The early returns are in for the Monster Energy era of Big 12 football, and they are, well, all over the place.
The first Big 12 football power rankings of the season show us who made an early impression, who we still need to see more from and who needs a hearty reality check already (looking at you, TCU).
1. Texas Tech (1-0)
Last week: 1, def. Abilene Christian 33-10
This week: at Oregon State (0-1)
What to know: Wasn't a sexy win for the Red Raiders over Abilene Christian, but it was enough to stay No. 1 for now.
2. BYU (1-0)
Last week: 2, def. Utah Tech 63-7
This week: vs. Arizona (1-0)
What to know: Cougars put a whooping on Utah Tech with 11 players getting rushing attempts. Seems like bragging, honestly.
3. Kansas State (1-0)
Last week: 3, def. Nicholls 71-3
This week: vs. Washington State (0-1)
What
to know: Colin Klein is going to make Willie Wildcat the most physically fit mascot in the land with that kind of offensive performance.
4. Arizona (1-0)
Last week: 4, def. Northern Arizona 35-7
This week: at BYU (1-0)
What to know: How real should we take Arizona's chances in the Big 12? That's up to them this week at BYU.
5. Houston (1-0)
Last week: 5, def. Oregon State 33-20
This week: vs. Southern (1-1)
What to know: Houston's defense may be something to monitor this season, and not in a good way.
6. Utah (1-0)
Last week: 6, def. Idaho 66-14
This week: vs. Arkansas (1-0)
What to know: The Utes may not get a real challenge until late October, so it's style points until then for Devon Dampier and co.
7. Arizona State (1-0)
Last week: 8, def. Morgan State 70-7
This week: at Texas A&M (1-0)
What to know: Michigan is really kicking itself for not landing Kenny Dillingham right now. Maybe they'll try again after a Sun Devils win over the Aggies?
8. Baylor (0-1)
Last week: 7, lost 17-16 to Auburn
This week: vs. Prairie View (0-1)
What to know: The lone Big 12 team to lose and have some positive mojo coming out of the game. Dave Aranada's defense didn't get shredded, so that's something.
9. Colorado (1-0)
Last week: 16, def. Georgia Tech 14-13
This week: vs. Weber State (1-1)
What to know: Julian Lewis looked atrocious for 58 minutes then led the game-winning drive on the road. Which version of the Colorado QB is the real one?
10. Kansas (1-0)
Last week: 11, def. Long Island 51-6
This week: vs. Missouri (1-0)
What to know: The Jayhawks might have two wins by the time November comes around. Or they can beat their bitter rival and change the complexion entirely.
11. Iowa State (1-0)
Last week: 13, def. Southeast Missouri 38-10
This week: at Iowa (1-0)
What to know: We'll talk more if the Cyclones can stay within three touchdowns of Iowa this week. But they got a win to start the rebuild. Good on them.
12. Cincinnati (1-0)
Last week: 12, def. Boston College 34-15
This week: vs. Western Carolina (1-1)
What to know: Bearcats beat the Brendan Sorsby allegations, but jury's still out on whether Scott Satterfield will be around in 2027.
13. West Virginia (1-0)
Last week: 13, def. Coastal Carolina 31-24
This week: vs. UT Martin (1-1)
What to know: Mountaineers showed in the first half they can be much improved, then showed in the second there's still a long way to go.
14. UCF (1-0)
Last week: 15, def. Bethune-Cookman 73-6
This week: at Pittsburgh (1-0)
What to know: The Knights might have the greatest week-to-week shock in the country going from Bethune-Cookman to defending Mason Heintschel and his seven TD passes in Week 1.
15. Oklahoma State (0-1)
Last week: 9, lost 24-10 at Tulsa
This week: vs. Oregon (1-0)
What to know: You mean taking North Texas and putting it in the Stillwater didn't suddenly make the Cowboys a juggernaut? I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked.
16. TCU (0-1)
Last week: 10, lost 15-10 to North Carolina (Week 0)
This week: vs Grambling (2-0)
What to know: Reinstate the Star-Telegram? Good. It doesn't forgive the embarrassment the Frogs delivered for the Monster Energy Big 12 in Ireland. We mustn't forget this transgression.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 football power rankings: TCU sullies the Monster Energy era
