Yep, conference play is ramping up across the Big 12, and we're already learning quite a bit about which teams are contenders, which are pretenders, and which are some odd blend floating around in the middle. College football is a major challenge to make sense of, but here's how we're viewing the league after week 4's slate.
Big 12 Conference Power Rankings from Week 4
The Red Raiders walked into Salt Lake City to face against the favorite Utah Utes. The Utes, who were picked by every member of the College Gameday panel, were outplayed by Texas Tech in every facet of the game. Tech is the odds-on favorite to win the Big 12 this season, and I can't think of a single reason they shouldn't be number one by a mile today.
It seems like taking down SMU is becoming a tradition for the Big 12, and TCU is just the most recent squad to take their share of fun. TCU is unbeaten, and they've looked incredible week after week. If power rankings are about momentum, the Horned Frogs sit comfortably near the top of the league.
Every question facing BYU this season received a response in a dominant road win against ECU. Sure, this team still has yet to face a top-shelf squad this year, but they've handled business against every team on their slate. The defense is top-notch, and Bear Bachmeier has found a groove. Welcome to the party, Cougars.
The Cyclones are still highly-ranked, and have yet to stumble in any meaningful way. But aside from a win against Iowa, this team has offered more reasons to be concerned than comfortable. They come off a bye week here and have a chance to make a statement against Cincinnati.
You know what? UCF had themselves a great week when they took down North Carolina. Hugh Freeze has won his last 16 games as head coach of the Knights, and they seem much improved in recent action.
Yeah, Houston is an undefeated squad in college football. Pinch yourself. Pinch me. They keep winning, and surely this is a dream. Until they prove otherwise, though, they're every bit deserving of this spot.
When your only loss on the season is against an impressive Mississippi State side, winning a close one in Waco should mean something. The Sun Devils, though they weren't incredible, still got the job done this week and should remain a contender for the Big 12 title.
Truthfully, they fell this far for losing to Texas Tech because of one significant metric: the Utes received an unbelievable level of hype for a hollow resume. The praise was universal and essentially from nowhere, but they were embarrassed against the Red Raiders on their home field. Dampier was poor and the team fell apart down the stretch. They've got a steep climb ahead.
Kansas looked strong against the Mountaineers, and could be on the climb to a Big 12 title fight if this result is a serious indication of the team's direction.
Arizona is fresh off a bye week and remain unbeaten to this point in the year. Do we expect that to hold up? Maybe not. Are the Wildcats innocent until proven guilty? For my conscience's sake, sure.
11. Baylor
12. Colorado
13. Cincinnati
14. West Virginia
15. Kansas State
16. Oklahoma State