Big 12 Power Rankings: Chaos reigns after Iowa State and Kansas State suffer losses

It was a chaotic weekend for the Big 12.

Just when it looked like the cream was rising to the top of the conference football standings behind undefeated BYU, we saw Iowa State suffer its first loss of the season against Texas Tech and Kansas State lose in stunning fashion at Houston.

The Cyclones and the Wildcats were each favored by nearly two touchdowns in those games. Now both of them may need some help to reach the Big 12 championship game, while Colorado is suddenly dreaming about a playoff berth.

Eight teams, or half the conference, are currently in position to make a push for the league title this month.

With that in mind, let’s take some time to analyze everything we have seen up to this point — heading into Week 11 — with a new edition of Big 12 Power Rankings.

A league of their own

1. BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)

Nobody in the Big 12 seems interested in preventing BYU from winning the conference championship. Not only are the Cougars off to a 5-0 start in league play, they can likely afford a loss (and maybe two) in their final four games and still make it to Arlington, Texas, thanks to chaotic results elsewhere.

Sorting through the chaos

2. Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)

Here’s the weird thing about Colorado: National media has stopped covering the Buffaloes like a circus now that they are winning games. You no longer see Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on every episode of “SportsCenter.” I guess they like it that way in Boulder, because Colorado has won five of its past six games. This team is a legit playoff contender.

3. Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)

The Cyclones never struck me as a team that could handle the pressure of an undefeated record. Maybe Matt Campbell’s team will play with more freedom after suffering a 23-22 loss against Texas Tech. Or maybe that was a sign of more bad things to come.

4. Baylor (5-4, 3-3 Big 12)

Dave Aranda looked like a lame-duck coach when Baylor began Big 12 play with consecutive losses to Colorado, BYU and Iowa State. But the Bears have been the hottest team in the conference ever since, reeling off wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and TCU. I won’t be surprised if they finish 8-4 and play in a desirable bowl game.

5. Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)

Chris Klieman tends to lose at least one game that no one sees coming every season. It happened again for the Wildcats on Saturday when they somehow lost to Houston while only allowing the Cougars to gain 232 yards of offense. Klieman has lost seven games with the Wildcats as a favorite of more than a touchdown.

6. Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12)

There is no harder team to figure out in the Big 12 than Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are the epitome of Jekyll & Hyde. Over the past three games we have seen them allow 59 points to Baylor, squander a big lead at TCU and then pull off a shocking upset against Iowa State. Nevertheless, they are back in the conference title race with a huge game coming up against Colorado.

Don’t forget about them

7. Arizona State (6-2, 2-2 Big 12)

Cam Skattebo might be the best player in the conference. The Arizona State running back has rushed for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He has also caught 27 passes for 404 yards and two scores. He had nearly 300 yards of offense in an easy win over Oklahoma State. It’s too bad he is dealing with an injury and is considered questionable to play for the Sun Devils this week.

8. Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)

The Bearcats are still in the conference championship mix with upcoming games against West Virginia, Iowa State and K-State.

Hoping for a bowl game

9. TCU (5-4, 3-3 Big 12)

Josh Hoover has thrown for at least 233 yards in every game this season, and he has topped 300 yards six times. You could make an argument for him being the second best quarterback in the conference behind Shedeur Sanders.

10. Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12)

The Jayhawks can still reach bowl eligibility if they win their remaining four games. That won’t be an easy task, though, seeing as how their final four games are against the top four teams in these rankings — Iowa State, BYU, Colorado and Baylor.

11. Houston (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)

You have to give Willie Fritz credit. He has already guided the Cougars to four wins during his first year on campus. No Big 12 team has been better at making games ugly this season. The Cougars only needed 289 yards to beat Utah and 232 to beat K-State.

12. West Virginia (4-4, 3-2 Big 12)

It looks like backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol will remain in command of the West Virginia offense while Garrett Greene remains out with an injury.

13. UCF (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)

Nobody needed a get-right game more than the Knights. That’s exactly what they got over the weekend when they pummeled Arizona 56-12. Now that UCF has some momentum, it may be able to play its way into a bowl.

Worst of the worst

14. Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12)

The Utes are having a horrific season, but you better believe they will play their hardest in an attempt to spoil BYU’s dream season this weekend.

15. Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6 Big 12)

Mike Gundy had an epic response about fan criticism this week, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Cowboys are one of the worst teams in the Big 12.

16. Arizona (3-6, 1-5 Big 12)

The Wildcats might be the most disappointing team in all of college football. They aren’t even putting up a fight with a roster that features Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. Head coach Brent Brennan has hinted at major changes moving forward.