POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big 12

1. Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1):

Kyler Murray is statistically better this year at quarterback than Baker Mayfield was when he won the Heisman Trophy last season. Not bad for a baseball player. Unfortunately for the Sooners, the defense isn’t improved despite the firing of Bob Stoops’ brother. Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team left with a chance at the College Football Playoffs.

2. Texas (8-3, 6-2):

All that separates Texas and a berth in the Big 12 title game is a meeting with Kansas in Lawrence. What could possibly go wrong? The health of quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s shoulder remains the primary concern for the Longhorns. Texas isn’t good enough to get cute and rest him for a potential rematch with Oklahoma at Jerry World.

3. West Virginia (8-2, 6-2):

Games in Stillwater rarely go as planned for opponents and West Virginia was the latest casualty of Mike Gundy’s squad. Texas met a similar fate earlier in the season. The Mountaineers still possess conference championship dreams. It’ll require quarterback Will Grier out-dueling Murray in the game this week between Oklahoma and West Virginia.

4. Iowa State (6-4, 5-3):

The Cyclones looked flat against Texas and that is credit to the Longhorns. It didn’t help not having running back David Montgomery for the first half. Kansas State comes to town needing a win to reach a bowl game. Iowa State is playing for pride and an outside chance of playing for the Big 12 title.

5. Oklahoma State (6-5, 3-5):

This Oklahoma State team beat Boise State, Texas and West Virginia. It also came within a twopoint conversion of beating Oklahoma. Its also lost to Kansas State and Baylor. That’s the type of consistency expected from a program led by a dude with a mullet.

6. Texas Tech (5-6, 3-5):

Things were looking great in Lubbock until freshman quarterback Alan Bowman suffered a collapsed lung. The Red Raiders are on a four-game losing streak dating back to midOctober and a loss this week against Baylor would mean a year without a bowl game for Kliff Kingsbury.

7. TCU (5-6, 3-5):

Beating Baylor made the fan base feel better about the train wreak that was the 2018 season. The Horned Frogs are a win away from reaching a bowl game. Those extra practices gained by bowl eligibility would pay dividends for the 2019 season.

8. Baylor (5-6, 3-5):

The Bears squandered a perfect chance to reach a bowl game in the second year under head coach Matt Rhule but came up short against TCU when the offense managed just nine points at home. Baylor heads to Lubbock to face off against Texas Tech with a bowl game on the line for both squads.

9. Kansas State (5-6, 3-5):

Bill Snyder woke up from his nap in time to pull an upset over Texas Tech and keep hopes of a bowl berth alive for Kansas State. It’s hard to imagine Kansas State can repeat the trick this week on the road against Iowa State.

10. Kansas (3-8, 1-7):

The Jayhawks would like nothing more than defeating Texas and impressing impending head coach Les Miles. Yes, that Les Miles.