The Big 12 opened the 2022 football season with an impressive 9-1 record. The lone loss was West Virginia who dropped an tight contest on the road at #17 Pitt so it’s hard to punish a team who lost by one score on the road against a ranked team. TCU posted the best win for the conference, going on the road to dominate Colorado in Boulder.
Due to nine of the teams winning there isn’t much movement from Week 1 to Week 2. Texas gained a point to move into a tie with Baylor at #2 and TCU swapped spots with Oklahoma State.
2022 Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Oklahoma | 29 |
| 2. Baylor | 23 |
| 2. Texas | 23 |
| 4. TCU | 19 |
| 5. Kansas State | 18 |
| 5. Oklahoma State | 18 |
| 7. West Virginia | 12 |
| 8. Iowa State | 10 |
| 9. Kansas | 8 |
| 10. Texas Tech | 5 |
Individual Thoughts
Craig
1. Oklahoma | The Sooners looked solid in their opener against UTEP. The offense seems balanced under Jeff Lebby and the defense was flying around at a level we haven’t seen in years. Could be an exciting season for Oklahoma.
2. Baylor | The Bears took care of business against Albany as expected. Blake Shapen looked calm and collected in his first start under center. He completed 17/20 through the air for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. It looks like Baylor is set to have another run at the Big 12 Championship.
3. Texas – The Longhorns did just enough in week one to enter my top three. They are dangerous through the air as well as on the ground with Bijan Robinson. The defense looked stout as well only allowing 10 points. I’m not completely sold on Texas as Big 12 contenders just yet, but they did look impressive in their season opener.
4. Oklahoma State
5. Kansas State
6. Iowa State
7. TCU
8. West Virginia
9. Texas Tech | The Joey McGuire era is off to a great start in Lubbock. Texas Tech looked good in their 63-10 win in the season opener. However, they’ll need to beat someone besides Murray State before they climb my rankings.
10. Kansas | The Jayhawks opened up the season with a big win over Tennessee Tech. It was a step in the right direction no doubt. But, they have a lot of work to do in the passing offense if they want to win any conference games this year.
Matt
1. Oklahoma | The Sooners looked efficient on offense and relentless on defense. It wasn’t the perfect season opener but it was enough to confirm to me that I’ve got them ranked in the right place.
2. Texas | The Longhorns did what they needed to do against ULM on Saturday evening. Everyone knows that their big test is this coming weekend but they certainly passed the eye test in Week 1.
3. TCU | The Frogs pulled off the biggest win of the weekend for the Big 12 by knocking off the Buffs 38-13 in Boulder, Colorado. Chandler Morris’ sprained knee is a bit concerning but the good news is that Max Duggen is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the conference and Tarleton is the next opponent.
4. Kansas State
5. Kansas
6. West Virginia
7. Baylor
8. Oklahoma State
9. Iowa State | It was all positive for the Cyclones on Saturday. Hunter Dekkers completed 25 of his 31 pass attempts for 293 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively they gave up just 320 yards and 10 points. They’ll need to produce against teams that are better SE Missouri State before they start moving up my rankings though.
10. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders pounced on Murray State with a 42-point first half and then coasted to an easy 63-10 win. We’ll learn a little more about this team next week when they host #24 Houston.
Zack
1. Baylor | The reigning champs had a big win against a weak team. I need a reason to bump them from the top spot, though, so they remain for now.
2. Oklahoma | The Sooners manhandled UTEP just like I expected them to do. I don’t think there’s a lot to take away from that game.
3. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys looked like one of the best teams in the nation in the first half against Central Michigan before they seriously let up in the second half. The secondary needs a ton of work, but Spencer Sanders looked like a Heisman candidate, so I think this team could do some things this season.
4. TCU
5. Texas
6. Kansas State
7. West Virginia
8. Iowa State
9. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders had an easy win against Murray State, as they should have. Color me not impressed.
10. Kansas | The Jayhawks smacked Tennessee Tech. I didn’t even know that was a school. No movement here at the bottom.
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