Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State falls after first loss

The Big 12 took a few more knocks in Week 3, with a few painful losses. Kansas State lost at Missouri on a 61-yard field goal, but that wasn’t the worst loss of the day!

Three losses by conference teams to Group of Five opponents occurred on Saturday, two of which came at home. Oklahoma State and Cincinnati both lost on their own turf to teams from the Sun Belt and MAC conferences. Iowa State hit the road for a 10-7 loss at Ohio.

Fortunately, BYU saved the day with an impressive road win at SEC foe Arkansas.

1. Texas Longhorns

Mason: 1
DY: 1
Drew: 1

After three quarters in Austin, Texas was in danger against Wyoming. The game was tied at 10 and Craig Bohl’s Cowboys were looking for more Big 12 blood. The Longhorns finally turned it on and rolled in the fourth quarter, out-scoring Wyoming 21-0. Questions should be asked of Texas after two unimpressive wins over Group of Five opponents and then a road win at Alabama that doesn’t look the best after the Crimson Tide struggled at South Florida this weekend. K-State wants to avenge six straight losses to the Longhorns this season, but the Longhorns aren’t exactly vulnerable.
Next game: at Baylor, 6:30 PM ABC

2. Oklahoma Sooners

Mason: 2
DY: 2
Drew: 2

Did Oklahoma play a bad team? If the answer is yes, then they looked awesome. Did they play a competitive team? If so, they likely underperformed and were in a dogfight. Fortunately for the Sooners, Tulsa was a bad team. They also likely have another week to go before facing a competitive team as they head to Nippert Stadium for the first Big 12 game at Cincinnati.
Next game: at Cincinnati, 11:00 AM FOX

3. Kansas State Wildcats

Mason: 3
DY: 4
Drew: 6

Every chance to stay perfect was there for K-State on Saturday, but an untrustworthy run game and hobbled Will Howard gave Missouri a chance to win. The Tigers took advantage with a late field goal from Harrison Mevis. Now Kansas State has to bounce back with the start of Big 12 play here, and they have to endure injuries to key players. Fortunately for the Wildcats, the rest of the Big 12 has proven to not be very good and the opportunity to finish as best in the conference is still alive.
Next game: vs UCF, 7:00 PM FS1

4. TCU Horned Frogs

Mason: 4
DY: 3
Drew: 7

After their season-opening loss to Colorado that is much better than originally appeared, TCU has settled into a winning streak. Their most recent was the first Big 12 game of the season, an easy road victory at Houston. They’ll still be a challenge at home this season for K-State. The Frogs now get a break from conference play for one final time as they Battle for the Iron Skillet this weekend with SMU.
Next game: vs SMU, 11:00 AM FS1

5. BYU Cougars

Mason: 6
DY: 6
Drew: 4

Who expected the Cougars to be 3-0 and preparing for 3-0 Kansas? Not me. BYU could still struggle in their first year in the Big 12, but a road win at Arkansas is nothing to brush off. They are big underdogs in Lawrence this weekend (+9) but another win would make them a team to take seriously.
Next game: at Kansas, 2:30 PM ESPN2

6. Kansas Jayhawks

Mason: 5
DY: 7
Drew: 5

Kansas slides two spots from their position in the rankings last week. It is all due to a poor showing on the road at Nevada, who could make the argument for being the worst FBS team in the country. The Jayhawks engaged in a back-and-forth affair and escaped Reno with a 31-24 win. It is clear their defense is still lagging behind the advancement of their offense and coaching.
Next game: vs BYU, 2:30 PM ESPN2

7. UCF Knights

Mason: 7
DY: 8
Drew: 3

UCF is 3-0 heading into Big 12 play, but they are without their starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and the non-conference schedule they faced was one of the weakest in the Big 12 this season. Timmy McClain is handling duties behind center currently, but his only on field experience prior to last week against Villanova was with a bad USF team in 2021 as a true freshman where he struggled. The Knights could make a statement under the lights at Kansas State on Saturday.
Next game: at K-State, 7:00 PM FS1

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Mason: 8
DY: 5
Drew: 8

They finally have a win, but it was Tarleton State. A good “what kind of team are you?” matchup awaits this weekend as they face West Virginia in Morgantown.
Next game: at West Virginia, 2:30 PM ESPN+

9. West Virginia Mountaineers

Mason: 9
DY: 9
Drew: 9

They got another win, but it was Pitt. A good “what kind of team are you?” matchup awaits this weekend as they face Texas Tech in Morgantown.
Next game: vs Texas Tech, 2:30 PM ESPN+

10. Cincinnati Bearcats

Mason: 10
DY: 10
Drew: 10

Cincinnati was doing so well trying to fool everyone, myself included. But they proved what team they really were with their overtime loss at home to Miami (OH). They aren’t good and Oklahoma should make the first Big 12 game in Chili Town a sad one for the home crowd.
Next game: vs Oklahoma, 11:00 AM FS1

11. Baylor Bears

Mason: 11
DY: 11
Drew: 11

Baylor struggled to get going against Long Island but eventually pulled away. This just isn’t a good football team and I expect a non-competitive visit to Austin this weekend. More and more it appears to be one of the easier games on the K-State schedule as well.
Next game: at Texas, 6:30 ABC

12. Iowa State Cyclones

Mason: 12
DY: 12
Drew: 13

What a bad weekend for the Cyclones. They lost 10-7 at MAC opponent Ohio and after the game Matt Campbell had to be restrained from going after a fan who told him he was on the hot seat walking back to the locker room. The offense is atrocious for Iowa State. Only nine of their 34 offensive possessions in 2023 have lasted five plays or longer.
Next game: vs Oklahoma State, 3:00 PM FS1

13. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mason: 14
DY: 13
Drew: 12

If Iowa State had a bad weekend, Oklahoma State had a terrible one. The Cowboys got housed at home by South Alabama 26-7. Mike Gundy still insists on playing three quarterbacks and his son, Gunnar Gundy, had the best QBR of the three on Saturday at 21.2. This is not a joke, their road trip to Ames is my favorite game of the weekend. It also comes just before a Friday night home contest with Kansas State.
Next game: at Iowa State, 3:00 PM FS1

14. Houston Cougars

Mason: 13
DY: 14
Drew: 14

If there is one game where less points could be scored than Iowa State and Oklahoma State, it could be Houston’s battle with Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are 0-2, but have lost to BYU and Air Force by a combined score of 27-3. Meanwhile, Houston has failed to break 20 points in two of their three games. This team tried fooling us against UTSA, but they are bad.
Next game: vs. Sam Houston State, 6:00 PM ESPN+