The final power rankings are now released. This was a tough one to do with a lot of games being simmed, trying to figure out who belonged where. Remember as you read these that this is all just your friendly Big XII commish's opinions.
I also added in Bowl and CFP projections. My projections.
(-) 16. Iowa State Cyclones 0-12 (0-9)
Nothing really to talk about here. Hope all is well with Neal and we see him back soon.
Bowl: Out
(-) 15. Arizona State Sun Devils 0-12 (0-9)
A rough season for the Sun Devils.
Bowl: Out
(-) 14. Texas Tech Red Raiders 2-10 (2-7)
Tough tough season in Lubbock. Mahomes will need to donate some money to the NIL program here and hope for a strong bounce back season next year.
Bowl: Out
(-4) 13. Baylor Bears 6-6 (3-6)
Odd spot to see a .500 team but with 6 sim games giving him a 3-3 record I don't think we ever got a good feel for what Baylor was. Regardless, they're going bowling and should give the coach a tough decision of entering the draft or returning for another run.
Bowl: In
(+1) 12. Houston Cougars 4-8 (2-7)
By virtue of a sim win and more games played Houston gets bumped up a spot. They broke past the 3-9 rut they've been stuck in the last two seasons. Can they build on this "breakthrough" next season as well?
Bowl: Out
(+1) 11. Oklahoma State Cowboys 4-8 (4-5)
Having to face TCU, Oklahoma, and Colorado at the end of the season just spelled doom. This is a strong team though and should bounce back regardless of who the coach is next season.
Bowl: Out
(-3) 10. Cincinnati Bearcats 6-6 (4-5)
The bottom seemed to have dropped out for Cincy after a great start to the season. Overlooking the Iowa State sim win, the Bearcats dropped four straight games and five of the last six. Their last win was over winless Arizona State in W8. It is at least worth noting that their final seven games did have four ranked teams though.
Bowl: In
(+2) 9. West Virginia Mountaineers 6-6 (4-5)
On one hand they won three of the last four games. On the other hand two of those were sim wins. They did go into Cincy and pick up the W though.
Bowl: In
(+1) 8. Arizona Wildcats 5-7 (4-5)
Won three of their final five games. The two losses were against ranked opponents while their wins were WVU, Houston, and ASU. But none of their games were simmed W's or L's.
Bowl: TBD
(-1) 7. Kansas Jayhawks 7-5 (6-3)
Looked solid in the middle of the season then had some trouble toward the end with losses to KSU, BYU, and Colorado. Picked up a solid win over Baylor to end the season. But looked exposed against BYU.
Bowl: In
(+2) 6. Brigham Young Cougars 5-7 (5-4)
These guys really turned it on toward the end of the season, picking up five wins in seven games after starting 0-5. The two losses in their run were against ranked UCF and Utah. Utah was a very close loss. This high flying attack will be worth watching if they do get a bowl game.
Bowl: TBD
(-) 5. Utah Utes 9-3 (6-3)
Dropped two of their final three games with the win being more of an escape vs. BYU (not counting the Iowa State sim). Colorado was close battle that should give them some confidence despite losing. Now let's see how things shape up here but you'd have to assume they're out of the CFP.
Bowl: In
CFP: Out
(-) 4. Kansas State Wildcats 10-2 (8-1)
They'll be upset with me for having them this low. It's tough to choose between them and TCU though. They have one less loss but no victories over ranked teams on the schedule. They also have the Iowa State sim win. Close games against Houston and Cincinnati also help justify their #4 spot.
Bowl: In
CFP: Doubtful
(-) 3. Texas Christian Horned Frogs 10-2 (7-2)
I would have loved to see a game between TCU and KState. That would have been prime viewing. TCU hasn't lost a game since W5 at Kansas. Since then they have defeated a ranked Utah and outside of that victory no one else got closer than 13 points in any game.
Bowl: In
CFP: Out
(-) 2. Central Florida Knights 11-1 (8-1)
Considered moving them up after the 17 point victory over Utah. However, their lone L on the season would have been the team they were jumping. They'll get a chance to show if they should have been moved up in the CC game.
Bowl: In
CFP: In
(-) 1. Colorado Buffaloes 12-0 (9-0)
Took over the #1 spot early in the season and have greedily held on to it throughout. A TD win over UCF, a route of Kansas State, and a TD win over Utah will be their best wins. Michigan was supposed to be a big win but ended up not looking as good now. Next up will be a rematch with UCF in the CC game. It was a doozy before and should be again.
Bowl: In
CFP: In
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