We're entering the final stretch of the college football regular season and some teams are beginning to make the jump into the top tier while others are looking to avoid sliding further. Here's where each Big 12 team sits going into Week Nine:
No. 1, Texas
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Texas Longhorns remain in the top spot in the Big 12 Power Rankings. The Longhorns are coming off a much needed bye week and are hoping Sam Ehlinger’s shoulder injury has subsided. As for Tom Herman, he will be tested once again with a night game in Stillwater.
No. 2, Oklahoma
The Sooners rebounded nicely after a loss to Texas in the Red River Showdown with a complete domination of an ailing TCU team in Fort Worth. Kyler Murray is still putting up numbers worthy of Heisman Trophy consideration as the Sooners eclipsed 49 points in a game for the fourth time this season. A new defensive coordinator should help turn around a struggling defense, which would make the Sooners even more dangerous in the second half of the season.
No. 3, Texas Tech
The Red Raiders find themselves with their highest ranking this season, coming in at the No. 3 spot, putting together a complete game against Kansas in their 48-16 victory at home.
No. 4, West Virginia
It seems as though every year a top 10 team heads into Ames, Iowa, and leaves without a victory. This year, it was West Virginia. The Mountaineers suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Cyclones, 30-14. West Virginia’s high powered offense stuttered for the second week in a row, and this time it could not escape defeat.
No. 5, Iowa State
Following a slow start to the season, Iowa State is finding its groove rather quickly. The Cyclones are back to .500 following a massive victory at home over West Virginia. A suffocating defense shut down an elite Mountaineer offense, holding them to just 14 points. Iowa State will have another test this week with a matchup against Texas Tech at home.
No. 6, Kansas State
A phenomenal defensive performance puts the Wildcats back on the winning side of things after a 31-12 victory over Oklahoma State. Kansas State allowed the Cowboys just 184 passing yards and dominated the battle for time of possession. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their next opponent is No. 8 Oklahoma.
No. 7, Oklahoma State
The worst offensive performance of the year could not have come at a worse time for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys put up just 12 points and will now face one of the Big 12’s best defenses this week against the Texas Longhorns. At 1–3 in the conference, it is rather difficult to imagine Oklahoma State finishing the season with a positive record, with Texas, Oklahoma and West Virginia still on the remaining schedule.
No. 8, Baylor
Baylor is in the middle of a very daunting portion of its schedule, having to take on West Virginia this week following a loss to Texas. Luckily, the Bears are coming off a bye week and will be well-rested for their second consecutive road game against a ranked opponent.
No. 9, TCU
As if losing quarterback Shawn Robinson to injury wasn’t bad enough, the Horned Frogs were embarrassed by Oklahoma on their own turf Saturday. To add insult to injury, head coach Gary Patterson dismissed star playmaker KaVontae Turpin due to off-the-field issues Tuesday. The 3–4 Horned Frogs do not have much to look forward to for the remainder of the season.
No. 10, Kansas
Kansas remains at the bottom of the Big 12 Power Rankings following its fourth consecutive loss. Despite a good start to the season, the Jayhawks have seen their season crumble in the past four weeks.
