We’re halfway through the college football season and there’s been many surprises, especially in the Big 12 where the conference race is as wide open as it’s ever been.
Based on all the projections from analyst across the country, the Big 12 is currently on track to get two teams into the College Football Playoff this year, but who those two teams is anybody’s guess at the moment. BYU and Iowa State are undefeated, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Arizona State aren’t far behind and don’t sleep on Utah, Cincinnati and Colorado at the moment either.
Throw out your preseason predictions because we’re focused on actual results and separating the Big 12 contenders from the Big 12 pretenders.
Big 12 Contenders
BYU
The Cougars rank No. 3 in ESPN’s Strength Of Record and according to Jeff Sagarin, BYU is just one of six schools that have beaten two teams that rank in the Top 30. The Cougars are the real deal and people are starting to finally wake up and take notice.
The offense is starting to click and the defense continues to be one of the best in the nation. That was evident once again on Saturday as the Cougars forced four turnovers, including a pick-6 against Arizona. BYU is just one of three schools that has a punt return for a touchdown, a kickoff return for a touchdown, a scoop-and-score, as well as a pick-6. With Oklahoma State, Utah, UCF and Kansas struggling, BYU’s path looks a lot easier than it did a month or so ago. The Cougars will only face two Big 12 contenders in its last six games — based on my calculation and eye test.
Remaining schedule: Oklahoma State, @UCF, @Utah, Kansas, @Arizona State, Houston
Iowa State
Like BYU, Iowa State is also undefeated, however, the schedule is a bit more difficult as the Cyclones still have to face Kansas State, Texas Tech and Utah. Overall, Iowa State still has to face 4 Big 12 contenders — based on my calculation and eye test — compared to just two for BYU. Luckily for Cyclone fans, the team has one of the best defenses in the nation as the Cyclones rank near the top in a number of categories, including total defense (285 yards per game) and scoring defense (11.0 points per game). Iowa State ranks No. 5 in ESPN’s SOR.
Remaining schedule: @West Virginia, UCF, Texas Tech, @Kansas, Cincinnati, @Utah, Kansas State
Kansas State
Other than a blowout loss to BYU — which seems to have been a great wake up call for the program — Kansas State has been impressive and land at No. 13 in ESPN’s SOR ranking. The schedule isn’t too crazy as the Wildcats will only face three Big 12 contenders the rest of the way — based on my calculation and eye test. The Wildcats should still be favored in every game except Iowa State, so there’s plenty of confidence that the program can reach the Big 12 title game again.
Remaining schedule: @West Virginia, Kansas, @Houston, Arizona State, Cincinnati, @Iowa State
Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU Leads, ASU, Cincy Surge — Utah Falls (Week 8)
Texas Tech
After losing on the road to a great Washington State team in the second game of the season, the Red Raiders have rolled off four consecutive wins and have put themselves in contention for the Big 12 title. There’s no secret that Texas Tech can score as the team averages nearly 40 points per game, and ranks in the Top 25 in a number of categories. However, it’s the defense that struggles mightily as the Red Raiders rank near the bottom (121st) when it comes to total defense (456 yards) and yards allowed per play (6.2). Texas Tech is a solid team, however, if the Red Raider defense can step it up and improve, Texas Tech can be a huge threat this year.
Remaining schedule: Baylor, @TCU, @Iowa State, Colorado, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
Arizona State
After being picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll, the Sun Devils are arguably the biggest surprise of the conference this year at 5-1. Arizona State just knocked off then-No. 16 Utah and have put themselves as a real contender in the programs first year in the Big 12. Based on my predictions, Arizona State will only face three contenders the rest of the season, and that begins at Cincinnati on Saturday. The next big test is in November with showdowns against Kansas State and BYU.
