Week 7 of Big 12 college football delivered some very important and entertaining matchups. Everyone besides West Virginia was in action this weekend. The top three teams from last week and the bottom two hold steady for this week’s rankings. A few teams in the middle of the pack lost, giving one team an opportunity to jump up a couple of spots.
Holding Steady
The Sooners took care of business against TCU to stay in front of the Big 12. Oklahoma State used some fourth quarter heroics to defeat Texas and prove that they are legit contenders this year. Baylor stays in third after they got a chance to get back a win over a ranked opponent in BYU and took full advantage it. West Virginia was off this week so they remain in 9th place, and Kansas is just Kansas so they stay in dead last.
Moving Up
Iowa State is the only team to make any significant moves this week. They jumped a couple of spots from 6th to 4th thanks to both Texas and TCU suffering losses. This is the time of year that the Cyclones usually start to make a run. Don’t be surprised to see them continue to climb the rankings as the season goes on.
Dropping
Texas, TCU, and Kansas State are all trending downward after losing in week 7. The Longhorns have had a tough stretch in their schedule, and it isn’t getting any better this week as they have to travel to Waco to play the Baylor Bears. The Horned Frogs have a great chance for a win against West Virginia on Saturday, and the Wildcats will be looking for their first conference win of the season.
Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings
Individual Thoughts
Zack
1. Oklahoma | The Sooners carry the nation’s longest win streak, so they stay at the top of the Big 12 until that changes.
2. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys should be ranked 1b right under the Sooners. Oklahoma State has played a tougher schedule and has had more impressive wins than OU, but the offense is bad, and that could be a problem.
3. Baylor | The Bears have been outstanding this season. Their only loss came against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, but after this bye week, they have a tough 4 weeks ahead.
4. Iowa State
5. Texas
6. TCU
7. Kansas State
8. West Virginia
9. Texas Tech | Congrats on beating Kansas. That’s not enough to move up in my rankings.
10. Kansas | The Jayhawks had basically one more chance this season to get a win, and they blew it against the Red Raiders.
Rich
1. Oklahoma | After making the switch to Caleb Williams at quarterback, the offense continues to put up points in bunches. It’s a good sign for a group looking for life. However, the defense has been on the opposite end of the spectrum. Facing more possessions from opposing teams, the numbers aren’t concerning per se.
2. Oklahoma State | Continuing to find a way to win, it’s finally time that I give the Cowboys the label of a good team. Lead by the defensive charge, this is a group looking to play the role of spoiler in the conference. Well on their way, Bedlam could be the decider in who has the initial edge for the conference crown.
3. Baylor | Claiming a win over another ranked foe this past weekend, the Bears have the biggest win of the week in my opinion. Playing a physical brand of football has this team bowl eligible and knocking on the door of the league title.
4. Iowa State
5. Texas Tech
6. Texas
7. TCU
8. Kansas State
9. West Virginia | Things are spiraling for the Mountaineers in the realm of football. A week off meant no loss for the program but it didn’t do much for those looking for answers either.
10. Kansas | Winless in conference and getting pummeled by yet another foe has fans looking forward to basketball season. That’s when the Jayhawk faithful hope to exact their revenge for all the losses on the football calendar.
Craig
Oklahoma | The Sooners managed to get a “comfortable” win for the first time this season on Saturday. The offense finally seems to be clicking as well. Oklahoma has a tough schedule ahead, and getting healthy on defense will be key for their November run.
Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State continues to impress each week. They don’t make it pretty, but they keep finding ways to win. Their defense is legit and the offense seems to be improving each week.
Baylor | The Bears dominated BYU on Saturday to earn their way back into the top 25. Their only loss this season is to Oklahoma State. Baylor is a legit contender for the conference championship, but they still have both Oklahoma and Texas still ahead on their schedule.
Iowa State
TCU
Texas
Texas Tech
Kansas State
West Virginia | The Mountaineers had the week off, so they remain where they were a week ago. They’ve got a solid chance to get a win this week against TCU.
Kansas | The Jayhawks latest outing resulted in a 27 point loss to Texas Tech. Listen, if you can’t score more than 14 points against Texas Tech you’re in real trouble. Things will only get worse as they’ve got Oklahoma coming up this week.
Matt
1. Oklahoma | The Caleb Williams era is off with a bang and expectations are rising. Now the Sooners need to get healthy on defense.
2. Oklahoma State | Every weekend all the Cowboys do is erase doubt. A win in Ames on Saturday wouldn’t just remove doubt about Big 12 title aspirations but also about playoff hopes.
3. Baylor | These guys are more than spoilers they look like legit conference contenders.
4. Iowa State
5. Texas
6. Texas Tech
7. TCU
8. Kansas State
9. West Virginia | Mountaineer fans are looking at the quarterback situation in Norman and wondering if they shouldn’t do the same. The problem is, West Virginia doesn’t have Caleb Williams on the sidelines.
10. Kansas | Rock Chalk Jayhawk
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