1. No. 2 Texas (13–0)

As long as outside hitter Destinee Hooker is around, Texas is going to be on top. Hooker grabbed her fourth Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award and will lead the Longhorns to Ames on Wednesday. Texas has only lost one set against Big 12 teams this season and will present a big obstacle to Iowa State’s 10-game win streak.

2. No. 8 Iowa State (11–2)

Momentum seems to be on Iowa State’s side as the team leapfrogged Nebraska in this week’s poll after defeating Baylor and Colorado. The upcoming week is crucial for the Cyclones as they play rematches with Texas and Nebraska. Texas is two games ahead of Iowa State while Nebraska is two games behind.

3. No. 10 Nebraska (9–4)

Nebraska moved down two spots in the AVCA poll after sweeping Texas Tech and being swept by Texas over the past week. The Huskers will host Missouri on Wednesday en route to a rematch with Iowa State. The Huskers will have revenge on their minds when they come to Ames on Saturday.

4. No. 20 Baylor (8–5)

Baylor took a big hit in the Big 12 standings after its loss to Iowa State. The Bears bounced back, however, with a sweep of Texas Tech on Saturday. Their Wednesday match with Oklahoma and Saturday match at Texas A&M will be important for all three teams to distance themselves in the middle of the Big 12. The Bears should get a boost from freshman middle blocker Torri Campbell, who received this week’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award.

5. Oklahoma (8–5)

After receiving some Top 25 votes this week, the Sooners have a big opportunity to get more attention with their upcoming match against Baylor. Winner of four of it last five, Oklahoma needs to keep is momentum in order to get a stronger foothold in the Big 12. The true test for this team will be its last three matches, which bring Texas A&M, Texas and Iowa State.

6. No. 23 Texas A&M (7–5)

A Sept. 26 loss to Missouri is coming back to bite the Aggies. Now on the wrong side of the Big 12 standings, their upcoming match with Kansas State is a must-win before they take on Baylor, Iowa State and Nebraska.

7. Missouri (6–6)

It’s make-or-break time for the Tigers as they prepare for their match against Nebraska. They are only one game back of A&M, but face a stretch of strong teams and play half of those matches away from home. In order to remain competitive, Missouri will need at least one big upset in the coming weeks.

8. Kansas (4–8)

The Jayhawks only have a few more opportunities for wins as they will finish their season against three of the four teams that dealt them straight losses earlier in the season. Their upcoming match against Colorado should be one of those wins.

9. Kansas State (2–10)

Kansas State has been struggling as of late, with its last win coming Oct. 21 against Colorado. In the Wildcats’ last five matches, they’ve only been able to win two sets. They should be able to catch up to Kansas in the rankings because they have one of the easier remaining Big 12 schedules, including a home rematch with Colorado and two against Texas Tech.

10. Colorado (1–12)

A 3–1 win over Tech is the only thing keeping these two teams apart. Colorado’s once well-known home court advantage is now a thing of the past as the Buffs have only won a total of four sets at home this season. Their only hope to make a splash in the Big 12 will come against Baylor, A&M and their season finale at Nebraska.

11. Texas Tech (0–12)

The bizarro version of Texas remains at the bottom of the Big 12. The Red Raiders are coming off of a 3–0 loss to Baylor and still have only won one set in Big 12 play. They have this Wednesday off and play Colorado, the team they’ve won their lone set against, at home on Saturday. If Tech has a Big 12 win in it, it has to be against Colorado.