Big 12 Power Rankings: Conference play is about to get serious

The best news of all is that November is finally here. Good riddance to September and October, now is where the real season begins in Big 12 play.

The teams left sitting at the adult table are Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma, which are a combined 18-1. And better yet, all four teams play each other in the weeks ahead. As Flounder said in "Animal House": "Oh boy is this great!"

Here is how the teams currently stack up in the ESPN Football Power Index:

1. Baylor, 7-0, 26.9 FPI

2. TCU, 8-0, 25.5 FPI

3. Oklahoma, 7-1, 25.2 FPI

14. Oklahoma State, 8-0, 17.0 FPI

Yes, you are reading correctly, the Big 12 occupies the top three spots in the country in the Football Power Index. And just to prove this isn’t so unbelievable, the Sagarin Rankings have Baylor at No. 3, TCU at No. 4, and Oklahoma at No. 5. OSU chimes in at No. 14 there as well. Of course, the strength of each of their schedules is also at No. 104, No. 53, No. 52, and No. 70, respectively, so there is still much to prove.

However, with four national title contenders still viable to make the four-team national playoff, here is how we can break down the biggest games in the Big 12 for the month of November.

Top Five Big 12 Games To Watch in November:

1. Baylor at TCU, Nov. 27

A Friday night spotlight, these two teams still have a bit of a gauntlet to go through to get to this game unbeaten, but if they are still perfect then this will become epic.

2. TCU at Oklahoma State, Nov. 7

The March Madness-style playoff tips off with this Saturday’s battle of unbeatens in Stillwater.

3. TCU at Oklahoma, Nov. 21

You could say that this is a trap game for the Horned Frogs, as it will fall six days before their home showdown with Baylor.

4. Oklahoma at Baylor, Nov. 14

If the Sooners can get by Iowa State, this game becomes an elimination game. The Big 12’s best offense (BU) versus the Big 12’s best defense (OU).

5. Baylor at Oklahoma State, Nov. 21

One high-powered attack versus another high-powered attack. The reason this one is rated down at No. 5 is because we’re not sure if either team will actually be unbeaten at this point.

Big 12 Power Rankings

1. Baylor (last week: 1)

The Bears sat idle this week while getting freshman Jarrett Stidham and his 255.7 QB rating ready to assume the controls at Kansas State this coming Thursday.

2. TCU (last week: 2)
Yes, not even Slingin' Sammy Baugh led the Frogs to 16 straight wins, which is the streak they’ve got going now. Good to see the defense hold its own in the 40-10 win against West Virginia.

3. Oklahoma State (last week: 3)

Saturday’s 70-53 win at Texas Tech saw the team climb back from a 17-point deficit, which is the second-largest deficit overcome in a game in program history.

4. Oklahoma (last week: 4)
How do we know the Sooners are still mad about the loss to Texas? The Big Red have now outscored their opponents 180-34 in the three games since, including Saturday’s 62-7 pounding of Kansas.

5. Texas Tech (last week: 5)

Jakeem Grant notched 178 yards in receptions and 146 yards in kick returns (plus a minus-1 in rushing) to account for 323 all-purpose yards - fourth all-time in Red Raiders history.

6. West Virginia (last week: 6)
The Mountaineers have now lost four straight games (3-4 overall), giving up 44, 33, 62, and 40 points respectively. But the ESPN FPI gives them a 61 percent chance or better to win their remaining five games.

7. Iowa State (last week: 9)
The Cyclones could be a team to keep an eye on after shutting down Texas to the tune of 204 yards allowed. Former backup quarterback Joel Lanning has ignited the offense and given them confidence.

8. Kansas State (last week: 8)
The Wildcats get their chance to put the screws to Baylor and freshman signal-caller Jarrett Stidham on the national stage this Thursday. Is this going to be a season-turner of a game? Stay tuned.

9. Texas (last week: 7)
Oh man, just when we thought the Longhorns were reinvigorated, they have curiously regressed once again, losing 23-0 at ISU. Wow.

10. Kansas (last week: 10)
The Jayhawks started six freshmen on offense in their 62-7 loss to Oklahoma. Better days lie ahead for David Beaty and company.