Big 12 Football Power Rankings: BYU all alone atop league as Iowa State, Kansas State lose
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU players celebrate with the Cougar fans after the Big 12 game against UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.Here are our weekly power rankings of Big 12 teams with a look at their schedules and matchups.
1. No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday at Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12), 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
What’s Up? BYU’s 26-17 victory against the Utes in 2021 broke a nine-game losing streak in the series. … The Cougars are alone atop the Big 12 standings at 5-0. The last time BYU topped its league standings was in 2007 as a member of the Mountain West Conference.
2. No. 24 Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday at Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12), 2 p.m. MT (FOX)
What’s Up? Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter has 60 catches for 757 yards and eight touchdowns along with 20 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble on defense. … The series between Colorado and Texas Tech is tied 5-5. … The Buffaloes last win against the Red Raiders came in 2007 in Lubbock (31-26).
3. No. 18 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
Last results: Seeking the best start in program history, Iowa State surrendered a game-winning touchdown to Texas Tech in the final moments in a 23-22 loss.
Game On: Saturday at Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12), 1:30 p.m. (FS1)
What’s Up? Quarterback Rocca Becht was 23 of 39 for 299 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptions as Iowa State outgained Texas Tech 432 to 366. … The Cyclones won seven in a row against Kansas until the Jayhawks won the past two meetings (2022, 2023).
4. No. 21 Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)
Last results: No. 17 Kansas State saw its four-game winning streak snapped in a 24-19 loss to Houston.
Game On: Bye
What’s Up? Avery Johnson finished 23 of 39 for 238 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss to Houston. … The Wildcats were held to 89 rushing yards on 34 carries (2.6 yards per carry) against the Cougars. … Kansas State will host Arizona State on Nov. 16.
5. Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12)
Last results: Behren Morton led a drive of 71 yards for the winning touchdown with 19 seconds left as Texas Tech upset No. 11 Iowa State 23-22.
Game On: Saturday vs. No. 24 Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12), 2 p.m. MT (FOX)
What’s Up? Texas Tech came into the game with Iowa State having allowed the most points in the Big 12 (288). … The Red Raiders have achieved bowl eligibility for the fourth straight year, including three in a row under coach Joey McGuire.
6. Arizona State (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)
Last results: Cam Skattebo rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown and also caught four passes for 121 yards and two scores to lead Arizona State to a 42-21 rout of Oklahoma State.
Game On: Saturday vs. UCF (4-5, 2-4 Big 12), 5 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
What’s Up? Skattebo is the Big 12 leader in all-purpose yards (161.6 per game). … He is the first ASU player since 2015 to have more than 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game. .. Arizona State won the only previous meeting with UCF 46-13 in Tempe in 2002.
7. Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday vs. West Virginia (4-4, 3-2 Big 12), 10 a.m. MT (FS1)
What’s Up? In eight games senior Corey Kiner has rushed 123 times for 692 yards (5.6 per carry) and two touchdowns. … Cincinnati was last in action on Oct. 26, a 34-23 loss at Colorado. … The Bearcats’ last win in the series with West Virginia was in 2009, 24-21 in Cincinnati.
8. Baylor (5-4, 3-3 Big 12)
Last results: Bryson Washington ran for a career-high 196 yards and four touchdowns and Isaiah Hankins kicked the game-winning field goal on the final play of a 37-34 victory against TCU.
Game On: Bye
What’s Up? Saturday was the third straight win for Baylor after losing to BYU on Sept. 28 and Iowa State on Oct. 5. … The Bears will be off until Oct. 16, when they travel to West Virginia.
9. TCU (5-4, 3-3 Big 12)
Last results: Josh Hoover threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in a 37-34 loss to Baylor.
Game On: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6 Big 12), 5 p.m. MT (FS1)
What’s Up? Against Baylor, wide receiver Savion Williams had 92 yards receiving, 57 yards rushing and threw a touchdown pass. … TCU’s last win in the series with Oklahoma State came in 2022, a 43-40 victory in Fort Worth.
10. Houston (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)
Last results: Zeon Chriss was 11 of 11 for 103 yards and a touchdown and ran for the deciding score as Houston rallied from a 19-10 fourth quarter deficit in a 24-19 upset of No. 17 Kansas State.
Game On: Bye
What’s Up? Chriss also ran 22 times for 75 yards, scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 41-yard run with 2:31 to play. … The Cougars, who have won three of their past four games, will be off until a Nov. 15 road trip to Arizona.
11. West Virginia (4-4, 3-2 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday at Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2 Big 12), 10 a.m. MT (FS1)
What’s Up? West Virginia leads the overall series with Cincinnati 17-3-1. … The Mountaineers have won the past three meetings: 2023 (42-21 in Morgantown), 2011 (24-21 in Cincinnati) and 2010 (37-10 in Morgantown).
12. UCF (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)
Last results: RJ Harvey ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries as UCF blasted Arizona 56-12.
Game On: Saturday at Arizona State (6-2, 3-2 Big 12), 5 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
What’s Up? UCF ran for 308 yards (7.0 yards per carry) and five touchdowns in the win against Arizona. … Freshman Dylan Rizk was 20 of 25 for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his first start, leading the Golden Knights to 602 total yards of offense.
13. Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday vs. No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12), 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
What’s Up? Utah has lost four games in a row for the first time since 2017. …The Utes lead the overall series with BYU 59-32-4. … Utah and the Cougars have played just once in the past five seasons (2021).
14. Arizona (3-6, 1-5 Big 12)
Last results: Noah Fifita was 24 of 33 for 256 yards and two touchdown as Arizona lost to UCF 56-12.
Game On: Bye
What’s Up? Arizona managed just 261 total yards, including five yards rushing on 25 carries. … Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 84 yards and a score vs. UCF. … The Wildcats are off until Nov. 15, when they will host Houston.
15. Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12)
Last results: Bye
Game On: Saturday vs. No. 18 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12), 1:30 p.m. MT (FS1)
What’s Up? Kansas was last in action on Oct. 26 in a 29-27 loss to Kansas State. … The Jayhawks lead the overall series with Iowa State 52-45-6 and has won the past two meetings in 2022 and 2023.
16. Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6 Big 12)
Last results: After a 2 1/2 hour weather delay, Oklahoma State was outscored by Arizona State 21-7 in a 42-21 loss.
Game On: Saturday at TCU (5-4, 3-3 Big 12), 5 p.m. MT (FS1)
What’s Up? Oklahoma State has lost six straight games, its worst losing streak since 2000. … The Cowboys have to win their final three games to reach a bowl game for the 19th straight season. … Oklahoma State leads the overall series with TCU 17-14-2.


