This was another tough week for the conference, as Playoff hopes are sliding out of the “unlikely” range into the nearly-impossible range. TCU finally had the breakout game that the program has been missing all season, but one good week doesn’t overcome a season of woes. Still, TCU finally comes out of danger of being in the basement in these rankings.
1. Oklahoma (LW: 1) — The Sooners were not too impressive in beating Iowa State, but no one has been particularly strong against the Cyclones recently. Still, Oklahoma is the only team that has yet to lose in Big 12 play, though the big three matchups against Baylor, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State will close the season.
2. Oklahoma State (LW: 2) — The Cowboys barely survived a road game against Kansas State in which — according to Vegas, at least — they were actually the underdogs. Oklahoma State has Texas Tech and TCU in the coming weeks. After that, it could be a Bedlam matchup that decides who goes to the Sugar Bowl.
3. West Virginia (LW: 3) — There’s not much of a better cure for football woes than playing Kansas. Don’t let the final score fool you. This game was a blowout through and through.
4. Texas (LW: 5) — The Longhorns followed up their impressive win over Baylor by getting through a shootout against Texas Tech unscathed. If you haven’t heard his name yet, keep an ear out for D’Onta Foreman. He is very rapidly catching Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State (another name everyone should know) as the FBS rushing leader. Foreman has only played in eight games this year (he missed the September 10th game against UTEP), but he is averaging over 180 yards per game. There might be a late Heisman push going on in the Big 12.
5. TCU (LW: 9) — I have been using this space to rip on TCU for a few weeks now, but no more. Maybe there was a little quit in the Baylor defense by the end of the game, but this was all TCU putting it together for the first time this season. The offense was potent and the defense had its first good showing of the year. It’s probably too late to save this season, but TCU has a real chance to win a bowl game and end the year on a positive note.
6. Kansas State (LW: 6) — The Wildcats were this close to taking out Oklahoma State, but eventually came up short. A bowl seems guaranteed with a game remaining against Kansas, so Bill Snyder’s squad still has two chances (Baylor and TCU) for morale-building wins before bowl season and next year.
7. Baylor (LW: 4) — The Baylor program is collapsing in more ways than one right now. The players just want to concentrate on football, though, but they didn’t do a very good job this week. A Big 12 title is still in reach, but not the way the Bears played this week.
8. Texas Tech (LW: 7) — The Red Raiders have a problem. Playing an “air raid” style often only works if your defense can get a stop. Any stop. Texas Tech can’t. The Red Raiders can score points, but they can’t stop anyone (except for TCU last week) enough to win games.
9. Iowa State (LW: 8) — I feel bad that the Cyclones dropped down a little, but there weren’t many choices here. Matt Campbell has done a tremendous job with the program’s attitude, but he hasn’t managed to secure a conference win yet. That first win will come this week, though. Kansas is up next.
10. Kansas (LW: 10) — Kansas’ best chance at a conference win this season will come this week when Iowa State visits. I’m still not liking its chances, though.
