Week 14 Mojo Rankings: Buffs Fumble The Bag, Sun Devils Burn BYU

As Week 14 of the college football season gets underway, nine Big 12 teams are bowling, five are entering the offseason after this weekend and two have a final shot at playing in the postseason. 

Two games highlight Black Friday action. Then, on Saturday, six games bring the regular season to a close, main evented by Farmageddon with a century’s old hatred baked-in, and this year with a side of title game implications. 

Here are my Big 12 Mojo Rankings ahead of the final full college football weekend, based on a combination of categories from success to momentum, on and off the field. 

1. ARIZONA STATE (9-2, 6-2) 

Last Week: 3rd (+2), WIN 28-23 vs. No. 14 BYU

The Sun Devils botched their initial celebratory field rush, but luckily for them, they got a second chance minutes later and delivered once BYU's Hail Mary attempt fell short. The biggest win of the Kenny Dillingham era means one more victory against rival Arizona, and the Sun Devils are playing for a Big 12 title spot — a fabulous and unexpected story. 

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

2. IOWA STATE (9-2, 6-2) 

Last Week: 4th (+2), WIN 31-28 @ Utah

The Cyclones benefitted more than anyone from the chaos around the league, putting them in position for a milestone weekend in university lore. A Farmageddon victory in Ames books a ticket to Arlington and gives the program its first 10-win season in school history. The door of opportunity has opened for Matt Campbell. What happens now? 

Up Next: Home vs. Kansas State, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FOX

3. BYU (9-2, 6-2) 

Last Week: 2nd (-1), LOSS 28-23 @ No. 21 Arizona State

With their second loss in as many weeks, the Cougars no longer control their fate nor have a spot in Arlington. They need K-State to upend Iowa State and then go out and beat Houston while most of the country sleeps. Plausible. They'll know what's at stake by the time kickoff rolls around, but at worst, they're still playing for ten wins. 

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

4. COLORADO (8-3, 6-2) 

Last Week: 1ST (-3), LOSS 37-21 @ Kansas

The Buffaloes dropped the Louis bag filled with opportunity and may have lost it permanently without some outside help. The defense was embarrassed as Jayhawks RB Devin Neal ran through, around and away from defenders all game. Colorado is in action on Black Friday and then will have to hope for the correct combo of chaos. 

Up Next: Home vs. Oklahoma State, Friday, 11 a.m. on ABC

5. BAYLOR (7-4, 5-3)

Last Week: 5th (NC), WIN 20-10 @ Houston

The Bears won their fifth straight and completed the Texas sweep by outlasting Houston. Now, a hugely challenging home finale against a similarly streaking Kansas squad. The turnaround over the last six weeks is undeniable, and now it's a matter of how high they can reach. A six-game win streak to head into bowl season would be incredible and is there for the taking. 

Up Next: Home vs. Kansas, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ESPN2 

6. KANSAS STATE (8-3, 5-3) 

Last Week: 6th (NC), WIN 41-15 vs. Cincinnati 

OC Conor Riley moved from the booth to the sidelines, and DJ Giddens and Avery Johnson led the Wildcats to nearly 300 yards rushing on a successful Senior Night. Now, Farmageddon in Ames, with rivalry bragging rights, ten wins and even Big 12 title hopes on the line for both teams.

Up Next: AT No. 22 Iowa State, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on FOX 

7. TCU (7-4, 5-3) 

Last Week: 7th (NC), WIN 49-28 vs. Arizona

The Frogs are likely to finish 8-4, which is a solid season by most measures, but it feels flat, given the lack of marquee wins and overall lack of exuberance around Sonny Dykes. I'm curious how they go about shaking that up next season. 

