College Football: Big 12 Power Rankings

These are the College Football power rankings in the Big 12 as we head into week 6:

1. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders, when factoring in the remaining schedule, might be the most likely team in the country to finish the regular season 12-0. The Big 12 is the conference of chaos, however, and there will be upsets on the horizon. Can Joey McGuire’s team avoid them?

2. Arizona State

Kenny Dillingham’s crew just finds a way to win. The Sun Devil defense shut down TCU QB Josh Hoover, and the Sam Leavitt-Jordyn Tyson connection was cooking as Arizona State notched a HUGE Big 12 win against TCU in Week 5.

3. Iowa State

The Cyclones turned in a dominant performance against Arizona in Week 5. Transfer WR Chase Sowell finally showed up and had his biggest game in a Cyclone uniform. WR and OL continue to be my concern, but Sowell stepping up can be a huge step in making this offense more explosive.

4. Utah

After a disappointing loss to Texas Tech, the Utes bounced back with a huge win over West Virginia 48-14. The Utes get a bye before hosting Arizona State, which is the only game that they won’t be favored by a touchdown the rest of the way. 11-1 and a Big 12 Championship berth are still in reach for Kyle Whittingham.

5. TCU

Through three games, TCU had one of the most explosive offenses in college football. But they were muted in a 27-24 loss to Arizona State, where Josh Hoover turned the ball over three times. I’m not all the way out on TCU, but their defense is not good enough for them to win a lot of games scoring 24 points.

6. BYU

Kalani Sitake is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. His team is always well-prepared, doesn’t get penalized, has above-average special teams, and manages the clock well. This is how you win games when you don’t have a talent advantage, which the Cougars pulled off against Colorado in Week 5.

7. Cincinnati

It’s time to put some respect on Cincinnati’s name. Brendan Sorsby led a clutch 4th-quarter drive to beat Kansas in Week 5. The Bearcats are looking to make some noise in the Big 12 title race, and it starts with hosting Iowa State in Week 6. 

8. Baylor

In the words of Dennis Green, “they are who we thought they were.” With Sawyer Robertson and Bryson Washington leading the way, Baylor is going to be explosive offensively for the entire season. The problem is that they are straight putrid defensively. This was on full display as even lowly Oklahoma State had success against Baylor’s defense.

9. Houston

I want to rank Houston higher because they are undefeated, but it’s hard to have a lot of confidence in a team that needed overtime to beat an awful Oregon State squad. Regardless, Willie Fritz’s style is going to make Houston a tough out for anyone in the Big 12 because they play so differently than anyone else in the conference.

10. Kansas

The Jayhawks were so close to pulling off a program-building win against Cincinnati in Week 5, but failed to get a defensive stop and let it slip through their fingers. They squandered a breakout performance from Emmanuel Henderson, as the receiver topped 200 yards. The Jayhawks, as long as Jalon Daniels is healthy, can beat anyone in this conference.