Big 12 Power Rankings after Week 10: Deion Sanders' Colorado leads the rally despite open week

As the Big 12 season winds down, one significant lesson is that sometimes, not playing is a good thing. Deion Sanders and Colorado were off this week, but after what happened to Iowa State and Kansas State, they're probably feeling pretty good. After a wild Week 10, here's how the Big 12 stacks up.

---

Big 12 Power Rankings after Week 10

Iowa State's playoff hopes tumbled with a loss to Texas Tech. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

#16 Kansas (2-6)

Like Colorado, Kansas was also off this week. Unlike Colorado, KU still sits at the bottom of the league. Being off doesn't necessarily help your siuation, as the Jayhawks prove.

#15 Arizona (3-6)

The Wildcats had an awful week, falling by 44 points to a UCF team that might not even reach a bowl itself. They've had a disappointing season, and, at this point, only an unlikely three-game sweep could save some forward momentum.

#14 Oklahoma State (3-6)

Keeping the Wildcats company in the legion of disappointing Big 12 teams is OK State, which was certainly not OK. The Cowboys lost by 21 at home against Arizona State. ESPN's FPI gives them a 5.9% chance of reaching bowl eligbility.

#13 Houston (4-5)

The Cougars dropped the surprise of the weekend with a pair of fourth quarter TDs to stun Kansas State. After wins over Utah and K-State, Houston is well outside the league's basement and now has a legitimate shot at a winning season.

#12 Utah (4-4)

The Utes were off this week, but not much changes what a tough season this has been for the team expected to win the Big 12. It's still close to a coin toss as to whether Utah will even end up making a bowl appearance this year.

#11 West Virginia (4-4)

West Virginia had its week off also and is in much the same situation as Utah. The Mountaineers are a touch more likely to reach six wins than the Utes, per ESPN's thinking, so they stay a spot above Utah.

#10 UCF (4-5)

In a must-win game, UCF looked like a team on a mission, blasting Arizona by 44 points. The Golden Knights have played a tough schedule and still have a reasonable shot at sneaking out six wins.

#9 TCU (5-4)

The Horned Frogs could have wrapped up bowl eligibility but didn't quite have enough defense to outlast Baylor. The Horned Frogs are now a part of a group of three teams comfortably above those behind them but not quite good enough to soar to the top of the conference.

#8 Baylor (5-4)

Baylor's another team in this group of three reasonably good (but not great) Big 12 teams. Winning over TCU all but cinched a bowl appearance and the Bears could be a tough out in any given game. They've salvaged this season well after a rough start.

#7 Cincinnati (5-3)

The Bearcats were off this week, so they will retain their spot, now at the top of a group with Baylor and TCU. ESPN still gives the Bearcats an 0.8% shot at a CFP spot, so they're ahead of those other teams in that regard.

#6 Texas Tech (6-3)

After two straight losses, this was a big victory for Tech as they edged out a strong Iowa State squad. They're still not going to win the conference or anything, but this victory probably upgraded their bowl destiation by a game or two in the Big 12's pecking order.

#5 Arizona State (6-2)

The Sun Devils continue to be the silent threat in the room of the Big 12. They won easily at Oklahoma State, clinched bowl eligibility, and are still the best team in the league that nobody is talking about.

#4 Kansas State (7-2)

This was a tough loss for the Wildcats, as they went from having a real shot at winning the league and reaching the CFP to basically having a very slim shot. Losing to Houston drops them to about a 1-in-7 shot at the CFP per ESPN.

#3 Colorado (6-2)

Colorado was off, but they basically jumped to a 1-in-7 shot at the Playoff. The Buffs also moved up to - per ESPN - a 19% chance at winning the Big 12. If Colorado can finish strong, it's still a player in the CFP hunt.

#2 Iowa State (7-1)

The Cyclones were the surprise darling of the Big 12, until they stumbled against Texas Tech. Without a matchup with BYU, the Cyclones were counting on their finale with Kansas State as the game that could move the needle. It still would help them, but not quite the same way. Their CFP odds tumbled to just under 1-in-4.

#1 BYU (8-0)

Like Colorado, not playing helped the Cougars. Their playoff shot barely moved, but it's still the one that makes the most sense for the Big 12. The league's shot at two teams is almost entirely dependent on a 12-0 BYU getting upset in the Big 12 title game.

---

What do you think of the Big 12 playoff situation? Share your thoughts below in our comments section: