Big 12 football power rankings: Top two teams clash for potential conference title

Baylor and Oklahoma State are the clear 1-2 punch in the Big 12 after decimating their previous opponents. They find themselves in a huge primetime matchup this Saturday.

Nov 16, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Shock Linwood (32) runs with the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Kennon Ward (15) in the third quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys ended Texas’ six-game winning streak with a dominant 38-13 victory. The Longhorns couldn’t overcome the loss of Johnathan Gray offensively, and their now minimal chances at winning the conference look much distant than it does on paper.

Meanwhile, the Bears outscored Texas Tech 62-20 after surrendering the first 14 points in the game, continuing the Red Raiders’ decline.

On Saturday night, both of the top teams in the conference will matchup in primetime on national TV – approximately 7:00 PM Central time on ABC. With Baylor sitting just .01 away from Ohio State’s position at third in the BCS rankings, not is the Big 12 at stake, but a potential berth to the national championship.

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

Other notes

• With Kansas winning their first Big 12 game in three years, that solidifies Iowa State’s basement position even further. Yet, the Cyclones still open up as favorites against the Jayhawks this Saturday.
• Kansas State continues to rise, breaking into the top four with their fourth straight victory. They could even catapult themselves to third if they can beat Oklahoma at home.
• While Texas takes a big drop for losing to a really good team, it’s clear that the loss of Gray impacts the offense dramatically. Plus, the defense is much weaker compared to the top four teams in the conference.