Big 12 Power Rankings updated after Week 14 of college football

The regular season has come to an end. Now, all that remains are the conference championship games, bowls, and the College Football Playoff. With that, the Big 12 Power Rankings, with the help of the On3 Massey Ratings, have taken their ultimate shape.

The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

With all of that in mind, here are the Big 12 Power Rankings following the end of the 2024 regular season.

1. Iowa State Cyclones (10-2, 7-2)

The Iowa State Cyclones have their first 10-win season in program history. This is a team that first started playing football in 1892. Now, they’ll have the opportunity to make this season even more special with a win in the Big 12 Championship Game. That would, in turn, send Iowa State to the College Football Playoff.

In their final regular season game, Iowa State took care of business against Kansas State. That was, largely, on the back of an excellent defensive effort in the second half that saw the Cyclones force a safety while holding the Wildcats to just one score in the third quarter. Fans would then pour onto the field in an emotional field storming moment to celebrate the season.

2. BYU Cougars (10-2, 7-2)

The BYU Cougars, for a long time, looked like they’d be heading to the Big 12 Championship Game. A pair of late-season losses derailed that dream, but the Cougars still had an impact on the end of the conference title race, with their win over Houston sending Iowa State to the championship game instead of Colorado.

BYU finishes the season at 10-2. It was a remarkable year, and after missing out on a bowl entirely in 2023 the Cougars are going to get a good bowl this year. Now, they’ll just look to finish strong with a win there.

3. Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2)

One of the great stories in all of college football is Arizona State. The Sun Devils have now won five straight games, capping things off with a 49-7 win over rival Arizona. That last win clinched their spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, which could lead to a College Football Playoff appearance.

It’s hard to understate how little was expected of the Sun Devils this season. After going 3-9 last season, Kenny Dillingham had his work cut out in year two. He more than exceeded expectations, regardless of how the Big 12 Championship Game goes.

4. Kansas State Wildcats (8-4, 5-4)

The Kansas State Wildcats finish the season fourth in the Big 12 Power Rankings. That’s on the back of an 8-4 season where, frustratingly, all four losses came in conference play. Those losses meant that the Wildcats actually finished tied with West Virginia for eighth in the conference standings.

That middle-of-the-pack finish is, certainly a frustrating one. However, Kansas State is still a clearly talented team. They’ll get a bowl game and that’s an opportunity to finish the season on a high note after three of their last four games.

5. Colorado Buffaloes (9-3, 7-2)

Colorado is another one of those great stories in the Big 12. After winning just four games last season, Colorado turned things around and became a contender. They did so with a Heisman Trophy contender in Travis Hunter and likely top-end NFL Draft pick at quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, leading the way.

Up until the final game of the season, Colorado had a chance to make the Big 12 Championship Game. The Buffaloes needed Houston to pull off an upset of BYU to get there, but that didn’t happen and Iowa State went instead. Still, the Buffs are bowling.

6. Baylor Bears (8-4, 6-3)

At one point this season, it looked like Baylor head coach Dave Aranda would be on the hot seat. Then, however, the Bears turned things around and became one of the toughest teams to beat in the entire Big 12, winning six straight games to end the season. With that, it’s time for bowl season.

The season finished with a 45-17 over a surging Kansas team. That game was highlighted by the play of quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who had 310 yards and four touchdowns, part of a 603-yard offensive performance. Having him under center has done wonders for Baylor.

7. TCU Horned Frogs (8-4, 6-3)

The TCU Horned Frogs suffered from an inconsistent season at times. Despite that, the Horned Frogs ended up finishing with a strong record of 8-4 and 6-3 in Big 12 play. That kept them in the race, even as a longshot, up to the end of the season.

The end of the season came against Cincinnati over the weekend, winning a close 20-13 game. That capped off a three-game winning streak to end the season. It also played spoiler and kept the Bearcats from getting to bowl eligibility.

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-4, 6-3)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders flashed their potential this season. However, losses to Baylor, TCU, and Colorado ultimately kept the Red Raiders from being real threats in the Big 12. Still, a pair of wins to finish the season leading into a bowl game will give Texas Tech plenty to feel good about.

Now, the question for head coach Joey McGuire is how he can take the next step forward. In his three seasons there, eight wins is the most he’s had in the regular season. He’s also won two bowl games. Still, the hope is to compete for a conference championship.

9. West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6, 5-4)

West Virginia finished the regular season with a massive 52-15 loss to Texas Tech. That game, it turned out, would be the last for Neal Brown in Morgantown, with the school moving on from him following the loss. Now, the search begins for the next head coach.

The Mountaineers still have a bowl game to go to this season. That will now be with an interim head coach as the search is ongoing for a new coach. However, it does offer an opportunity for the team to finish on a high note.

10. Kansas Jayhawks (5-7, 4-5)

The Kansas Jayhawks became a chaotic force in the Big 12 late in the season, pulling off three straight upsets in November. However, when it was all said and done, a loss in the final week of the season to Baylor kept the Jayhawks from getting to six wins, making this a frustrating losing season.

Ultimately, it was a slow start to the season for Kansas, losing five of their first six games. That became too much to overcome late in the season once the Jayhawks got their feet under them. It’s their first time missing a bowl since 2021.

Rest of Big 12 Power Rankings

11. Utah Utes (5-7, 2-7)
12. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-7, 3-6)
13. UCF Knights (4-8, 2-7)
14. Houston Cougars (4-8, 3-6)
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-9, 0-9)
16. Arizona Wildcats (4-8, 2-7)

The entire season has come down to the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Iowa State Cyclones meeting in the Big 12 Championship Game. It’s not the matchup that many expected in the parity filled conference. However, it does look to be a thrilling game that will, presumably, launch the winner into the College Football Playoff.