Big 12 power rankings show top pair headed for rematch in title game
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The Big 12 title-game picture has become clearer. It looks like it will be Texas Tech and Brigham Young, both of whom are playing bottom-tier teams in their regular-season finales.
Defending champion Arizona State and Utah still have a mathematical shot, but that would take the top teams suffering upsets of the highest magnitude.
The comeback of the week featured Utah slipping past Kansas State, which led 47-35 with seven minutes left in the game.
Here is how the teams stack up in our power ranking as of Nov. 23.
1. Texas Tech (10-1, 7-1)
Last week: 1.
Did not play: The Red Raiders have pretty much assured themselves a berth in the Big 12 title game. Their loss to Arizona State seems like months ago.
Next: at West Virginia on Nov. 29.
2. BYU (10-1, 7-1)
Last week: 2.
Beat Cincinnati 26-14: L.J. Martin ran for a career-high 222 yards and scored twice. The 222 rushing yards are the eighth-most in school history, and it marks the 18th time a BYU running back has run for more than 200 yards. It was the first time since Tyler Allgeier ran for 266 against Virginia in 2021. BYU held the Bearcats to 87 rushing yards, their fewest since Dec. 17, 2022, against Louisville.
Next: vs. Central Florida on Nov. 29.
3. Utah (9-2, 6-2)
Last week: 3.
Defeated Kansas State 51-47: Counting out Utah is always a big mistake. Sure, it trailed by 12 points with seven minutes left, but that was more than enough time for Devon Dampier & company to figure something out. Of all things, it was Kansas State botching a 2-point conversion attempt after it scored to go up 47-35. Utah's Tao Johnson intercepted it and returned to cut the deficit to 10 at 47-37.
Next: at Kansas on Nov. 28.
4. Arizona State (8-3, 6-2)
Last week: 5.
Defeated Colorado 42-17: Raleek Brown rushed for a career-high 255 yards on 22 carries and caught a 33-yard touchdown pass. That 255 yards was a school rushing record for a road game and the third-highest single-game total behind Eno Benjamin's 312 against Oregon State in 2018 and Cam Skattebo's 262 in 2024 against Mississippi State. That enabled ASU to overcome four turnovers.
Next: vs. Arizona on Nov. 28.
5. Arizona (8-3, 5-3)
Last week: 6
Defeated Baylor 41-17: The Wildcats blew open a close game with 20 points in the fourth quarter and benefited from three Baylor turnovers. Kedrick Reescano rushed for three touchdowns, while senior safety Dalton Johnson led the defense with 18 tackles.
Next: At Arizona State on Nov. 28.
6. Houston (8-3, 5-3)
Last week: 4.
Lost to TCU 17-14: The Cougars' Ethan Sanchez missed a 38-yard field goal try with 46 seconds left that would have tied the game. Houston failed to capitalize on four TCU turnovers, three of which were interceptions.
Next: at Baylor on Nov. 29.
7. Iowa State (7-4, 4-4)
Last week: 8.
Defeated Kansas 38-14: It's been an up-and-down season for the Cyclones, who won their first five games, then lost the next four, but now have won two in a row. Rocco Becht threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns, and Carson Hanson ran for 129 on 22 carries.
Next: at Oklahoma State on Nov. 29.
8. Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3)
Last week: 7.
Lost to BYU 26-14: The Bearcats were one of the top stories in the conference early on, but have now lost three straight games. Their last win came on Oct. 25 against Baylor. Three missed field goals were only part of the problem.
Next: at TCU on Nov. 29.
9. TCU (7-4, 4-4)
Last week: 9.
Defeated Houston 17-14: The Horned Frogs overcame four turnovers and seven penalties for 70 yards in edging the Cougars. QB Josh Hoover threw for 293 yards, completing 24 of 34 tries with two touchdowns but was intercepted three times. TCU held Houston to 4 of 17 on third downs, which helped.
Next: vs. Cincinnati on Nov. 29.
10. Baylor (5-6, 3-5)
Last week: 10.
Lost to Arizona 41-17: The Bears have lost four of their last five, and some thought coach Dave Aranda was on the hot seat, but the school administration announced he would be back in 2026. The Bears let this one get away, giving up 20 fourth-quarter points in what had been a close game to that point.
Next: vs. Central Florida on Nov. 29.
11. Kansas State (5-6, 4-4)
Last week: 11.
Lost to Utah 51-47: You score 47 points, you should win, but it has been that kind of season for Kansas State, which has had six games decided by a total of 20 points. They are 1-5 in those games, with a loss by one point, two losses by three points, and another by four points.
Next: vs. Colorado on Nov. 29.
12. Kansas (5-6, 3-5)
Last week: 12.
Lost to Iowa State 38-14: The Jayhawks have lost four of their last five games. Kansas was never close in this one, spotting the Cyclones a 17-0 lead. The closest the visitors would get was 10 points. They can get bowl eligible with a win next week, but it will be difficult.
Next: vs. Utah on Nov. 28.
13. West Virginia (4-7, 2-6)
Last week: 13
Did not play: The Mountaineers were one of two teams with a bye this week. Next week, they face the other team that was idle, and it will indeed be a tough one.
Next: vs. Texas Tech on Nov. 29.
14. Central Florida (5-6, 2-6)
Last week: 14.
Defeated Oklahoma State 17-14: Noe Ruelas kicked a 34-yard field goal with 57 seconds left, capping a comeback as the Knights trailed 14-0 in the third quarter. That finished off a 10-play drive that took 5:49 off the clock. Tayven Jackson threw for 271 yards in the victory.
Next: at Brigham Young on Nov. 29.
15. Colorado (3-8, 1-7)
Last week: 15.
Lost to Arizona State 42-17: The Buffaloes were the beneficiary of four turnovers but managed only three points off of those, despite two coming inside ASU's 10-yard line. The porous rushing defense was just that, giving up 355 yards on the ground.
Next: at Kansas State on Nov. 29.
16. Oklahoma State (1-10, 0-8)
Last week: 16.
Lost to Central Florida 17-14: The Cowboys were oh so close to snapping that 16-game Big 12 losing streak, but alas, that now is at 17 games as Oklahoma State squandered a 14-0 lead. The Cowboys managed just 228 yards total offense but were still in position to win, aided by 71 yards in UCF penalties and two turnovers.
Next: vs. Iowa State on Nov. 29.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Texas Tech, BYU lead Big 12 power ranking, with one week left
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