Will the Big 12 get a team into the College Football Playoff this season? Saturday will go a long way toward sorting that out with the potential to determine the league champ if certain teams can take care of business.
1. TCU (7-1, 4-1 in Big 12)
Up next: vs. Kansas State, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Horned Frogs survived a trip to Morgantown and came out with a win against West Virginia. That sets up a scenario where they can win (or at least share) the league title, given their remaining schedule against the bottom of the Big 12. The only roadblock? Saturday's home game against a tough Kansas State team.
2. Kansas State (7-1, 5-0)
Up next: at TCU, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The only undefeated league record in the Big 12 will be put to the test against TCU on Saturday as the latest in a difficult road gauntlet the Wildcats must navigate to win the title. With an underrated defense and a sound offense, don't be surprised to see coach Bill Snyder's squad keep its clean sheet intact during league play.
3. Oklahoma (6-2, 3-2)
Up next: vs. Baylor, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: Coming off a bye week, the Sooners looked like what we all expected in the preseason with a dominant effort against Iowa State. Trevor Knight was a true dual-threat and the defense was firing on all cylinders. The competition level ramps up considerably in one of the most important Big 12 games of the year against Baylor.
4. West Virginia (6-3, 4-2)
Up next: at Texas, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: Dana Holgorsen's team found itself on the wrong end of a close game against TCU that likely ended their title hopes. They are still playing for a quality bowl game, however, and have a chance to earn a nice win in Austin this week.
5. Baylor (7-1, 4-1)
Up next: at Oklahoma, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: Are the Bears pretenders or contenders? We'll find out this weekend as they get a tough test in traveling to play the Sooners. Baylor has inflated its record mostly against the bottom of the league but will find quite the test ahead, given who's left on the slate.
6. Oklahoma State (5-4, 3-3)
Up next: vs. Texas, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: The Cowboys will need to beat the Longhorns at home in all likelihood given their final two opponents are both ranked in the top 20. Injuries and youth have contributed to the team's slide from its usual double-digit win total, but they should still be playing better than they are at the moment.
7. Texas (4-5, 3-3)
Up next: vs. West Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: A chance to get back to .500 on the season awaits coach Charlie Strong's squad, but it won't be easy with an explosive West Virginia squad coming to town. The defense has done its part, but finding some playmakers on offense has been the part Texas still hasn't figured out.
8. Iowa State (2-6, 0-5)
Up next: at Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: It wasn't pretty for the Cyclones when a mad Oklahoma team rolled into Ames for their game last week, but at least the team has a chance to score its first Big 12 win of the year at Kansas this week.
9. Texas Tech (3-6, 1-5)
Up next: vs. Oklahoma, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: Things have been rough in Lubbock, where the Red Raiders might be down to their fourth-string, walk-on quarterback even with a bye this week. Throw in a pair of ranked teams to close out their remaining three games and the slide the team is on may continue.
10. Kansas (2-6, 0-5)
Up next: vs. Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Jayhawks are statistically in the bottom third of the FBS in just about every major statical category. Still, they might have a puncher's chance at getting a Big 12 win under their interim staff with the Cyclones coming to town.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
