1) Kansas Jayhawks

Redeeming themselves after 13 years of going under the AP Poll Top 25, the Jayhawks slipped into the No. 19 spot after coming off a close 14-11 win over Iowa State this past weekend. Kansas has been faced with a variety of tests throughout its games and has answered accordingly.       

2)  Kansas State Wildcats

The Wildcats continue to turn heads, entering Week 6 at No. 20 after not seeing the AP Top 25 since 2009. Kansas State is led by offensive powerhouses senior quarterback Adrian Martinez and sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn. The two combined for 341 rushing yards against Texas Tech last weekend, and Kansas State is now only two wins away from obtaining bowl game eligibility for only the 24th time in program history.      

3) Oklahoma State Cowboys

Redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Sanders once again brought the Cowboys to victory, this time in a rematch of the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma State defeated Baylor 36-25 in Waco on Saturday in a dominant fashion. After throwing zero touchdowns in last year’s conference title game against the Bears, Sanders came through with 20 out of 29 completed passes and 75 rushing yards.   

4) TCU Horned Frogs

Coming off an impressive performance against now unranked Oklahoma, TCU proved that it has what it takes to compete in the Big 12. Fueled by star quarterback Max Duggan, who had a solid total of 418 yards of offense against the Sooners, the Horned Frogs look to continue the momentum they’ve been building since day one. TCU will go on to face No. 19 Kansas in a battle of the Big 12’s preseason underdogs.          

5) Baylor Bears

Right now, Baylor does not look like the same team that won the 2021 Big 12 title. A spotty defense and inability to complete passes left the Bears at a loss when it came time to make a second half comeback against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. With this only being his second full season with the Bears, head coach Dave Aranda might be in for a bumpy ride. 

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6) Texas Tech Red Raiders

Despite still being hyped up from their upset victory against No. 22 Texas, Texas Tech couldn’t keep its energy as Kansas State handed them a 37-28 loss. Sophomore quarterback Donovan Smith knows how to carry the Red Raiders offensively, but the defense comes up short in big moments. Texas Tech has all the right ingredients to be a great team, but the elements are not meshing well yet.   

7) Texas Longhorns 

A win over West Virginia is just what Texas needed to bring its momentum back. In a team effort between sophomore quarterback Hudson Card, sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy and junior running back Bijan Robinson, the Longhorns redeemed themselves in a commanding game. 

8) Iowa State Cyclones 

Iowa State sank in the Big 12 rankings after a missed field goal attempt kept them from tying up the score between Kansas this past weekend. The Cyclones have not looked the same since quarterback Brock Purdy left for the NFL, and they’re going through a learning curve as they find their new identity.  

9) Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners were not in a good position against TCU, especially after quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the game after being struck in the head by TCU linebacker Jamoi Hodge. Oklahoma defensive back Damond Harmon was also carted off the field due to injury. As Red River Rivalry weekend approaches, the Sooners are in a tough spot with injuries. 

10) West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers couldn’t get their hands on the ball for a majority of last Saturday’s game against Texas. The Mountaineers’ secondary allowed for the Longhorns to remain wide open for passes and essentially decided the game by the second half. West Virginia is still looking for a statement win to stay afloat in the conference.