Here's how the Big 12 Power Rankings look heading into Week 13.
1. TCU 9-1, 6-1 Big 12. Last week: 1. This week: Idle. The Frogs trailed Kansas (3-7) deep into the third quarter before a Cam Echols-Luper punt return put them up for good. With as many one-loss teams as there are in college football, every week the rest of the season is a beauty contest with 12 judges who meet on Monday and Tuesday. In its first week as a member of the game's top four teams, TCU might have played its way right back out of the top four. At least for now. We'll know for sure on Tuesday.
2. Baylor 8-1, 5-1. Last week: 2. This week: vs. Oklahoma State. Not a bad off-week for the Bears, eh? Thanks to Oregon State's upset of Arizona State, the Bears moved up within a spot of TCU, whose street cred took a hit with a four-point, comeback road win over Kansas this week. I fully expect Baylor to jump TCU with a win over K-State in the season finale if both teams win out.
3. Kansas State 7-2, 5-1. Last week: 3. This week: at West Virginia (Thursday). Nobody's talking about the SnyderCats, but a major bowl berth and a share of the Big 12 title awaits if K-State gets past West Virginia in Morgantown this week, beats KU and finds a way to knock off Baylor in the season finale.
4. Texas 6-5, 5-3. Last week: 4. This week: Idle. No Big 12 team is more improved from the beginning of conference play to now. The Longhorns have now won four of five games and are bowl bound, a feat that looked closer to a pipe dream after a 23-0 loss to Kansas State on Oct. 25. Charlie Strong looks like he's having fun and has one of the most physical teams in the Big 12 on both sides of the ball, despite a lack of depth along the offensive line.
5. West Virginia 6-4, 4-3. Last week: 5. This week: vs. Kansas State (Thursday). The Mountaineers are on a two-game losing streak and host Kansas State this week. WVU is at a cross roads: Going 9-4 is still a possibility, but going 6-7 is still on the table, too. All three games are winnable, but with a trip to Ames and a bowl game, all three are losable.
6. Oklahoma 7-3, 4-2. Last week: 6. This week: vs. Kansas. The Sooners rallied from a 21-7 deficit to roll over Texas Tech, but Cody Thomas still looks like a work in progress as a passer. Samaje Perine is running away with the Big 12 rushing title. He's the Big 12's leader in yards (1,001), touchdowns (14) and is second in yards per carry (5.56) among players with at least 100 carries.
7. Kansas 3-7, 1-6. Last week: 9. This week: at Oklahoma. KU fans chanted "Bo-wen! Bo-wen! Bo-wen!" in the final moments of Kansas' 34-30 loss to TCU on Saturday. He may not get the job, but he does get the title of "Most impressive performance" by a Kansas team since Mark Mangino's departure.
8. Oklahoma State 5-5, 3-4. Last week: 7. This week: at Baylor. The Cowboys look resigned to losses at this point. Where's the fight? It's not getting any easier. OSU will face a Baylor team in desperate need of style points this week. Brace yourselves, Cowboys.
9. Texas Tech 3-7, 1-6. Last week: 8. This week: at Iowa State. Patrick Mahomes showed some promise, but Tech allowed Oklahoma to score 35 of the game's next 38 points after grabbing a 21-7 lead. Mahomes threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-50 passing. For a freshman to handle the ball that many times and not turn the ball over is a very good sign. Considering ball control is one of Davis Webb's weaknesses and his struggles this season, don't be surprised if Mahomes pushes Webb for the full-time job this offseason.
10. Iowa State 2-7, 0-6. Last week: 10. This week vs. Texas Tech. During the bye week, the Cyclones have had to stare at two embarrassing losses their last two times out. Texas Tech comes to Ames this week and the heat is on Paul Rhoads a bit, even if that heat is misplaced.
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