There weren't many upsets this week, but there were a few scares, which is likely good evidence that the Big 12 is as wide open as ever.
BYU, Texas Tech, and surprising Baylor all sit at 2-0 in conference play, with Utah and Oklahoma State, both of whom were off this week, at 1-0.
Texas Tech was pushed by one of the bottom feeders in Colorado, which actually led the Red Raiders 7-6 in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Houston had to overcome a 17-0 deficit in rallying past Central Florida.
The biggest mover this week is Baylor, whose ambush of Arizona State propelled the Bears to move from 12th to seventh. The Sun Devils fell from seventh to 12th.
1. BYU (4-0, 2-0)
Last week: 1.
Defeated TCU 17-10.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier ran for a 21-yard touchdown with 2:04 left in
the game to give the Cougars a 17-7 lead that held up. BYU managed just 216 yards of offense, and just 62 of that came through the air, with Bachmeier only going 11-for-24. It held TCU to 259.
Next up: vs. Iowa State on Oct. 9.
2. Utah (4-0, 1-0)
Last week: 2.
Did not play.
The Utes have looked like a legitimate title contender. The next two games are the weakest part of the schedule, so we're looking at a team that will be 6-0 going into a game against Houston.
Next up: vs. Kansas on Oct. 10.
3. Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: 3.
Defeated Colorado 29-7.
It was another game in which the defending champions looked rather pedestrian. It wasn't until the 3:01 mark of the third quarter that the Red Raiders went ahead for the first time on an 11-yard scoring pass from Will Hammond to Terrance Carter. Texas Tech tallied just 375 yards and was 3-for-12 on third down.
Next up: vs. Arizona State on Oct. 17.
4. Houston (4-1, 1-1)
Last week: 4.
Defeated Central Florida 27-17.
The Cougars rallied from a 17-point deficit to avoid the UCF upset bid. Houston's issue early on was finishing drives. It got stopped inside the UCF 10 on three straight drives in the second quarter. The Cougars did not get their first touchdown until 3:38 was left in the third quarter.
Next up: At Kansas State on Oct. 10.
5. Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0)
Last week: 5.
Did not play.
The Cowboys are looking like a serious title contender too. Hard to believe this is the same team that lost to Tulsa. That was a wake-up call, and the team apparently learned from it.
Next up: vs. Central Florida on Oct. 10.
6. Arizona (4-1, 1-1)
Last week: 6.
Defeated Cincinnati 34-7.
The Wildcats dominated from the jump, racking up 30 first downs and 522 yards, and building a time-of-possession advantage of 35:39 to 24:21. Noah Fifita threw for another 284 yards, adding to his school-record career total.
Next up: At West Virginia on Oct. 10.
7. Baylor (4-1, 2-0)
Last week: 12.
Defeated Arizona State 55-19.
The Bears are a two-point conversion away from being 5-0. They're also one win away from equaling their victory total from a year ago — and the calendar just flipped to October. The team invested in its defense over the offseason, and that has paid dividends.
Next up: vs. TCU on Oct. 17.
8. Kansas State (3-1, 0-1)
Last week: 10.
Did not play.
The Wildcats had a week to stew about the loss to Cincinnati. They'll need a better effort the next time out.
Next up: vs. Houston Oct. 10.
9. Cincinnati (4-1, 1-1)
Last week: 8.
Lost to Arizona 34-7.
Time will tell if this loss was an aberration or the start of a losing streak. The schedule is not favorable. After next week, the Bearcats have Texas Tech, Utah, and Houston, with BYU looming in the regular-season finale.
Next up: at West Virginia on Oct. 17.
10. Iowa State (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: 14.
Defeated West Virginia 45-42.
Aiden Flora scored on a 2-yard run with 1:57 left for the decisive score of a contest that featured five lead changes.
Next up: At BYU on Oct. 9.
11. West Virginia (3-2, 0-2)
Last week: 9.
Lost to Iowa State 45-42.
The Mountaineers had two turnovers and 86 yards in penalties. While the offense is much improved, the defense is still suspect, as evidenced by Iowa State's 577 yards, 265 of which came on the ground. Michael Hawkins and Cam Cook ran for 149 and 142 yards respectively, but that couldn't compensate for the poor defensive showing.
Next up: vs. Arizona on Oct. 10.
12. Arizona State (2-2, 1-1)
Last week: 7.
Lost to Baylor 55-19.
The Sun Devils suffered their worst loss since a 59-23 showing against rival Arizona in the last game of the 2023 season. They gave up 564 yards and allowed Baylor to convert nine of 15 third-down attempts. And that's just for starters. It was one of the most embarrassing losses of the Dillingham tenure.
Next up: vs. Hawaii on Oct. 10.
13. Central Florida (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: 11.
Lost to Houston 27-17.
The Knights had an upset brewing but couldn't finish off the job. After going up 17-0, the Knights gained only 65 more yards and one first down over their final five drives. UCF was already down to its second quarterback, Keyone Jenkins, with Alonzo Barnett sidelined with an injury. Jenkins left the game too, getting hurt while trying to make a tackle after an interception. That led to the third quarterback, Kaleb Annett.
Next up: At Oklahoma State on Oct. 10.
14. TCU (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: 13.
Lost to BYU 17-10.
The Horned Frogs played the nationally ranked Cougars tough, but dropped to 0-2 in Big 12 play for the first time since 2013. TCU had 259 yards to BYU's 216, and it was just 4-for-13 on third down.
Next up: At Baylor on Oct. 17.
15. Colorado (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: 15.
Lost to Texas Tech 29-7.
The Buffaloes hung with the defending champions and went into the game with a change at quarterback — Isaac Wilson replacing Julian Lewis. Wilson threw for 290 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted three times. Colorado continues to be one of the most penalized teams in the country, this time with eight for 84 yards.
Next up: vs. Utah on Oct. 17.
16. Kansas (2-2, 0-1)
Last week: 16.
Defeated Middle Tennessee 55-0.
The Jayhawks rounded out a weak nonconference schedule with a lopsided win. Kansas had 706 yards on offense, with Dylan Edwards running for 136 and quarterback Isaiah Marshall running for another 120. Kansas allowed just 136 yards.
Next up: At Utah on Oct. 10.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Baylor surges in Big 12 power rankings, but who holds the top spot?
