ESPN's Big 12 Football Rankings After Week 11: The Race to the Championship
With three weeks left in the regular season, the Big 12 is heating up, and the race for the conference championship is far from over. After a thrilling Week 11, ESPN has updated its rankings, providing insight into the teams' current standing and their chances of making it to the top.
The Top Contenders
Utah Utes (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) - 19.8
Despite being in fifth place in the conference, Utah is ranked No. 1 by ESPN's model. The Utes' recent 45-14 victory over No. 17 Cincinnati showcases their strength. They've only lost to Texas Tech and BYU, both of which are ahead of them in the standings. Utah needs a strong finish to have a shot at the championship.Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-1, 6-1) - 19.2
Texas Tech's win against BYU on Saturday solidified their position as favorites. The Red Raiders dominated, leading 26-0 early. Their offense is impressive, ranking fourth in points per game and 10th in yards per game. Despite a few injuries, quarterback Behren Morton's performance is outstanding.See AlsoSeahawks vs Rams: NFC West Showdown! Oluwatimi's Opportunity, Injury Updates & Game PreviewDavis Mills Steps Up: Texans' Backup QB Leads Epic Comeback Against JaguarsMike Norvell Updates: Tommy Castellanos' Waiver for Extra Year at Florida State?NFL Week 12 Highlights & Recap: Chiefs OT Win, Eagles Dominate Cowboys!BYU Cougars (8-1, 5-1) - 15.1
BYU's loss to Texas Tech is a setback, but they remain in the race. The Cougars control their destiny with wins in their remaining games, including a crucial match against TCU.
The Contenders' Struggles
TCU Horned Frogs (6-3, 3-3) - 9.5
TCU's loss to Iowa State was a surprise, and it's now a long shot for them to reach the conference championship. The Horned Frogs' season has been marked by close losses, including a 20-17 defeat to the Cyclones.Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2, 5-1) - 8.7
Cincinnati's loss to Utah ended their winning streak. They'll need to bounce back against Arizona to stay in the race. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby's performance has been impressive, but the Bearcats' fate remains uncertain.
The Struggling Teams
Iowa State Cyclones (6-4, 3-4) - 8.4
Iowa State's championship hopes took a hit after a four-game losing streak. They still have a chance to reach eight wins, but it's a challenging path ahead.Kansas State Wildcats (4-5, 3-3) - 8.2
Kansas State's season has been a disappointment, with injuries and losses affecting their performance. They need a strong finish to regain momentum.Arizona State Sun Devils (6-3, 4-2) - 7.3
Arizona State's path to the championship is filled with uncertainty. They need chaos to favor them, and their win against Texas Tech might not be enough.Arizona Wildcats (6-3, 3-3) - 7.2
Arizona's win against Kansas made them bowl-eligible, but their schedule is demanding. With games against Cincinnati, Baylor, and Arizona State, the Wildcats must navigate a challenging stretch.Baylor Bears (5-4, 3-3) - 6.4
Baylor's offense is strong, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson, but they remain in the middle of the pack. Their season finale against Utah will be a test.
The Bottom of the Rankings
- Kansas Jayhawks (5-5, 3-4) - 5.4
- Houston Cougars (8-2, 5-2) - 3.3
- UCF Knights (4-5, 1-5) - 3.0
- Colorado Buffaloes (3-7, 1-6) - (-1.2)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (4-6, 2-5) - (-2.3)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-8, 0-6) - (-14.4)
The final weeks of the season will be crucial, with many teams still in the running. Who will rise to the top and claim the Big 12 championship? Only time will tell.
