Big 12 Power Rankings: Oklahoma State Cowboys Retake Throne

Nov 23, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver

(16) catches a pass for a touchdown while being defended by Oklahoma Sooners defensive back

(22) during the first half at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kansas State Wildcats

Record: 6-5 (4-4)

Previous Ranking: 4

Last Week: OU 41, KSU 31

This Week: at Kansas

Next Week: Bye

With Texas Tech’s loss to Texas the Wildcats appear to be locked into the Big 12’s fifth slot in the bowl rankings, which means the Holliday Bowl. This could change if the Big 12 somehow lands two BCS bids, which could happen if Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma and Baylor wins out. OSU and Baylor rank 7th and 9th respectively in the BCS standings as of November 24, and could move up with losses by Missouri, Auburn, and/or Alabama over the next 10 days.

If the Big 12 lands two BCS teams then the Wildcats will take a step up the bowl latter to the Buffalo Wild Wings.

If winning a bowl game is K-State’s primary goal then the Wildcats should root heavily for Baylor and Oklahoma State to get BCS bids. The Holiday Bowl means a matchup against the PAC 12’s third place team, which right now looks like either Oregon or USC. Neither opponent is one K-State would matchup well against.

The BWW bowl is a different story as it would pit Kansas State against the fourth or fifth best Big Ten team. This means either Nebraska, Iowa, or Minnesota, all of whom are far better candidates for K-State to play and beat than USC or Oregon.