The intensity and excitement picked up this week as Big 12 play started for most conference members.
There were upsets, upsets, and even more upsets as BYU took down then-No. 13 Kansas State 38-9 at home in a very bizarre game, while Utah — without Cam Rising– went into Stillwater and walked out with a dominating 22-19 win over then-No. 14 Oklahoma State. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
Texas Tech upset previously undefeated Arizona State, 30-22, and Colorado rallied for a thrilling overtime victory at home over Baylor. The Buffs needed a Hail Mary just to force overtime.
Meanwhile, West Virginia got back on track with a win over a reeling Kansas team that has now lost 3 consecutive games. Cincinnati took care of business with an impressive 34-0 shutout victory at home over Houston to improve to 3-1 on the year.
In non-conference games, Iowa State smashed Arkansas State 52-7, however, TCU got a butt-whooping in a 66-42 loss at SMU — the same team that BYU beat 18-15 on the road.
As of now, the Big 12 just has four teams left that are undefeated (BYU, Utah, Iowa State, UCF). With regards to poll implications, the Big 12 now has 5 teams ranked with BYU jumping into the Top 25, joining Utah, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. The conference also has two teams (UCF, and Arizona) that are receiving votes.
So, how does the Big 12 stack up in this week’s power rankings? Let’s take a look.
| Big 12 Week 4 Power Rankings | Big 12 Football Preseason Poll (Media) |
| 1. Utah (4-0) | 1. Utah |
| 2. BYU (4-0) | 2. Kansas State |
| 3. Iowa State (3-0) | 3. Oklahoma State |
| 4. UCF (3-0) | 4. Kansas |
| 5. Oklahoma State (3-1) | 5. Arizona |
| 6. Kansas State (3-1) | 6. Iowa State |
| 7. Texas Tech (3-1) | 7. West Virginia |
| 8. Arizona State (3-1) | 8. UCF |
| 9. Arizona (2-1) | 9. Texas Tech |
| 10. Cincinnati (3-1) | 10. TCU |
| 11. Colorado (3-1) | 11. Colorado |
| 12. Baylor (2-2) | 12. Baylor |
| 13. West Virginia (2-2) | 13. BYU |
| 14. TCU (2-2) | 14. Cincinnati |
| 15. Kansas (1-3) | 15. Houston |
| 16. Houston (1-3) | 16. Arizona State |
As a reminder, rankings are based on what teams have done so far this season. This is NOT a prediction of where they will end up.
No. 1 Utah (4-0)
Last Week Ranking: No. 3
Wins: Southern Utah (49-0), Baylor (23-12), Utah State (38-21), No. 14 Oklahoma State (22-19)
Losses: None
Utah is the No. 1 team this week after they went to Stillwater, Oklahoma, and beat then-No. 14 Oklahoma State 22-19 with their backup quarterback. The score really wasn’t that close as the Utes dominated from start to finish. Oklahoma State was so lost on offense that the Cowboys ended up benching starting quarterback Alan Bowman after halftime.
The Utes controlled the line of scrimmage as the defense allowed just 3.2 yards per carry Ollie Gordan was OSU’s leading rusher with just 42 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Utah running back Micah Bernard ran for a game-high 182 yards and averaged more than 7 yards per carry in the win.
The Utes will head back home to SLC as they gear up to take on Arizona (2-1) who had a bye week after getting demolished by Kansas State two weeks ago (31-7).
Next up: vs. Arizona (2-1)
No. 2 BYU (4-0)
Last Week Ranking: No. 7
Wins: Southern Illinois (41-13), SMU (18-15), Wyoming (34-14), No. 13 Kansas State (38-9)
Losses: None
BYU and Utah are essentially 1A and 1B at this point as both programs from the Beehive State have looked very good this season.
The Cougars are the team of the week and tied for the biggest jump in the power rankings as they moved up five spots. Not only did the Cougars walk out of LaVell Edwards Stadium with a 38-9 win over then-No. 13 Kansas State, but the 18-15 road win over SMU keep looking better and better as the Mustangs took down TCU, 66-42.
