Big 12 football power rankings: Former South division reigns dominate

Remember when the Big 12 had its separate divisions, and the South division had its three-headed monster of Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech all vying for a spot at a national championship? Five of those six teams are still around, and all of them are pulling away from the rest of the pack.

Oct 19, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive back Sam Holl (25) intercepts a pass by Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Sam B. Richardson (12) during the second half at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cyclones 71-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It could be true that Iowa State’s only chances of winning this conference were the two back-to-back seasons when the North division was completely dreadful and the Cyclones choked both opportunities away to make it into the Big 12 championship game. After last Saturday’s 71-7 beatdown against Baylor, ISU deservedly falls to dead last in the power rankings.

The former North division, which has three remaining teams, are firmly holding three of the bottom four spots. One could argue Kansas State deserves to be under TCU, but the Wildcats have been closer at winning these Big 12 contests than the Horned Frogs have, not to mention that Trevone Boykin has a Jared Barnett-esque inconsistency.

Now a little over halfway through the season, there’s been a little bit of clarity in the Big 12 conference. Baylor and Texas Tech have outside chances to make it to a national championship, having multiple challenges ahead of them. The Bears still need to play teams ranked 2-5 in the power rankings. The Red Raiders have a huge test against the Sooners this Saturday.

But there’s no question that the former South division has reigned supreme for nearly the entire existence of the Big 12, with the exception of Nebraska; and let’s not forget Missouri and Kansas’ flurry toward the end of the 12-team era. Outside of some outliers, the trend doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

1. (8)Baylor Bears (6-0, 3-0) – at Kansas
2. (10)Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-0, 4-0) – at Oklahoma
3. (15)Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 3-1) – vs Texas Tech
4. (19)Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) – at Iowa State
5. Texas Longhorns (4-2, 3-0) – at TCU
6. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3) – at Kansas State
7. Kansas State Wildcats (2-4, 0-3) – vs West Virginia
8. TCU Horned Frogs (3-4, 1-3) – vs Texas
9. Kansas Jayhawks (2-4, 0-3) – vs Baylor
10. Iowa State Cyclones (1-5), 0-3) – vs Oklahoma State