Big 12 Mojo Rankings: It's a BYU/Colorado Race Entering Week 12

The Holy War lived up to its billing, the Buffs continued stampeding toward Arlington and Kansas might be back. 

TCU became the seventh bowl-eligible team, while Oklahoma State was officially eliminated from the postseason for the first time in 18 years. Now, the winner of Baylor-WVU is guaranteed to become the next postseason berth, and Cincinnati could also book a TBD ticket with an upset in Ames. 

Houston-Arizona starts the weekend on Friday night, Big Noon Kickoff returns to Boulder the following morning, while another late night in Provo closes the curtain on Saturday.

Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings entering Week 12. 

1. BYU (9-0, 6-0) 
Last Week: 1st (NC), WIN 22-21 @ Utah

No more playing the disrespect card after an all-time classic win in The Holy War propelled the undefeated Cougars to No. 6 in the latest CFP rankings. They've won the PR Holy War, as well. A win is a win, but the foundation has shown some cracks. Nevertheless, they control their destiny. 

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

2. COLORADO (7-2, 5-1) 
Last Week: 2nd (NC), WIN 41-27 @ Texas Tech

Colorado is riding high, with a spot nearly booked for Arlington to go along with perhaps the next Heisman Trophy winner. Big Noon Kickoff continues its love affair with CU and returns to Boulder, which adds good exposure and extra spice vs. an ailing Utah squad. The Buffs have only reached eight wins once since 2004. 

Up Next: Home vs. Utah, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FOX

3. KANSAS STATE (7-2, 4-2) 
Last Week: 4th (+1), OPEN

Off a bye, KSU has hopefully recovered from its stunning loss in Houston. They're still in Big 12 contention, and I'm intrigued by the matchup this weekend in Manhattan. 

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

4. ARIZONA STATE (7-2, 4-2) 
Last Week: 5th (+1), WIN 35-31 vs. UCF

ASU impressively outlasted UCF in a thriller despite being without star RB Cam Skattebo. He's expected back this week, which is vital to any upset formula. QB Sam Leavitt is a young star in the making, hence Kenny Dillingham's call for NIL support to ward off inevitable off-season offers. 

Up Next: AT No. 19 Kansas State, 6 p.m. on ESPN

5. IOWA STATE (7-2, 4-2) 
Last Week: 3rd (-2), LOSS 45-36 @ Kansas

The Cyclones are fading down the stretch and reverting to their mean as season-long health woes play a role. Earning the first ten-win season in school history is still possible, but Big 12 title hopes have faded. After two straight losses, a night game in Ames should do the win column some good. 

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday, 7 p.m. on FOX

6. CINCINNATI (5-4, 3-3)
Last Week: 6th (NC), LOSS 31-24 vs. West Virginia

The Bearcats remain in pursuit of win number six after letting it get away last week vs. West Virginia. Now a trip to Ames, a homecoming for DC Tyson Veidt, a longtime Cyclones assistant. The next step is bowl eligibility. 

Up Next: AT Iowa State, Saturday, 7 p.m. on FOX

7. BAYLOR (5-4, 3-3) 
Last Week: 7th (NC), OPEN

The season's 3-0 second leg was highly entertaining and encouraging, but overall sentiments depend on how they finish. Stay the course and avoid the big mistakes, and these Bears can become the first Baylor team ever to win in Morgantown. That would also ensure bowl eligibility. Or history holds, and the pressure for number six rises. 

Up Next: AT West Virginia, Saturday, 3 p.m. on ESPN 2 

8. TCU (6-4, 4-3) 
Last Week: 9th (+1), WIN 38-13 vs. Oklahoma State

The Frogs got their turn to swing at the Oklahoma State pinata, and many turnovers and points reliably fell out to their delight. It was a good win to get bowl-eligible and bounce back after the Baylor heartbreaker. 

Up Next: OPEN 

9. TEXAS TECH (6-4, 4-3) 
Last Week: 8th (-1), LOSS 41-27 vs. No. 20 Colorado

Tech jumped out early on Colorado but couldn't hold on, suffering a third loss in four games and second straight at home. The past few weeks have seen many dramatic ups and downs and controversies, so a final breather should do them some good. 

Up Next: OPEN

10. HOUSTON (4-5, 3-3) 
Last Week: 10th (NC), OPEN

In a battle of feline predators, the Cougars have shown sharper claws and toughness this season. The Houston D vs. Fifita/McMillan is a compelling matchup on paper. And they can win in Tucson if the offense gives them something to work with. 

Up Next: AT Arizona, Satuerday, 9:15 p.m. on FS1

11. WEST VIRGINIA (5-4, 4-2)
Last Week: 11th (NC), WIN 31-24 @ Cincinnati 

It feels like Neal Brown is trending toward another year, but how the Mountaineers close down the stretch could swing the pendulum either way. They've won two straight and have a historical home-field advantage this weekend. 

Up Next: Home vs. Baylor, Saturday, 3 p.m. on ESPN 2

12. KANSAS (3-6, 2-4) 
Last Week: 13th (+1), WIN 45-36 vs. No. 17 Iowa State

The Jayhawks made a splash with the upset over ISU and remain one of the hottest teams in the Big 12, despite the stumble at Kansas State. Jalon Daniels is playing more like the star player we expected, and recent events should have BYU on alert for the Jayhawks. How do they handle the Vampire Cougs atmosphere?

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

13. UCF (4-6, 2-5) 
Last Week: 12th (-1), LOSS 35-31 @ Arizona State

The Knights fell shootout-style in the desert, yet another disappointing close loss. RB RJ Harvey is a bonafide star and having an incredible year. Harvey is second nationally in rushing yards and overall scoring, trailing only Boise State's Ashton Jeanty in both categories. 

Up Next: OPEN

14. ARIZONA (3-6, 1-5) 
Last Week: 14th (NC), OPEN

It could be better in Tucson following five straight losses, and last we saw, a 56-12 thrashing down in Orlando. The bye week was littered with questions about the future of head coach Brent Brennan, who is nine games into his tenure. Tetairoa McMillan is inevitably NFL-bound, so I wonder how much Noah Fifita will command on the transfer market. 

Up Next: Home vs. Houston, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on FS1

15. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-7, 0-7) 
Last Week: 16th (+1), LOSS 38-13 @ TCU

The Pokes mercifully have a week off after their seventh consecutive loss. A defeat that officially ended their outstanding 18-year postseason streak. Mike Gundy is going nowhere, so let the buildup and intrigue begin on how the Pokes will attack this offseason. Losing has numbed them, so they're faring better than Utah for a few days. 

Up Next: OPEN

16. UTAH (4-5, 1-5) 
Last Week: 15th (-1), LOSS 22-21 vs. #9 BYU 

They have to take the No. 16 spot this week on principle. No one's had a rougher few days, losing the way they did to hated rival BYU, their fifth straight loss, plus the postgame anti-Big 12 meltdown by their AD, which went viral and drew a public reprimand. A toxic inaugural introduction to their new league continues. 

Up Next: AT No. 20 Colorado, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FOX