Bilo's College Football PASS/FAIL Reports Week 9: Big 12

PASS: Texas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas Tech
Texas picked up a huge win with a late FG to beat Baylor 35-34 at home, which is a win that Charlie Strong can really build on, and if Texas can rally with a strong finish, it may save Strong's job in the big picture. This is certainly a huge win for him.
Oklahoma State killed the other unbeaten Big 12 team, beating West Virginia 37-20, and it was never that close. The Cowboys now are just a game back of Oklahoma, and still have a shot to win out and steal the Big 12 title in a year where nobody was really thinking of them as having that shot. Mike Gundy is doing one of his finer jobs coaching this program this season.
Oklahoma has been unstoppable since the disastrous September that they had. The Sooners rolled past Kansas 56-3 tonight, and now hold a one game lead overall in the conference. Bob Stoops kept this team from sinking to the bottom, and they have recovered big time. If they could play September again, Oklahoma would look like a playoff team.
Kansas State got pushed by Iowa State this week, and the Wildcats are now just a win away from getting back to a bowl, which is a big deal this season. They remain 2 games out of the conference race, so getting to a bowl has got to be the focus for what could be the last season under Bill Snyder. He doesn't have too many more in him even if this is not his last.
Kliff Kingsbury got a much needed win over TCU to get to 4-4 on the season. TCU is having a big down season in 2016, so that win isn't as good as it would have been last season, but he cannot afford to lose much more. This cools his seat somewhat.

FAIL: Baylor, West Virginia, Kansas, Iowa State, TCU
Baylor and West Virginia are both in the same boat, as the Bears and Mountaineers both fell from the ranks of the undefeated today. That is more painful when you consider that those two losses likely just killed any chance that the Big 12 gets repped in the final four this year...again. Baylor's SOS out of conference, and WVU as well, will likely ensure that happens, especially with Oklahoma now leading the conference with 2 overall losses on the year. No team will get into the playoffs with 2 losses, and Baylor and WVU will not even be able to claim a league title if all things remain the same.
With their losses today, Kansas and Iowa State are both 7 game losers, which basically eliminates them from bowl consideration without a waiver, which makes the Big 12 the fastest power five team to have two teams eliminated.
TCU continues to struggle this season, but this is not a huge shock to anyone, or it should not be. TCU lost a ton of talent heading into 2016, and that is going to take a toll. It's time to start thinking about 2017 and the rebound.