BYU’s defense is legit and is one of just several programs in the country that hasn’t allowed a touchdown to another Power 4 (P4) team so far this season. BYU is now ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll and is just one of two teams (Utah) in the Big 12 that has two P4 4 wins so far this year.
Next up for the Cougars is an early 10 AM (MT) kickoff against Baylor (2-2) in Waco, Texas. The Bears are coming off a heartbreaking game against Colorado on the last play of the game.
Next up: @ Baylor (2-2)
BYU football: These AP voters owe an explanation for leaving BYU out
No. 3 Iowa State (3-0)
Last Week Ranking: No. 2
Wins: North Dakota (21-3), No. 21 Iowa (20-19), Arkansas State (52-7)
Losses: None
The win over Iowa (3-1) still looks good, however, Utah (4-0) and BYU (4-0) have better resumes so far. However, if Iowa upsets No. 3 Ohio State in two weeks, and the Cyclones keep winning, you can bet Iowa State will be moving up in the power rankings.
This week, the Cyclones will take on the Big 12’s worst team in Houston (1-3) in what should be an easy win for Iowa State.
Next up: @ Houston (1-3)
No. 4 UCF (3-0)
Last Week Ranking: No. 5
Wins: New Hampshire (57-3), Sam Houston (45-0), TCU (35-34)
Losses: None
Bye week.
Next up: vs. Colorado (3-1)
No. 5 Oklahoma State (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 4
Wins: South Dakota State (44-20), Arkansas (39-31, 2OT), Tulsa (45-10)
Losses: Utah (19-22)
The game wasn’t as close as the scored indicated as Utah dominated from start to finish. Utah’s defense was in so control that Oklahoma State pulled starting quarterback Alan Bowman from the game because he was playing so bad.
I have the Cowboys ranked ahead of Kansas State just because their loss wasn’t as bad as the Wildcats.
Oklahoma State will look to regroup against No. 23 Kansas State which is coming off a loss to BYU. A loss this weekend by either team could very well take them out of the Big 12 title picture.
Next up: vs. Kansas State (3-1)
No. 6 Kansas State (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 1
Wins: UT Martin (41-6), Tulane (34-27), No. 20 Arizona (31-7)
Losses: BYU (9-38)
After dominating Arizona two weeks ago, Kansas State rolled into LaVell Edwards Stadium and got pounded by BYU 38-9. After dominating much of the first half, the wheels came off as BYU outscored the Wildcats 38-3 the rest of the game.
The schedule does not get any easier as the Wildcats will look to regroup against No. 20 Oklahoma State at home.
Next up: vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State (3-1)
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No. 7 Texas Tech (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 12
Wins: Abilene Christian (52-51), North Texas (66-21), Arizona State (30-22)
Losses: Washington State (16-37)
Texas Tech moved up five spots in this week’s power rankings — the second biggest jump behind BYU which jumped 6 spots. The Raid Raiders led from start to finish and will look to keep the winning streak going against Cincinnati on Saturday.
The only loss for Texas Tech was to a solid Washington State (4-0) team. The Cougars are receiving votes (26th) and are and just two points away from being tied with Boise State for the No. 25 spot.
Next up: vs. Cincinnati (3-1)
No. 8 Arizona State (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 6
Wins: Wyoming (48-7), Mississippi State (30-23), Texas State (31-28)
Losses: Texas Tech (22-30)
As I predicted in my Week 4 Big 12 preview, Arizona State couldn’t keep up with the Texas Tech offense as the Sun Devils lost 30-22. The Sun Devils got down early in the first quarter 14-0, and couldn’t claw their way back as they dropped their first game of the season.
Arizona State has a bye week this week before hosting Kansas on Oct. 5.
Next up: Bye week
No. 9 Arizona (2-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 9
Wins: New Mexico (61-39), Northern Arizona (22-10)
Losses: No. 14 Kansas Sate (7-31)
Bye week.
