The contenders at the top of the Big 12 power rankings stood strong for another week.
BYU maintains its spot at the top and is one of five teams yet to lose a conference game, but it has played three while the four others have only played two, so the Cougars are in front by a nose.
Utah, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Baylor are all 2-0. Utah and Oklahoma State posted convincing wins this week while Texas Tech and Baylor did not play.
Not much changed this week, but that won't continue long as some of the unbeaten teams play each other in coming weeks.
1. BYU (5-0, 3-0)
Last week: 1.
Beat Iowa State 24-10.
No L.J. Martin, no problem. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier picked up the slack by throwing for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns, completing 22 of 30 passes.
It marked his fourth career 300-yard game. He also ran for a career-best 109 yards, while the defense limited the Cyclones to 200 yards.
Next up: vs. Notre Dame on Oct. 17.
2. Utah (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: 2.
Beat Kansas 41-24.
Another game, another double-digit margin of victory for the Utes. Wayshawn Parker ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns, eclipsing 170 rushing yards for the second straight game after finishing with a career-high 174 yards against Iowa State two weeks ago. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns
Next up: At Colorado on Oct. 17.
3. Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: 3.
Did not play.
The Red Raiders have gone unscathed but have not been nearly as dominant as they were last season. They have an extra week to prepare for a rematch against the lone opponent that defeated them in the regular season in 2025.
Next up: vs. Arizona State on Oct. 17.
4. Houston (5-1, 2-1)
Last week: 4.
Beat Kansas State 35-16
Connor Weigman connected with tight end Patrick Overmyer for four touchdown passes, and the Cougars surged past the Wildcats. Houston jumped out to a 28-3 lead and was never threatened. The Cougars entered the game third in FBS in first downs per game at 27.2, going against Kansas State's fifth-best first-down defense. Houston had 26 first downs, including 16 in the first half.
Next up: vs. Oklahoma State on Oct. 17.
5. Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0)
Last week: 5.
Beat Central Florida 42-28.
The Cowboys tried to put another score on the board, up by 14 points with 14 seconds left. Fashion points apparently matter nowadays. Drew Mestemaker went 19-for-28 for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He has thrown for 1,271 yards and 11 touchdowns with only five interceptions on the season.
Next up: At Houston on Oct. 17.
6. Arizona (5-1, 2-1)
Last week: 6.
Beat West Virginia 52-31.
Noaf Fifita and the Wildcats rolled once again. Arizona is off to its best six-game start since going 5-1 in 2014, when current West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez was its head coach. Fifita threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns and was intercepted once.
Next up: vs. Iowa State on Oct. 24.
7. Baylor (4-1, 2-0)
Last week: 7.
Did not play.
It is still early, but the Bears look like one of the most improved teams in the conference. They have won four straight games and are just an extra-point conversion away from being undefeated.
Next up: vs. TCU on Oct. 17.
8. Cincinnati (4-1, 1-1)
Last week: 9.
Did not play.
The Bearcats started strong last year but stumbled down the stretch. Time will tell if they have staying power this season.
Next up: at West Virginia on Oct. 17.
9. Kansas State (3-2, 0-2)
Last week: 8.
Lost to Houston 35-16.
The Wildcats came into the game allowing just 106.3 yards per game, but gave up more than that before halftime and ended up giving up 242 in the contest. Quarterback Avery Johnson went 16-for-30 for 182 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Next up: vs. Kansas on Oct. 17.
10. Iowa State (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 10.
Lost to BYU 24-10.
The Cyclones totaled just 200 yards, managing only 98 through the air. It was the lowest single-game offensive total since 2018. Iowa State was just 2-for-13 on third down. Aiden Flora had 86 yards on 17 carries as the lone bright spot on offense.
Next up: At Arizona on Oct. 24.
11. Arizona State (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: 12.
Beat Hawaii 30-12.
True freshman Cardae Mack rushed for 154 yards on 13 carries on his birthday. His day was punctuated by a touchdown run of 67 yards that gave the Sun Devils a 24-6 lead. Reed Harris caught eight passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns. He now has seven touchdown catches in five games, halfway to the school's single-season record.
Next up: At Texas Tech on Oct. 17.
12. West Virginia (3-3, 0-3)
Last week: 11.
Lost to Arizona 52-31.
The Mountaineers finished with more first downs, more total yards, and a higher time of possession, but still came up short. Two turnovers, 80 yards in penalties, and a 2-for-7 on fourth down were factors in the loss. Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook ran for another 141 yards, giving him 652 on the season.
Next up: vs. Cincinnati on Oct. 17.
13. Central Florida (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 13.
Lost to Oklahoma State 42-28.
It was another case of a second-half swoon. Last week, the Knights blew a 17-0 lead in losing to Houston. This time, they were tied at halftime, 21-21, only to be outscored 21-7 in the second half. They actually had the ball for nine more minutes.
Next up: vs. BYU on Oct. 24.
14. TCU (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: 14.
Did not play.
The Horned Frogs are still trying to get their first conference win, and it will be difficult to do so next week against a rival on a roll.
Next up: At Baylor on Oct. 17.
15. Colorado (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: 15.
Did not play.
The Buffaloes have lost three straight games after a 2-0 start. Snapping that losing streak won't be easy, despite having an extra week to prepare.
Next up: vs. Utah on Oct. 17.
16. Kansas (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: 16.
Lost to Utah 41-24.
The Jayhawks' struggles continued. They had 10 penalties for 90 yards, one turnover, and went 4-for-13 on third down. Kansas was close for a half, only trailing 21-17, but Utah dominated the second half, outscoring the Jayhawks 20-7 over the last 3o minutes.
Next up: At Kansas State on Oct. 17.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: BYU stays strong at top, but there are 4 others yet to lose a Big 12 game
