Week 11 Big 12 football power rankings: BYU is number one, but what about the rest?

The Big 12 Conference didn't do itself any favors last weekend, as the two teams that seemed to be in the best position to join the undefeated BYU Cougars in the College Football Playoff--Iowa State and Kansas State--each dropped their week 10 matchups to Texas Tech and Houston, respectively.

What are we doing, guys?

I understand that the Big 12 has separated itself as the conference of chaos in the world of college football, and that's made every matchup an exciting and unpredictable mess.

Here's the problem, though. Without undefeated and dominant teams at the top of the conference, the other power conferences across the country can point to the upsets, close games, and inescapable parity in the Big 12 and suggest that the league is inferior to the chops of the Big 10 and SEC.

With that in mind, uncovering the pretenders and revealing the true contenders is going to be essential when trying to reveal who could possibly earn an at-large bid if they win out. Getting two teams in the playoff is a huge deal, and the Big 12 may need it if conference realignment talks pick back up again.

Week 11 Big 12 Power Rankings:

1. BYU Cougars

BYU is coming off a bye week and heading toward a rivalry battle with Utah this weekend. This team is the Big 12's last hope for unanimous national respect, but they have four more games to play this season. For the Cougars' sake, and the Big 12's, BYU needs to secure a Holy War victory.

2. Colorado Buffaloes

Look, I'm just as surprised as you are. This team has talented players, national recognition, and a record that's still good enough to earn their spot in the playoff as an at-large. The Buffs keep holding on, and that'll be enough if they can win out.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Ah, the bringers of chaos and harbingers of hectic football. The Texas Tech Red Raiders. This was the first team to take down Iowa State this season, and while the result of their meeting damaged the reputation of the conference overall, Tech is still a fringe contender for the Big 12 championship game if Iowa State and Colorado lose again.

4. Iowa State Cyclones

You got beat by a scrappy Texas Tech team, but it's not the end of the world. Was last week's loss a double helping of Cyclone doubt after UCF took them the distance in Ames? It's too early to say, but the Cyclones still control their own destiny. Win and you're in.

5. Arizona State Sun Devils

The Sun Devils have been a pleasant surprise, and dominated against an Oklahoma State team that would have been favored if this game were played in September. We all know better now, and this ASU team is dangerous.

6. Kansas State Wildcats

When Iowa State fell to Tech, I thought to myself, "at least we still have Kansas State." I jinxed the 'Cats, and for that I apologize. What other explanation could solve the mystery of how the Houston Cougars took down one of the Big 12's prized programs?

7. Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati hasn't been amazing this year, but they've competed where they need to, and won the necessary contests. The fact that they're this high is an accomplishment in itself, and the Bearcats should be celebrated for a great second season in the Big 12.

8. Baylor Bears

Baylor, welcome to the party! Please take a gift bag and my sincerest congratulations for taking down a TCU team that looked ready to make a run through the league after back-to-back wins over Utah and Texas Tech.

9. Houston Cougars

Houston has to be asking itself the same question that Desmond the Moon Bear asked himself years ago, "How did I get here?" They still own a losing record, but after laying an egg in the early season, you have found ways to win against Utah and Kansas State in back-to-back weekends. Take a bow!

10. TCU Horned Frogs

You almost found something special in the middle of the season, guys. You were this close to uncovering something truly great. But you fell to Baylor and Houston and I have to dock you points for that.

11. UCF Knights

Hey, awesome win against Arizona and those astronaut uniforms are awesome. I'm glad you were able to find a quarterback with a functioning arm in your fourth-stringer. He looks awesome. That's really all the positive I have to say about this team, though.

12. West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers haven't played very inspired football this season, but they're coming off a bye week carrying momentum from their win at Arizona. They'll need to pull off a big win against Cincinnati this week.

13. Utah Utes

Four straight losses, an OC stepping down, an incapable offense, and more have all factored into Utah's sudden implosion this season. A team projected to dominate their new conference instead is forced to watch as their chances of bowl eligibility plummet.

They will enter this week's matchup well rested from a bye and ready for a rivalry battle. Here's the problem: that's also true of 9th-ranked BYU.

14. Kansas Jayhawks

You should have beat K-State when you had the chance. Now you face an angry Iowa State, a freight train BYU, and a title contender Colorado in the next 3 weeks. This team would be lucky to escape with one more win before Baylor.

15. Arizona Wildcats

This team is too talented to fall this far, but here they are. Recipients of a UCF beatdown last weekend, the Wildcats are dead. This was UCF's first win after a string of 5 straight losses, and the Knights owned Fifita's squad.

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys

I have nothing to say to you that hasn't already been said. One more loss and bowl eligibility is out the window. Pack it up, boys.

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