Next up: @ Utah (4-0)
No. 10 Cincinnati (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 11
Wins: Towson (38-20), Miami OH (27-16), Houston (34-0)
Losses: Pittsburgh (27-28)
Let’s be honest, Houston isn’t very good, however, good teams make sure to take care of business and that’s exactly what Cincinnati did in a 34-0 shutout victory. Saturday’s win was Cincinnati’s first shutout since Nov. 3, 2018, when the Bearcats blanked Navy 42-0 at Nippert Stadium. Houston is the first Power Four team to be shut out this season, and it’s the Bearcats first shutout of a Power Four team since they blanked Virginia Tech in 1995.
The Bearcats are now 3-1 and have already equaled their 2023 win total. Next up for Cincinnati is a showdown against Texas Tech who is also 3-1 on the season.
Next up: @ Texas Tech (3-1)
No. 11 Colorado (3-1)
Last Week Ranking: No. 13
Wins: North Dakota State (31-26), Colorado State (28-9), Baylor (38-31)
Losses: Nebraska (10-28)
What a return to the Big 12 conference for Colorado as the Buffs rallied for an improbable 38-31 victory over Baylor on Saturday night. A Hail Mary to force overtime and then Travis Hunter forcing a fumble at the goal line gave the Buffs the win.
Next up for Colorado is a trip to Florida to take on undefeated UCF.
Next up: @ UCF (3-0)
No. 12 Baylor (2-2)
Last Week Ranking: No. 10
Wins: Tarleton State (45-3), Air Force (31-3)
Losses: Utah (12-23), Colorado (31-38)
Baylor appeared to have the game won until Colorado managed to score a touchdown on a Hail Mary at the end of regulation to force overtime. The Bears went on to lose 38-31 on the road.
Life doesn’t get an easier as Baylor hosts No. 22 BYU after the Cougars spanked Kansas State 38-9 on Saturday.
The good news, Baylor’s defense looks solid as the Bears recorded 8 sacks against the Buffs. If they can do that to BYU, they’ll have a great shot at beating the Cougars.
Next up: vs. No. 22 BYU (4-0)
No. 13 West Virginia (2-2)
Last Week Ranking: No. 15
Wins: UAlbany (49-14), Kansas (32-28)
Losses: No. 8 Penn State (12-34), Pittsburgh (34-38)
It’s not over until it’s over. Garrett Greene threw two late touchdown pass and West Virginia rallied for a thrilling 32-28 victory at home over Kansas.
The good news… the Mountaineers are back on track with a win. The bad news, they have to travel to Stillwater to face No. 20 Oklahoma State — a team that is looking for revenge after losing to Utah last week at home.
Next up: @ No. 20 Oklahoma State (3-1)
No. 14 TCU (2-2)
Last Week Ranking: No. 8
Wins: Stanford (34-27), Long Island University (45-0)
Losses: UCF (34-35), SMU (42-66)
What happened TCU?
The Horned Frogs got embarrassed on Saturday as SMU rode to a 66-42 victory at home. The game was so bad that TCU head coach Sonny Dykes got ejected from the game for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
This is the same team/place that BYU played two weeks ago and won 18-15. The fact that TCU gave up 66 doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season. The good news, at least they are playing Kansas this week in which the game should be a toss up.
Next up: @ Kansas (1-3)
No. 15 Kansas (1-3)
Last Week Ranking: No. 16
Wins: Lindenwood (48-3)
Losses: Illinois (17-23), UNLV (20-23), West Virginia (28-32)
I knew this game was going to come down to the wire — see Week 4 predictions — and that’s exactly what happened as West Virginia held on to beat Kansas 32-28 in Morgantown. Kansas has now lost 3 consecutive games, but if there is any good news, Illinois is ranked and UNLV is nearly ranked as well. So while 1-3 isn’t great, at least they are keeping games close against good teams.
Next up: vs. TCU (2-2)
No. 16 Houston (1-3)
Last Week Ranking: No. 14
Wins: Rice (33-7)
Losses: UNLV (7-27), Oklahoma (12-16), Cincinnati (0-34)
After picking up it’s first win of the season two weeks ago, Houston followed it up by getting blown out on the road to Cincinnati 34-0. And after seeing Oklahoma continue to struggle, that 16-12 loss to the Sooners doesn’t good anymore.
Next up: vs. Iowa State (3-0)
