Big 12 Power Rankings: Kansas State in defined second tier

After week four of the season, it is clear that the Big 12 is segmented into very defined tiers. There is Texas, a handful of teams fighting to face Texas in Arlington that includes Kansas State, some maybes and then a group of teams that aren’t going to accomplish anything this season.

1. Texas Longhorns

Mason: 1
DY: 1
Drew: 1

It was another win for the Longhorns and it might have been their best performance yet. They looked dominant from the start against the Bears, which is something they had failed to do against inferior teams in Rice and Wyoming. K-State has their work cut out for them when they attempt to defeat Texas for the first time since 2016.
Next game: vs Kansas, 2:30 PM ABC

2. Oklahoma Sooners

Mason: 2
DY: 2
Drew: 2

It wasn’t the most impressive win against Cincinnati, but Oklahoma was never really threatened by a self-destructing Bearcat team. Now returning home to face Iowa State provides another surefire win. For one final time, we won’t know what Oklahoma really is until the Red River Rivalry next week against Texas.
Next game: vs Iowa State, 6:00 PM FS1

3. Kansas State Wildcats

Mason: 3
DY: 4
Drew: 3

Back on track with a two-score win against UCF, there were some signs of improvement for Kansas State. But they still are leaving something out there and can get better. Their bye week might afford some time to get right. Even with the obvious struggles, the current state of the Big 12 is why K-State still checks in at number three.
Next game: at Oklahoma State, 10/6 6:30 PM ESPN

T-4. Kansas Jayhawks

Mason: 4
DY: 5
Drew: 4

It took two defensive touchdowns, but Kansas pulled away from BYU and started 4-0 for the second straight season. That is the first time that has happened since the 1910s. Now the Jayhawks can really make some hay with their road trip to Austin this weekend. Similar to Kansas State, the flaws can be glaring at times, but it is fair to wonder if they will actually matter relative to their schedule and the rest of the league.
Next game: at Texas, 2:30 PM ABC

T-4. TCU Horned Frogs

Mason: 5
DY: 3
Drew: 5

In three straight games, the Horned Frogs have looked dominant, albeit against really bad teams. They resume Big 12 play this weekend after winning the Iron Skillet from SMU. Facing a surprising West Virginia team in Morgantown might give us some insight into one team that sees the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday. It could also tell K-State what to expect from the Horned Frogs when they make it to Manhattan.
Next game: vs West Virginia, 7:00 PM ESPN2

6. UCF Knights

Mason: 6
DY: 6
Drew: 6

The Knights were down for the fight for a while in Manhattan, but eventually too many mistakes cost them a chance for their first Big 12 win. Kansas State proved to be too much. This team can get better once John Rhys Plumlee returns since Timmy McClain plays with his hair on fire. UCF should get that first conference win this weekend as overwhelming home favorites against Baylor.
Next game: vs Baylor, 2:30 PM FS1

7. BYU Cougars

Mason: 7
DY: 8
Drew: 7

Turnovers were costly for the Cougars who dropped their road game at Kansas. I still don’t believe in them, but their road win at Arkansas still holds up after the Razorbacks took LSU to the brink in Death Valley. Their game this Friday with Cincinnati will give the winner some hope. The loser will likely slide into the group of teams that aren’t very good.
Next game: vs Cincinnati, Friday 9:15 PM ESPN

8. West Virginia Mountaineers

Mason: 8
DY: 7
Drew: 8

Neal Brown might have third-degree burns on his backside, but he keeps doing enough to not get burnt alive by the hot seat. Their low-scoring win over Texas Tech was another outcome to suggest this team isn’t going to be the worst team in the league, as many expected.
Next game: at TCU, 7:00 PM ESPN2

T-9. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Mason: 9
DY: 9
Drew: 11

It is hard to believe that Texas Tech can be 1-3 to start the season, but here they are. The next two games are very winnable for the Red Raiders before K-State comes to Lubbock. Even worse for Joey McGuire’s squad, they are now without Tyler Shough who broke his fibula in the loss in Morgantown.
Next game: vs Houston, 2:30 PM FS2

T-9. Cincinnati Bearcats

Mason: 10
DY: 10
Drew: 9

Four drives inside the Oklahoma 30-yard line ended without points for the Bearcats in their 20-6 loss to start Big 12 play. Cincinnati might be able to scratch and claw, even beat some of the bad teams in the league, but anyone toward the top should have no issues with them.
Next game: at BYU, Friday 9:15 PM ESPN

11. Iowa State Cyclones

Mason: 12
DY: 11
Drew: 10

34 points for the Cyclones on Saturday came by way of the best game yet for Rocco Becht. Oklahoma State isn’t great and the win on Saturday was more about survival and avoiding the bottom of the league.
Next game: at Oklahoma, 6:00 PM FS1

12. Baylor Bears

Mason: 11
DY: 13
Drew: 14

With their loss to Texas, it is clear that the Bears don’t play great defense right now. And the offense has been lacking all season. This is a broken team that is just going to have to hope they are good enough to beat Cincinnati, Iowa State and Houston. They certainly aren’t going to defeat Kansas State in Manhattan.
Next game: at UCF, 2:30 PM FS1

13. Houston Cougars

Mason: 13
DY: 12
Drew: 13

Transitive property time. Houston beat Sam Houston 38-7. Meanwhile, BYU only beat them 14-3. That likely doesn’t mean anything, but Houston has at least beaten up on some bad teams that are put in front of them.
Next game: at Texas Tech, 2:30 PM FS2

14. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mason: 14
DY: 14
Drew: 12

Mike Gundy finally picked a quarterback. The only problem is that Alan Bowman isn’t a guy who is capable of winning Big 12 games. Their defense also allowed 34 points to an Iowa State team that looked allergic to offense in the first three games of the year. They are the worst team in the Big 12 right now and it is fair to question if the college game has passed Gundy by.
Next game: vs K-State, 10/6 6:30 PM ESPN