For the first time this season, the Big 12 Conference has two teams inside the top 12 of Tom Fornelli’s latest power ratings at CBS Sports. That’s the good news. The bad news: neither one of them is among the conference’s unbeaten squads.
Fornelli slotted the Texas Tech Red Raiders at No. 10 and the Utah Utes at No. 11. His breakdown pulled no punches. At Texas Tech, he noted injuries are stacking, starting quarterback Behren Morton dinged up, backup Will Hammond done for the year, and the defensive line still missing Skyler Gill‑Howard. He warned this team could miss the Big 12 Championship Game, and that a 10‑2 finish might not even land an at‑large bid.
When it came to Utah, he went with something equal parts blunt and cheeky. He pointed to the Utes’ coach Kyle Whittingham’s injury‑report practices, brought up the surprise quarterback change to a fresh face, Byrd Ficklin, in the blowout of the Buffs, and stated clearly that Utah’s two key losses, to Texas Tech and BYU, have likely killed their playoff dreams.
What jumps out for Big 12 watchers is how this reflects the league’s broader narrative. Two teams are in the top dozen, yet neither is running away with the conference. It suggests the league is deep, unsettled, and ripe for chaos heading into the final stretch. For teams like Texas Tech and Utah that have playoff aspirations or are jockeying for position, this becomes a test of resolve as much as talent.
For Texas Tech, the mask is slipping off a bit: health, depth, and timing are in question. For Utah, the caution flag is up: can the Utes maintain consistency and keep their identity intact despite the high expectations and early stumbles?
This week’s power ratings update doesn’t settle anything, but it frames the Big 12 the way it should be viewed right now: competitive, unpredictable, and loaded with storylines. That said, if I were a Cincinnati or BYU fan right now, I would not be a happy camper with Fornelli choosing two conference foes ahead of my own.
