College Football

Big 12 Football: Week 5 Power Rankings

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:58 p.m. ET

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Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jalen McCleskey (1) and wide receiver James Washington (28) celebrate a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 49-31. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

With Week Five of the Big 12 Football calendar in the books, it’s time for another round of conference power rankings.

The Texas Longhorns, Kansas Jayhawks, Oklahoma Sooners, and Texas Tech Red Raiders were all coming off on bye’s in Week 4. So with ample rest and recovery for a sizable portion of the conference coming into Big 12 play, we expected some intensity. What we saw were head-scratching special teams’ play, injuries to key players, and a whole lot of negative exposure for some teams.

Like I said, this season is going to a bumpy ride for several teams moving forward, but with added uncertainty for many coming off this weekend, the conference title could come down to the wire.

Disclaimer:

The following power rankings are based on observations for weeks 1-5, while forecasting playoff implications; there are no additional factors, so expect these rankings to change a lot this season based off how powerfully these teams are performing.

For those keeping track, here are my Big 12 Power Rankings for Week Four.

Oct 1, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Trever Ryen (19) blocks for Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Joel Lanning (7) against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium. The Bears beat the Cyclones 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

10. Iowa State Cyclones (Record: 1-4)

Iowa State’s victory over San Jose State seemed to be the spark the Cyclones needed to bring it back to life, so it came as no surprise to see Iowa State serving it up against No. 13 Baylor. The Cyclones would lose a heartbreaker by just three points against the Bears, but could have displayed Baylor’s biggest weaknesses in the process.

With depth an issue for Baylor this season, perhaps Iowa State got them on a week where lethargy was beginning to show, or perhaps Iowa State had Baylor read. Either way, despite the Cyclones falling to 1-4 on the season, quarterback Joel Lanning threw for 261-yards and two touchdowns, and Mike Warren accounted for two of the Cyclones’ four rushing touchdowns. While Lanning didn’t throw any picks, a defensive collapse in the fourth quarter absolutely changed the course of the game, as the Bears put 17 points on the board and completely shut out the Cyclones offensively.

It’s safe to say that anytime a team is shutout for an entire quarter, therein lies the game-changing moment. So if Iowa State wants to avoid being shutout in-conference play this season, that’s an area it has to focus on.

Next Game:

Next: 9. Kansas Jayhawks

Sep 29, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks tight end Ben Johnson (84) rushes against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

9. Kansas Jayhawks (Record: 1-3)

Kansas showed flashes of grit and excitement early on against Texas Tech, but as most have grown to expect from the Red Raiders now, once they get going offensively, they become a very difficult squad to stop.

Tech started the first quarter putting up 14 points, but Kansas seemed to take over at that point. If you’re a Kansas fan, this should be a positive because it shows that the ability to penetrate on defense is there, it just might take some time to really impact games.

Quarterbacks Ryan Willis, and Montell Mozart each threw touchdown passes, and managed to put up 250-yards in the air against a Tech secondary that seemed to come alive in the second half.

The Jayhawks’ defense also finished the game with three sacks, and four deflected passes. For David Beaty’s team, finding the silver lining in a blowout loss might seem hard, but the positives are certainly there.

Next Game:

Next: 8. Kansas State Wildcats

Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Lenzy Pipkins (4) recovers a blocked ball on the point after attempt by Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 49-31. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

8. Texas Longhorns (Record: 2-2)

The Texas Longhorns are proof why preseason and early rankings need to be removed from college football. It’s hard to believe Texas catapulted into the polls at No. 11 following its win against Notre Dame–a team with great expectations this season. Since then, Notre Dame’s season has all but tanked, and Texas is headed down a very murky path.

Texas was handed its second loss this season in Stillwater, and found itself in a situation it hasn’t experienced this season in Oklahoma State’s ability to shut down Tyrone Swoopes’ 18-Wheeler package, and limit Shane Buechele to just one touchdown, despite putting up 239-yards.

Poor tackling led to head coach Charlie Strong taking over defensive play-calling duties, but special teams was a huge issue, as Texas had three extra point attempts blocked and returned by the Cowboys.

Texas has tumbled pretty hard in the past few weeks, but if Charlie Strong can mount a repeat of last year and beat Oklahoma on Saturday, it might not be too late to turn the season around.

Next Game:

Next: 7. Kansas State Wildcats

Oct 1, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Shelton Gibson (1) catches a pass over Kansas State Wildcats defensive back DJ Reed (2) during the third quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

7. Kansas State Wildcats (Record: 2-2)

Kansas State lost its third in-conference opening game in four years. And for a team that held an undefeated West Virginia team to a first-half shutout before surrendering a field goal in the third, and 14 points in the final quarter, that’s just unacceptable.

Misdirection in coaching, and inefficiency in the redzone have hurt Kansas State this season, despite having the talent on-hand to put teams away. The Wildcats showed ferocity to open the season at Stanford, but have played pretty lethargically the last three games. While Texas Tech knows its weaknesses headed into this weekend, it also knows it will be up against a rowdy crowd in Manhattan. If Bill Snyder wants to salvage this season, major adjustments have to be made this weekend both offensively, and defensively.

Next Game:

Next: 6. Oklahoma Sooners

Oct 1, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) catches a pass against TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Ty Summers (42) during the fourth quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

6. Oklahoma Sooners (Record: 1-2)

Despite its 52-46 victory on the road against TCU to open conference play, the Sooners still have’t convinced enough people that it’s finally finding its 2016 identity, following losses against Houston, and Ohio State. Losses like those are hard for a team to bounce back from–especially when that team was the preseason shiny beacon of hope for Big 12 playoff viability.

