Big 12 football power rankings: Arizona State no longer the top dog

We now have a full week of action to go off of
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

We had the first full week of Big 12 play, and there are some sizable changes from last week's power rankings. Most teams moved in a direction, and we now know what can happen.

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0)

Last week's rank: 16

The Cowboys beat FCS UT Martin 27-7. If they somehow beat Oregon in Eugene this weekend, they will rise closer to the top of the conference.

15. Colorado Buffaloes (0-1)

Last week's rank: 14

The Buffaloes lost to Georgia Tech as expected and kept it relatively close. They should beat Delaware this weekend at home.

14. Arizona Wildcats (1-0)

Last week's rank: 15

Arizona curb stomped Hawaii last weekend so there is optimism for the Tucson school. The Wildcats host FCS Weber State and should be 2-0 after this weekend.

13. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0)

Last week's rank: 12

West Virginia handled FCS Robert Morris last weekend. This week, the Mountaineers go to Ohi,o who narrowly lost to Rutgers.

12. Cincinnati Bearcats (0-1)

Last week's rank: 11

The Bearcats narrowly lost to Nebraska last week, as expected. They play Bowling Green this week and are expected to win.

11. UCF Knights (1-0)

Last week's rank: 9

UCF narrowly beat Jacksonville State last week, which is concerning. The Knights host FCS North Carolina A&T this week in a game they ought to win

10. Houston Cougars (1-0)

Last week's rank: 10

Houston shut out FCS Stephen F. Austin last week. The Cougars go to fellow Texas school, Rice, and are expected to win.

9. Baylor Bears (0-1)

Last week's rank: 4

Baylor had the golden opportunity to show that the Big 12 is better than the SEC with a statement win. They did the exact opposite and failed to put up a fight against Baylor. The Bears have another tough non-conference opponent as they face SMU this Saturday. 

8. Utah Utes (1-0)

Last week's rank: 13

Utah is the biggest riser of the week as they dropped the hammer on former Pac-12 rival UCLA. The Utes host FCS Cal Poly this weekend.

7. Kansas State Wildcats (1-1, 0-1 Big 12)

Last week's rank: 8

Kansas State struggled against FCS North Dakota last weekend. They host an Army team that just dropped a game to FCS Tarleton State in double overtime.

6. BYU Cougars (1-0) +1

Last week's rank: 7

BYU manhandled FCS Portland State last weekend. The Cougars draw tougher competition against Stanford, which is a weak Power Four school.

5. Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)

Last week's rank: 6

The Jayhawks defeated FCS Wagner last week. They get their first real test in Missouri this weekend, an old Big 8 conference rival.

4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0)

Last week's rank: 5

Texas Tech curb-stomped FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff last weekend. The Red Raiders get Kent State this Saturday, who beat Merrimack, which was their first win since 2023.

3. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Last week's rank: 3

The Cyclones manhandled FCS South Dakota State last Saturday. They face in-state rival Iowa this weekend.

2. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0)

Last week's rank: 1

The Sun Devils beat FCS Northern Arizona sloppily last Saturday. They moved down because of a different team’s outstanding play versus their own. Arizona State goes to Mississippi State this weekend.

1. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0)

Last week's rank: 2

TCU put on a statement victory for the Big 12, defeating North Carolina 48-14. That was much needed as that was the only game happening last Monday. TCU is off this week. 

Tune in next week to see how the power rankings change.

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