicker than a win over their hated rival. 

Up Next: AT No. 16 Kansas State, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2 

15. HOUSTON (2-5, 1-3) 

Last Week: 12th (-3), LOSS 42-14 @ Kansas 

The Cougars threw four interceptions, one from an eventually injured Zeon Chriss and three from veteran Donovan Smith, and their defense couldn't hold the dam. It was an awful showing, and given where both teams stand now, Houston vs. Utah might be the grossest Big 12 matchup possible on paper.

Up Next: Home vs. Utah, Saturday, 6 p.m. on ESPN+

16. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-4, 0-4) 

Last Week: 14th (-2), LOSS 38-35 @ No. 13 BYU 

They should have pulled off a massive upset in Provo. Instead, the offense had two costly drives to start the third quarter, and the defense couldn't get a single stop in the second half. They've fought through a lot of adversity this season, mostly unsuccessfully, but Baylor has no business taking them for granted. Ollie Gordon started like a house on fire last week, but injuries and big hits limited him throughout. 

Up Next: AT Baylor, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+