No. 1: Oklahoma
Although the class of the Big 12 picked up wins, none of them were pretty. Oklahoma looked as if it would stomp Iowa State, but the Cyclones roared to life with a ferocious comeback that was halted only by a missed two-point conversion. The Sooners will have to get back on track this week in a massive matchup against Baylor.
No. 2: Baylor
The Bears have done everything but make things look easy this season. In another last-second stunner, Baylor made a game-tying field goal to send the game to overtime. The team eventually pulled out the victory over TCU in triple overtime. Say what you will, but Matt Rhule’s team is 9–0.
No. 3: Texas
Consider the ship righted — for now. The Longhorns needed a victory last Saturday against Kansas State to keep their Big 12 Championship hopes alive. They were able to surge back from a 14-point deficit to win over Kansas State thanks to another Cameron Dicker game-winner. Is it time to retire his No. 17 already?
No. 4: Kansas State
The Wildcats’ Championship Game aspirations were all but dashed with the loss to the Longhorns. That being said, in a game where they mustered just 51 yards rushing and were outgained by nearly 200 yards, Kansas State was in a position to win on the road. Head coach Chris Klieman has a bright future ahead of him in Manhattan, Kansas.
No. 5: Iowa State
The Cyclones have every reason to be hopeful for this week’s matchup against Texas. They’re seven-point favorites, they’re at home in cold weather conditions and they were a two-point conversion away from pulling off one of this season’s most astounding comebacks against Oklahoma last week. Get ready for a showdown in Ames, Iowa.
No. 6: Oklahoma State
Head coach Mike Gundy and his team are back in action this week, appearing at No. 22 in the College Football Playoff Rankings. With just Kansas and West Virginia on the schedule before a showdown with Oklahoma, it looks as if the Cowboys could pick up two more wins before Bedlam in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
No. 7: TCU
Much like Iowa State, the Horned Frogs were oh-so-close to picking up a massive victory and vaulting themselves higher in the rankings. It took a strange game and three overtimes for TCU to be done away with, but the Horned Frog defense showed up in a big way, limiting a potent Baylor attack to just 273 total yards of offense.
No. 8: Texas Tech
Longhorns fans better watch out. Yes, Tech is just 4–5. But in last week’s win over West Virginia, junior quarterback Jett Duffey threw for 354 yards and a score, and the Red Raider defense forced four turnovers. The 11:00 a.m. matchup in Austin in a few weeks could present some problems come Black Friday.
No. 9: Kansas
It won’t be easy for Kansas from here on out. Head coach Les Miles’ Jayhawks will face Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Baylor to close out the first season of Miles’ tenure. Anything more than what they’ve had in the past is an improvement, but they’ll want to at least compete in a couple of those tough matchups in the home stretch of the season.
No. 10: West Virginia
The Mountaineers’ abysmal season isn’t looking like it’ll improve. A blowout loss at home against Tech last weekend made West Virginia’s road to a bowl game just about impossible. They’ll have to win out against Kansas State, Oklahoma State and TCU in order to go bowling.
