It’s been a minute since I’ve been able to post the power rankings and things sure have changed in the Big 12 landscape since then. The Longhorns are back at the top of the pack and it’s Oklahoma State, not Oklahoma, right behind them in pursuit. There are seemingly limitless scenarios for the Big 12 championship matchup that it really isn’t worth a write up at this point. The final three weeks of the season are going to be a ton of fun and, I think, that our rankings are a reflection of that.
2023 Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings, Week 11
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Texas | 41 |
| 2. Oklahoma State | 40 |
| 3. Kansas | 34 |
| 3. Oklahoma | 34 |
| 5. Kansas State | 31 |
| 6. West Virginia | 27 |
| 7. Iowa State | 23 |
| 8. Texas Tech | 22 |
| 9. TCU | 18 |
| 10. Houston | 15 |
| 11. BYU | 11 |
| 12. Baylor | 9 |
| 13. UCF | 7 |
| 14. Cincinnati | 3 |
Individual Thoughts
Craig
1. Texas | Texas still looks like one of the best teams in the entire country despite not having a healthy Quinn Ewers at quarterback. The Longhorns without a doubt control their own destiny.
2. Oklahoma State | I have to take the time here to admit that I was wrong about the Pokes. After back to back losses early in the season they have fired off five straight wins with two of them coming against ranked opponents.
3. Kansas | Kansas remains in the back seat of the conference championship picture, but if they keep winning they have a shot.
4. Oklahoma
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. Texas Tech
8. Iowa State
9. TCU
10. Houston
11. BYU
12. UCF
13. Baylor | What is going on down in Waco? The Bears need to win out in order to become bowl eligible. Losing to Houston this past week is a new low for this team.
14. Cincinnati | Cincinnati is still on the prowl for their first Big 12 win. If they don’t get it this week against Houston they might be waiting until 2024 for that first win.
Zack
1. Texas | The Longhorns are right back in the driver seat of the Big 12 after surviving Kansas State.
2. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys are rolling right now, and winning the “Bedlame Finale”—regardless of conspiracy theories—was all the more impressive after the 2-2 start.
3. Oklahoma | Despite a second consecutive loss, the Sooners are not out of the Big 12 Championship Game just yet. They have a favorable schedule to finish out the season, but they need some help in the form of other teams losing.
4. Kansas State
5. Kansas
6. West Virginia
7. Iowa State
8. Texas Tech
9. TCU
10. Houston
11. Baylor
12. BYU
13. UCF | The Knights finally got a conference win. Unfortunately, it was a narrow one against Cincinnati, so they don’t get much credit for it.
14.Cincinnati | The Bearcats lost to the only other team without a conference win. It’s bad for Cincinnati.
Matt
1. Oklahoma State | I know that the popular choice here is going to be Texas, but when you ask the question of who has the most impressive win in conference play then it’s the Cowboys, hands down.
2. Texas | The Longhorns are hitting the home stretch of the season and they’re in the driver’s seat for a spot in Arlington. They need Quinn Ewers back though.
3. Kansas | Man, it really pains me to have the Jayhawks here instead of the Sooners but that head-to-head win over Oklahoma is what I can’t get past.
4. Oklahoma
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. Iowa State
8. Texas Tech
9. TCU
10. Houston
11. BYU
12. Baylor
13. UCF | It’s been a rough adjustment for Central Florida, coming into the Big 12. There holes in the roster are clearly there and it’ll take time for them to be ready to compete each, and every weekend, at this level.
14. Cincinnati | All of the reasons that I mentioned for UCF are amplified even more for Cincinnati. It’s going to take time!
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