Big 12 football power rankings see major movement as Iowa State rises, Colorado falls ahead of Week 3 (2024)

16. CINCINNATI BEARCATS (1-1)

Cincinnati had a 27-6 lead against rival Pittsburgh with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter Saturday before a disastrous collapse. The Bearcats allowed 22 unanswered en route to a 28-27 loss. After scoring on five of its first seven offensive drives, Cincinnati ran just 17 plays for70 yards on its final four possessions.

Previous ranking:15th

15. HOUSTON COUGARS (0-2)

Houston may be winless to start the 2024 season under new head coach Willie Fritz, but the Cougars should way more fight than expected against Oklahoma Saturday in a narrow 16-12 loss. Houston had several possessions in the fourth quarter to try and pull off the upset. That first win of the new era could come soon.

Previous ranking:16th

14. COLORADO BUFFALOES (1-1)

Colorado still has issues it needs to figure out, and as a result, fell in the updated power rankings. The Buffaloes'front five could not protect Shedeur Sanders in a 28-10 loss to rival Nebraska in Week 2 and the offense now has just three touchdowns in eight red-zone trips. On a positive note, Colorado did shut out the Huskers in the second half after falling behind by four touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 10th

13. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (1-1)

After sneaking out an overtime win in Week 1, Texas Tech had another disappoint outing at Washington State — which inducted the late Mike Leach into its athletics hall of fame. The Red Raiders had four turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from quarterback Behren Morton. Texas Tech is now a combined 6-5 in August and September under head coach Joey McGuire.

Previous ranking:13th

12.BAYLOR BEARS (1-1)

Baylor should be lucky Utah quarterback Cam Rising left in the second quarter with an injury, or the Bears' 23-12 loss on the road could have been much worse. Baylor fell behind 23-0 before Rising exited with with less than two minutes before halftime. Fortunately for the head coach Dave Aranda and the Bears, this game against a Big 12 opponent was scheduled prior to conference realignment and does not count toward the league standings.

Previous ranking:11th

11. BYU COUGARS (2-0)

BYU became the last power conference team to defeat SMU, leaving Dallas with an 18-15 win. A late field goal in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in a game that lacked offense. Both teams have three turnovers. BYU is 2-0 for thefifth consecutive season, but still needs to prove it can compete with the rest of the Big 12.

Previous ranking:14th

Week 2 result: Beat Mississippi State, 30-23

Arizona State is already just one win away from matching its total from last season. The Sun Devils ran all over Mississippi State in a 30-23 win behind a career-high 262 yards from Cam Skattebo. Arizona State totaled 359 yards on the ground in its first victory against an SEC foe. An ability to close out in the second half is a bit concerning as the Bulldogs nearly erased a 27-point deficit. The Sun Devils are on the road for their next two games as the path to bowl eligibility under second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham continues.

Previous ranking: 12th

Week 2 result:BeatLong Island, 45-0

TCU handled FCS opponent Long Island in Fort Worth Saturday night behind 267 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Josh Hoover. The early Big 12 leader for completion rate (71.6%) had the Horned Frogs offense clicking before sitting out the final two possessions. Running back Cam Cook had three touchdowns. This is the first time TCU has won back-to-back games since September 2023. Momentum appears to be building for the Horned Frogs coming off a disappointing end to last season. TCU has its first Big 12 game of the season against UCF Saturday.

Previous ranking: 9th

Week 2 result:Lost to Illinois, 23-17

A Week 2 defeat at Illinois underscores that Kansas'successis closely tied to Jalon Daniels' performance. The Jayhawks quarterback had a career-high three interceptions, including a pick-6 as the Fighting Illini held on for the win in Champaign, Illinois.An interception on the opening drive seemed to set the tone for Daniels, who completed just 18 of 32 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas went up 17-13 with less than five minutes to go in the third quarter, but allowed 10 fourth-quarter points on defense. The loss also dropped the Jayhawks out of the AP Top 25 rankings. Next up is a Guaranteed Rate Bowl rematch with pesky UNLV.

