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These Big 12 power rankings are decided by on-field performance with the level of competition taken into consideration. As the season progresses, the overall body of work will come into play as well.
Overall, the Big 12 had a down week with zero wins over other Power Five opponents. Let's hope the conference as a whole will step up with some real opportunities to flex the collective conference muscles.
1) Oklahoma
The 20th-ranked Sooners won 73-0 over Arkansas State. This game is most easily described as overall domination by Oklahoma against the Sun Belt Conference member. Oklahoma amassed 642 total yards compared to Arkansas State's 208 total yards. Starting quarterback Dillion Gabriel was sitting after halftime with the game out of hand, and the offense still put up 28 points in the second half. The defense, which struggled at times last year, chose this game to flex their muscles. This kind of domination against any opponent is impressive. SMU is next for Oklahoma.
2) Kansas State
#16 K-State punished Southeast Missouri 45-0. The Wildcats piled up 588 yards to SEMO's 277 yards. Will Howard became the sixth player in Big 12 history to throw, rush, and catch a touchdown in a game. The defense only gave up 6 rushing yards for the whole game. SEMO had returning talent coming into this game, but they just did not stack up against the defending Big 12 Champions. Halfway through the third quarter, Wildcat fans got to see the freshman phenom Avery Johnson do his thing to give Kansas State a look at the future. Things will get more challenging this coming week with Troy coming to town.
3) UCF
UCF beat up Kent State 56-6. The Knights dominated this game, and it was never in doubt. Kent St. had 240 total yards in the game to UCF's 723 total yards. The competition in this game was not much with Kent State having no returning offensive starters. UCF did have three turnovers in the game, and when competition steps up, they will have to have those cleaned up. Even with those turnovers, UCF downright dominated. A trip to Boise, Idaho is next for the Knights.
4) Cincinnati
Cincinnati destroyed Eastern Kentucky 66-13. The Bearcats had 667 yards to 302 for Eastern Kentucky. This game, like the others above them in the rankings, was never in doubt for Cincinnati. Emory Jones had 7 total touchdowns and 345 passing. That is taking over for one player to put up those kinds of numbers. Eastern Kentucky was outclassed by the Bearcats here. Cincinnati will visit Pitt this weekend in what should be a tougher matchup.
5) Texas
Texas beat Rice 37-10. The Longhorns let Rice hang around the first half of the game before finally putting their foot on the gas to pull away. Texas outgained Rice 458 to 176 in yardage. The defense did their job for Texas, forcing three turnovers as well as limiting yardage. The offense will have to step it up and score more touchdowns for Texas to be back. Next up for Texas is a trip to Alabama.
6) Kansas
Kansas ran away from Missouri State 48-17. The Jayhawks played this game without star Quarterback Jalon Daniels. The first half was a slugfest with Kansas leading 17-10, and unlike the Kansas teams of the past, they came out in the second half to pull away from the FCS opponent. Without the starting quarterback, the offense still piled up 521 yards to Missouri State's 217. Kansas gets a Power Five test this week with Illinois coming to town.
7) Houston
Houston squeaked by a solid UTSA team 17-14. The Cougars survived a scare in this game, with the defense coming up clutch and nabbing three interceptions. UTSA got more yards in this game: 417 to 334. These games are gut-check games which the coaching staff of Houston would probably like to not have this early in the season. Houston's next game will be against Rice.
8) Iowa State
Iowa State beat in-state opponent Northern Iowa 30-9. The Cyclones' defense showed again that they will be solid again by getting Iowa State on the board early with a pick-six. Northern Iowa had 279 total yards to Iowa State's 250 yards. The Cyclones offense will have to get better going forward or it might be another long season in Ames. Next up is another in-state rival Iowa.
9) Tcu
#17 TCU lost to the hot Colorado Buffaloes 45-42. TCU was expected to have a step back this year from the banner year of 2022. Defense was optional in this game with TCU piling up 541 yards and Colorado having 565 yards. TCU had two turnovers on the day. Losing to a Power Five program in a close game shows more than struggling against a lesser opponent. TCU's next opponent is from the FCS-level Nicholls.
10) Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State struggled to pull away from Central Arkansas but won 27-13. Oklahoma State piled up 453 yards to Central Arkansas' 391 yards. Quarterback play was not great for the Cowboys with the starting quarterback Garret Rangel having 118 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. It might be a long year for Oklahoma State, but you have to believe Mike Gundy will get the ship right in the near future. Next up is a trip to Arizona State.
11) BYU
The only good thing you can say about BYU in this game is that they won 14-0 against Sam Houston. BYU's defense forced three interceptions in this game and got a shutout which is nothing to be upset about. The offense had 257 yards to Sam Houston's 185 yards. The Cougars offense will have to be much better if BYU wants to make noise in the Big 12. Next up for BYU is a trip to Arkansas.
12) West Virginia
West Virginia was outmatched in Happy Valley against #7 Penn State losing 38-15. Penn State had 478 yards to West Virginia's 308 yards. West Virginia is expected to have a down year with Neal Brown on the hot seat. This team played clean football with zero turnovers and five penalties the whole game. The bright spot is that West Virginia will not play very many teams as well as Penn State. Next up is an easier opponent Duquesne.
13) Texas Tech
Texas Tech lost to Wyoming in overtime 35-33. Texas Tech stormed out to a 17-0 lead only to let that slip away and lose in overtime. Many people saw Texas Tech as the dark horse team to win the Big 12. With a performance like this that does not seem likely as of now but do not forget Kansas State lost to Tulane and still won the conference. Texas Tech had more yards 431 to 320 and one less turnover they had no business losing this game, but they did. Texas Tech has another tough game coming up with Oregon coming to Lubbock.
14) Baylor
Baylor got taken to the woodshed by Texas State 42-31. Baylor racked up 524 yards in the game with two turnovers compared to Texas State's 441 yards and two turnovers. Texas State got their first-ever win over a power five team in this game. These kinds of losses are not a good look for your program. Baylor will have to try to right the ship this week with two-time defending PAC-12 Champion Utah coming to Waco.
These rankings are fluid and not predict where the Big 12 standings will end. Let me know in the comments whether I was right or wrong.
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