It looks like we’re in for a fantastic regular season finish for the Big 12. Iowa State and Oklahoma State currently sit in the driver’s seat to make it to Arlington but Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Texas still can make a lot of noise over the next three to four weeks.
Everything shook out pretty much as expected over the weekend leaving little movement in our power rankings this week. Oklahoma State’s struggle in Manhattan was just enough to drop them below Iowa State at the top of the list. The Cowboys are one of two teams to drop this week. West Virginia also dropped one spot after losing to Texas.
The Cyclones are the only team to rise this week. They edged out Oklahoma State by one point for the top spot. Seven of the ten teams appear in the exact same spot as last week.
Below are our consensus rankings and then after that you’ll find the individual rankings from our writers with an explanation for each of the top three and the bottom two as well.
2020 Heartland Sports Week 10 Big 12 Power Rankings
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Iowa State | 48 |
| 2. Oklahoma State | 47 |
| 3. Oklahoma | 40 |
| 4. Texas | 35 |
| 5. Kansas State | 28 |
| 5. West Virginia | 26 |
| 7. TCU | 21 |
| 8. Texas Tech | 13 |
| 9. Baylor | 12 |
| 10. Kansas | 5 |
Mark
1. Oklahoma State- The defense does it again for the Cowboys with a scoop and score and a game sealing interception. They have 2 weeks to get healthy before Bedlam.
2. Iowa State- The Cyclones get the win closer than I expected at home against Baylor. They also get a week off before hosting the Wildcats.
3. Oklahoma- The Sooners took care of business against Kansas and also have a week off before Bedlam.
4. Texas
5. West Virginia
6. Kansas State
7. TCU
8. Texas Tech
9. Baylor- The Bears played tough against Iowa State but came up short. They go to Lubbock and have an opportunity to move up in my rankings.
10. Kansas- Kansas is Kansas and they do Kansas things which is why I don’t think they’re going to win a game this season.
Rich
1. Iowa State Cyclones | The top two teams in the conference struggled to produce wins. However, a win is a win and in November, those are difficult to come by. Breece Hall continues to pave the way to victory for the program. After three interceptions though, there are some questions about the quarterback play of Brock Purdy. Granted the signal-caller threw three touchdowns in a win.
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys | There’s no denying the Cowboys are the defensive juggernaut of the league although much of the accolades fell on the offensive side of the ball. Spencer Sanders look pedestrian at best at the quarterback position as the once feared offense mustered a measly 256 yards from the line of scrimmage. Thankfully for the fans, an 85-yard fumble return made a world of difference this weekend.
3. Oklahoma Sooners | Still charging up the rankings, the Sooners continue to play their best football of the season. Granted it was against a struggling cellar dweller in the Big XII so I’m not reading too much into it. With a week off and a revitalized rushing attack, Oklahoma is entering the conversation as the favorite to win the conference once again.
4. Texas Longhorns
5. West Virginia Mountaineers
6. Kansas State Wildcats
7. TCU Horned Frogs
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
9. Baylor Bears | Putting up a challenge over the weekend, the Bears had an opportunity to shake up the entire Big XII conversation. Instead, the program suffered another loss and sits on a single win this season. It’s not a good look for the folks in Waco.
10. Kansas Jayhawks | Still winless on the year, is this really any surprise at this point?
Zack
1. Oklahoma State | It was close in Manhattan, but a win is a win, and the Cowboys control their own destiny. Win out, and they’re easily in the Big 12 Championship. Bedlam in 2 weeks is their toughest game remaining, so win that one, and it could be an easy rest of the way.
2. Iowa State | The Cyclones also control their own path to the conference championship. All they have to do is win out, and their remaining schedule isn’t exactly the toughest.
3. Oklahoma | The Sooners are looking like the best team in the conference, but those 2 early losses are weighing heavily. Bedlam in a couple of weeks should be a good one.
4. Texas
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. TCU
8. Baylor
9. Texas Tech | It’s rough going in Lubbock. I’m impressed this team squeaked out a win against West Virginia. Maybe they can get another against Kansas at the end of the season.
10. Kansas | I don’t even know what to say. Just…yeah.
Craig
1. Iowa State | The Cyclones showed a lot of heart this weekend after sealing the comeback win against Baylor. The Bears came out swinging early, but Iowa State stayed poised and showed how good of a team they really are.
2. Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State was in an absolute defensive battle against Kansas State on Saturday. We already know how the Pokes hold up on the defensive end, but we are still waiting on their offense to come around. They are legit Big 12 contenders, and maybe even one of the best teams in the country. However, they are going to need to put more points on the board moving forward.
3. Oklahoma | The Sooners look like a team that has finally worked out all of the kinks. Spencer Rattler looks more comfortable each week, and the defense is beginning to come up with the turnovers that Oklahoma hasn’t seen in years. A big matchup with OSU is next and we will see if this team has really made improvements.
4. Texas
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. TCU
8. Baylor
9. Texas Tech | Texas Tech has never had a great defense, but this year they don’t have an offense either. The good news is that they still get to play Kansas at the end of the season for a chance at another win.
10. Kansas | The Jayhawks are without a doubt worse than they were a year ago. There’s no energy on the field or on the sideline. I’m afraid that Les Miles has lost his team.
Matt
1. Iowa State | The Cyclones produced a huge third quarter to rally past Baylor and keep some sense of order at the top of the Big 12 standings.
2. Oklahoma State | Turnovers were key to Oklahoma State’s survival in Manhattan. The Cowboys turned the Wildcats over twice while not giving it away once.
3. Oklahoma | Homer alert – There isn’t a team playing better in the Big 12 right now than the Sooners.
4. Texas
5. Kansas State
6. TCU
7. West Virginia
8. Texas Tech
9. Baylor | Baylor looked like they had it together during the first half of their game at Iowa State on Saturday evening. That’s certainly a positive.
10. Kansas | It’s all bad in Lawrence right now.
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