It is both exciting and sad that the regular season in college football is entering its final month of the 2025 season. As much as the Big 12 has rightfully earned its reputation as the chaos conference, the contenders list has finally entered its final form. While only two teams are technically mathematically eliminated, there are plenty of others that can be spiritually eliminated. Who finds themselves on the right side of the contenders’ rankings in the week ten Big 12 power rankings?
Week Ten Big 12 Power Rankings: Contenders Have Arrived
16. Oklahoma State (Last Week 16)
It didn’t matter that Texas Tech played its third-string quarterback. This Pokes team was overwhelmed by the Red Raiders. Sadly, it is the same song, different verse for this Oklahoma State team. They are traveling to take on a struggling Kansas squad this week, trying to get their first Big 12 victory.
15. West Virginia (Last Week 15)
The Mountaineers, in some sloppy weather, hung tough against TCU. But just like Oklahoma State, West Virginia couldn’t find the win column in Big 12 play. Their play is good enough to keep them out of the basement. However, their spot in the week ten Big 12 power rankings appears to be solidified for the rest of the 2025 campaign.
14. Colorado (Last Week 13)
Just how bad was this loss to Utah? Colorado had -18 yards of offense in the first half. Getting beat 53-7 was Utah calling the dogs off in the second half. There is a chance that head coach Deion Sanders has never lost any football game he has ever been associated with, where he was on the wrong side of a 46-point drubbing. Colorado hosts Arizona this week, looking to keep their bowl hopes alive.
13. Baylor (Last Week 12)
There might not be a team in the Big 12 with worse vibes right now than the Baylor Bears. In their last three games, they have allowed 34, 42, and 41 points. If not for a blocked field goal, Baylor would be a three-game losing streak. With two teams currently ranked in the top 25 remaining on their schedule, the Bears’ bowl hopes are on life support. The coaching carousel is already spinning at a feverish pitch across the sport. Will there be another opening in Waco when the season ends?
12. UCF (Last Week 14)
The Knights picked an opportune time to have a bye week. They resume this week against the floundering Bears.
11. Arizona (Last Week 11)
Another team that was off in week nine, Arizona, travels up to Boulder to take on Colorado this week
10. Kansas (Last Week 7)
All Kansas fans have been asking for is for quarterback Jalon Daniels to remain healthy all season. Well, Daniels has done just that. However, it appears Lance Leipold did not do enough to surround their playmaking quarterback with quality options. It appeared that all the pieces were in place to finally end the losing streak to Kansas State. Instead, they were dominated on their shiny new turf in a 35-point defeat.
9. Iowa State (Last Week 8)
For one half against BYU, Iowa State looked in line to jump back into the thick of the Big 12 race. Instead, the Cyclones got held to just three points in the second half against BYU and eventually fell 41-27. The mounting injuries have been too much to overcome for Matt Campbell’s team in 2025. Iowa State will not have problems going bowling. But at this point, the best thing they can do is play the role of spoiler.
8. TCU (Last Week 10)
There is an exchange in the movie The Curse of the Black Pearl where Jack Sparrow has an interaction with a city guard who tells Sparrow, “You are the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of.” Jack fires back at the guard with “But you have heard of me.” The Horned Frogs are 6-2, but you’d never know it watching this team. They are one of a few teams that, with some help and a 4-game winning streak to close out the season, could sneak into the Big 12 championship. But with BYU, Houston, and Cincinnati still remaining, it’s just a matter of when the rug will get pulled out from TCU.
7. Arizona State (Last Week 4)
We reached the point in the week ten Big 12 power rankings that include the contenders. However, two of the teams need to be viewed as guests who were invited to a party by friends who were invited by the actual hosts. Because Kenny Dillingham’s team owns a win over Texas Tech, they have a key tiebreaker should the race come down to it. However, if Jordyn Tyson is out for any more time, it’s clear this offense won’t have the answers. Houston was up 24-0 in the fourth quarter before the Sun Devils could finish off any drives. Dillingham’s name will also undoubtedly be circulating for open positions. Can this team stay focused down the stretch?
6. Kansas State (Last Week 9)
This is not the same Kansas State team from September. Avery Johnson and this offense scored 34, 34, 41, and 42 in their last four games. Chris Kliemen’s team is looking like the Big 12 contender many thought they could be at the start of the season. However, three conference losses require major chaos if Kansas State were to sneak into the Big 12 title game. If they are going to officially claim the title of spoiler that Kansas held in 2024, the Wildcats will have to earn it this week against Texas Tech.
5. Utah (Last Week 6)
How many Big 12 teams have played five conference games and have yet to yield a combined 100 points? The answer is two. One is Texas Tech (64), and the other is Kyle Whittingham’s squad (89). They took out plenty of frustration on Colorado to get back on track. The top five teams make up the stone-cold contenders tier. However, their two losses in conference are against teams currently in front of them in the standings. They have an excellent chance to disrupt the top of the week ten Big 12 power rankings this Saturday when they host Cincinnati.
4. Houston (Last Week 5)
It is time Willie Fritz’s name be considered for coach of the year. The Coogs haven’t been the most dominant force in the conference, but they keep winning. This team isn’t winning with smoke and mirrors. It is a team that keeps the mistakes to a minimum and is fundamentally sound in all phases. No top 25 teams remain on their schedule. An 11-1 Houston team is something to start talking to your family about.
3. Cincinnati (Last Week 3)
If quarterback Brendan Sorsby wants Heisman trophy consideration, this is his first opportunity to grab the attention of the nation. The Bearcats cruised to an easy victory over Baylor to remain undefeated in conference play. Now, they have to travel to Salt Lake City, where College Gameday and a physical Utah team await. It will kick off in the “after dark” time slot, so all night-owl college football fans will be locked into this one. Will Cincinnati eliminate Utah from conference title contention?
2. Texas Tech (Last Week 2)
Head Coach Joey McGuire confirmed that quarterback Behren Morton was healthy enough to play against Oklahoma State. But, after a 42-point victory over Oklahoma State, McGuire said, “If it was a competitive game, then he would have been able to go in. With Will Hammond out for the season with an ACL tear, Morton will have to remain healthy in order for this team to reach Arlington. On deck is the biggest test the Red Raiders have faced to date. A trip to face a scorching hot Kansas State team at a place Texas Tech has not won since 2008.
1. BYU (Last Week 1)
Another week, another decisive victory for Kalani Sitake’s bunch. They fell behind early to Iowa State and did not blink. Their freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, has started to round into form and continues to elevate the offense. The 8-0 Cougars cruised into their second bye week with plenty of preparation time for their trip to Lubbock in two weeks. If BYU can climb to 9-0 with a win over the Red Raiders, it will all but guarantee a spot for them in the Big 12 championship game.
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