The Big 12 Conference continues to live up to its name as the most exciting and fun conference in America.
You don’t have to take my word for it.
BYU, Texas Tech and West Virginia — all of which were playing on the road — faked field goals last week with two of them (West Virginia and Texas Tech) going for touchdowns. BYU’s double snap could have gone for a touchdown as well, however, the kicker decided to pick up the first down instead of risking the throw on the run.
So many great fake field goals in the Big 12 last week. pic.twitter.com/1dHHZpwGjh#BYU #GoCougs #WVU #TTU #Big12FB #CFB
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 28, 2024
No. 9 BYU used the fake field and momentum to go on and blowout UCF, 37-24. A late touchdown by the Knights with a minute left in the game made the score a lot closer than it really was.
West Virginia also rolled to victory as the fake field goal helped the Mountaineers build up a huge lead (31-13) in the fourth quarter. Arizona mounted a late comeback but came up short in the 31-26 loss at home.
Unfortunately for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders couldn’t keep the fake field goal win streak going as they blew a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter and dropped a heartbreaking game (35-34) against TCU.
Speaking of heartbreak, Kansas fans continue to get their hearts ripped out from them as the Jayhawks lost another close game in the last minutes. Kansas, which was No. 15 in the Power Rankings last week, went toe-to-toe against rival No. 16 Kansas State. It looked as though Kansas was going to win as the Jayhawks had a 27-26 lead and the ball near midfield with less than four minutes remaining. However, a fumble by quarterback Jalon Daniels gave Kansas the ball and allowed the Wildcats to get a game-winning field goal with just over a minute left in the game.
In other games, Baylor kept winning as the Bears rolled to a 38-28 victory. It was the Bears’ second consecutive victory and the program now has a good shot at winning out after facing a grueling conference schedule to start.
Colorado continues to play well after taking down Cincinnati 34-23 at home. The Buffs are for real and are currently tied with Kansas State for third place in the Big 12 standings. Most surprisingly, Houston upset Utah with a 17-14 win at home. The Cougars won on a last-second field goal, giving Utah its fourth consecutive loss.
Don’t look now, but Utah — the Big 12 preseason champs — may not make a bowl game this year with the way they are playing. Combined with the way the schedule sets up, with tough games left against BYU, Iowa State, and Colorado, the Utes face a huge uphill battle.
Lastly, while the Big 12 has no teams receiving votes in the AP poll, the good news is that Colorado jumped into the Top 25 to give the Big 12 four ranked teams: No. 9 BYU, No. 11 Iowa State, No. 17 Kansas State, and No. 23 Colorado.
So, how does the Big 12 stack up in this week’s power rankings? Let’s take a look.
** 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 10 Power Rankings | Big 12 Football Preseason Poll (Media) |
| 1. BYU (8-0, 5-0) | 1. Utah |
| 2. Iowa State (7-0, 4-0) | 2. Kansas State |
| 3. Kansas State (7-1, 4-1) | 3. Oklahoma State |
| 4. Colorado (6-2, 4-1) | 4. Kansas |
| 5. Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2) | 5. Arizona |
| 6. Arizona State (5-2, 2-2) | 6. Iowa State |
| 7. TCU (5-3, 3-2) | 7. West Virginia |
| 8. Baylor (4-4, 2-3) | 8. UCF |
| 9. Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) | 9. Texas Tech |
| 10. West Virginia (4-4, 3-2) | 10. TCU |
| 11. Arizona (3-5, 1-4) | 11. Colorado |
| 12. Houston (3-5, 2-3) | 12. Baylor |
| 13. Kansas (2-6, 1-4) | 13. BYU |
| 14. Oklahoma State (3-5, 0-5) | 14. Cincinnati |
| 15. Utah (4-4, 1-4) | 15. Houston |
| 16. UCF (3-5, 1-4) | 16. Arizona State |
No. 1 BYU (8-0, 5-0, 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), Oklahoma State (38-35), UCF (37-24)
Losses: None
BYU continues to have the best resume in the Big 12 with two wins over current ranked opponents (No. 17 Kansas State and No. 20 SMU). Iowa State’s best win is over rival Iowa which is unranked and 5-3 on the year.
After UCF nearly knocked off Iowa State two weeks ago in a 38-35 loss with a new quarterback, the Knights — which were 3-4 on the year — came into last Saturday’s game against undefeated BYU as a 3-point favorite. Talk about disrespect.
Then-No. 11 BYU used that as fuel as the Cougars led from start to finish as the Cougars rolled to a 37-24 road victory over UCF (3-5) at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. BYU led by as many as 24 in the second half, but a couple of late touchdowns made the score closer than it was.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns and also added a touchdown on the ground as the Cougars rolled to a dominating road victory Saturday afternoon in front of 42,000 fans — in what felt like a home game for BYU.
