The College Football Playoff picture is starting to come into focus, and ESPN has just released its latest rankings of Big 12 teams after Week 13. Buckle up, because the race for the conference championship and a spot in the CFP is heating up!
These rankings are based on ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), a predictive tool that looks ahead to the rest of the season, while also taking past performance into account. With only one regular season weekend remaining, every game counts. Let's dive into the top contenders:
Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-1, 7-1): Topping the charts after a bye week, the Red Raiders have been nearly unstoppable, save for a surprising loss to Arizona State. They'll face an improving West Virginia team to close out the season. A win would likely secure their spot in the Big 12 Championship and potentially the College Football Playoff, assuming they avoid an upset.
Utah Utes (9-2, 6-2): On a four-game winning streak, Utah's offense has been on fire, scoring at least 45 points in every game during that stretch, including three games with over 50 points! However, two conference losses, to Texas Tech and BYU, could be their downfall. They'll need a win against Kansas and hope for upsets elsewhere to make it to the Big 12 Championship.
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Arizona Wildcats (8-3, 5-3): Quietly, Arizona has had a remarkable comeback season, currently riding a four-game winning streak after a blowout victory over Baylor. They're looking to finish strong against rival Arizona State, with a win potentially securing them double-digit wins for the season.
Iowa State Cyclones (7-4, 4-4): After a Big 12 Championship appearance last season, Iowa State is looking to finish strong. They'll face Oklahoma State, and a win would give them a winning record in conference play.
TCU Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4): Expectations were high for TCU this season, but they've stumbled recently, losing two of their last three games. They'll face Cincinnati in their final game, a tough matchup against another team that has exceeded expectations.
Arizona State Sun Devils (8-3, 6-2): After winning the Big 12 and making the CFP last year, the Sun Devils are in a challenging spot this season. They're dealing with major injury issues. A win against rival Arizona, along with some favorable results elsewhere, could still put them back in the conference championship game.
Kansas State Wildcats (5-6, 4-4): It's been a frustrating season for Kansas State, who will try to become bowl-eligible in the final week against Colorado.
Cincinnati Bearcats (7-4, 5-3): Cincinnati has had a solid season since joining the Big 12, but three straight losses have threatened to derail their progress. They'll face TCU on the road in their final game.
Kansas Jayhawks (5-6, 3-5): Kansas has struggled recently, hurting their chances of bowl eligibility. They'll need a win in their final game against Utah to secure a spot.
And the rest of the pack:
- Baylor Bears (5-6, 3-5)
- Houston Cougars (8-3, 5-3)
- UCF Knights (5-6, 2-6)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (4-7, 2-6)
- Colorado Buffaloes (3-8, 1-7)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-10, 0-8)
So, what do you think of ESPN's rankings? Do you agree with the top teams? Which teams do you think are being underrated or overrated? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
