BYU Football Leads the Big 12 Power Rankings Going Into Week Seven

Casey Lundquist | 4 Hours Ago

BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter against Kansas State / BYU Photo

Big 12 football is back on Friday. 10 of the 16 Big 12 teams are in action this weekend, starting with Utah at Arizona State on Friday night. Today, we're updating our Big 12 power rankings ahead of week seven.

1. BYU

Record: 5-0
Next Opponent: Arizona

BYU gets the top spot for having the best resume in college football according to ESPN. The Cougars are deserving after a 5-0 start that includes two wins over eventual P4 bowl-eligible teams and three road wins.

Historically speaking, BYU's game at Baylor is a game that BYU does not normally win. A morning kickoff. In Texas against a fired up Baylor team. BYU came out firing and used that lead to hang on for the win.

Nobody is more deserving of the top spot than BYU right now. However, the next four weeks will test whether BYU can stay at the top or not. The Cougars have challenging games upcoming against Arizona, Oklahoma State, UCF, and Utah.

2. Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones running back Jaylon Jackson (12) celebrates with Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) after a touchdown against Baylor during the fourth quarter in the NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. / Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 5-0
Next Opponent: West Virginia

Iowa State is the other 5-0 team in the Big 12 and just behind BYU in the power rankings. The Cyclones have been the most consistent team in the conference. They face an interesting test this week on the road at West Virginia. The Cyclones deserve one of the top two spots in the power rankings until they lose.

In its history, Iowa State has never been able to get over the hump. The Cyclones have never won an outright conference championship. If this is their year, they need to win games like the one this weekend against the Mountaineers.

3. Kansas State

Record: 4-1
Next Opponent: Colorado

Kansas State rebounded two weeks ago and dominated Oklahoma State at home. The Wildcats have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way. They are still firmly in the conference title race. If Avery Johnson can continue to improve as a thrower, Kansas State will be very tough to beat. They face a tough test at Colorado this weekend.

4. Texas Tech

Oct 5, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs with ball during fourth quarter against Texas Tech Red Raiders at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Record: 5-1
Next Opponent: Arizona

Texas Tech has a way of winning close games. Four of Texas Tech's five wins have been one-possession games. The Red Raiders overcame a bad start to the 2024 season by starting 3-0 in conference play. They are the only 3-0 team in conference play at this point of the season. They have major question marks on defense. However, they held Arizona to a respectable 22 points in their win last weekend. Still, their ability to win close games has kept them on the path to bowl eligibility.

5. Utah

Record: 4-1
Next Opponent: Arizona State

Utah is simply not the same team without Cam Rising at quarterback. Without Rising, the Utes are capable of losing to everybody. Their defense also showed signs of weakness against Arizona. However, Cam Rising is expected to start against Arizona State on Friday. If Cam Rising can stay healthy, the Utes can emerge as conference title contenders again. Until then, they don't have the offensive firepower to be in the upper echelon of the conference.

6. Colorado

Record: 4-1
Next Opponent: Kansas State

Colorado went on the road and thumped a talented UCF team. The Buffaloes have major question marks along the offensive line. They have already allowed 18 sacks this season which ranks 128th nationally and dead last in the Big 12. Until they can protect Shedeur Sanders, they won't be able to win consistently. When Sanders has enough time to throw, he is lethal.

They host Kansas State in a potential Big 12 championship elimination game.

7. West Virginia

Oct 5, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) hands off to running back CJ Donaldson Jr. (4) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Record: 3-2
Next Opponent: Iowa State

Don't look now, but West Virginia is a Big 12 championship contender. West Virginia lost to both Pitt and Penn State in the non conference. They have bounced back by winning their first two conference games including a blowout road win over Oklahoma State. West Virginia needs more production from Garrett Greene at quarterback. If they get that, they could position themselves in the conference title race since they don't have a loss in conference play. This upcoming game against Iowa State is a massive one.

8. Arizona State

Record: 4-1
Next Opponent: Utah

Arizona State was one of the better stories in the Big 12 after the non-conference slate. The Sun Devils stumbled against Texas Tech in their Big 12 opener, but they bounced back with a win over Kansas. Arizona State is capable of winning some games in the Big 12 this season.

9. Arizona

Record: 3-12
Next Opponent: BYU

Arizona shook up the conference with a road win at no. 10 Utah a few weeks ago. Then, the Wildcats laid an egg in their conference home opener against Texas Tech. Arizona will need to find some more consistency on offense to re-emerge in the Big 12 title race.

10. Cincinnati

Sep 28, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Two Cincinnati Bearcats cheerleaders on the field after a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images / Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Record: 3-2
Next Opponent: UCF

Cincinnati is a good team on offense that has struggled to win close games. The Bearcats lost to Pitt by one and to Texas Tech by three. The Bearcats are an improved defense away from being a very dangerous team.

11. UCF

Record: 3-2
Next Opponent: Florida

UCF has trailed by three touchdowns in both Big 12 games this season. They dropped a game to a bad Florida team last week. The Knights have one win in conference play since they overcame a three-touchdown deficit against TCU. The Knights need more production out of KJ Jefferson if they hope to bounce back and re-emerge in the top half of the power rankings.

12. Oklahoma State

Record: 3-3
Next Opponent: BYU

Oklahoma State is off to a dreadful start in conference play. The Cowboys have lost back-to-back games in blowout fashion. They have a bye week to prepare for their road game at BYU next week.

13. Baylor

Oct 5, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) runs for a first down against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Bears 43 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images / Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Record: 2-4
Next Opponent: Texas Tech

Like Cincinnati, Baylor has struggled to win close games. The Bears have been a much better team with Sawyer Robertson at quarterback. They are better than their record indicates.

14. Houston

Record: 2-4
Next Opponent: Kansas

Houston is a bad football team, but they went on the road and upset TCU last weekend. The Cougars were scoreless in their first two conference games.

15. TCU

Record: 3-3
Next Opponent: Utah

TCU got blown out and allowed 66 points to SMU. The Horned Frogs got back in the win column with a win over Kansas, but then they laid an egg against Houston. They have a tough road ahead, starting at Utah next week.

16. Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) scrambles in for a touchdown against Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct 5, 2024. / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 1-5
Next Opponent: Houston

Kansas has been the most disappointing team in the conference this season. The Jayhawks were seen as a darkhorse to win the conference. Instead, they are 1-5 and desperately needing a win to get on the path to salvaging their 2024 campaign.