Big 12 Football Power Rankings: Week 5

With conference play underway, the top four teams did not change this week, but there were many changes at the bottom of the rankings.

Week 4 gave us six conference games. All teams have now finished their non-conference schedule, and we are starting to see some separation in our weekly Big 12 Football Power Rankings. Three teams are still undefeated – Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. BYU and UCF each suffered their first loss of the season. Texas Tech and Baylor are both 1-3.

For a complete recap of the Week 4 games, click here.

Iowa State had the biggest jump in this week's rankings, moving up three spots. Texas Tech had the biggest drop, moving down three places. The top four remained the same. The other teams moved up or down just one or two spots.

Jalon Daniels and the Kansas Jayhawks are 4-0 for the second straight year and sit at No. 3 in our Week 5 Big 12 Football Power Rankings

How Power Rankings Are Determined

Once again, we have brought together a group from across the league to vote each week during the season on the Big 12 Power Rankings.

• 44 Total Participants
• TCU FanNation (KillerFrogs) Editorial Staff (13)
• Not all are TCU homers – fans of teams in the SEC and Big Ten are part of our editorial staff.
• One to two fans from each of the other current schools in the Big 12 (23)
• Two fans from each of the 2024 incoming “Four Corners” schools (8)
• Each week, each participant provides their rankings 1-10. Those rankings are compiled, and the average rank is then listed below.

Here's where our panel of voters ranked the teams this week:

Big 12 Power Rankings – Week 5

14. Baylor (1-3, 0-0)

(Last week #12)

Lost to Texas 38-6

What’s going on in Waco? It’s been a rough start for the Bears. And this week, they must go to a very loud, pumped Bounce House at UCF. Unless a miracle happens, look for Baylor to stay at the bottom.

13. Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-1)

(Last week #11)

Lost to Iowa State 34-27

And what’s going on in Stillwater? After two straight losses, the Pokes find themselves in an unexpected situation. Just two weeks ago, they were at No. 5 in these rankings. OSU has a bye week before taking on defending champs K-State next week.

12 Houston (2-2, 0-1)

(Last week #14)

Beat Sam Houston State 38-7

The Cougars got a conference reprieve last week with a big win over Sam Houston State. Now, their Big 12 gauntlet begins, and they must do so by starting in Lubbock. Welcome to the league, Coogs. It might be a hard climb from here.

11. Texas Tech (1-3, 0-1)

(Last week #8)

Lost to West Virginia 20-13

Over the summer, Texas Tech was frequently mentioned as a wild card team that could make it to Arlington. QB Tyler Shough was injured last week, so a struggling Red Raiders team now has another hurdle to overcome.

10. Iowa State (2-2, 1-0)

(Last week #13)

Beat Oklahoma State 34-27

The Cyclones had the largest week-over-week jump, moving up three spots. Is it because the win over OSU was that impressive, or is it just because the other teams are worse and have a lower ranking? A big win in Norman would go a long way in answering this.

9. Cincinnati (2-2, 0-1)

(Last week #10)

Lost to Oklahoma 20-6

Few teams can lose at home and then move up in the rankings. Cincinnati did just that. They did hold a ranked Sooners team to only 20 points. Now, they must travel to Provo. Let’s see how that goes.

8. West Virginia (3-1, 1-0)

(Last week #9)

Beat Texas Tech 20-13

Neal Brown started the season on the hottest of hot seats. Now, after a win over the hated Pittsburgh Panthers and then a win over Texas Tech, the fans are talking about making it to Arlington in December. The Mountaineers travel to Fort Worth this week. A win there will only move them higher.

7. BYU (3-1, 0-1)

(Last week #5)

Won at Arkansas 38-31

After getting a big road win in Fayetteville in Week 3, BYU suffered their first loss of the season at red-hot KU. This week, they host Cincinnati. They need to start showing something to separate themselves from the rest of the middle of the pack.

6. UCF (3-1, 0-1)

(Last week #7)

Lost to Kansas State 44-31

The Knights had to face K-State in Manhattan for their first-ever Big 12 game. And they were in the game until the fourth quarter. They have the potential to still make some noise in the conference.

5. TCU (3-1, 1-0)

(Last week #6)

Beat SMU 34-17

The Frogs are improving each week on both sides of the ball. This could be dangerous for other teams. A win over WVU this week will keep the Frogs in the upper tier of next week’s rankings.

4. Kansas State (3-1, 1-0)

(Last week #4)

Beat UCF 44-31

The Cats shook off the dramatic loss from Week 3 and took care of business against UCF. Look for them to continue to be a contender in the league.

3. #24 Kansas (4-0, 1-0)

(Last week #3)

Beat BYU 38-17

Yes. You read that right. The Kansas Jayhawks sit at the No. 3 spot for the second straight week. They are 4-0 and looking good. They are ranked and headed to Austin. Can their magical ride continue? Let’s see what happens.

2. #14 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0)

(Last week #2)

Beat Cincinnati 20-6

Sure, the Sooners are 4-0. They look like a much-improved team over last year, but they’ve had a couple of mediocre wins. This week, they host Iowa State, and then next week, they have what’s sure to be an epic Red River Showdown in Dallas.

1. #3 Texas (4-0, 1-0)

(Last week #1)

Beat Baylor 38-6

Is Texas back? Perhaps they are. They have four good wins. But now they host an undefeated Kansas before facing a possible undefeated Oklahoma in Week 6. For now, though, the road to Arlington flows through Austin.

Other FanNation Power Rankings

How do other FanNations rank the Big 12? Check them out here:

Kansas – Blue Wings Rising

West Virginia – Mountaineers Now

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Note: Power Rankings are determined by a group of fans representing most schools in the Big 12 Conference.

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