Big 12 football power rankings: Has TCU taken the top spot?

There’s only one shakeup in the power rankings this week, but it’s clear that the Big 12 is divided at the halfway mark in terms of talent and teams that are contending for a title.

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Here’s our conference football power rankings heading into Week 10.

1. (11)Kansas State Wildcats (LW: 1 — Next: vs Oklahoma St)

There will likely be some argument this week on who’s the top team in the Big 12. What’s more important: offense versus defense? KSU shut out Texas while TCU put up 82 on Texas Tech. I’ll differ to defense having the edge right now, and it’s not like the Wildcat offense is bad. Jake Waters is right up there in a tight race of best quarterbacks in the league. It may look worse in comparison because it’s not a spread offense, but it works.

As of right now, the most complete team in all phases of the game sits in Manhattan, Kansas.

2. (10)TCU Horned Frogs (LW: 2 — Next: at W Virginia)

It’s incredible how good this offense is right now. Even though Texas Tech’s defense couldn’t stop Sun Belt teams consistently, still being able to put up a really large crooked number before the fourth quarter even begins is scary. Trevone Boykin was amazing again. 785 total yards! If I had ties in my power rankings, this would be as close as it gets for the Wildcats and Horned Frogs at the top.

3. (12)Baylor Bears (LW: 3 — Next: vs Kansas)

They didn’t play, so they sit right where they were at last week.

4. (19)Oklahoma Sooners (LW: 4 — Next: at Iowa St)

Once again, they didn’t play, so it’s the same position as last week.

Oct 25, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Clint Trickett (9) throws a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the third quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. West Virginia won 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

5. (20)West Virginia Mountaineers (LW: 6 — Next: vs TCU)

Some people may finally be putting WVU over Baylor or Oklahoma, but here’s why they just move up one spot here. The final score doesn’t reflect how close the game was because the Mountaineers took two back on defensive turnovers at the end of the game. Still, WVU belongs in the conversation of Big 12 contenders — and even national title considerations with how many games are left.

6. Texas Longhorns (LW: 5 — Next: at Texas Tech)

There’s clear separation in the top and bottom half of the Big 12, and here’s where it’s at. Texas is the best of the worst after the offense had a real setback last week. How do you go from 48 points to nothing? I don’t care how good KSU’s defense is, Iowa State was able to put up 28 on them in a huge bunch. The Longhorn defense played as hard as it could and gave the offense everything possible to compete. It was like Texas went back in time — and the game against the Cyclones didn’t even happen.

7. Oklahoma State Cowboys (LW: 7 — Next: at Kansas St)

Injuries on a team that’s rebuilding has really butchered the OSU season. They still can get to a bowl game because they have a home game against Texas, but they have road games against KSU, Baylor, and Oklahoma to end the season. Woof.

8. Iowa State Cyclones (LW: 8 — Next: vs Oklahoma)

Hopefully the offense that’s been on the field in the last two games comes back against Oklahoma.

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (LW: 9 — Next: vs Texas)

I have no shame in killing this team all season long. They’re horrible, and that defense is embarrassing.

10. Kansas Jayhawks (LW: 10 — Next: at Baylor)

Just like OSU, it’s a rough finish for Kansas. We’ll see if their improved play can carry into the tougher opponents.

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