We’re nearing the end of the first month of the 2023 college football season and we’ve seen enough to start making firm decisions about each team in the Big 12. Each team has now played a conference game, and while that’s not necessarily enough to make prognostications on how the conference will shake out, it is enough to establish a pecking order. There is a an established upper echelon as September prepares to come to a close and, unbelievably, Kansas is a part of it.
2023 Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings, Week 5
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Texas | 42 |
| 2. Oklahoma | 39 |
| 3. Kansas | 36 |
| 4. TCU | 32 |
| 5. Kansas State | 31 |
| 6. West Virginia | 26 |
| 7. UCF | 24 |
| 8. BYU | 20 |
| 9. Iowa State | 18 |
| 10. Cincinnati | 14 |
| 11. Houston | 11 |
| 12. Oklahoma State | 8 |
| 12. Texas Tech | 8 |
| 14. Baylor | 6 |
Holding Steady
Five teams are in the same spot this week as they were last week. Our Top 4 remained steady and Baylor remained in the basement at #14.
Moving Up
Iowa State’s 34-27 win over Oklahoma State bumped them up four spots this week. Kansas State, West Virginia and Houston we also all on the rise this week.
Dropping
With all eyes on Oklahoma State, we actually had Texas Tech taking the biggest tumble this week. On the heels of a 20-13 loss at West Virginia, the Red Raiders dropped three spots. Of course Oklahoma State dropped as well, as did UCF, and BYU.
Individual Thoughts
Craig
1. Texas | The Longhorns took care of business on the road at Baylor. It doesn’t matter if this isn’t the same Baylor team that we are used to seeing, anytime you go win a night game at McLane Stadium it is an impressive win.
2. Oklahoma | Defense continues to lead the way for the Sooners. If the offense can get going on all cylinders this Oklahoma team could be really dangerous. The offense hasn’t been bad, they’ve just missed a few opportunities here and there that would turn some of these closers wins into blowout victories.
3. Kansas | It’s safe to say that the Kansas football program is finally heading in the right direction. But, what is a fair expectation for this team? They’ve got a big matchup with Texas coming up this week.
4. TCU
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. Iowa State
8. UCF
9. BYU
10. Cincinnati
11. Baylor
12. Houston
13. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders were considered by some to be potential Big 12 contenders. However, to say that the start of their season has been a disappointment would be an understatement.
14. Oklahoma State | I took a lot of shade from the other guys last week after ranking Oklahoma State in last place. But, I’ll just keep putting them at the bottom until the other guys eventually do as well. The Cowboys are the only team to rank in the bottom four in offense, defense, and special teams.
Zack
1. Texas | The Longhorns destroyed Baylor, and so they stay at the top.
2. Oklahoma | The Sooners looked decent against Cincinnati, but they’re going to have to play much better if they want to beat Texas. Good thing they have
3. Kansas | The Jayhawks are 4-0 for the second year in a row, which is kind of crazy considering they hadn’t won 4 games in an entire season since 2009. Who knows? Maybe they’re truly turning the program around.
4. Kansas State
5. TCU
6. West Virginia
7. UCF
8. BYU
9. Cincinnati
10. Iowa State
11. Texas Tech
12. Oklahoma State
13. Houston | The Cougars finally got another win, but the fact that it was against Sam Houston State isn’t impressive enough to move them up very far.
14. Baylor | One win against an FCS school. Blasted by Texas. It’s bad for the Bears.
Matt
1. Texas | The Longhorns didn’t just maintain their grip on the top of the Big 12 Power Rankings, they tightened it. Texas absolutely crushed Baylor on the road.
2. Oklahoma | Defense is the talk of the town in Norman. It’s been a long time since that’s been the story for the Sooners.
3. Kansas | For those of you screaming at me for having the Jayhawks ranked so high, Saturday will tell us if they belong here or not.
4. TCU
5. Kansas State
6. UCF
7. West Virginia
8. BYU
9. Houston
10. Iowa State
11. Oklahoma State
12. Cincinnati
13. Texas Tech | Look, you could have made the argument that the Red Raiders got a tough break early on with the schedule, but opening Big 12 play with a loss at West Virginia is checking off all of the warning boxes. It’s time to push the panic button in Lubbock.
14. Baylor | Getting Blake Shapen back, and healthy, will be the key to the Bears climbing out of the basement but there are significant issues on the defense as well.
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