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield connected on 23 of his 30 pass attempts for 274-yards and two touchdowns. His primary target was DeDe Westbrook, who caught seven passes for 158-yards and two touchdowns, but of the Sooners five rushing touchdowns, the biggest of the afternoon was a 65-yard run by Joe Mixon.

Overall, the Sooners moved the ball around efficiently enough to put up big numbers, but as is the case with most Big 12 teams, defense seems to be playing an optional role at game time.

Next Game:

Next: 5. TCU Horned Frogs

Oct 1, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kyle Hicks (21) scores a touchdown past Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Dakota Austin (27) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

5.  TCU Horned Frogs (Record: 3-2)

Most knew Oklahoma (coming off a bye) would be on its A-game headed into Saturday’s game against TCU, so for TCU to truly show conference title viability, a win in this game was a must. Unfortunately for the Horned Frogs, the Sooners won 52-46, which included a third quarter shutout.

TCU quarterback Kenny Hill was sensational, putting up 449-yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. But the game-changing statistic that seems to be plaguing TCU this season, is in defensive efficiency.

As we’ve seen time and time again in the Big 12 particularly, regardless of how prolific your offense is, a porous defense defines your wins/loss column. With TCU giving up an average of 416.6 yards-per-game, it’s going to be an uphill battle this season, but it’s clear they’re not bringing enough pressure, as highlighted by registering zero QB hurries against OU, and just two sacks on Baker Mayfield.

Next Game:

Next: 4. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Sep 29, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Batson (13) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks with offensive center Tony Morales (51) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Record: 2-2)

It’s always scary when a player comes out of a game injured, but it’s especially nerve racking for a head coach when that player happens to be the nation’s leading passer. Thankfully for Texas Tech, rainmaker Patrick Mahomes II’s injury appears to be a mild strain, but it could have him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. As of right now, however, coach Kliff Kingsbury has him listed as day-to-day.

The Red Raiders came out of the gate in Thursday’s 55-19 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks trying to find its post-bye rhythm, but managed to rally and come back in dominating fashion after Mahomes’ injury. He left the game 27/34 for 277-yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Backup quarterback and Iowa transfer Nic Shimonek came in and served up 271-yards and four touchdowns, and between Mahomes and Shinomek, 11 Texas Tech receivers were targeted.

Tech’s defense looked improved both schematically, and by giving up marginal penalties. The unit managed four total sacks, 61 tackles, and an interception by Jah’Shawn Johnson. Another defensive silver lining: Kris Williams registered three sacks against Kansas–the most from a Red Raider in a single game since 2010.

While pundits are putting Tech’s season as a whole on when Mahomes returns, the Red Raiders showed it has the skills and weaponry across the board to be successful with, or without him in the game. With Shimonek firing at will, this should give Tech fans the vote of confidence they need in the quarterbacking, and hopefully buy Mahomes time to heal his shoulder properly.

Next Game:

Next: 3. TCU Horned Frogs

Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jalen McCleskey (1) and wide receiver James Washington (28) celebrate a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 49-31. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Record: 3-2)

Oklahoma State’s victory over the Texas Longhorns wasn’t just big because the Cowboys won, it was big because it exposed a lot of flaws in the Longhorns which will be very helpful to teams moving forward.

The Cowboys’ special teams dominated Texas by blocking three extra point attempts, which helped give Oklahoma State its first win over the Longhorns in eight seasons. Quarterback Mason Rudolph continues to improve this season, and connected on 19 of 28 passes against the Longhorns for 392-yards, and three touchdowns. The run game put up 163 total rushing yards, for a total of three rushing touchdowns, as well.

Next Game:

Next: 2. West Virginia Mountaineers

Oct 1, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen celebrates with West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Skyler Howard (3) after beating the Kansas State Wildcats at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

2. West Virginia Mountaineers (Record: 4-0)

West Virginia is 4-0 for the first time since 2012, so momentum is especially high headed into the bye week, but Dana Holgorsen’s team is going to have to maintain its composure with Texas Tech coming up after the bye.

Kansas State is a good team, and held West Virginia to just two touchdowns and a field goal in its 17-16 loss last weekend. Connecting on just 24 of 41 passes for298-yards, West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard finished the game with a 56.5 percent quarterback rating, and was responsible for a turnover. Kansas State capitalized on the turnover, so that’s an area the Mountaineers must work on before heading to Lubbock on two weeks.

Week Six against the Texas Tech Red Raiders will be an interesting game, as West Virginia will be coming off a bye week and undefeated. Depending on how things go for Texas Tech and the hopeful return of Patrick Mahomes, this might be one of those games the conference pays close attention to–especially headed down the back loaded portion of the schedule.

Next Game:

Next: 1. Baylor Bears

Oct 1, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Baylor Bears running back Terence Williams (22) runs away from Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Mitchell Meyers (58) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Bears beat the Cyclones 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

1. Baylor Bears (Record: 5-0)

No. 13 ranked Baylor is undefeated and proving a lot of people wrong this season–myself included. And coming off a 45-42 win over the Iowa State Cyclones, the Bears are headed into a bye, which might be much needed at this point.

With Iowa State continuously ranking at the bottom of most Big 12 power rankings, conference pundits expected a much stronger performance from Baylor in Ames. But while a win is certainly a win, if that performance rears its head in future games, Baylor could be in trouble.

Quarterback Seth Russell was 11/22 for 178-yards and a touchdown pass to Chris Platt. But it was the Baylor run game that dominated with 496 total yards for five touchdowns.

Next Game:

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