In USA TODAY Sports re-rank of the top college football teams, Paul Myerburg lists Texas at No. 35 overall.
After defeating Baylor by a score of 27-16, Texas climbed eight spots from their No. 43 position last week. The Longhorns are closing in on the Big 12 title race as there’s now only four other conference teams listed ahead of them.
At this point last week, six Big 12 programs held a higher ranking than Texas. Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas State and Oklahoma are the four teams favored to win the Big 12 Championship over the Longhorns.
Iowa State, West Virginia, and TCU each dropped in Myerburg’s rankings this week, while Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State took a step forward.
No. 6 Oklahoma State
No. 14 Kansas State
No. 23 Iowa State
No. 27 Oklahoma
No. 35 Texas
No. 60 TCU
No. 63 Texas Tech
No. 66 West Virginia
No. 67 Baylor
No. 125 Kansas
Oklahoma State deservingly occupies a top-10 spot due to an undefeated record. The Longhorns will travel to Stillwater to face the Cowboys on Oct. 31, this particular matchup has major implications for the Big 12 Championship picture.
Texas will arguably be the most talented team that Oklahoma State will have faced up to this point in the season. While the Cowboys will still very much be in the conference title race whether they win or lose, the same can’t be said for Texas.
It’s a must-win game for the Longhorns. Myerburg’s rankings will be shaken up next week if Texas is able to defeat Oklahoma State on their own field.