Big 12 power rankings: Texas loses again, Oklahoma survives

If not for that Grier pass, West Virginia would be 6-2 and one step behind the Big 12 title-game race. Not even just that, but the gutsy call from head coach Dana Holgorsen to try the two-point conversion, which they succeeded in.

The Mountaineers now sit at 7-1 and a half game out of first place due to weather canceling a contest earlier this season. So far, there’s no replacement lined up, but that won’t matter, for now, in their quest for the Big 12 championship game.

Games against TCU and Oklahoma State remain, with Oklahoma set to close the season and a likely rematch for the title. There may not be a College Football Playoff spot ahead, but a New Year’s Six appearance is in the cards.

After an absence from the top spot since the Red River Rivalry game, Oklahoma returns to No. 1 with their consecutive wins and Texas’ demise. That’s even with West Virginia’s late-game heroics from Saturday.

It’s the Sooners’ destiny to control in the Big 12. They have position on the championship game and, barring a catastrophic meltdown over the final three weeks, have a spot in the bridge matchup between the end of the regular season and the bowls. Oklahoma State, Kansas and the aforementioned rematch with the Mountaineers will close the season. They may finish at 10-2, but it should still be good enough to top the conference.