In a pivotal week for the Big 12 Conference, Arizona State delivered Texas Tech its first loss of the season while Brigham Young secured its third consecutive victory over Utah in the highly anticipated Holy War match-up. The league standings see BYU and Cincinnati tied at the top with Arizona State, Texas Tech, and Houston trailing by just one game.
Debates about who should hold the No. 1 position in the Big 12 power rankings are heating up. Texas Tech’s quarterback Behren Morton missed the team’s narrow 26-22 defeat at Arizona State due to a lower-leg injury. Despite this setback, the Red Raiders maintain the highest ranking among Big 12 teams in both ESPN’s Football Power Index and SP+ metrics, shapes reflecting future projections. Earlier this season, Texas Tech dominated Utah with a resounding 34-10 victory on the road, compared to BYU’s ambitious win against the Utes at home, 24-21.
Cincinnati has been on a winning streak, taking six games in a row, but its schedule has featured only a single formidable opponent in Iowa State during that stretch. Meanwhile, BYU climbs significantly in the rankings, having triumphed in multiple tight contests recently. However, they face a daunting schedule in the coming weeks, with matches against Iowa State, Texas Tech, TCU, and Cincinnati, which should provide clearer answers about their prowess.
The current power rankings are as follows:
1. Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1): Despite last week’s loss, the Red Raiders remain at the top, set to face Oklahoma State next.
2. Brigham Young (7-0, 4-0): Moving up from fourth, BYU is preparing for a tough challenge at Iowa State.
3. Cincinnati (6-1, 4-0): The Bearcats hold steady at third, taking on Baylor this week.
4. Utah (5-2, 2-2): Dropping from second, the Utes missed crucial opportunities against BYU, leading to their current ranking.
5. Arizona State (5-2, 3-1): The Sun Devils performed admirably in recent games, continuing to show resilience.
6. TCU (5-2, 2-2): Holding steady, TCU is trying to find its rhythm as they prepare for their match against West Virginia.
7. Iowa State (5-2, 2-2): The Cyclones opened as favorites against BYU, emphasizing the tense competition at the top of the conference.
8. Baylor (4-3, 2-2): Struggling offensively, Baylor seeks to rebound as they head to Cincinnati.
9. Kansas (2-5, 0-4): With a tough upcoming game against Kansas State, the Jayhawks are vying to break their losing streak.
10. Houston (6-1, 3-1): Despite being bowl-eligible, the Cougars face criticism for their weak schedule.
11. Kansas State (3-4, 2-2): After a sluggish start, K-State hopes to capitalize on momentum from recent performances.
12. Colorado (3-4, 1-3): Colorado’s chances hinge on their quarterback’s performance as they face Utah.
13. Central Florida (4-3, 1-3): UCF celebrated the first college touchdown of freshman quarterback Davi Belfort, signifying bright prospects.
14. West Virginia (2-5, 0-4): The Mountaineers are struggling to regain any momentum after early season highs.
15. Oklahoma State (1-6, 0-4): With challenges mounting, the Cowboys seek to find a winning formula.
As the teams navigate their challenging schedules, anticipation builds for the next round of matchups, promising an exhilarating stretch in the Big 12 season. The resilience and determination shown by the teams so far provides hope for an exciting finish to the season, leaving fans eager for the upcoming games.