BYU Climbs a Few Spots in the Latest Big 12 Power Rankings

It was another wild week of Big 12 conference play

Week eight of the college football season is in the books. The Big 12 proved to be the most volatile of the Power Five leagues once again last weekend. Texas and Oklahoma, who have been at the top of our power rankings all season, survived tests from two of the worst Big 12 teams in Houston and Texas. Today, we unveil another installment of the Big 12 power rankings. These will be updated as the season progresses.

14. Cincinnati

Baylor was one of the most beatable teams left on Cincinnati's schedule this season. The Bearcats didn't protect their homefield advantage and lost to the Bears 32-29. The Bearcats have been competitive in a few league games, but they haven't been able to get over the hump.

13. UCF

UCF was a few plays away from the upset of the season in a 31-29 loss to Oklahoma. Instead, the Knights remained winless in conference play.

12. Houston

Like UCF, Houston nearly pulled off a major upset against Texas. The Cougars fell short and dropped to 1-3 in conference play. Houston has a tough test upcoming in a road game at Kansas State.

11. Baylor

Baylor has taken advantage of games against UCF and Cincinnati to get two conference wins. Suddenly, the Bears are 2-2 and in the middle of the conference standings. Until Baylor can show improvements on defense, however, their chances of a bowl game are slim.

10. Texas Tech

Texas Tech has some serious problems at quarterback. The Red Raiders have lost two quarterbacks to injury in Tyler Shough and Behren Morton. True freshman Jake Strong made his first start against BYU and it did not go well. Strong threw three interceptions and he lost two fumbles in the loss. Tech is 3-5 and in serious danger of missing a bowl game.

9. BYU

Credit: BYU Photo

After a blowout loss to TCU, BYU bounced back with a home win over Texas Tech. The Cougars have found unconventional ways to win football games this season. They'll need to continue finding unique ways to win to climb the power rankings.

8. TCU

After a blowout win over BYU, TCU was blown out by Kansas State. The Horned Frogs have been unable to consistently play well week after week. They are capable of beating anyone in the conference and they are capable of losing to anyone in the conference. It's impossible to know which version of TCU will show up the rest of the season.

7. West Virginia

West Virginia was looking like the team of destiny in the Big 12 when they scored a go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds left against Houston. Houston, however, needed only two plays to respond with a Hail Mary touchdown to steal a win. The Mountaineers failed to bounce back last weekend and they lost at home to Oklahoma State. West Virginia is now stuck in the large logjam of 2-2 teams in the conference standings.

6. Kansas

Kansas has lost two out of three conference games since Jalon Daniels left the starting lineup due to injury. The Jayhawks have a chance to shock the country this weekend against Oklahoma.

5. Kansas State

Kansas State dominated TCU at home. The Wildcats are starting to look more and more like the team that won the Big 12 championship last season.

4. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State has rebounded after hitting a low point in a blowout loss to South Alabama. The Pokes looked like the Oklahoma State of old in a win over West Virginia this weekend.

Oklahoma State is 3-1 in conference play.

3. Iowa State

Iowa State has slowly moved up the power rankings. The Cyclones have back to back wins over Oklahoma State and Cincinnati and they are 3-1 in conference play. They travel to Baylor this weekend.

2. Texas

Texas won a road test at Houston but the win came at a cost. Quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a shoulder injury and appears to be unavailable for the next few weeks. If Texas can survive the next few weeks without Ewers, they will be in a position to go to the conference championship game.

1. Oklahoma

Oklahoma looked like a College Football Playoff contender against Texas. The Sooners narrowly avoided an upset against UCF last weekend. Until they lose, the Sooners will remain at the top of our power rankings.

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