Big 12 Power Rankings updated after Week 7 of college football

Week 7 of play is over and with that, the second half of the college football season is underway. That means that the On3 Big 12 Power Rankings are also back to shine a light on where teams currently stand in the Big 12.

These Big 12 Power Rankings are determined by multiple members of the On3 staff. They’re also designed to be different than the standings. Instead, they’re designed to show where teams currently stand. That allows for a lot of movement and teams to be sitting outside of where they are in the standings. On top of that, these aren’t predictions for future games. Instead, they capture this moment in time.

With the second half of the college football season underway, here are the Big 12 Power Rankings following Week 7 of play:

1. Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 3-0)

After winning Red River and jumping to the top slot in the Big 12 Power Rankings, Oklahoma earned a well-deserved bye week. That gave them a chance to hit the reset button, celebrate, and potentially avoid a letdown game with the extra time to prepare. Even with that bye, the win against Texas was enough to keep the Sooners steady atop the conference.

From here, Oklahoma should be able to run the table and make it to the Big 12 Championship Game. At the very least, the Sooners will be the favorite in each remaining game. That starts with UCF, the school that Dillon Gabriel started his career with back in 2019.

2. Texas Longhorns (5-1, 2-1)

Just like Oklahoma, Texas got a bye week after Red River. However, unlike the Sooners, the Longhorns didn’t get to celebrate at all. At the same time, it was a close loss that easily could have gone the other way. So, there’s really no debating that Texas is at the top of the Big 12 this season.

The hope for Texas is that the Longhorns can run the table and beat Oklahoma in the conference championship game. That would be huge for trying to avenge that tight loss for the purpose of their place in the rankings. The run to that championship game will start up on Saturday on the road against Houston.

3. Kansas State (4-2, 2-1) (+3)

The defending Big 12 Champion Kansas State Wildcats have found plenty of success this season, even if they’re being overshadowed. Most recently, that happened in a big win on the road against Texas Tech. The Wildcats dominated to the tune of a 38-21 win on the road.

Notably, Kansas State was able to win this game while using two quarterbacks, Will Howard and Avery Johnson. Both quarterbacks threw the ball nine times, with Howard gaining more yards while Johnson only had a single incompletion. However, Johnson ran for an incredible five rushing touchdowns in the game and could become the primary quarterback moving forward.

4. Kansas Jayhawks (5-2, 2-2) (-1)

Similar to rival Kansas State, Kansas has needed to find success behind a new quarterback. In the case of the Jayhawks, that’s because starting quarterback Jalon Daniels has been dealing with a back injury, and in his place Jason Bean has stepped up in a major way. He proved himself as a runner already, before throwing five touchdowns against Oklahoma State.

At the same time, Kansas lost on Saturday to Oklahoma State. That really wasn’t supposed to happen, especially going into the fourth quarter with the lead. However, not being able to consistently run the ball hurt Kansas, as did two interceptions from the arm of Bean.

5. BYU Cougars (4-2, 1-2) (-1)

To this point, BYU has been one of the best new teams in the Big 12. However, the Cougars still only have one conference win, which came against Cincinnati, one of those new teams to the conference. Most recently, BYU lost to TCU 44-11.

All in all, BYU is getting grace from a strong non-conference performance that included a win over Arkansas from the SEC. On top of that, quarterback Kedon Slovis has been impressive this season. At the same time, the bad game against TCU is going to leave a bad taste in the mouth.

6. Iowa State Cyclones (4-3, 3-1) (+3)

Heading into Big 12 play this season there were major concerns about the Iowa State Cyclones. However, through four conference games, things are going pretty well for the Cyclones. Iowa State is 3-1 in conference play and it appears that Matt Campbell has figured things out for this year’s Iowa State team.

Most recently, Iowa State dominated Cincinnati by a final score of 30-10. The Cyclones’ defense forced two interceptions, which set up the relatively efficient and mistake-free offense. With the Cylones converting three fourth downs on as many attempts, Iowa State only ended up punting three times by the end of the game.

7. TCU Horned Frogs (4-3, 2-2) (+3)

It’s hard not to be frustrated with TCU in 2023. Last season, the Horned Frogs went unbeaten in the regular season and ended up playing for the national championship. Through seven games this season, TCU already has three losses. Then, the Horned Frogs will flash their potential, dominating BYU 44-11.