Next up: Bye Week
TV announcers, UCF fans amazed by BYU fan turnout — ‘It felt like a BYU home game’
No. 2 Iowa State (7-0, 4-0, 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), UCF (38-35)
Losses: None
Coming off a bye week.
Next up: vs. Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2)
No. 3 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1, 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), West Virginia (45-18), Kansas (29-27)
Losses: BYU (9-38)
Kansas State needed a dramatic comeback to beat rival Kansas, 29-27, Saturday night at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The win not only extended the rivalry streak, but it kept the Wildcats’ Big 12 title and college football playoff hopes alive.
Unfortunately for Kansas State, their resume continues to drop as their two ranked wins at the start of the season (then-No. 20 Oklahoma State and then-20 Arizona), are now a combined 6-10 overall, and 1-9 in conference play.
As of right now, it’s expected the winner of the Farmageddon rivalry matchup between the Wildcats and the Cyclones next month will play BYU in the Big 12 title game. Any loss will end that as the Wildcats need to stay perfect the rest of the way.
Next up: @ Houston (3-5, 2-3)
No. 4 Colorado (6-2, 4-1, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 5
Wins: North Dakota State (31-26), Colorado State (28-9), Baylor (38-31), UCF (48-21), Arizona (34-7), Cincinnati (34-23)
Losses: Nebraska (10-28), No. 18 Kansas State (28-31)
Don’t look now but Colorado looks poised to finish the regular season at 10-2 after an impressive victory over Cincinnati at home. The Bearcats were arguably the toughest test for the Buffs who now have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way. With games against Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State, the Buffs will be favored in every one of those games.
Next up: Bye Week
No. 5 Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 4
Wins: Towson (38-20), Miami OH (27-16), Houston (34-0), UCF (19-13), Arizona State (24-14)
Losses: Pittsburgh (27-28), Texas Tech (41-44), Colorado (23-34)
Cincinnati drops one spot this week after a hard-fought loss to Colorado on Saturday. The Buffs look like the real deal and considering the Bearcats’ other two losses were by a combined 4 points, I feel Cincinnati is still a Top 5 team in the Big 12 at the moment.
Next up: Bye week
Big 12 Football: BYU, Iowa State Following TCU’s Playoff Run In 2022
No. 6 Arizona State (5-2, 2-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 7
Wins: Wyoming (48-7), Mississippi State (30-23), Texas State (31-28), Kansas (35-31), Utah (27-19)
Losses: Texas Tech (22-30), Cincinnati (14-24)
Coming off a bye week.
Next up: @ Oklahoma State (3-5, 0-5)
No. 7 TCU (5-3, 3-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 8
Wins: Stanford (34-27), Long Island University (45-0), Kansas (38-27), Utah (13-7), Texas Tech (35-34)
Losses: UCF (34-35), SMU (42-66), Houston (19-30)
After falling to UCF by a score of 35-34 at home, the Horned Frogs vowed not to do so again as they rallied for a thrilling 35-34 victory over Texas Tech last week. TCU has now won back-to-back games for the first time since the first start of the season.
TCU will look to keep the momentum going as they travel to Waco to take on rival Baylor, which is also on a two-game winning streak. The Bears have been one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 the last two weeks — averaging nearly 50 points per game.
Next up: @ Baylor (4-4, 2-3)
No. 8 Baylor (4-4, 2-3, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 9
Wins: Tarleton State (45-3), Air Force (31-3), Texas Tech (59-35), Oklahoma State (38-28)
Losses: Utah (12-23), Colorado (31-38), BYU (28-34), Iowa State (21-43)
Baylor looks like a completely different team the past two weeks as the Bears are averaging nearly 50 points per game on offense. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who took over the reigns in the third game of the season looks very comfortable in the offense. The dual-threat quarterback has the team playing well which is good news for head coach Dave Aranda who was on the hot seat. That has since cooled down a bit, but any loss rest of the way will put that in danger.
Thankfully for the Bears, the schedule does get easier. After having faced the toughest Big 12 schedule to date, Baylor has a manageable schedule the rest of the way and should not only make a bowl game this year but have a real shot at finishing the regular season at 8-4. Nobody thought that was possible two weeks ago.
Next up: vs. TCU (5-3, 3-2)
No. 9 Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 6
Wins: Abilene Christian (52-51), North Texas (66-21), Arizona State (30-22), Cincinnati (44-41), Arizona (28-22)
Losses: Washington State (16-37), Baylor (35-59), TCU (34-35)
It was an absolute meltdown.
After going up 34-21 in the fourth quarter, TCU rallied for an improbable 35-34 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. The Red Raiders only hope to play in the Big 12 title game is to win out and pray for a lot of help and chaos. With tough games against Iowa State and Colorado still, that’s going to be a tall task. The Red Raiders will also need plenty of help as well as they need both Kansas State and BYU to slip up too. I don’t see that happening.
