Week 8 Big 12 Power Rankings

I think we are starting to see some separation in the Big 12. The way I see it, there are four tiers: the title contenders, two mid-level tiers, and the bottom two teams.

1. West Virginia [5-0]: W @ Texas Tech (LW: 2)

The Mountaineers have arguably the most quality non-conference wins among Big 12 teams. And after a win over Kansas State and throttling Texas Tech on the road, they arguably have two of the best quality conference wins as well.

2. Oklahoma [4-2]: W vs. Kansas State (LW: 3)

We will see how the Sooners respond to Samaje Perine’s injury in a potentially hostile atmosphere in Lubbock on Saturday night. So far, Oklahoma seems to be rolling in Big 12 play.

3. Baylor [6-0]: W vs. Kansas (LW: 1)

With only one real opponent faced so far and a bye week this Saturday, Baylor is still an unknown commodity.

4. Oklahoma State [4-2]: BYE (LW: 4)

The Cowboys get Kansas this week, so barring an upset we probably won’t learn too much about them.

5. TCU [4-2]: BYE (LW: 6)

With Kansas and Iowa State out of the way, TCU faces its toughest test yet in West Virginia on Saturday.

6. Kansas State [3-3]: L @ Oklahoma (LW: 5)

Kansas State has a chance to rebound from a loss to Oklahoma with a home game against Texas. The Wildcats haven’t fallen to the Horns in Manhattan in nearly 15 years.

7. Texas [3-3]: W vs. Iowa State (LW: 7)

“Texas is back” to not getting shutout by the Cyclones like they did in 2015.

8. Texas Tech [3-3]: L vs. West Virginia (LW: 8)

Mahomes still appears to be injured, the offensive line had its worst game of the season, and injuries/suspensions have left the Red Raiders thin for their upcoming match up with Oklahoma.

9. Iowa State [1-6]: L @ Texas (LW: 9)

The Cyclones couldn’t keep pace with the Longhorns this time, and despite the relatively rapid improvement, at some point you are what your record is.

10. Kansas [1-5]: L @ Baylor (LW: 10)

The Jayhawks should find solace in the fact that they actually boosted Baylor’s strength of schedule to this point in the season. Get it? Because Baylor schedules nobody in conference play every year? Ha. Got ‘em.