Only four schools remained in the same place as they were a week ago in our power rankings. That means ten are on the move, and we have a new occupant in the basement.
2023 Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings, Week 3
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Texas | 42 |
| 2. Oklahoma | 38 |
| 3. Kansas State | 37 |
| 4. Kansas | 33 |
| 5. TCU | 27 |
| 6. UCF | 26 |
| 7. Oklahoma State | 25 |
| 8. BYU | 20 |
| 8. Cincinnati | 20 |
| 10. Texas Tech | 16 |
| 11. Iowa State | 10 |
| 12. West Virginia | 9 |
| 13. Baylor | 7 |
| 14. Houston | 5 |
Holding Steady
Texas solidified its spot atop the rankings for Week three, Kansas State, Kansas, and Baylor also themselves in the same spot as last week.
Moving Up
It was West Virginia taking the biggest leap this week. The Mountaineers occupied the #14 spot a week ago but are sitting at #12 this week. Other teams who also moved up slightly were TCU, Oklahoma State, BYU, Cincinnati, and Iowa State.
Dropping
Texas Tech entered into a free fall after losing to Oregon. The Red Raiders went from being tied with Oklahoma State at #7 last week to sitting at #10 this week. Other teams taking a dip in Week 3 were Oklahoma, UCF, and Houston.
Individual Thoughts
Craig
1. Texas | The Longhorns certainly impressed this weekend with a win on the road at Alabama. All jokes aside, Texas might really be back. I know it’s been said before, but this could be their best team in recent years.
2. Oklahoma | The Sooners escaped SMU with a 17 point win. It’s weird to say “escaped”, but that’s kind of what it felt like. The defense played fantastic. They only gave up 11 points to the Mustangs, which is the lowest they’ve been held to since 2017.
3. Kansas State | Kansas State looked solid once again this weekend. It’s been hard to gauge this team based on their level of opponents thus far. They will get a better test this coming week against Missouri.
4. Kansas
5. TCU
6. UCF
7. Oklahoma State
8. BYU
9. Texas Tech
10. Iowa State
11. Cincinnati
12. West Virginia
13. Houston | After barely edging out UTSA a week ago, the Cougars took a step back with a loss to Rice. You gotta wonder how this squad is going to hold up once conference play begins.
14. Baylor | Baylor played much better this week in their 20-13 loss to Utah. Unfortunately, a loss is a loss, and Baylor is not only 0-2, but they have the worst loss in the conference as well.
Zack
1. Texas | It’s hard not to pick the Longhorns after the win over Alabama on the road. They looked good. Who knows, maybe they’re actually back.
2. Kansas State | The Wildcats handily defeated Troy, and I feel like they’re not getting enough credit so far. They’re a threat to win the conference.
3. Oklahoma | The Sooners didn’t really struggle with SMU, and they probably won’t play a team as talented as the Mustangs until the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma is looking good so far.
4. Kansas
5. Cincinnati
6. Oklahoma State
7. UCF
8. TCU
9. BYU
10. Texas Tech
11. Baylor
12. Iowa State
13. West Virginia | A big win over an FCS school isn’t enough to move the Mountaineers up for me.
14. Houston | Losing to Rice is about as bad as it gets.
Matt
1. Texas | I said last week that the Bama game would tell us where the Longhorns truly stand. Now we know. They’re Kings of the Mountain at the moment and it’s undeniable.
2. Oklahoma | OU fans grew so accustomed to scoring 45-plus points and winning by a field goal that they deem at 17-point victory as a failure because the Sooners only scored 28 points.
3. Kansas State | The Wildcats have firmly established themselves to be in the hunt, and won’t be a pushover for anyone.
4. Kansas
5. TCU
6. UCF
7. Oklahoma State
8. BYU
9. Cincinnati
10. Texas Tech
11. West Virginia
12. Houston
13. Iowa State | I took the Cyclones out of the basement last week and I’m holding them steady this week. A 7-point loss in a rivalry game, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the team, is nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s still a loss.
14. Baylor | Utah was always going to be tough, and although the Bears had them on the ropes they still folded in the fourth quarter. Not sure that anyone really had Baylor being 0-2 to start the season.
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