Next up: @ Iowa State (7-0, 4-0)
No. 10 West Virginia (4-4, 3-2, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 14
Wins: UAlbany (49-14), Kansas (32-28), Oklahoma State (38-14), Arizona (31-26)
Losses: No. 8 Penn State (12-34), Pittsburgh (34-38), No. 11 Iowa State (16-28), No. 17 Kansas State (18-45)
West Virginia moves up four spots after going on the road and beating Arizona, 31-26. It also helped that a number of teams in front of them lost as well (Utah, Oklahoma State and UCF).
Starting in place of Garrett Greene, sophomore quarterback Nicco Marchiol shined as he completed 18-of-22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Technically there is still a sliver of hope to make it to the Big 12 title game, but the Mountaineers would need to win out, and hope for a bunch of teams ahead of them to lose.
Next up: Bye Week
Big 12 Football: BYU, Iowa State Following TCU’s Playoff Run In 2022
No. 11 Arizona (3-5, 1-4, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 10
Wins: New Mexico (61-39), Northern Arizona (22-10), Utah (23-10)
Losses: No. 14 Kansas State (7-31), Texas Tech (22-28), No. 14 BYU (19-41), Colorado (7-34), West Virginia (26-31)
The wheels are falling off for Arizona as the Wildcats have now lost four consecutive games, including several blowouts. Luckily the next two contests should be winnable as the Wildcats go up against UCF and Houston.
Both Arizona and UCF are 3-5 on the season and 1-4 in Big 12 play. This game will be important, as a loss will most likely keep the loser out of a bowl game — barring a miracle.
Next up: @ UCF (3-5, 1-4)
No. 12 Houston (3-5, 2-3, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 16
Wins: Rice (33-7), TCU (30-19), Utah (17-14)
Losses: UNLV (7-27), Oklahoma (12-16), Cincinnati (0-34), Iowa State (0-20), Kansas (14-42)
Houston… we don’t have a problem. The Cougars rallied for a thrilling 17-14 victory over Utah on Saturday. With everyone else losing in front of them, Houston is ranked the highest that they’ve ever been this year.
The Cougars tied West Virginia with the biggest jump this week (+4).
Next up: vs. No. 17 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1)
No. 13 Kansas (2-6, 1-4, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 14
Wins: Lindenwood (48-3), Houston (42-14)
Losses: Illinois (17-23), UNLV (20-23), West Virginia (28-32), TCU (27-38), Arizona State (31-35)
It’s not every week you can lose and move up in the rankings, however, that’s what Kansas did this week as the Jayhawks move up two spots based on the eye test.
Just like it has all season, the game came down to the wire and Kansas found another way to lose the game. The Jayhawks were just minutes away from beating No. 16 Kansas State on the road and ending the streak, but unfortunately, Kansas couldn’t finish the job.
That’s been the story the entire season as Kansas has lost so many close games. In fact, to date, of the Jayhawks’ six losses, five of them have been by one score — the most in the nation. Kansas has also led in many of those games in the fourth quarter. If a game was at a neutral field, I’d take Kansas over Utah, Oklahoma State, and UCF right now.
Next up: Bye Week
No. 14 Oklahoma State (3-5, 0-5, 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), BYU (35-38), Baylor (28-38)
Oklahoma State has lost 5 consecutive games, however, the Pokes continue to battle and play close games. The win over Arkansas looks better with each passing week and Oklahoma State has also played one of the toughest Big 12 schedules so far with games against BYU and Kansas State already. The schedule doesn’t get much easier this week as the Pokes host Arizona State, which is coming off a bye.
Next up: vs. Arizona State (5-2, 2-2)
No. 15 Utah (4-4, 1-4, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 11
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), TCU (7-13), Houston (14-17)
Houston… we have a problem.
The Utes have lost their fourth consecutive game. While the defense is still playing well, the offense can’t move the ball or score points. The Utes used two different quarterbacks on Saturday after offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig resigned.
The Utes have a bye week this week in which they hope to rest up before hosting BYU in the Holy War showdown next Saturday night on ESPN.
Next up: Bye Week
No. 16 UCF (3-5, 1-4, Big 12)
Last Week Ranking: No. 13
Wins: New Hampshire (57-3), Sam Houston (45-0), TCU (35-34)
Losses: Colorado (21-48), Florida (13-24), Cincinnati (13-19), No. 9 Iowa State (35-38)
Welcome to the basement, UCF.
The Knights lost their fifth consecutive game as BYU came into Orlando and spanked UCF, 37-24. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
The schedule does get a bit easier the rest of the way, but if the Knights want to go bowling, they are going to need to win three of their last four games.
Next up: vs. Arizona (3-5, 1-4)
TV announcers, UCF fans amazed by BYU fan turnout — ‘It felt like a BYU home game’
