Big 12 power rankings: Bedlam rematch approaching certainty

Editor’s note: Thank you to everyone for your copious emails informing me of TCU’s ability to still win the Big 12 Conference. At the time of publication, the Big 12 website mistakenly had Oklahoma State in front of TCU. I still stand by what I wrote, though, because Texas Tech is clearly going to beat TCU and effectively end the conference hopes of the Frogs, but, for now, they are still in contention.

Damn.

That’s a quote from Kendrick Lamar, but also an indication of how disappointed I am in how this season has played out. Through all the ups and downs, the upsets and nail-biters, the Big 12 Conference championship is going to belong to one of the same two teams everyone originally predicted at the start of the season.

For a while, we thought we’d see Iowa State in the title game, but the Cylcones likely blew their last shot with a loss this weekend to Oklahoma State at home.

TCU appeared to be the best chance at blocking the conference trophy from ending up in the state of Oklahoma, but then the Horned Frogs had to go and get smacked around by the Sooners, probably ending their title hopes unless the team can win out without their starting quarterback.

Nope, now the championship will belong to one of the Oklahoma teams, so long as they can collectively beat:

• Kansas State
• Kansas (twice)
• West Virginia

Way to go, Big 12 Conference. There were eight teams from outside the state of Oklahoma and not one could even make it to the conference championship game.

I suppose I’ll continue on with the power rankings, but they’re hardly relevant now that the majority of the field is eliminated from title contention. In any case:

1. Oklahoma Sooners (-)

Have to give Lincoln Riley credit for the job he’s done with the Sooners this year. They’re the Big 12’s best and only hope for a College Football Playoff berth.

2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (+2)

Mason Rudolph is a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2018, but he’ll look to grab a Big 12 Conference championship before he leaves.

3. TCU Horned Frogs (-1)

Kenny Hill is not so trill anymore. Hopefully he’ll be healthy to play his last bowl game before he switches to play wide receiver in the CFL.

Teams that no longer matter

4. West Virginia Mountaineers (-1)

The Mountaineers get one more year of Will Grier and will be a major contender for the Big 12 Conference title in 2018.

5. Iowa State Cylcones (-)

The Cyclones can play in a decent bowl if they win out against Baylor and Kansas State.

6. Texas Longhorns (-)

The fact that it’s late November and Texas still hasn’t clinched a bowl berth makes this another unsuccessful season in Austin.

7. Kansas State Wildcats (-)

K-State needs to beat either Oklahoma State or Iowa State to make a bowl game. Definitely a tough task, but don’t doubt the magic of Bill Snyder.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-)

The future of Kliff Kingsbury will largely be determined by what happens during the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the Red Raiders have to play two of the country’s best defenses during this stretch.

9. Baylor Bears (-)

Add this season to an unending list of things Baylor wishes it could forget.

10. Kansas Jayhawks (-)

It’s basketball season, even KU fans don’t care about how bad their football team is.