There are only two weeks left in the regular season, but the Big 12 picture couldn't be any less clear. After a busy week of action, there have been plenty of movers in our latest power rankings. Let's dive in.
#1: West Virginia Mountaineers 39-7 (18-4)
Last week's rank: 1st
This week's record: 2-2
All in all, this past week was the worst we've seen of the Mountaineers in quite some time. A Wednesday loss to Marshall was followed up by splitting a Saturday doubleheader against Texas Tech - the first time all year they've lost consecutive games - but West Virginia still took the series to maintain their hold on first place.
#2: Arizona State Sun Devils 32-17 (16-8)
Last week's rank: 4th
This week's record: 4-1
Arizona State makes a big jump this week. They blew out Long Beach State in a two-game mid-week series before taking their series against Baylor 2-1 on the road. They've won 12 of their last 18 games and suddenly find themselves in second place, both in these power rankings and in the conference standings.
#3: Kansas Jayhawks 36-13 (15-9)
Last week's rank: 2nd
This week's record: 1-3
The Jayhawks had been running so hot. Their Tuesday night win over Missouri marked their ninth straight win as they rapidly closed the gap on West Virginia, but then disaster struck. They got blown out in the first and third games of their weekend series with Cincinnati, and lost the second one in extra innings, getting swept by the Bearcats and dropping Kansas from the Top 25.
#4: Arizona Wildcats 33-14 (15-9)
Last week's rank: 4th
This week's record: 3-1
Arizona has been stumbling as of late, unable to sweep doormats Oklahoma State or BYU and then losing the series against Texas Tech. They got back on track this week, though, beating up on New Mexico State before handling TCU Friday and Saturday night for the series win. With Grand Canyon, Utah, and Houston left on the schedule, the Wildcats shouldn't lose again if they can play up to their talent level.
#5: TCU Horned Frogs 33-15 (15-9)
Last week's rank: 3rd
This week's record: 2-2
The Horned Frogs looked to be hitting their stride just in time for a clash of Big 12 heavyweights out in Tucson. However, Arizona took care of business in short order, winning the first two games. TCU scored a 13-6 victory in a largely meaningless Game 3, but the uneven week was enough to see these frogs get leaped by the Wildcats.
#6: Kansas State Wildcats 28-20 (14-10)
Last week's rank: 6th
This week's record: 2-2
The week got off to a less-than-desirable start for the Big 12's other Wildcats. Kansas State lost by one to Nebraska on Tuesday and got spanked by lowly BYU to start their weekend series. Kansas State returned to form, though, beating the Cougars by 9+ each of the next two nights to win the series.
#7: Cincinnati Bearcats 27-20 (13-11)
Last week's rank: 7th
This week's record: 3-0
The Bearcats have continued to impress, sweeping Kansas and simultaneously kicking them out of the Top 25. Cincinnati has now won six of their last seven and they've lost just one series in the last month and a half; of course, that was against West Virginia. The Bearcats' solid play has them on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.
#8: Oklahoma State Cowboys 22-21 (10-11)
Last week's rank: 9th
This week's record: 3-0
At long last, the Cowboys are back above .500 for the year. When Tuesday's game against Oral Roberts was canceled due to weather, Oklahoma State only had their series against UCF, which turned into three very comfortable wins. It hasn't been the year the Cowboys expected, but finishing with a winning season may help ease the pain ever so slightly.
#9: Texas Tech Red Raiders 16-28 (11-13)
Last week's rank: 8th
This week's record: 1-4
Speaking of disappointment, the Red Raiders had been doing better since starting conference play, but this week was a buzzsaw for them. First, they went up against UT Rio Grande Valley and lost both games. Then they managed to take the first game against West Virginia before dropping the next two, including a shutout in the rubber match.
#10: Baylor Bears 29-18 (10-14)
Last week's rank: 10th
This week's record: 2-2
Baylor didn't really do anything to alter their perception this week. They started off with a comfortable win over Sam Houston State and stole Game 1 against the Sun Devils before running out of gas, losing the series in the next two days. The Bears aren't a terrible team, but they're not exactly a contender in the Big 12 either.
#11: Houston Cougars 27-20 (10-13)
Last week's rank: 11th
This week's record: 4-0
The Cougars find themselves on a bit of a win streak, though it's mostly a mirage. Since winning Game 3 of a series that had already been clinched by Kansas State, Houston has won five straight. Of course, it came against McNeese and Utah, so not exactly a murderer's row of opponents.
#12: BYU Cougars 22-23 (7-17)
Last week's rank: 12th
This week's record: 2-2
No real changes for BYU this week, although they did offer a brief glimmer of intrigue early on. A narrow win over a solid Grand Canyon team preceeded a win over Kansas State, a surprise to all. However, the Wildcats went on to win the next two games by a combined score of 31-8, reminding everyone exactly who BYU is.
#13: UCF Knights 24-23 (6-18)
Last week's rank: 13th
This week's record: 1-3
UCF simply cannot stop their slide. They have just two Big 12 series wins all year and haven't even won a conference game in six tries. Getting swept by West Virginia last week is understandable, but Oklahoma State? The Knights are downright bad, though not the worst in the conference.
#14: Utah Utes 17-25 (5-19)
Last week's rank: 14th
This week's record: 0-3
The Utes have occupied this spot on the rankings for nearly the entire season, and they don't seem intent on moving. After being swept by Houston this past week, Utah has now lost eight straight Big 12 games. With series remaining against Arizona and TCU, it's fair to wonder if they extend that streak to 14 by the time all is said and done.