Big 12 power rankings after Week 11: Colorado makes wild card entry to contend for conference title, BYU still on top
An insane Big 12 season continued. Whether it was BYU surviving Utah late, Colorado looking impressive or Iowa State falling apart against Kansas, Week 11 had its share of moments. Here's the method behind the madness as we try to sort it all out in our Big 12 power rankings.
Big 12 Power Rankings After Week 11
#16 Oklahoma State (3-7)
Your first notice that some things have changed. Yes, OK State has earned its way to the bottom of the league. Thought of as one of the better teams in the Big 12, it's now 3-7, eliminated from bowl eligbility, and losing by 25 to a 6-4 TCU team. Sounds like last place.
#15 Arizona (3-6)
The Wildcats were off, so they couldn't do any harm to their situation. Realistically, they and OK State have been the two most disappointing teams in the back end of the Big 12 season. They're getting thumped by mediocre teams for no apparent reason.
#14 Kansas (3-6)
The Jayhawks bested Iowa State with the kind of win they were expected to land plenty of this season. They put up 45 points, and Jalon Daniels was great. Not sure if it's better to have never seen them play this well or know they were actually capable of it, but usually didn't do it.
#13 Houston (4-5)
Houston was off and doesn't move. That feels right because they've been better than Kansas but not as good as Utah. It has still got a 23% chance at six wins, per ESPN's FPI tool.
#12 UCF (4-6)
Tough loss that could have turned the tide on a disappointing season. UCF is still sitting at a 36% chance of winning its last two games to be bowl eligible, per the FPI. Would have been much easier had they won this week.
#11 Utah (4-5)
So close to a massive upset, Utah instead lives in a world where its athletic director uses the post-game press conference to lash out at officials and the league. It has been that kind of season.
#10 Cincinnati (5-4)
It has been an overachieving season, but the league is catching up with the Bearcats on the back end of it. Still, they're at a better than 3-to-1 shot of picking up another win and making a bowl. It's tough to call it a disappointment for this young team.
#9 West Virginia (5-4)
This was a significant victory for the Mountaineers' bowl situation and probably for coach Neal Brown's job security. WVU is now almost certain to be bowl eligble, and they've done a good job of making something positive from a rough start in the Big 12 season.
#8 Baylor (5-4)
Baylor was off this week, so they don't make any sudden moves. It had bested TCU, but the Horned Frogs jumped them again by getting a solid win to wrap up a bowl. Baylor will join them soon.
#7 TCU (5-4)
After thumping Oklahoma State, TCU is officially bowl eligible. It will probably win seven games, but there's no playoff possibility. TCU remains in the bunching of good but not great Big 12 squads.
#6 Texas Tech (6-4)
This was a chance to jump into league and playoff battles, but Tech didn't quite have enough juice to hang with Colorado, so it stays sixth, which should get it a decent bowl destination.
#5 Kansas State (7-2)
K-State was off this week, which probably wasn't great coming off a brutal loss the previous weekend. The Wildcats' game with Iowa State was looking really exciting until both teams fell flat in a short span of time. KSU still has a path to the league crown, but that's probably their sole playoff path.
#4 Arizona State (7-2)
Even after another win, the Sun Devils remain the league's Rodney Dangerfield, never getting any respect. ASU is likely to end 9-3 and playing in a significant bowl. That's an impressive 2024 season for a squad with fairly light hopes coming in.
#3 Iowa State (7-2)
The Cyclones stumble again, this time by not defending Kansas, and it probably cost them their playoff chances.
At a 5.8% likelihood of the playoff per FPI, Iowa State had a horrid two-week fall. They could redeem it a bit against Kansas State, but the big picture here went from sunny and hopeful to dire in a hurry.
#2 Colorado (7-2)
After a significant taking care of business victory, Colorado's league crown and playoff possibilities are soaring. The Buffaloes are given a 32% chance at the league, not far behind BYU's 39% odds, as well as a 27% chance at reaching the playoff.
#1 BYU (9-0)
Call them lucky, but BYU will take it. 9-0 and in the best shape to win the league and crown, BYU flirts with disaster often but has so far avoided it. How long can their luck hold? And could a 12-1 BYU team that loses the Big 12 title game still belong in the playoff?
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