The Big 12 conference continues to be one of the most exciting leagues in college football. In any week, at any time, a juggernaut could fall victim to the chaos.
The Big 12 conference power rankings look a lot different than they did in the preseason, with major shakeups following losses by the Utah Utes and Oklahoma State Cowboys.
But the more things change, the more they stay the same… like the home state of this week’s #1 team is the same home state as last week’s.
No. 1 Brigham Young Cougars (5-0, 2-0)
Led by coach Kalani Sitake, the Cougars sit pretty atop the conference they joined just 14 months ago. BYU is led by a stout defense, anchored by defensive end Tyler Batty. The future pro had a sack in Waco as the Cougs knocked off the Baylor Bears last weekend. BYU’s offense also dazzled for a half behind the play of Jake Retzlaff. Further, BYU has the best conference win of any undefeated team (Kansas State Wildcats, Week 4).
No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones (4-0, 1-0)
The Cyclones have a pair of big-play wideouts (Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins) but can score in a multitude of ways. They continue to find ways to win and, while that may not have been so challenging in Houston last weekend, that can carry a team a long way. Though they’ve only played four games, ISU does have the strongest out-of-conference win (at cross-state rival Iowa Hawkeyes).
No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats (4-1, 1-1)
Kansas State was able to bounce back from a bad loss in Provo in a big way. The can’t-miss matchup with the Oklahoma State Cowboys was a de facto playoff game, and KSU came out on top. Avery Johnson looked every bit the high-ranked recruit he was, and KSU looked like they could score anyway they wanted to. Look for a rematch between the Wildcats and the Cougars in Arlington.
No. 4 Colorado Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0)
While they haven’t had the most challenging slate, the Colorado Buffaloes have at least one, and thus kind of two, of the best players in the conference. Travis Hunter looks like the best wideout and the best defensive back in the Big 12. Add in Shedeur Sanders’ big play ability, and some Deion Sanders magic, and this team could roll into an upset later this fall. Both the comeback win and the road victory showed some real guts for the Buffs.
No. 5 Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 1-0)
Arizona is technically undefeated in conference play after a huge win over the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City. However, while it was a non-conference matchup scheduled years prior, we did also see them fall to Kansas State earlier this fall. Arizona and quarterback Noah Fifita have gotten better since that game in Manhattan, and they may be trending up at the right time… or they may have gotten to Utah without their starting QB. Whichever it is, look out for the ‘Cats.
No. 6 Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1)
Utah entered the year as many analysts’ favorite to win the Big 12 conference. Utah falls to sixth this week, after being first a week ago, because of a loss, but not necessarily one this weekend. Supersenior quarterback Cam Rising is vital to the success of this team, as seen in their play since his exit, and his status and injury are murky. It’s hard to see them heading to Arlington without him.
No. 7 Texas Tech (4-1, 2-0)
Texas Tech has done well winning close games vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils to open up conference play. The reason Tech can’t be higher, even with the great play from Tahj Brooks and Behren Morton, is that we saw some weaknesses exposed in their non-conference game against the Washington State Cougars. That said, a strong run game and a wild home crowd full of questionable tortillas keep Tech in the top half of the conference.
No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats (3-2, 1-1)
Cincinnati has had an “odd” year. They started the year with coach Scott Satterfield on the hot seat. A loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers (who may be a good team?) muddied the non-conference waters on the team but appeared to heat that seat up. A dominant win over fellow sophomore Big 12 member Houston? Strong. A loss in Lubbock? Understandable. Whatever the case, the Bearcats will go as far as Indiana Hoosier transfer Brendan Sorsby takes them.
No. 9 West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 1-0)
West Virginia has yet to beat a good team but has yet to lose to a bad one. We’re going to know a lot more about the Mountaineers in a week, but right now they’re riding the Garrett Greene roller coaster. Recently, that has been on the up and up. Until they flip over the top of the mountain, they sit at ninth. Their movement upwards, slightly, is largely based on the movement of teams from their non-conference schedule.
No. 10 UCF Knights (3-1, 1-0)
Last week, the Knights came in at #3. “Big Noon Kickoff” and DJ Khaled came through to celebrate, but the Colorado Buffaloes and Coach Prime took over all celebrations with a huge victory. UCF could propel themselves back up the rankings with a big game against cross-state, SEC foe Florida Gators… but right now, their biggest win is a last-second comeback over the TCU Horned Frogs. Here’s to KJ Jefferson turning the program around.
No. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-2, 0-2)
Mike Gundy may be a man who is well over 40 at this point, but his defense allowed 42 over the weekend in an embarrassing second loss. Unlike the week before, where OSU fought back at the end to close the gap with Utah, the Cowboys floundered to a loss that may ultimately decide their season. Ollie Gordon entered the year as “the guy” and, preseason controversy aside, it appears that the team will ride on Alan Bowman’s shoulders. At 0-2 in conference play, it feels like that wasn’t the best decision… but it’s a man’s decision to be made.
No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1, 0-1)
ASU didn’t lose the bye-week, but they did get leaped by WVU when their schedule got stronger. The Sun Devils should be able to springboard their way up the charts with a win over Kansas, and if Justin Wodtly can get after whatever quarterback is suited up for Utah the week after, they can quickly get out of purgatory.
No. 13 TCU Horned Frogs (3-2, 1-1)
TCU beat a bad Kansas Jayhawks team, thus coach Sonny Dykes survives another week, but otherwise, TCU’s spot remains unchanged. Still haven’t escaped a late collapse against UCF. Still haven’t escaped an embarrassing Iron Skillet loss to the SMU Mustangs. Coach Dykes’ seat may not be the hottest in the conference, but it’s not cold either. The program still looks disconnected from the 2022 College Football Playoff run.
No. 14 Baylor Bears (2-3, 0-2)
Baylor falls to 0-2 in conference technically. Their loss to Utah from Week 2 is officially a non-conference game as it was scheduled before Utah joined the conference. But, whatever type of game it was, it was a loss. Baylor’s two wins on the year were the Tarleton State Texans and the Air Force Falcons. What’s worse is that, in their three losses, Baylor has struggled to put together three quarters, let alone four, of decent football.
No. 15 Houston Cougars (1-4, 0-2)
Willie Fritz is a good coach worth getting excited about, but this rebuild has been brutal to the Coogs. It’s hard to see them moving up this list until they score some points… a feat they have not done yet in a Big 12 game this year. The offense is ugly.
No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2)
Kansas was a dark horse to win the conference. Lance Leipold was a hot name in coaching carousels. To date, they have not won a football game against an FBS opponent. You can’t expect to be ranked anything above the bottom if you can’t beat an FBS team.