Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 10

What. Craziness.

Baylor managed to capture the top spot without even playing a game last week, and Kansas State shocked the college football world with a massive upset. One thing’s for sure - parity in the Big 12 is alive and well.

On to the show!

1. Baylor (7-0, 4-0; idle)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Look at the Bears, on top of the conference and one of college football’s last remaining unbeaten teams. There shouldn’t be much suspense this week, at home against West Virginia, but the next three after that (TCU, Oklahoma, Texas) will tell us a lot about just how good this Baylor team is.
This Week: vs. West Virginia (3-4, 1-3)

2. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1; lost to Kansas State 48-41)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Perhaps the Sooner Schooner rollover was a brilliant bit of foreshadowing. Still, Oklahoma’s playoff hopes aren’t dashed just yet, and the Sooners get a week off to lick their wounds.
This Week: Bye

3. Kansas State (5-2, 2-2; defeated Oklahoma 48-41)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Saturday’s win looked a lot like the old Big 12 North vs. Big 12 South championship games in the early 2000s. Congrats to the Wildcats, who put together a solid effort and held on at the end, showing the program has not lost a step after Bill Snyder’s departure.
This Week: at Kansas (3-5, 1-4)

4. Oklahoma State (5-3, 2-3; defeated Iowa State 34-27)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Saw this one coming a mile away. The Cowboys were essentially playing to save a lost season, and lit the Cyclones up for big play after big play. Now there’s still plenty for the Pokes to play for in a conference that’s ripe with chaos.
This Week: vs. TCU (4-3, 2-2)

5. Iowa State (5-3, 3-2; lost to Oklahoma State 34-27)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
What can you say, other than ouch? Oklahoma and Texas are waiting on the other side of the bye week, a scary thought. There’s still plenty to play for this season, but it’s going to take a much better effort than what we saw this past week.
This Week: Bye

6. Texas (5-3, 3-2; lost to TCU 37-27)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Perhaps folks were a bit too eager to declare Texas’ return after last season’s strong 10-win campaign.
This Week: Bye

7. TCU (4-3, 2-2; defeated Texas 37-27)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
It hardly seems fair that TCU drops a spot after a rousing win over Texas, but the middle-of-the-road is too jammed, and the Frogs’ earlier conference losses don’t quite give them enough to brag about just yet. A win over Oklahoma State this weekend will change that.
This week: at Oklahoma State (5-3, 2-3)

8. Kansas (3-5, 1-4; defeated Texas Tech 37-34)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Nice win for the Jayhawks over the Red Raiders last week. It will be interesting to see if any momentum carries over into their rivalry game with Kansas State this weekend.
This Week: vs. Kansas State (5-2, 2-2)

9. West Virginia (3-4, 1-3; idle)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Hopefully the Mountaineers got some good rest in their off week, because their road game in Waco seems even more daunting now than it did two weeks ago.
This Week: at Baylor (7-0, 4-0)

10. Texas Tech (3-5, 1-4; lost to Kansas 37-34)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Sad tortilla.
This Week: Bye

Saturday’s feeling summed up like: