It was another action-packed week in the Big 12 Conference with several games coming down to the wire.
No. 18 Kansas State went on the road and took down Colorado in a late-night showdown, 31-28. The Wildcats needed a touchdown with two minutes left to escape with the win. The refs also escaped by not throwing a flag on what should have been a pass interference call on fourth down for the Buffaloes.
Cincinnati, which has won three of its last four games, held on for 19-13 victory over UCF, handing the Knights their third consecutive loss. The Bearcats are now tied for fourth in the Big 12, along with four other teams that are sitting at 2-1 in conference play.
Arizona State improved to 5-1 on the year with a thrilling 27-19 victory over No. 16 Utah at home. The Sun Devils rallied in the fourth quarter to hand Utah its second consecutive loss. The loss canceled Cam Rising’s return for Utah as the super senior finally made his return for the first time in over a month.
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Meanwhile, Iowa State looked solid against West Virginia in the 28-16 win to improve to 6-0. BYU, which is also unbeaten, made a statement in front of a national audience as the Cougars not only hosted ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ but also showed voters why they deserve a higher ranking after smashing Arizona 41-19. The Cougars are just one of several teams that have two ranked wins over current Top 25 opponents.
As of now, the Big 12 only has three ranked teams at the moment (No. 9 Iowa State, No. 13 BYU, No. 17 Kansas State) after Utah dropped out despite losing by 8 and being ranked 16th at the time.
Luckily, the Big 12 Conference does have three teams (Arizona State, Texas Tech and Utah) that are receiving votes that can get back in. With a couple upsets, the Sun Devils and Red Raiders could join the rankings next week if they win.
So, how does the Big 12 stack up in this week’s power rankings? Let’s take a look. With six teams having byes last week, there’s not a lot of movement, but with a full slate of games this week — no byes — expect a lot of moves next week.
** 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. **
| Big 12 Week 8 Power Rankings | Big 12 Football Preseason Poll (Media) |
| 1. BYU (6-0, 3-0) | 1. Utah |
| 2. Iowa State (6-0, 3-0) | 2. Kansas State |
| 3. Kansas State (5-1, 2-1) | 3. Oklahoma State |
| 4. Texas Tech (5-1, 3-0) | 4. Kansas |
| 5. Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) | 5. Arizona |
| 6. Cincinnati (4-2, 2-1) | 6. Iowa State |
| 7. Colorado (4-2, 2-1) | 7. West Virginia |
| 8. Arizona (3-3, 1-2) | 8. UCF |
| 9. Utah (4-2, 1-2) | 9. Texas Tech |
| 10. West Virginia (3-3, 2-1) | 10. TCU |
| 11. Oklahoma State (3-3, 0-3) | 11. Colorado |
| 12. UCF (3-3, 1-2) | 12. Baylor |
| 13. Baylor (2-4, 0-3) | 13. BYU |
| 14. TCU (3-3, 1-2) | 14. Cincinnati |
| 15. Houston (2-4, 1-2) | 15. Houston |
| 16. Kansas (1-5, 0-3) | 16. Arizona State |
No. 1 BYU (5-0, 2-0, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 1
Wins: Southern Illinois (41-13), SMU (18-15), Wyoming (34-14), No. 13 Kansas State (38-9), Baylor (34-28), Arizona 41-19
Losses: None
No. 14 BYU totaled 398 yards of offense and forced four turnovers on defense as the Cougars cruised to a 41-19 victory over Arizona in front of a sellout crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
It was a game to remember as Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” was in town as well as the No. 1 basketball recruit in the nation (AJ Dybantsa). The Cougars made sure to make the most of it with a dominating win Saturday afternoon.
Jake Retzlaff — who has made national headlines for his faith at BYU — passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 28 yards. The Cougar offense had a number of short fields to work with thanks to a stifling defense which had a pick-6 and probably should have had two more in the game. After forcing four turnovers, the Cougar defense has now forced multiple interceptions in three straight games. The Cougars are the only FBS team with an active interception streak this season.
Next up: vs. Oklahoma State (3-3, 0-3)
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No. 2 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 2
Wins: North Dakota (21-3), No. 21 Iowa (20-19), Arkansas State (52-7), Houston (20-0), Baylor (43-21), West Virginia (28-16)
Losses: None
The Cyclones are 6-0 for the first time since 1938, after beating West Virginia, 28-16. Quarterback Rocco Becht continues to play well and is starting to come into his own. It also helps having the running back duo of Jaylon Jackson and Carson Hansen who have combined for more than 600 yards and 7 touchdowns. both are averaging more than 5 yards per carry as well.
