With many non-conference schedules wrapped up across the nation, let’s take stock of where Baylor and the Big 12 are in the major national polls and in relation to the other power conferences.
First up: the AP Poll.
Iowa State rose two spots to No. 12 despite having a rocky showing against Arkansas State. Utah and Texas Tech both rose four spots to Nos. 16 and 17, respectively, as they finished their non-conference slate undefeated. These jumps are all due to some combination of Clemson, Notre Dame, South Carolina and USF losing this week.
In the receiving votes section, the Big 12 has four more teams vying for rankings. BYU is the first team out of the top 25 with 94 points. TCU is not far behind at No. 30. with 67 points. Arizona State is next at No. 31 with 57 points and Baylor is No. 34 with six points.
The Bears' FBS non-conference opponents — Auburn and SMU — come in at No. 22 and No. 36, respectively, this week.
Now for the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Coaches Poll is, as always, very similar to the AP Poll. Iowa State moved up from No. 14 to No. 13. Texas Tech jumped four spots to No. 16, and Utah rose three spots to No. 18. BYU and Arizona State were the first two teams left out of the top 25 after both were ranked last week.
TCU (No. 32), Baylor (No. 41), Houston (No. 42) and Kansas (No. 43) round out the Big 12 representation in the poll.
Once again, Auburn is ranked (No. 25) while SMU received votes (No. 35).
On to the Big 12’s performance against other conferences!
The Big 12 is currently 32-8 against teams from other conferences. This is the third-best mark of the Power Four conferences, but the head-to-head records among those four conferences have the Big 12 in second with a record of 6-6. The SEC is 35-3 (9-2 vs P4), the Big Ten is 41-8 (5-5 vs P4) and the ACC is 28-13 (3-10 vs P4).
Here is a full breakdown of the Big 12’s record against other conferences so far this season:
- vs ACC 4-1
- vs Big Ten 2-2
- vs SEC 0-3
- vs American 1-1
- vs MWC 3-0
- vs PAC 1-0
- vs MAC 2-1
- vs Sun Belt 2-0
- vs CUSA 1-0
- vs FCS 16-0
This week will be the last round of non-conference games played by Big 12 teams. Oklahoma State hosts Tulsa on Friday night, Houston travels to Oregon State on Saturday, BYU travels to East Carolina, TCU hosts rival SMU, UCF hosts North Carolina and Colorado hosts Wyoming.
