Big 12 Power Rankings updated after Week 5 of college football
Through Week 5 in the season, only two Big 12 teams remain unbeaten. Several of the games in Week 5 were chaotic too, including a 35-7 comeback in Orlando, a blocked kick in the final minute in Fort Worth, and a one-score game in Provo.
With that, there have been several changes to the On3 Big 12 Power Rankings. These rankings come from the On3 staff and, notably, they’re not supposed to be a recap of the standings. In some places, they’ll mimic the standings. However, generally speaking, the design of these rankings is to show how good teams are playing at a given moment.
So, here are the Big 12 Power Rankings following Week 3.
1. Texas Longhorns (5-0, 2-0)
In their final year within the Big 12, the Texas Longhorns have been the class of the conference through five games. Most recently, the Longhorns beat the Kansas Jayhawks in a game that ended up being a blowout after a massive second half from the Texas offense. That offense was led by running back Jonathon Brooks, who rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Next weekend, the Texas Longhorns will be tested in the Red River Showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners. It will likely be one of Texas’ biggest conference tests this season. Last season, this was a 49-0 win for Texas that Oklahoma will be looking to avenge.
2. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0)
2022 was a frustrating season for the Oklahoma Sooners. Including the bowl loss to Florida State, the Sooners were just 6-7. It was an incredibly disappointing season for Brent Venables in his first year. Now, however, the Sooners are feeling good after a 5-0 start.
Last week, the Sooners added another win, this time over a struggling Iowa State team. Next up is a major challenge, though, in the shape of rival Texas. Getting a win in that game would be huge for the Sooners, catapulting them to the top of the conference race.
3. Kansas State Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) +1
The Kansas State Wildcats were on a bye in Week 5. Despite that, they still managed to move up in the Big 12 Power Rankings. Better than that, they slid into the spot that rival Kansas left after losing to Texas over the weekend. It’s hard to say that wasn’t a good bye week.
It was also a very important bye week for Kansas State. The Wildcats were banged up going into their Big 12 opener win against UCF in Week 4. Now, with some time up, Kansas State has had the chance to get healthier at several key positions.
4. BYU Cougars (4-1, 1-1) +1
So far, BYU has been the best of the four new teams to join the Big 12 this season. In fact, the Cougars are the only of the four new teams to win a conference game to this point in the season. Granted, that came against another one of those new teams when BYU hosted Cincinnati on Friday night, winning 35-27.
BYU had an opportunistic defense at home in the win against Cincinnati, forcing two turnovers. Meanwhile, the Cougars’ offense played a clean game, not turning the ball over at all in the win. Next up for BYU is a bye week before heading to TCU to take on the Horned Frogs.
5. Kansas Jayhawks (4-1, 1-1) -2
The Kansas Jayhawks suffered their first loss of the season on the road against Texas in Week 5. However, the Jayhawks had to play that game without starting quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was injured while warming up at the hotel. Despite that, Kansas did keep it close for a half before Texas pulled away.
Even with the loss, Kansas has proven to be an excellent team this season. However, without Daniels, the offense does become much less effective and if he misses an extended period of time it could easily derail the season. In his place, Jason Bean got the start for Kansas.
6. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1, 2-0) +2
Coming into the season, most people expected West Virginia to finish at the bottom of the Big 12. Many people even thought that head coach Neal Brown would get fired sometime during the season. Now, five weeks into the season, the Mountaineers are 4-1 and 2-0 in Big 12 play. Their only loss came on the road against an excellent Penn State team.
Most recently, West Virginia went on the road to take on TCU. It was a close game but the Mountaineers managed to hold on to a 24-21 win. Quarterback Garrett Greene came up big in the game, particularly on the ground where he had two rushing touchdowns. It’s likely that West Virginia’s winning ways are going to continue too, with the Mountaineers’ next game coming against a struggling Houston team.
7. TCU Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-1)
TCU suffered its second loss this season and its first since losing in Week 1 when the Horned Frogs lost a close game against West Virginia over the weekend. It was a frustrating loss for TCU, who had opportunities to win the game.
Now, Sonny Dykes and TCU have work to do after going to the College Football Playoff in 2022, with a 3-2 record to open the year. Still, there is a lot of talent and potential for this Horned Frogs team this season. Next week, TCU will look to get back on track against Iowa State.
8. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-3, 0-2) +1
Cincinnati now sits at 2-3. It’s the program’s first losing record this late in the season since 2017. That was previous head coach Luke Fickell‘s first season with the program. For current head coach Scott Satterfield, it’s been a slow start to his tenure with the Bearcats.
Most recently, Cincinnati lost on the road against BYU to drop to 0-2 in Big 12 play. The Bearcats will get a bye week to regroup. Then, Cincinnati will host Iowa State in a game that the Bearcats hope to earn their first Big 12 win in.
9. UCF Knights (3-2, 0-2) -3
Going into the fourth quarter of UCF’s Big 12 home opener, it looked like the Knights were going to finish blowing out Baylor. Then, 33 unanswered points later, UCF was licking its wounds and looking for a way forward after one of the most embarrassing losses in program history. Now, head coach Gus Malzahn will need to reorganize and figure things out in a difficult stretch of play.
In both of UCF’s first two Big 12 games, the fourth quarter has proved to be difficult. Part of that is that backup quarterback Timmy McClain has been taking snaps. Part of that is likely due to depth issues transitioning up a conference. However, with a 39-7 score against UCF in its first two Big 12 fourth quarters, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed.
10. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-3, 1-1) +1
Texas Tech is moving up in the Big 12 Power Rankings after getting a much needed win on Saturday. For a team that was seen as a potential Big 12 champion this season, it’s been a slow start for the Red Raiders, who dropped a game at Wyoming and West Virginia. Still, after beating Houston, Texas Tech is 1-1 in conference play and has plenty of time to make a run.
Next week, Texas Tech is going to travel to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears. The Bears have struggled this season but are going to come into the game with momentum after coming from behind to beat UCF in Week 5. Still, the Red Raiders will feel good about their chances in the game.
11. Iowa State Cyclones (2-3, 1-1) -1
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Iowa State. After bouncing back with a win against Oklahoma State, who is also slow out of the gates in 2023, the Cyclones dropped a game against the Oklahoma Sooners in blowout fashion. Now, the Cyclones are going back to the drawing board with a 2-3 record.
Things aren’t necessarily going to get easier from here for Iowa State. The Cyclones only have Big 12 games left, starting with TCU next week. Head coach Matt Campbell has found tons of success during his time in Ames, but after going 4-8 last season he will need to find a way to turn things around quickly.
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-2, 0-1)
In Week 5, Oklahoma State had a bye week. That came after the Cowboys lost their Big 12 opener to Iowa State in a frustrating game. So, in many ways, the timing of the bye week couldn’t have been better as Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State need to find a way to quickly regroup.
This season, Oklahoma State has struggled on the offensive side of the ball. Through four games, the Cowboys haven’t scored more than 27 points per game. If the offense gets going, then Oklahoma State does have a shot at turning things around.
13. Baylor Bears (2-3, 1-1) +1
Going into the fourth quarter in Orlando, things were dire for Dave Aranda and the Baylor Bears. Baylor trailed 35-10. Then, a miracle happened and Baylor left the Bounce House with a 36-35 win. For UCF, it was a disaster. For Baylor, it was an amazing comeback that the Bears will hope to catapult themselves forward with this season.
The next game for Baylor is going to come against Texas Tech at home. The Red Raiders have struggled early in the season, especially in close games. With Blake Shapen back it could be a good opportunity to earn a second win this season.
14. Houston Cougars (2-3, 0-2) -1
It’s been a long start to the 2023 season for Dana Holgorsen and the Houston Cougars. Other than a couple wins in non-conference play against Group of Five teams, the Cougars have had a slow start to conference play in their first year in the Big 12. Most recently, Houston was blown out on the road against Texas Tech.
Holgorsen will need to find a way to turn things around quickly this season. Otherwise, things could get very ugly for Houston. Next week, Houston will get a bye to regroup with. Then, Houston hosts West Virginia in a game that looked easier before the season than it does right now.
Week 5 in the Big 12 is in the books. Week 6 is around the corner and with that is the midway point of the season for several teams. At this point, teams are starting to show who they are through a season that is built on small sample sizes. Still, there is plenty of time for teams to move up and down in these rankings and for teams to make a deep run in the Big 12.