Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Four Contenders, LOL Utes entering Week 10

The top three teams escaped potential pitfalls last week, and Colorado officially joined the gone bowling party. TCU and Texas Tech can do the same with wins this weekend. 

It's a small schedule for the league, with just five games, as six teams enjoy their final bye week. 

As we approach the final stretch, here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings rolling into week ten.  

1. BYU (8-0, 5-0)  

Last Week: 2nd (+1), WIN 37-24 @ UCF 

The Cougars successfully navigated a potential trap in Orlando and will remain unbeaten for at least one more weekend, thanks to a bye. This dream season's next chapter is a little recuperation before the Holy War in Salt Lake City. I'm not sure Iowa State isn't better, but the Cougars undeniably have the most mojo going at the moment. 

Up Next: OPEN

2. IOWA STATE (7-0, 4-0)  

Last Week: 1st (-1), BYE

Iowa State enjoyed a bye and now gets a desperate (and paranoid?!?) Texas Tech squad. Playing at home with two weeks to prepare ought to make the result obvious, but the last time we saw the Cyclones, they were narrowly avoiding a home disaster against UCF. 

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

3. KANSAS STATE (7-1, 4-1) 

Last Week: 3rd (NC), WIN 29-27 vs. Kansas 

The Big 12's midwest Wildcats found a way to win a 16th straight Sunflower Showdown, thanks to a ferocious final four minutes that saw a forced fumble, 51-yard go-ahead field goal and a final fourth down stop. They're heavily favored to make it five straight wins this weekend in Houston. 

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

4. COLORADO (6-2, 4-1) 

Last Week: 4th (NC), WIN 34-23 vs. Cincinnati 

The Buffaloes are going bowling for the first time under Prime, thanks to a competitive but convincing win over Cincy. Travis Hunter put up another performance worthy of Heisman consideration. Shedeur Sanders stayed sizzling, and the defense is no flash in the pan. Now, a final break before the stretch run, and Arlington is unlikely but not entirely out of the question. Those white-gray-gray unis are pretty sweet. 

Up Next: OPEN

5. TCU (5-3, 3-2) 

Last Week: 6th (+1), WIN 35-34 vs. Texas Tech

The Frogs scored fourteen straight to rally at home and now head to Waco, where plenty of the 2013-14 festivities connect with their staff members. TCU has an embarrassing stranglehold on this rivalry and no reason to lack confidence in adding another win to their lead. However, Josh Hoover's turnover bug might have other ideas in mind. 

Up Next: AT Baylor, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2 

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

Last Week: 5th (-1), LOSS 34-23 @ Colorado 

The Bearcats put up a good fight throughout their showing in Boulder but didn't play well enough for the upset. A failed fourth down attempt and subsequent momentum swing late in the first half doomed them, as did their inability to get a stop on defense. 

Up Next: OPEN

7. ARIZONA STATE (5-2, 2-2) 

Last Week: 8th (+1), OPEN

Back from a bye, the Sun Devils come bearing good health as starting QB Sam Leavitt returns from a brief injury absence. With or without him, Cam Skattebo might run for 300 yards this weekend against the porous Pokes. ASU's improvement is one of the better stories in the league, and they can punch their unexpected postseason ticket with one more win. 

Up Next: AT Oklahoma State, Saturday, 6 p.m. on FS1 

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

Last Week: 10th (+2), WIN 31-26 @ Arizona 

They earned a road victory, Nicco Marchiol started, and Neal Brown fired their struggling DC afterward, but that's still not good enough for some. A group of disgruntled and tasteless WVU fans ponied up for a 'Fire Neal Brown' airplane banner, but it never took flight amid online rumors the school intervened. So instead, said group bought several 'Fire Neal Brown' billboards around town. A separate group has countered with 'Keep Neal Brown' billboards. So, it's been a fun bye week so far.

Up Next: OPEN 

9. BAYLOR (4-4, 2-3) 

Last Week: 11th (+2), WIN 38-28 vs. Oklahoma State 

The Bears won a vital home game for the first time in a long time, thanks to complementary football. The run game stole the headlines, but the win was aided by a wide cast of playmakers, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, Matt Jones. Winning creates more fun matchups, and there will be no shortage of fun motivations this weekend against rival TCU. 

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

10. TEXAS TECH (5-3, 3-2) 

Last Week: 7th (-3), LOSS 35-34 @ TCU 

On the field, the Red Raiders are mid-free fall after fumbling and failing to finish off the Frogs in Fort Worth. Instead, they returned to Lubbock with a second-straight demoralizing loss. Off the field, Texas Tech is basically calling Baylor and TCU cheaters without using those exact words. QB Behren Morton luckily avoided significant injury to his shoulder and will start. No excuses this weekend in Ames. 

Up Next: AT No. 11 Iowa State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

11. UCF (3-5, 1-4) 

Last Week: 12th (+1), LOSS 37-24 vs. No. 11 BYU 

Gus Malzahn has passed off offensive playcalling duties and also made a change at DC, firing Ted Roof after the Knights let a golden upset opportunity slip from their grasp in Provo, their fourth straight loss. Outside of needing a win, this is a special weekend as the Knights host their eighth annual Space Game, which features sweet new uniforms. It's a fresh and stylish tradition that started in 2017. 

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FS1 

12. HOUSTON (3-5, 2-3) 

Last Week: 15th (+3), WIN 17-14 vs. Utah 

In between receiving butt-kickings, the Cougars are winning enough to make a clear rebuilding season far more entertaining than imagined. Don't get into a slugfest with the Cougs because sometimes they can win ugly. A terrific homecoming win to continue laying Fritz’s foundation. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 17 Kansas State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX 

13. KANSAS (2-6, 1-4) 

Last Week: 14th (+1), LOSS 29-27 @ No. 16 Kansas State 

Kansas continues building on its national lead for the worst batch of losses in the country. Jalon Daniels fumbled away a signature, feel-good rivalry win that would have ended a 15-game losing streak vs. the Wildcats. They played well enough to win throughout but couldn't avoid critical errors and shooting themselves in the foot. 

Up Next: OPEN

14. ARIZONA (3-5, 1-4) 

Last Week: 13th (-1), LOSS 31-26 vs. West Virginia 

Tetairoa McMillan had ten catches for 202 yards, but it wasn't enough to outclimb the Mountaineers at home. After four straight losses, they're entering the danger zone of missing the postseason. 

Up Next: AT UCF, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FS1

15. UTAH (4-4, 1-4) 

Last Week: 9th (-6), LOSS 17-14 vs. Houston 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Up Next: OPEN 

16. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-5, 0-5) 

Last Week: 16th (NC), LOSS 38-28 @ Baylor 

There's nowhere left to fall in these rankings or the league standings, but the actual slide continues for Mike Gundy's Cowboys. WR Brennan Presley was a stud in the loss at Baylor. But beyond that, what was supposed to be a historic year remains on track for historic lows. 

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona State, Saturday, 6 p.m. on FS1