Big 12 Football Power Rankings: How does 2019’s final edition look?
By Dante Pryor
It was Championship Week in Big 12 football and the Sooners took down the Bears for the second time this season. What do the final rankings look like?
The Oklahoma Sooners have owned the Big 12 since its inception in 1996. In its 24-year history, the Sooners have won 13 Big 12 championships including this season’s title. They’ve separated themselves from the rest of the conference and are among the elite programs in college football.
The Sooners and Clemson Tigers have both won five consecutive conference championships — that’s pretty good company. The Sooners transitioned from Bob Stoops to Lincoln Riley and experienced no drop off in recruiting or wins. Their next step is to win a national championship.
The Big 12 isn’t just the Sooners. Sure everyone’s looking up to them, but there were some interesting stories in the conference this season, all the same. The Longhorns being “back” was put on hold this season. Their 7-5 record put a spotlight on Tom Herman’s recruiting, their lack of talent depth, and might warm his seat a bit if the Longhorns finish with fewer than 10 wins, a conference title game appearance or both next season. This season and their abysmal defense got Todd Orlando fired. Look for more shakeups.
While we are on the subject of disappointing seasons, the Iowa State Cyclones have to wonder what might have been if? Four of their five losses were by one possession. This season also included the rise of the Bears and the resurgence of the Kansas State Wildcats. Who knows what next season will hold?
With all due respect to “hangin’ half a hundred on em” here is the championship edition of the Big 12 power rankings.