Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Holy War, Big Noon Hype Up Week 11

Last Saturday left BYU as the only unbeaten in league play, Kansas State and Iowa State flailing and Colorado still alive for Arlington. 

With their big wins, Texas Tech and Arizona State became bowl-eligible, giving the Big 12 six teams in the postseason with a month remaining. Cincinnati and TCU can join that list with wins this weekend. 

Six national Saturday broadcasts fill the conference slate, headlined by Big Noon Kickoff in Lubbock for the next stop on Travis Hunter's Heisman campaign. The night-time headliner features unbeaten CFP contender BYU on the road for the first-ever Big 12 Holy War. 

As we begin Week 11 and the regular season's final month, here are my latest Big 12 Mojo Rankings based on success, impact, achievement and style. 

1. BYU (8-0, 5-0) 

Last Week: 1st (NC), OPEN

The Cougars were lucky to have a bye week, or they might have fallen too. Now it's time for The Holy War and a rejuvenated annual blood feud with now conference-rival Utah. Kalani Sitake and company have navigated some land mines, and they will be on high alert for this one, regardless of how the Utes may have struggled. 

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

2. COLORADO (6-2, 4-1) 

Last Week: 4th (+2), OPEN

The Buffaloes are going bowling for the first time under Coach Prime, but the program has much higher aspirations, including an outside shot at the Big 12 Championship game if they keep winning. And there's also Travis Hunter's ongoing Heisman campaign. The spotlight is back on after a bye week, with Big Noon Kickoff in Lubbock for their showdown with Texas Tech. 

Up Next: AT Texas Tech, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX 

3. IOWA STATE (7-1, 4-1) 

Last Week: 2nd (-1), LOSS 23-22 vs. Texas Tech

Iowa State was stunned at home by Texas Tech, and if you read last week, there was some foreshadowing of that possibility, thanks to UCF. But off a bye week, no less? That was a brutal loss, but more school history is still in reach. 

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

4. KANSAS STATE (7-2, 4-2)

Last Week: 3rd (-1), LOSS 24-19 @ Houston

KSU has shown some flaws, but a loss at Houston? The offense was stymied, and the defense gave up the crucial big play late. They get one more break and will need some chaos to reach Arlington. 

Up Next: OPEN

5. ARIZONA STATE (6-2, 3-2) 

Last Week: 7th (+2), WIN 42-21 @ Oklahoma State

The Sun Devils scorched a reeling Cowboys squad in Stillwater. Earning bowl eligibility is a terrific achievement, given the program's state less than two years ago. But they're not done yet. Cam Skattebo continues to stack up accolades, and QB Sam Leavitt also returned from injury in a timely fashion. 

Up Next: Home vs. UCF, Saturday, 6 p.m. on ESPN2

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

Last Week: 6th (NC), LOSS 34-23 @ Colorado 

I had no clue what to expect from Cincinnati, but they've carved out a spot in the league's upper half so far. I think the Bearcats have the better QB, and ideally, playing at home should strengthen their chances in another toss-up game. Given their closing schedule, they can't mess around getting win number six. 

Up Next: Home vs. West Virginia, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FS1

7. BAYLOR (5-4, 3-3) 

Last Week: 9th (+2), WIN 37-34 vs. TCU 

37-34 doesn't have the same ring as 61-58, but the feelings and emotions registered on a similar scale last Saturday night. And will forever be remembered fondly in the Baylor history books. The Bears are rolling into the bye week with three straight wins and many broken streaks. As for their next challenge? No team in school history has ever won in Morgantown. Not even those who were celebrated this past weekend. 

Up Next: OPEN

8. TEXAS TECH (6-3, 4-2) 

Last Week: 10th (+2), WIN 23-22 @ No. 11 Iowa State

The Red Raiders had no communication excuses rolling into Ames, IA, but to their credit, they delivered a resoundingly important win that did the team and fanbase some immense good. Joey McGuire is now 3-for-3 in earning bowl eligibility as head coach. Thanks to the win and their high-profile opponent, the reward is hosting Big Noon Kickoff against Prime and Company on the plains. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 21 Colorado, Saturday, 3 p.m. on FOX 

9. TCU (5-4, 3-3) 

Last Week: 5th (-4), LOSS 37-34 @ Baylor 

The Frogs finally got a taste of their own poison in The Revivalry series, as Sonny Dykes playing it safe led in part to the first loss in Waco since 2014. On paper, they should bounce back and earn a bowl berth at home this weekend. 

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

10. HOUSTON (4-5, 3-3) 

Last Week: 12th (+2), WIN 24-19 vs. No. 17 Kansas State

I warned people not to get into a slugfest with UH, but K-State didn't listen. The Houston defense is legit, and they got just enough from Zeon Chriss and the offense to pull another massive upset in Fritz's first year. Who'd have thought Houston could boast back-to-back wins vs. Utah and KSU? Plus, a win over TCU in Fort Worth. And they nearly had OU. Impressive. 

Up Next: OPEN

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

Last Week: 8th (-3), OPEN

A bye week helped slow down the ‘fire Neal Brown’ rhetoric, but they can ill-afford a poor showing in the Queen City after two weeks to prepare. It looks like Nicco Marchiol is in line for another start, which provides some intrigue about the future. 

Up Next: AT Cincinnati, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FS1 

12. UCF (4-5, 2-4) 

Last Week: 11th (-1), WIN 56-12 vs. Arizona 

The new starting quarterback, Dylan Rizk, makes you wonder why he wasn't the original starter. And the recent coaching changes paid immediate dividends. It could also be that Arizona is on fumes. Regardless, the Citronauts won another important Space Game and looked to have fun doing so. 

Up Next: AT Arizona State, Saturday, 6 p.m. on ESPN2

13. KANSAS (2-6, 1-4) 

Last Week: 13th (NC), OPEN

The Jayhawks are fresh off a bye, and last we saw, they were letting Kansas State off the upset hook. No matter, Houston finished the job for them. A bowl game is still technically on the table, but only if they win out over the next month. ISU is on high alert but still vulnerable. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 17 Iowa State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FS1 

14. ARIZONA (3-6, 1-5) 

Last Week: 14th (NC), LOSS 56-12 @ UCF 

There was nothing good about their trip to Orlando. This season is a wash, no matter what happens next. Arizona is far from a football powerhouse, but it's bad enough there's legitimate wonder about how long first-year head coach Brent Brennan is for the job. They had five yards rushing total, and a beaten-up defense was practically defenseless against the Knights. 

Up Next: OPEN

15. UTAH (4-4, 1-4) 

Last Week: 15th (NC), OPEN

If there's a way to salvage this hellscape of a season, it'd be to knock off their unbeaten blood rivals in Salt Lake City and severely damage BYU's big-picture aspirations. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 9 BYU, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

16. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-6, 0-6) 

Last Week: 16th (NC), LOSS 42-21 vs. Arizona State

As if spirits couldn't drop lower, the biggest news this week was Mike Gundy's poor comparison of fan criticism to people with no lives and little money. That and the blowout home loss vs. the Sun Devils continues the historic lows and makes for another easy choice at No. 16. 

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