The second half of the season is going to see TCU try and play more consistently and live up to the potential that the Horned Frogs flash last season under Sonny Dykes. However, the schedule isn’t easy ahead, with Kansas State coming up next week. After that, both Texas and Oklahoma appear in the second half of the schedule.

8. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2, 2-1) (-3)

In many ways, this season has been a happy surprise for West Virginia. At the same time, it’s hard to get the bad taste out of their mouth after losing to Houston on a last second Hail Mary. That came after the Mountaineers scored late to seemingly secure an emotional win.

Maybe the worst part about that emotional roller coaster of a loss was who it came against. On the other sideline was Dana Holgorsen, who chose to leave West Virginia for Houston when the Cougars were still in the AAC. That stung but it’s still been a much better than expected season to this point in Morgantown.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2, 2-1) (+2)

At this point, Oklahoma State has an impressive 4-2 record. At the same time, throughout the season, it’s seemed like the Cowboys have had issues, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Still, it’s hard to ignore back to back wins against Kansas and Kansas State, two of the Big 12’s best teams.

Amid those offensive concerns, particularly offensive concerns at the quarterback position, Oklahoma State found plenty of success through the air against Kansas. Quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Next up, the Cowboys will hit the road for a game against West Virginia.

10. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-4, 2-2) (-3)

It’s hard not to look at Texas Tech as one of the most disappointing teams in the Big 12 this season. After coming into the season as one of the popular picks to make the conference championship game, the Red Raiders are just 2-2 in conference play and 3-4 overall. Following a loss to Kansas State, Texas Tech needs to figure things out quickly.

Next up, Texas Tech has an interesting road trip to BYU. If the Red Raiders have even an outside shot of making the conference championship game, they’ll need to win and find a consistent way to keep winning moving forward this season. Of course, without starting quarterback Tyler Shough, that won’t be easy to do.

11. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-4, 0-3) (-2)

It’s both the first season that Cincinnati has played in the Big 12 and the first year of the Scott Satterfield era there. In both cases, it’s hard to say things haven’t been frustrating. Cincinnati is just 2-4 overall and hasn’t won a conference game yet. The most recent of those losses came against Iowa State.

At this point, Cincinnati needs to get things figured out quickly if they’re even going to make it to a bowl game this season. That includes finding a way to get more out of veteran transfer quarterback Emory Jones moving forward. Next week, the Bearcats will host a winnable game against Baylor.

12. UCF Knights (3-3, 0-3)

UCF needed its bye week in the worst way. In the Knights’ first Big 12 season, their depth has clearly been tested, particularly in the defensive front seven to this point. It also hasn’t helped that starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee hasn’t been healthy since Week 2.

Hopefully, the bye week will let UCF get healthy. Head coach Gus Malzahn will also need to use it to figure out a few issues the team has had out. At the same time, with Oklahoma coming up next week, it might be another week before the Knights earn a conference win.

13. Houston Cougars (3-3, 1-2) (+1)

Houston and head coach Dana Holgorsen needed a win in the worst way against West Virginia. Ultimately, the Cougars got that win on the final play of the game on a heave to the end zone. Now, Houston will need to find a way to build on that momentum and string several wins together.

Notably, the win over West Virginia was the first by a new Big 12 member over a member of the conference who was in before the 2023 season. However, that’s going to be tough with Texas coming to town next week. That game should have a great crowd and atmosphere for Holgorsen and the Cougars.

14. Baylor Bears (2-4, 1-2) (-1)

Outside of the fourth quarter comeback against UCF, it’s been a long and difficult season for the Baylor Bears. However, coming off a bye week, head coach Dave Aranda and the Bears are hoping to have figured out some issues. At the very least, the week off should give Baylor a chance to prepare for what could be a tough road environment against Cincinnati.

Blake Shapen returned to play against UCF and played a key role in the comeback win. He was solid the next week against Texas Tech, but not enough to overcome the Red Raiders. Going forward, Baylor is going to rely on him improve for success in the second half of the season.

At this point in the season, it looks like Texas and Oklahoma are on a collision course to play in the Big 12 Championship Game. Still, there is plenty of time for someone to get upset or go on a run this season. Either way, the second half of play in the Big 12 is looking like an exciting race to the finish.