Up Next: AT Cincinnati, Saturday, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ 

8. TEXAS TECH (7-4, 5-3) 

Last Week: 8th (NC), WIN 56-48 @ Oklahoma State

In an old-west, defense-optional shootout, the Red Raiders prevailed over the Pokes and now have eight or nine wins in sight. This was an essential result for morale after the losing skid. The Tahj Brooks era still has two games remaining, but I'm interested in how they replace him next season because he is a talent and the definition of a workhorse for that offense. 

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

9. KANSAS (5-6, 4-4) 

Last Week: 9th (NC), WIN 37-21 vs. No. 16 Colorado

There's no hotter team than the one who just ripped off their third-straight win against a ranked team and has singlehandedly thrust the entire conference into utter madness with one weekend to play. The Jayhawks can turn a 1-5 start into a bowl berth with a win this weekend in Waco. 

Up Next: AT Baylor, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ESPN2 

10. WEST VIRGINIA (6-5, 5-3)

Last Week: 12th (+2), WIN 31-21 vs. UCF 

Good for Neal Brown, as the Mountaineers are going bowling. However, that hasn't stopped grumbling from the usual corner of WVU internet-dom. Unless Wren Baker has an ace up his sleeve and a lot of extra money on hand with the House settlement looming, the faithful better get used to 'The Climb' as Brown will likely return in 2025. 

Up Next: Home vs. UCF, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU 

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

Last Week: 10th (-1), LOSS 41-15 @ Kansas State

Make it four straight losses and officially a win-or-stay-home finale upcoming. With one more shot to extend the season, the Bearcats host a beatable TCU squad, so maybe they can scrounge together a little Senior Night magic. If not, Scott Satterfield is quickly burning through mulligans and goodwill. 

Up Next: Home vs. TCU, Saturday, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ 

12. HOUSTON (4-7, 3-5) 

Last Week: 11th (-1), LOSS 20-10 vs. Baylor 

The Coogs parted ways with OC Kevin Barbay after the loss to Baylor and a second straight week of the offense only mustering three points. Bears legend Shawn Bell will take over playcalling for the finale. Their end-of-season reward? Provo at night against a team that may or may not be in Big 12 Championship contention by kickoff. 

Up Next: AT No. 14 BYU, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

13. UCF (4-7, 2-6) 

Last Week: 13th (NC), LOSS 31-21 @ West Virginia 

The Knights will not go to the postseason for the first time since 2015, a year that turned out to be George O'Leary's last hurrah and led to the hiring of Scott Frost. A turnover at head coach isn't in the cards right now, but this is two straight losing seasons in Orlando, and plenty of UCF fans don't love their new reality in the Big 12. 

Up Next: Home vs. Utah, Friday, 7 p.m. on FOX 

14. ARIZONA (4-7, 2-6) 

Last Week: 14th (NC), LOSS 49-28 @ TCU

Arizona's season is ending on Saturday, but the Wildcats still have plenty to play for as they can spoil the championship hopes of their bitter in-state rival at home. Even more importantly, it's the series finale of the Tetairoa McMillan-Noah Fifita superstar connection. 

Up Next: Home vs. No. 21 Arizona State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX 

15. UTAH (4-7, 1-7) 

Last Week: 16th (+1), LOSS 31-28 vs. No. 22 Iowa State

The team with an undeserved superiority complex is nearly dead last in the league, officially not bowling and having to travel to Orlando to close the season as the future of Kyle Whittingham remains cloudy. 

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

16. OKLAHOMA STATE (3-8, 0-8) 

Last Week: 15th (-1), LOSS 56-48 vs. Texas Tech

In defeat, OSU saw a terrific performance from star RB Ollie Gordon, who will play his final game in orange and black this week. The Cowboys will try to avoid becoming the first 0-8 team in the Big 12 since Kansas back in 2020 during the COVID season. Unfortunately, Shedeur Sanders and company are extra-fueled after squandering their Big 12 title opportunity, and you are probably cannon fodder for Travis Hunter's Heisman campaign. But don't worry, Pokes, it will all be over soon. 

Up Next: AT No. 16 Colorado, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ABC