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This week’s power ratings have good news and bad news for the Big 12. The good news is that, for the first time this season, the Big 12 has two teams that have cracked the top 12 of my power ratings. It’s an accomplishment worth celebrating, and perhaps even hanging a banner for at the Big 12 Championship Game in December.
The bad news is that neither is one of the two Big 12 teams that remain undefeated in conference play. Making matters worse, one of the two teams already has two conference losses.
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Chip Patterson
I’m talking about Texas Tech, which has been ranked here most of the season, and the Utah Utes, who climb to No. 11 this week. BYU and Cincinnati, who are 5-0 in Big 12 play, and No. 10 and No. 17 in the AP Poll, are 15th and 21st, respectively, in my power ratings. Houston is 29th. All of which means there’s plenty of chaos coming the Big 12’s direction over the final month plus of the season. The Utes don’t have much chance of winning the league — losses to Texas Tech and BYU kill them in most tie-breaker scenarios — but they do get Cincinnati at home this week, so they’ll certainly have a say in who will win the league.
All of which is great news for the league as far as drama and excitement down the stretch. However, it does not bode well for how the league will perform in the College Football Playoff rankings, or its likely performance in said playoff.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
2025 Preseason Fornelli Power Ratings
Fell outside Top 12: Oklahoma