Previous ranking: 5th

Week 2 result:BeatAlbany, 49-14

West Virginia needed a get-right game after suffering a loss to Penn Statein the season opener. The Mountaineers had an offensive flurry against Albany — which ranks among the FCS Top 25. West Virginia got back to its identity with 305 yards rushing, including 125 yards and a touchdown from CJ Donaldson, as well as another 100 yards from Jahiem White. Quarterback Garrett Greene was also efficient, completing 17 of 23 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. The Mountaineers are 16-1when rushing for at least 200 yards in a game since head coach Neal Brown took over in 2019.

Previous ranking: 8th

Week 2 result:BeatSam Houston, 45-14

The top scoring offense in the Big 12 is living up to expectations so far in 2024. UCF entered this season with high hopes of an efficient offensive attack with one of the best running back rooms in the nation. The Knights lead the FBS with 419 rushing yards per game through Week 2. Running back RJ Harvey rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries in a win against Sam Houston Saturday. His six rushing touchdowns on the season ranks second nationally behind only Boise State star Ashton Jeanty.

Previous ranking: 7th

Week 2 result:BeatNorthern Arizona, 22-10

After an electric offensive output in Week 1, Arizona took a big step back against FCS opponent Northern Arizona Saturday. The Wildcats actually trailed 10-6 at halftime and needed a shutout defensive in the final two quarters to get by the Lumberjacks. A safety and a 56-yard run by transfer running back Kedrick Reescano in the fourth quarter helped Arizona make it a two-score game. Star receiver Tetairoa McMillan had just two receptions for 11 yards, while quarterback Noah Fifita completed 18 of 26 passes for one touchdown with an interception. Arizonatravels to Kansas Statefor its first games against a Big 12 opponent this Friday night. However,it does not count toward the league standings because it was scheduled prior to conference realignment.

Previous ranking: 4th

Week 2 result:BeatTulane,34-27

Tulane gave Kansas State all it could handle again as the Wildcats escaped with a Week 2 non-conference win in New Orleans. The Green Wave, who stunned Kansas State in their last matchup in 2022, had the Big 12 contender on the ropes with a 10-point halftime lead. However, a fumble return for a touchdown and a late interception shifted momentum in favor of the Wildcats. Despite the win, Kansas State continues to struggle with explosive plays, tallying just five passing plays of 20 yards or more this season. That ranks 14th in the Big 12. First-year starting quarterback Avery Johnson has completed 65.9% of his throws for 334 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.

Previous ranking: 3rd

Week 2 result:Beat Arkansas, 39-31 (2OT)

Oklahoma State has messed around in the non-conference schedule before and been just fine. The Cowboys looked like they were about to get run out of Boone Pickens Stadium in Week 2 when Arkansas took an early 14-0 lead, but the Mike Gundy-led Pokes found a way to win. Oklahoma State forced three turnovers, which helped to ease the blow of nearly 650 yards gained by the Razorbacks' offense. Ollie Gordon had just 49 yards on 17 carries, but did find the end zone in double-overtime for the game-winning touchdown. It is worth noting the Cowboys did lose linebacker Collin Oliver to injury and he could miss the rest of the season.

Previous ranking:2nd

Week 2 result:Beat No. 21Iowa20-19

Iowa State deserves credit for becoming the first Big 12 team to pick up a win against a nationally ranked opponent in 2024. The Cyclones overcame a sluggish start and a 13-0 deficit to defeat rival Iowa on the road, catapulting them into the AP Top 25 entering Week 3. Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy hit a 54-yarder with less than 10 seconds remaining to stun the Hawkeyes crowd. The Cyclones have just 14 first-half points through the first two games this season, but are 2-0 for just the second time under head coach Matt Campbell.

Previous ranking:6th

Week 2 result:BeatBaylor, 23-12

Utah quarterback Cam Rising left due to injury in the second quarter during a win against Baylor in Week 2. The Utes' veteran star was in street clothes on the sideline with two fingers taped together on his throwing hand after running into a cooler out of bounds. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said postgame the injury is not believed to be serious, but is still a possible concern for the Utes. The offense failed to score points on the six drives after Rising exited. Back-to-back road games, including a showdown with Oklahoma Statein two weeks, is a critical stretch for Utah, especially with uncertainty surrounding the availability of Rising.

Previous ranking: 1st