1. Kansas (17-3, 6-1 Big 12) [+1 from last week]

It happens almost every year — Kansas loses a few games in the non-conference schedule and the doubters claim it may be the year Kansas goes down. But unlike the rest of the contenders in the Big 12, Kansas is beating everyone they need to beat to win a championship, while teams like Iowa State and West Virginia struggle to keep up after dropping winnable games.

2. Iowa State (15-4, 5-2 Big 12) [-1]

Coming off two key wins against Kansas and Kansas State, it looked like Iowa State would be in the drivers seat of the Big 12. Texas Tech then basically carjacked those hopes just four days after riding that first-place high. The Cyclones looked impressive for about 30 minutes against Texas before nearly blowing the game, but close wins in the Big 12 are almost a given. The defense has looked suspect in stretches and offers little comfort despite touting the most potent offense in the league.

3. West Virginia (17-3, 5-2 Big 12) [+1]

The Mountaineers almost went tumbling down the rankings after TCU nearly pulled off the upset in Morgantown, but as was said before, close wins in the Big 12 should just be expected. In what might go down as the ugliest game of the season, the Mountaineers outlasted Kansas State in a game that had more turnovers than made baskets. Regardless, West Virginia’s full-court press is giving teams problems and continues to keep them near the top of the conference.

4. Texas (14-6, 3-4 Big 12) [-1]

Anything can happen, but you could almost see Texas’ Big 12 title hopes fading away as Iowa State dismantled the Longhorns defense to drop them under .500. However, they may have figured out a formula for success on offense as they downsized to a three-guard rotation in the second half, which yielded 61 points in the second half against Iowa State.

5. Kansas State (12-9, 5-3 Big 12) [—]

The solid start to conference play is starting to look like the product of a fairly soft schedule as five of the team’s eight conference games have been played at home. An ugly loss to West Virginia at home featured 25 turnovers with only 18 field goals. That kind of offensive production won’t win many games in the Big 12, but with a defense that only allows 60.5 points per game in league play, the Wildcats will challenge teams game-in and game-out.

6. Oklahoma State (14-6, 4-4 Big 12) [+1]

At home, Oklahoma State is 4-0 and averaging 14-point wins. On the road, the team is 0-4 and averaging 10-point losses. The Cowboys can’t find much comfort outside of the friendly confines of Stillwater, Okla. and with three currently-ranked road games left on the schedule, the road doesn’t get much easier.

7. Oklahoma (13-7, 4-4 Big 12) [-2]

It’s been a tough road for the Sooners, who have played six ranked teams in seven Big 12 games, but a 1-4 record over the last three weeks has put Oklahoma near the bottom of the conference pecking order. An 11-point loss to Baylor on the road was closer than the final score indicated and the 45-point drubbing of Texas Tech is encouraging as the schedule lightens up — at least marginally — over the next few weeks.

8. Baylor (15-5, 3-4 Big 12) [+1]

The Bears have one of the most balanced attacks in the Big 12, ranking 30th in offensive efficiency and 35th in defensive efficiency in the nation, according to kenpom.com. However, efficiency doesn’t equate to consistency in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and Baylor has been hot and cold for much of Big 12 play. The Bears haven’t shot above 38 percent on the road and have the bulk of difficult road games on the back end of the schedule.

9. TCU (14-6, 1-6 Big 12) [—]

The drop from the top eight teams to the bottom two in the Big 12 is pretty drastic from a wins perspective, but as Baylor, West Virginia and Kansas found out, TCU will compete for a full 40 minutes, and more. 

10. Texas Tech (11-10, 1-7 Big 12) [—]

The Red Raiders nearly made it one third of the way through the conference season without even being noticed. The team that was considered an afterthought in the Big 12 pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season against No. 9 Iowa State. But all that hype built up after the upset was short-lived, as Oklahoma thrashed the Red Raiders 81-36.