Big 12 Power Rankings: Week Eight

Outside of the conference, upsets were coming from every angle. But in the Big 12, both Oklahoma and Texas were able to escape with victories after close calls (and some questionable ones).

In other news, Kansas State murdered TCU and the funeral is Wednesday while Baylor and Oklahoma State both stole wins on the road.

1. Oklahoma (7-0) (4-0 Conf.)

Dillon Gabriel faced his former team this past weekend and it was a thriller. UCF had their chances but the Sooners got the stop when they needed it. Though the defense struggled, they stopped the Golden Knights on a two-point conversion in the final minutes. Gabriel threw for three touchdowns and 253 yards in the victory. Nic Anderson made a mockery of the UCF defense by catching five receptions for 105 yards and two scores.

This Week: @ Kansas

2. Texas (6-1) (3-1 Conf.)

After blowing a 21-point lead, Texas narrowly escaped Houston with a 31-24 win. The Longhorns also got a favorable call from the refs too, as they called a Houston runner short of the first down line on their final drive. Texas followed up the bad call with another stop and won the game. More importantly, Ewers is expected to miss some time after suffering a joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. A timetable is unknown but that could be a real issue for the Longhorns this season. Positive note: Is it Arch Manning Season?

This Week: vs. BYU

3. Kansas State (5-2) (3-1 Conf.)

The Wildcats had no problem with TCU on Saturday, smacking them around in a 41-3 win. K-State went in a surprising direction at QB for most of the game with Will Howard. He made sure to make the most of it by throwing three passing touchdowns. Avery Johnson got some time as well, rushing for 73 yards and throwing a touchdown through the air. Kansas State has a lot of positive things to look at from their past two games.

This Week: vs. Houston

4. Iowa State (4-3) (3-1 Conf.)

Iowa State is coming off its bye week with their next matchup coming in Waco. The Cyclones have won two straight games by 13+ points and look to have their grove back. They seem to always struggle in Waco and they have not won there since 2017. If Iowa State can walk into Baylor’s home and snatch a win then the hype may be real.

5. Oklahoma State (5-2) (3-1 Conf.)

How about them Cowboys? Winners of three straight and consumers of good vibes. That South Alabama loss feels like forever ago, and since people left Gundy for dead he has bounced back. Ollie Gordon II ruled the day, especially on the ground. Gordon II rushed for 282 yards and four touchdowns! That is an insane stat line and Oklahoma State used it to their advantage. They now head back home with a lot of momentum on their side.

This Week: vs. Cincinnati

6. Kansas (5-2) (2-2 Conf.)

Off their bye, the Jayhawks will face Oklahoma on Big Noon Kickoff. The main question everyone wants to be answered is when will Daniels be back healthy. He got some rest with no game this past week but it is still up in the air if he will be available. If he is ready to go, Kansas may have a shot against the Sooners.

This Week: vs. #6 Oklahoma

7. BYU (5-2) (2-2 Conf.)

BYU got a big win at home against the Red Raiders. The Cougars now sit at 5-2 and look to be in the middle of the pack in the Big 12. Kedon Slovis threw two touchdowns but it was the defense who came through. They forced four turnovers and held Texas Tech to just 14 points. Now they head to Austin with a Big 12 welcome against the top 10 ranked Longhorns.

This Week: @ #7 Texas

8. West Virginia (4-3) (2-2 Conf.)

After starting 2-0 in conference play, the Mountaineers have dropped two straight. Oklahoma State went into their house and took their lunch along with taking the win. West Virginia had no problem scoring the ball but they could not stop the Cowboys if their life depended on it. They gave up 491 yards of offense and had three costly turnovers.

This Week: @ Central Florida

9. TCU (4-4) (2-3 Conf.)

I think we saw the full effect of Chandler Morris’ injury this past week. With no Morris, TCU struggled on offense, finishing with just three points. The Horned Frogs were able to move the ball with their 300 yards of offense but were unable to reach the end zone. The defense took a major hit as well, giving up 587 yards and 41 points. An awful outing from the entire TCU team as they now have lost three of their last four.

This Week: @ Texas Tech

10. UCF (3-4) (0-4 Conf.)

The streak continues as the Golden Knights hit a four-game skid. UCF held its own against the Sooners on the road but they fell just short. Down two points with one play to tie it up, UCF could not convert the two-point conversion. The Golden Knights got a moral win with their fight this past Saturday but considering they now fall to 3-4, moral wins should be left in the toilet.

This Week: vs. West Virginia

11. Baylor (3-4) (2-2 Conf.)

It's a nice road win for Baylor as Cincinnati hits rock bottom. A scoop and score on a kickoff return for the Bears really turned the tide. Baylor once led 29-14 as the Bearcats fought their way back but were unable to come all the way back. It was a solid win as Baylor now is 3-4 with heading back home to face the Cyclones.

This week: vs. Iowa State

12. Texas Tech (3-5) (2-3 Conf.)

It’s been a tough two games for the Red Raiders. They have not had the lead in a game in the past five quarters. You name it and it has struggled for Texas Tech. The offense and defense are not hitting at full strength. Having four turnovers in a game is almost impossible to win with as well. Their next matchup with TCU is as close to a must-win for each team as it can get.

This Week: vs. TCU

13. Houston (3-4) (1-3 Conf.)

Houston, that just sucks. An awful call did them no favors as heavy underdogs against the Longhorns. Donovan Smith played very well against a good defense, throwing for three touchdowns and 378 yards. The Cougars came back from down 21 points to put all the pressure on Texas. However, the Longhorns got a favorable call that put Houston in a very tough spot. Not to mention there isn’t any time to feel bad as they now head to Manhattan, Kansas to face the Wildcats.

This Week: @ Kansas State

14. Cincinnati (2-5) (0-4 Conf.)

Cincinnati stinks! Losers of five-straight and it doesn’t get easier as they now head to Stillwater. Though Emory Jones didn’t play awful for once, the Bearcats couldn’t get out of their own way. A fumble on the kickoff that was returned for a touchdown really summed up the Bearcats’ season. A brutal year so far for Cincinnati and there is no end in sight.

This Week: @ Oklahoma State