Big 12 Power Rankings: Insights As Major Chaos Reigns After Iowa State suffer losses

The Big 12 Conference is known for its competitive balance and unpredictability, but the latest round of games has turned the conference upside down. After surprising losses from Iowa State and Kansas State, the Big 12 power rankings have been shaken up, creating a chaotic environment heading into the final stretch of the season.

1. Texas Longhorns (7-1, 5-0 Big 12)

The Texas Longhorns continue to hold firm at the top of the Big 12 standings after a dominant win last week. Quinn Ewers and the offense look as potent as ever, and the defense has played much better than expected under new coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. With a road trip to TCU ahead, Texas has an opportunity to solidify its position as the conference’s top dog.

Their only loss came early in the season against a tough Alabama team, but since then, the Longhorns have been on a tear. With their sights set on a potential College Football Playoff berth, Texas has everything to play for and seems to be playing with renewed focus after a few years of rebuilding.

2. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)

Oklahoma’s season was shaken up by an early loss to Kansas State, but the Sooners have responded well under first-year head coach Brent Venables. Their defense, which was a concern in the past, has improved, and Dillon Gabriel has been steady at quarterback. However, their win over UCF was a bit more difficult than expected, raising some questions about their consistency.

This week’s matchup against Kansas will be crucial for their hopes of a Big 12 title, as they can’t afford to lose another conference game. Oklahoma remains one of the top contenders, but they’ll need to improve in several areas if they hope to outlast Texas and claim the conference crown.

3. Kansas State Wildcats (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)

Kansas State suffered a stunning loss to Texas Tech, a result that sent shockwaves through the conference. Head coach Chris Klieman had his team firing on all cylinders earlier in the season, but inconsistency at quarterback and struggles in the trenches were evident in the defeat. The Wildcats were unable to find a rhythm offensively, and their defense couldn’t slow down a potent Red Raiders attack.

Despite this setback, Kansas State still has a strong team and an opportunity to bounce back. With a crucial game against Baylor ahead, the Wildcats need to rediscover their form if they want to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 championship.

4. Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 4-2 Big 12)

Iowa State’s loss to Baylor was one of the most shocking results of the weekend. The Cyclones entered the game with a solid 4-1 conference record, but they were thoroughly outplayed by the Bears. With a promising defense led by Will McDonald and some strong playmaking on offense, Iowa State had looked like one of the top teams in the conference. But this loss raises questions about their ability to compete with the Big 12’s top-tier teams.

The Cyclones will need to regroup quickly and get back on track. With upcoming games against Kansas and Oklahoma State, their position in the standings is now at risk, and they’ll have to show resilience to maintain their place in the upper half of the conference.

5. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)

After an impressive win over Kansas, Oklahoma State has kept itself firmly in the hunt for a potential Big 12 title game berth. Quarterback Ollie Gordon continues to be a standout, and the Cowboys have had some nice flashes of explosive offense. However, their losses to Iowa State and TCU have shown that they are still a team that can be vulnerable, especially when facing high-powered offenses.

Still, Mike Gundy’s squad is never one to count out, and with their upcoming schedule favorable, the Cowboys could easily position themselves for a late-season push.

6. Baylor Bears (4-4, 3-2 Big 12)

Baylor’s victory over Iowa State was a much-needed confidence booster. After a slow start to the season, the Bears are beginning to find their stride. Quarterback Blake Shapen has shown flashes of brilliance, and the defense is starting to tighten up. With an upcoming schedule that features some winnable games, Baylor could be poised for a strong finish to the year.

While they may be on the outside looking in for a Big 12 title race, the Bears are certainly a team no one wants to face in the latter half of the season.

7. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)

West Virginia’s early season success seemed like a fluke to many, but Neal Brown’s team has proven to be tougher than expected. The Mountaineers have been competitive in nearly every game and have shown resilience, but they’ll need to be more consistent in all phases to move up the rankings. A big win against BYU gave them a boost, but their loss to TCU demonstrated the gap between them and the Big 12’s elite teams.

With a challenging slate of games ahead, including a matchup with Oklahoma, the Mountaineers will need to make a strong final push to stay relevant in the Big 12 race.

8. TCU Horned Frogs (4-4, 3-2 Big 12)

After a rough start to the season, TCU has found some form, and their win over West Virginia was a big boost to their playoff hopes. The Horned Frogs’ offense has been hit or miss, but they continue to fight. Their loss to Kansas State earlier in the season remains a bitter pill to swallow, but Sonny Dykes’ squad has potential, especially with quarterback Chandler Morris back under center.

If TCU can put together a more complete performance down the stretch, they could be a surprise contender for a bowl game.

9. Kansas Jayhawks (5-3, 2-3 Big 12)

Kansas’ early season success seems like a distant memory after a tough stretch in conference play. The Jayhawks were able to score some big wins early, but their lack of depth and the loss of star quarterback Jalon Daniels has proven to be a difficult hurdle to overcome. While Lance Leipold has done an excellent job of building this program, Kansas remains a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big 12 for now.

The Jayhawks will need to rally in their upcoming games to salvage their season and avoid a losing record in conference play.

10. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-5, 2-3 Big 12)

Texas Tech’s win over Kansas State was one of the biggest upsets of the week, but the Red Raiders have had a disappointing season overall. Their offense has been inconsistent, and the defense has often been unable to keep up with the high-powered offenses in the Big 12. A win over Kansas State could provide a spark, but Texas Tech will need to string together some victories to get back into bowl contention.

11. BYU Cougars (3-5, 1-4 Big 12)

BYU’s introduction to Big 12 football has been a rough one, and while the Cougars have shown flashes of potential, they’ve struggled to consistently compete at the level needed to win in this conference. Their offense has been erratic, and their defense has given up too many big plays. With their playoff hopes all but dashed, BYU will focus on developing its young talent and playing spoiler in the remainder of the season.

12. UCF Knights (3-5, 0-5 Big 12)

UCF’s first season in the Big 12 has been a brutal learning experience. Their loss to Oklahoma was yet another reminder of how much work they have to do to be competitive in this conference. Their struggles on both sides of the ball have led to a winless conference record thus far. The Knights will need to regroup and focus on finding ways to remain competitive and build for the future.

With Iowa State and Kansas State both stumbling, the Big 12 title race has been thrown into disarray. Texas and Oklahoma now stand in prime positions, but as history has shown, anything can happen in this league. As teams jockey for position, the second half of the season promises to deliver more drama, surprises, and intense competition. The next few weeks will be crucial for teams like Kansas State, Iowa State, and others hoping to claw their way back into the race.