The Big 12 escaped the opening weekend with a 13-3 record, but not every victory carried the same weight.
Nine conference teams opened against FCS opponents. Colorado and Cincinnati were the only Big 12 programs to defeat Power Four competition, while Baylor came within inches of joining them.
The Buffaloes’ dramatic 14-13 road victory over Georgia Tech created the biggest shakeup in our first Big 12 power rankings. However, defending conference champion Texas Tech remains at the top for now.
1. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 1-0
Next game: at Oregon State, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS
The defending Big 12 champion retains the top spot after beating Abilene Christian 33-10.
The Red Raiders outgained ACU comfortably, but four field goals and three unsuccessful red-zone trips kept the final score from becoming more lopsided. Will Hammond completed 26 of 33 passes for 298 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
2. BYU Cougars
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Arizona, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX
BYU did exactly what a nationally ranked contender should do against an overmatched opponent.
The Cougars led Utah Tech 42-0 at halftime and rolled to a 63-7 victory. Bear Bachmeier accounted for four touchdowns before spending the second half on the sideline, and BYU forced four turnovers without committing one.
3. Utah Utes
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Arkansas, Sept. 12 at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Morgan Scalley era opened with a 66-14 demolition of Idaho.
Devon Dampier threw three touchdown passes, Wayshawn Parker scored three times and the Utes displayed the physical identity that has defined the program.
Utah entered the season ranked No. 21 and looked every bit like a Big 12 championship contender. A home matchup with Arkansas will provide a much stronger measurement.
4. Houston Cougars
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Southern, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Houston’s 33-20 victory over Oregon State was more meaningful than the collection of FCS blowouts across the conference.
Amare Thomas caught eight passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, while Makhi Hughes and Re’Shawn Sanford combined for 173 rushing yards.
5. Colorado Buffaloes
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Weber State, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+
No Big 12 team earned a more dramatic victory than Colorado.
Julian Lewis directed a late touchdown drive, finding Charlie Williams for the go-ahead score with 42 seconds remaining. Georgia Tech then moved into position for a winning field goal before Boo Carter blocked the attempt.
Deion Sanders' Buffaloes held Georgia Tech to 51 rushing yards after surrendering 327 on the ground in last season’s meeting.
Colorado still has questions offensively, but winning on the road against a Power Four opponent earns Coach Prime’s team a significant jump. The Buffaloes must now avoid overlooking an experienced Weber State team.
6. Kansas State Wildcats
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Washington State, Sept. 12 at noon ET on TNT
Kansas State overwhelmed Nicholls 71-3 in Collin Klein’s head-coaching debut.
Avery Johnson accounted for four touchdowns and became the Wildcats’ career leader in touchdown passes. Kansas State accumulated 559 yards, rushed for 312 and allowed only 122.
It was a nearly flawless performance, regardless of the competition. Washington State should provide a more meaningful test for the Wildcats.
7. Arizona Wildcats
Record: 1-0
Next game: at No. 14 BYU, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX
Arizona’s defense held Northern Arizona to minus-7 rushing yards in a convincing 35-7 win.
Noah Fifita completed 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but the Wildcats committed three turnovers.
Arizona will have an opportunity to make a much larger statement when it visits BYU. The winner will become the Big 12’s first conference leader.
8. Arizona State Sun Devils
Record: 1-0
Next game: at No. 8 Texas A&M, Sept. 12 at noon ET on ABC
Cutter Boley could become one of the Big 12’s breakout stars.
The Kentucky transfer threw six touchdown passes in his Arizona State debut, powering a 70-7 victory over Morgan State.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. Western Carolina, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Cincinnati produced one of the conference’s strongest opening victories, beating Boston College 34-15.
The Bearcats rushed for 254 yards, recorded four sacks and kept the Eagles scoreless until late in the third quarter.
Cincinnati may prove to be better than this ranking if its work in the trenches translates to Big 12 play. The Bearcats should be able to build on their encouraging start against Western Carolina.
10. Baylor Bears
Record: 0-1
Next game: vs. Prairie View A&M, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Baylor is the highest-ranked team with a loss because the Bears were inches away from beating Auburn.
DJ Lagway completed a pass to Matthew Klopfenstein on a potential game-winning two-point conversion, but Klopfenstein was stopped just short with nine seconds remaining in the 17-16 loss.
The result hurts, but Baylor showed it can compete with Power Four opposition. The Bears should have an opportunity to correct their mistakes against Prairie View A&M.
11. UCF Knights
Record: 1-0
Next game: at Pitt, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
It was a dominant beginning, but the level of competition makes the Knights difficult to place much higher.
A road game against Pitt should provide a much clearer evaluation and give UCF an opportunity to earn another Power Four victory for the conference.
12. Kansas Jayhawks
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. No. 25 Missouri, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Kansas generated 613 yards and never punted in its 51-6 victory over LIU.
New starting quarterback Isaiah Marshall passed for 246 yards, rushed for 49 and threw two touchdowns. The Jayhawks started slowly before scoring 24 points in the second quarter.
Their upcoming Border War matchup with Missouri will tell us considerably more. An upset of the No. 25 Tigers would send Kansas soaring in next week’s rankings.
13. Iowa State Cyclones
Record: 1-0
Next game: at No. 22 Iowa, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
The Jimmy Rogers era began with a steady 38-10 victory over Southeast Missouri State.
Jaylen Raynor accounted for four touchdowns, while Isaac Terrell recorded three of Iowa State’s six sacks.
It was an encouraging debut for a program that entered the season with considerable uncertainty. A road game against No. 22 Iowa will show how quickly the Cyclones are progressing under their new coach.
14. West Virginia Mountaineers
Record: 1-0
Next game: vs. UT Martin, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
West Virginia survived Coastal Carolina 31-24 behind 281 rushing yards.
A win is preferable to the alternative, but allowing a game against a Group of Six opponent to remain close leaves the Mountaineers near the bottom of the opening rankings.
West Virginia should have a chance to deliver a cleaner performance against UT Martin before facing Virginia in Week 3.
15. TCU Horned Frogs
Record: 0-1
Next game: vs. Grambling State, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+
TCU scored 10 points on its first two possessions against North Carolina and then went scoreless for the final 49 minutes of a 15-10 loss in Dublin.
The Horned Frogs committed 11 penalties for 100 yards and converted only one of five fourth-down attempts. Jeremy Payne’s 142 rushing yards were one of the few positives.
TCU had an open week following the loss and will return to the field against Grambling State.
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Record: 0-1
Next game: vs. No. 2 Oregon, Sept. 12 at noon ET on ESPN
The Eric Morris era opened with a disappointing 24-10 loss at Tulsa.
Morris was hired to rebuild an Oklahoma State program that lost its final 11 games last season. He brought several players from North Texas, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, but the Cowboys produced only 10 points against a Group of Six opponent.
Oklahoma State’s losing streak has now reached 12 games, and a matchup with No. 2 Oregon could make Morris’ rebuilding challenge look even more daunting.
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