The Big 12 standings are completely flipped, with teams once considered the weakest now thriving. BYU, Iowa State, Colorado, and Texas Tech proudly boast undefeated conference records, transforming from early-season underdogs into frontrunners for the championship. Conversely, disappointed fanbases are starting to wonder if their teams are more flawed than they initially believed. Week 5 brought plenty of excitement, so let’s dive into this week’s Big 12 power rankings to see where each team stands!
Despite almost losing their 21-point lead in the first half last week, BYU has established itself as a formidable powerhouse in the league, which might catch some by surprise if they haven’t been following the Big 12 closely. The Cougars are the sole team in the country with three victories over power conference opponents, and their achievements grow more impressive as former rivals SMU and Kansas State have gone on to excel since facing BYU.
No surprise here: Matt Campbell has yet another expertly coached team. Iowa State stands alongside BYU as the only other undefeated team in the conference and proudly features a solid road victory against Iowa on their record. They definitely know how to convert games into wins.
Kansas State is a top-notch team, and even BYU fans would agree after the Wildcats’ defeat in Provo. Avery Johnson is an impressive player, and he’ll keep improving as the season goes on, which could spell trouble for the rest of the conference. A commanding victory over Oklahoma State last week solidified their status as a serious contender, and they aim to build on this success in the coming games. Keep an eye on the Wildcats!
Even though the Arizona Wildcats faced a loss to Kansas State a few weeks back, they remain undefeated in “official” conference play after dominating a Utah team that looked set for an undefeated regular season. Noah Fifita and his teammates become a formidable force when they’re in sync, and they’ll have another opportunity to challenge a ranked opponent in two weeks when they go up against BYU in the Beehive State.
Can someone clarify why Cam Rising is still on the sidelines when it seems like he’s ready to take the field? The Utes’ offense has faltered with freshman QB Isaac Wilson, who was thrust into the starting role before being fully ready. Despite a double-digit loss at home, the Utes’ season is not finished yet. If Whittingham can turn things around, Utah still has a shot at the Big 12 title. They just need to get their starting QB back in action before more losses accumulate.
Are the Buffs making a comeback?? After a rocky start to the season, Travis Hunter’s team has turned into a surprising contender in the conference. While Colorado still has its flaws and was quite lucky to secure their first conference win against Baylor, they keep finding ways to succeed. Their impressive victory over UCF is significant and may suggest that the Buffaloes have more to bring to the league beyond what the media is highlighting.
Who would have predicted this after a rough non-conference performance from Tech? The Red Raiders are currently undefeated in conference games and aim to keep the momentum going in the upcoming weeks. Has their schedule been relatively easy so far? Definitely. But don’t overlook this team. As long as they keep racking up wins, it’s hard to find much to criticize about them.
UCF, you were expected to be the surprise contender in the Big 12! After a tough loss to Colorado, the Knights, under the leadership of seasoned player KJ Jefferson, are beginning to seem more like pretenders. Their narrow 1-point victory over TCU isn’t looking great either, especially as the Horned Frogs continue to face difficulties.
Following a strong non-conference performance that featured a victory over Mississippi State, the Sun Devils have appeared quite vulnerable since their defeat against Texas Tech. However, after a bye week and with a matchup against the struggling Jayhawks on the horizon, Sparky still has plenty of fight left.
While they’ve suffered losses to Pitt and Penn State and are unlikely to rack up many victories as their tough schedule continues, the Mountaineers are currently finding success on the field. What more could you want?
While they’ve suffered losses to Pitt and Penn State and are unlikely to rack up many victories as their tough schedule continues, the Mountaineers are currently finding success on the field. What more could you want?
Is TCU an exceptional team? I’m not entirely convinced, but I have to respect the Horned Frogs for upholding the longstanding tradition of defeating Kansas on the field.
It doesn’t seem like it’s the Cowboys’ year, guys. While they’ve only lost to Utah and K-State, both strong title contenders, there are signs that this team might be underperforming even more than expected. Bowman hasn’t been a strong quarterback this season, and Ollie Gordon II has struggled to find his rhythm. If they suffer another loss, their chances at the Big 12 title will likely vanish. Time is ticking, and the hope is fading for the Cowboys in Stillwater.
Congrats, Cincinnati! You’re not the worst team in the Big 12 this year; in fact, you’ve been quite competitive! Keep an eye on the Bearcats’ upcoming matches against UCF and Arizona State—both could be at risk of an upset if Cincinnati brings their A-game.
BYU offered Baylor plenty of opportunities to seize the lead in the closing moments of last week’s game, but the Bears didn’t capitalize on them. The team is struggling after losses to BYU and Colorado, and fans in Waco have turned their backs on them. While BYU fans are known for their strong support, being seemingly outnumbered in your own stadium is a tough look. Step it up, Baylor.
* Sounds of tumbling down the stairs *
Yes, the Houston Cougars are still playing football, regardless of the score. Being shut out in two consecutive games is quite unfortunate, as they’ve been outscored 0-54 in those matchups. No one would blame you if you decided to give up at this point.
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