Remaining schedule: @Cincinnati, @Oklahoma State, UCF, @Kansas State, BYU, @Arizona
Cincinnati
Like Arizona State and BYU, Cincinnati wasn’t expected to do much this year and the Bearcats have already exceeded last year’s win total. Both losses this year have been by a combined 4 points. If a couple of plays would have gone differently, Cincinnati could easily be undefeated right now. Don’t sleep on the Bearcats! Saturday’s showdown against Arizona State will give the winner a big boost towards playing in the Big 12 title game.
The schedule is somewhat difficult as the Bearcats will face four contenders in their final 6 games, including back-to-back games against Iowa State and Kansas State.
Remaining schedule: Arizona State, @Colorado, West Virginia, @Iowa State, @Kansas State, TCU
Colorado
The Buffs have taken a big step forward this year and nearly pulled off the upset against Kansas State, even without the projected Heisman finalist (Travis Hunter) missing much of the game. Colorado just has one conference loss and has a manageable schedule with three games against contenders in the final six games.
Remaining schedule: @ Arizona, Cincinnati, @Texas Tech, Utah, @Kansas, Oklahoma State
Utah
Cam Rising finally came back… and now he’s officially out for the remainder of the season. I think this clarity will benefit the team as they won’t have that constant overhang of which quarterback is going to start each week. Isaac Wilson will get all the reps in practice and the offense will be planned around him. The Utah defense is still one of the best in the nation and the run game should help the Utes win at least half the games on the remaining schedule. They should be favored in all but two games (BYU and Iowa State). A win against the Cougars and Cyclones would give the Utes a shot in the Big 12 title game. A loss will knock them out.
Remaining schedule: TCU, @Houston, BYU, @Colorado, Iowa State, @UCF
Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU Leads, ASU, Cincy Surge — Utah Falls (Week 8)
Big 12 Pretenders
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are one of the biggest disappointments this year and are easily one of the pretenders in the Big 12. The team has been inconsistent and looks lost on the current 3-game losing streak. Even after the bye week as the team gets ready to play BYU, the Cowboys haven’t named who is going to be their starting quarterback at LaVell Edwards Stadium. With a quarterback controversy on top of everything else, I’m not sure if Oklahoma State will even make a bowl game this year as they’ll likely be favored in only two games the rest of the way. What a fall after being picked to finish third in the preseason poll.
Remaining schedule: @BYU, @Baylor, Arizona State, @TCU, Texas Tech, @Colorado
Arizona
Arizona is a streaky team that is good, just inconsistent. After beating Utah, the Wildcats followed it up by losing to Texas Tech, and then getting pummeled by BYU, 41-91. The Wildcats are a decent team and I suspect they’ll make a bowl game this year, they just aren’t contenders. If this was basketball, it would be a different story.
Remaining schedule: Colorado, West Virginia, @UCF, Houston, @TCU, Arizona State
West Virginia
Like Arizona, West Virginia has been too inconsistent to warrant any Big 12 contender status as of now. However, a win over Kansas State this weekend would change that as the Mountaineers are 2-1 in big 12 play.
Remaining schedule: Kansas State, @Arizona, @Cincinnati, Baylor, UCF, @Texas Tech
TCU
The Horned Frogs went to the National Championship two years ago and now they are near the bottom of the Big 12 conference after losing to lowly Houston — which had been shutout the two previous games. Life comes at you fast!
Remaining schedule: @Utah, Texas Tech, @Baylor, Oklahoma State, Arizona, @Cincinnati
UCF
So much for all the preseason hype. At 3-3, UCF still doesn’t have a signature win and the schedule only gets more difficult with back-to-back games against Iowa State and BYU.
Remaining schedule: @Iowa State, BYU, Arizona, @Arizona State, @West Virginia, Utah
Big 12 … Is It Basketball Season Yet?
The basketball season can’t come soon enough for these programs (Baylor, Houston and
Kansas) after very disappointing showings midway through the college football season. The combined record of these three schools is 5-13.
Thankfully the college basketball season is just around the corner for these schools. Hang in there Baylor, Houston and Kansas fans.
Follow Justin Giles on Twitter and Fan Insider on Facebook.
Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU Leads, ASU, Cincy Surge — Utah Falls (Week 8)