Don’t look now, but with Kansas State rolling after the loss to BYU last month, the upcoming Farmageddon rivalry matchup in Ames on November 30 will likely determine a spot in the Big 12 Championship and potentially the playoffs.
Next up: vs. UCF (3-3, 1-2)
No. 3 Kansas State (5-1, 2-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 3
Wins: UT Martin (41-6), Tulane (34-27), No. 20 Arizona (31-7), No. 20 Oklahoma State (42-20), Colorado (31-28)
Losses: BYU (9-38)
Kansas State’s rushing defense came to play as the Wildcats held Colorado to -15 yards rushing thanks to a plethora of sacks. It was the Wildcat secondary that got torched as they gave up nearly 400 passing yards on the night.
However, when push came to shove, Kansas State made big plays when they needed to and came away with the victory.
Running back DJ Giddens (220 total yards) was impressive all night long and now leads the Big 12 in rushing yards. Meanwhile, quarterback Avery Johnson had his third career game with multiple passing touchdowns and a rushing score as the sophomore sensation continues to pick off where he left last year.
Next up: @ West Virginia (3-3, 2-1)
No. 4 Texas Tech (5-1, 3-0, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 4
Wins: Abilene Christian (52-51), North Texas (66-21), Arizona State (30-22), Cincinnati (44-41), Arizona (28-22)
Losses: Washington State (16-37)
Bye Week.
After winning four consecutive games, Texas Tech had a bye week which is great to get guys healthy, but it can also mess with the momentum the team was having. We’ll see if that impacts the Red Raiders this week as they host Baylor. The Bears are talented and have faced the hardest schedule in the Big 12 so far, so don’t let their record fool you.
Next up: vs. Baylor (2-4, 0-3)
No. 5 Arizona State (5-1, 2-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 8
Wins: Wyoming (48-7), Mississippi State (30-23), Texas State (31-28), Utah (27-19)
Losses: Texas Tech (22-30)
Once again, the Sun Devils rallied at home, this time taking down then-No. 16 Utah to improve to 5-1 on the season. With this win, the Sun Devils are Big 12 contenders in what appears to be a wide-open Big 12 race this year. They’ll face one of their biggest tests of the season as they go on the road against a solid Cincinnati team. Both teams are tied for fourth place in the Big 12 at the moment.
Next up: @ Cincinnati (4-2, 2-1)
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No. 6 Cincinnati (4-2, 2-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 10
Wins: Towson (38-20), Miami OH (27-16), Houston (34-0), UCF (19-13)
Losses: Pittsburgh (27-28), Texas Tech (41-44)
Cincinnati went on the road and took down a struggling UCF team. The Bearcats now have a big challenge this week when they welcome 5-1 Arizona State to Nippert Stadium. A win by either team would keep them squarely in the Big 12 title hunt. A loss wouldn’t be devastating, but it appears whoever is going to make the Big 12 title game, will likely only have one loss, maybe two — at the most.
Next up: vs. Arizona State (5-1, 2-1)
No. 7 Colorado (4-2, 2-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 6
Wins: North Dakota State (31-26), Colorado State (28-9), Baylor (38-31), UCF (48-21)
Losses: Nebraska (10-28), No. 18 Kansas State (28-31)
After taking a last-minute lead against No. 18 Kansas State, the Buffs couldn’t hold on as the Wildcats answered with a go-ahead touchdown to walk out with the win. Colorado, which was down by two touchdowns in the second half, rallied to take a 28-24 lead with just over 3 minutes to play. The win keeps Kansas State in the Big 12 title hunt as well as the playoff hunt. For Colorado, the Buffs only have one loss, but they will likely need to win out if they want to make the Big 12 title game.
The good news for Colorado is that star player Travis Hunter is expected to play this week after missing half of the game against Kansas State.
Next up: @ Arizona (3-3, 1-2)
No. 8 Arizona (3-2, 1-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 7
Wins: New Mexico (61-39), Northern Arizona (22-10), Utah (23-10)
Losses: No. 14 Kansas State (7-31)
Arizona dropped one spot after blowing a late lead at home to Texas Tech. The only reason the Wildcats didn’t drop more is their win over Utah. We’ll know if Arizona is a contender or a pretender this weekend as they go up against BYU.
