Big 12 Conference Power Rankings: Week 13

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Week 12 of the Big 12 Conference has come to a conclusion. Kansas upset the final undefeated team in the Big 12, No. 14 BYU on the road 17-13. No. 16 Colorado blew out Utah 49-24. Kansas State continued to struggle in their 24-14 loss to No. 21 Arizona inside of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Coming into Week 13 the race to Arlington, Texas for the Big 12 title game is down to four teams, Arizona State, BYU, Colorado and No. 22 Iowa State.

College Football Dawgs' Big 12 power rankings are based on an aggregated weighing of writing staff votes for conference members.

Point Structure

Each first-place vote counted for 16 points, going in descending order. For example, second-place votes counted for 15, third for 14 and so on. Each team's points were added up and the poll was organized to reflect how many points (shown in parentheses) each team received. Here are the results, with summaries of each of the top 5 vote-receiving teams.

No. 1: Colorado Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1) (95), Last Week: No. 2

The Colorado Buffaloes have continued to develop into the toughest team in the conference. Shedeur Sanders is playing like the best quarterback in the Big 12 with 3,222 yards passing 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter has positioned himself as a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. All the Buffaloes need to do is win and they are in the Big 12 Championship game.

Upcoming game: at Kansas Jayhawks

No. 2: Arizona State Sun Devils (8-2, 5-2) (90), Last Week: No. 5

Quarterback Sam Leavitt created a strong connection with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, culminating in Tyson's best game of the season, with 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. Arizona State has leaned on Cam Skattebo most of the season but with guys like Tyson stepping up and making plays it takes pressure off of him and will open up more running lanes. Big 12 title hopes will live or die with a game against BYU this weekend.

Upcoming game: BYU Cougars

No. 3: BYU Cougars (9-1, 6-1) (83), Last Week: No. 1

BYU lost at home to a Kansas team that has started to play to its potential over the past three weeks. While the loss was disappointing for the Cougars the future hopes of making the College Football Playoff are still alive.

If they want to make noise they will have to get back to how they were playing before the last two weeks with a win against Utah by 1 point and this loss.

Upcoming game: at Arizona State Sun Devils

No. 4: Iowa State Cyclones (8-2, 5-2) (80), Last Week: No. 4

After coming off back-to-back losses the Cyclones controlled Cincinnati in the second half to win 34-17. The Iowa State defense struggled against the Bearcats' rushing attack giving up 287 yards on the ground. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 234 yards and 2 total touchdowns in the game. Iowa State has been inconsistent in the rushing game but has been able to do enough in the passing attack to win games. They are the final team with a real chance at making the Big 12 Championship game.

Upcoming Game: at Utah Utes

No. 5: Kansas State Wildcats (7-3, 4-3) (72), Last Week: No. 3

The Wildcats have had issues the last few games on the offensive end consistently putting up points with multiple turnovers and lackluster drives. DJ Giddens found some holes in the second half against Arizona State racking up 133 yards in the comeback attempt. Chris Klieman, in his weekly press conference, called for offensive coordinator Conor Riley to release quarterback Avery Johnson allowing him to use his legs more within the offense.

While the Big 12 Championship seems like a long shot for K-State they can still finish the regular season at 9-3 with a first-year starting quarterback setting up another run at the championship and playoffs in 2025.

Upcoming Game: Cincinnati Bearcats

Big 12 Power Rankings: Nos. 6-16

No. 6: TCU Horned Frogs (6-4, 4-3) (62); Last week: No. 7; Upcoming game: Arizona Wildcats

No. 7: Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-4, 4-3) (61); Last week: No. 6; Upcoming game: at Oklahoma State Cowboys

No. 8: Baylor Bears (6-4, 4-3) (55); Last week: No. 10; Upcoming game: at Houston Cougars

No. 9: Kansas Jayhawks (4-6, 3-4) (49); Last week: No. 12; Upcoming game: Colorado Buffaloes

No. 10: Cincinnati Bearcats (5-5, 3-4) (43); Last week: No. 9; Upcoming game: at Kansas State Wildcats

No. 11: West Virginia Mountaineers (5-5, 4-3) (33); Last week: No. 8; Upcoming game: UCF Knights

No. 12: UCF Knights (4-6, 2-5) (29); Last week: No. 11; Upcoming game: at West Virginia Mountaineers

No. 13: Arizona Wildcats (4-6, 2-5) (28); Last week: No. 14; Upcoming game: at TCU Horned Frogs

No. 14: Houston Cougars (4-6, 3-4) (17); Last week: No. 13; Upcoming game: Baylor Bears

No. 15: Utah Utes (4-6, 1-6) (13); Last week: No. 15; Upcoming game: Iowa State Cyclones

No. 16: Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-7, 0-7) (6); Last week: No. 16; Upcoming game: Texas Tech Red Raiders

This weekend's Big 12 slate has two big-time games with Colorado traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas and BYU visiting Arizona State. The Big 12 has been unpredictable this season so turn in to see which contender stumbles coming to the finish line.