Next up: @ BYU (5-0)
No. 9 West Virginia (3-3, 2-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 9
Wins: UAlbany (49-14), Kansas (32-28), Oklahoma State (38-14)
Losses: No. 8 Penn State (12-34), Pittsburgh (34-38)
West Virginia is playing like many expected it would be the entire year as it went on the road and crushed Oklahoma State 38-14. Now they look to keep the momentum going against No. 11 Iowa State at home. A win on Saturday would cement the Mountaineers as Big 12 contenders after a slow start to the season.
Next up: vs. Iowa State (5-0)
No. 10 Utah (4-2, 1-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 5
Wins: Southern Utah (49-0), Baylor (23-12), Utah State (38-21), No. 14 Oklahoma State (22-19)
Losses: Arizona (10-23), Arizona State (19-27)
Well… Cam Rising played, but it was only for a game. The super senior is out for the rest of the season with an injury — not related to his throwing hand. The senior didn’t have much zip on the ball and was late on throws which resulted in 3 interceptions in the loss to Arizona State. Freshman Isaac Wilson will now take over the duties. The Utes will need to win out to have a shot at the Big 12 title game. With games against No. 9 Iowa and No. 13 BYU still on the schedule, that’s going to be tough.
Next up: vs. TCU (3-3, 1-2)
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No. 11 Oklahoma State (3-3, 0-3, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 12
Wins: South Dakota State (44-20), Arkansas (39-31, 2OT), Tulsa (45-10)
Losses: No. 10 Utah (19-22), No. 23 Kansas State (20-42), West Virginia (14-38)
Bye Week.
Like the other 4 teams at the bottom of the rankings, Oklahoma State also got a much-needed break after losing three consecutive games — including two home games.
The only downside is that the first game back is against BYU, at night, at LaVell Edwards Stadium — one of the toughest places to play in all of college football.
Next up: @ No. 13 BYU (6-0, 3-0 )
No. 12 UCF (3-3, 1-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 11
Wins: New Hampshire (57-3), Sam Houston (45-0), TCU (35-34)
Losses: Colorado (21-48), Florida (13-24), Cincinnati (13-19)
UCF’s fall from grace continues as the Knights lost their third consecutive game. UCF still doesn’t have a good win this year as their best win is a TCU program that is 3-3 and does not have any good wins either. Oklahoma State moved up a spot simply because they have a better quality win — Arkansas which beat then-No. 4 Tennessee.
Next up: @ Iowa State (6-0, 3-0)
No. 13 Baylor (2-4, 0-3, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 13
Wins: Tarleton State (45-3), Air Force (31-3)
Losses: Utah (12-23), Colorado (31-38), BYU (28-34), Iowa State (21-43)
Bye Week.
The pressure is heating up as Baylor is 2-4 on the year and is winless in Big 12 play. Coach Dave Aranda is on the hot seat, however, the schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Bears go up against Texas Tech on the road.
Baylor has played the toughest Big 12 schedule to date with games against BYU, Utah, Colorado and Iowa State, and this week doesn’t get any easier.
Next up: @ Texas Tech (5-1)
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No. 14 TCU (3-3, 1-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 14
Wins: Stanford (34-27), Long Island University (45-0), Kansas (38-27)
Losses: UCF (34-35), SMU (42-66), Houston (19-30)
Bye Week.
Like the other bottom dweller teams, the bye week came at the perfect time for TCU as the program looks to regroup. The Horned Frogs will go on the road to face a Utah team that has struggled losing two games in a row.
Winning at Rice-Eccles Stadium has proved difficult over the years, but the Utes are vulnerable this year.
Next up: @ Utah (4-2, 1-2)
No. 15 Houston (2-4, 1-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 15
Wins: Rice (33-7), TCU (30-19)
Losses: UNLV (7-27), Oklahoma (12-16), Cincinnati (0-34), Iowa State (0-20)
Bye week.
The Cougars will go on the road and look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Next up: @ Kansas (1-5, 0-3)
No. 16 Kansas (1-5, 0-3, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 16
Wins: Lindenwood (48-3)
Losses: Illinois (17-23), UNLV (20-23), West Virginia (28-32), TCU (27-38), Arizona State (31-35)
Bye Week.
Kansas looks to regroup and get back in the win column after five consecutive losses.
On paper, this game would make a Top 5 basketball matchup, but when it comes to football, it’s the battle of the bottom dwellers.
Next up: vs. Houston (2-4, 1-2)
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