After a great start to Big 12 play for Kansas Football, the Jayhawks suffered a setback in dropping a heartbreaker to Cincinnati, 37-34. KU now heads out on the road for back-to-back contests, starting Saturday night when they battle UCF in Orlando. Let’s update the Big 12 Power Rankings in advance of a full slate of football.
- Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0)
- Tech was idle last week after proving themselves in a big way on the Salt Lake in Week 4. In that one, backup QB Will Hammond was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week after replacing Behren Morton. With Morton likely back on Saturday, the Red Raiders head to battle a fellow undefeated and upstart Houston team.
- Iowa State (5-0, 2-0)
- The Cyclones keep rolling. A solid Arizona team was no match for Iowa State in Ames as the ‘clones won it big, 39-14. Carson Hansen rushed for two touchdowns. Yet another test awaits ISU as they head to Nippert Stadium to take on Cincinnati.
- BYU (4-0, 1-0)
- BYU was down two possessions early in a hostile environment in Boulder, but still found a way to win in the end, 24-21. Bear Bachmeier, who is proving to be a formidable Big 12 quarterback, ran for 98 yards and tossed two touchdowns. BYU looks to improve to 5-0 when West Virginia comes to town Friday night.
- Arizona State (4-1, 2-0)
- Two impressive victories to start Big 12 play has the Sun Devils in a good spot heading into a Week 6 bye. A week after knocking off Baylor in Waco, ASU clipped previously unbeaten TCU, 27-24. Quarterback Sam Leavitt had his best performance to date, totaling 350+ yards and three touchdowns.
- TCU (3-1, 0-1)
- After an impressive non-conference season, the Horned Frogs lost a close battle to ASU. What’s worse – TCU led this one on the road, 17-0. Quarterback Josh Hoover had a forgettable performance in throwing two picks. The Frogs have a get-right opportunity when Colorado visits Fort Worth Saturday at 6:30.
- Utah (4-1, 1-1)
- After a disappointing home loss to Texas Tech, the Utes righted the ship in a big way against West Virginia, dominating the Mountaineers 48-14. Devon Dampier threw for a career-high four touchdowns – a feel good for a Utes team heading into a bye.
- Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0)
- Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby looked the part in Cincy’s impressive 37-34 road win at Kansas. Sorsby engineered a game-winning drive, and receiver Cyrus Allen hauled in 11 catches, including both of Sorsby’s touchdown passses. Cincinnati will assuredly be ranked if they topple Iowa State at home in a marquee matchup on Saturday.
- Arizona (3-1, 0-1)
- Arizona felt great after closing out their non-conference season with a win over K-State, improving to 3-0. The Wildcats were flat, however, in their return from a bye week in Ames, losing 39-14. There’s no shame losing a tough road game, but U of A will surely be chomping at the bit when bottom-feeding Oklahoma State heads to Tuscon on Saturday.
- Houston (4-0, 1-0)
- The Cougars avoided disaster by clipping a winless Oregon State team in overtime last week, 27-24. It’s the best start since 2016 for Houston, whose quarterback Connor Weigman threw for 270 yards, including two long, crucial fourth quarter TDs. Houston has a huge opportunity to make a statement when they host unbeaten Texas Tech on Saturday.
- Kansas (3-2, 1-1)
- After blowing out West Virginia in their Big 12 opener, KU suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Cincinnati in Lawrence in Week 5. Quarterback Jalon Daniels was incredible again – accounting for 500 total yards. Daniels has thrown for 16 touchdowns compared to 2 interceptions – compared to 2024 when those numbers were 14 and 12, respectively. The Jayhawks will need to improve on third and fourth downs on both side of the ball. Next up is a trip to the Bounce House to battle UCF.
- Baylor (3-2, 1-1)
- Baylor didn’t have much issue against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, cruising 45-27. Sawyer Robertson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he threw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns in the win. The Baylor-Kansas State game Saturday at 11:00 could affect the trajectory of both teams.
- Kansas State (2-3, 1-1)
- For the first time all year, K-State came out of a game feeling alright. Prior to Saturday’s 34-20 win over UCF, K-State’s lone win was a nail-biter over FCS North Dakota. Running back Dylan Edwards, promised to be one of the best players in the conference before the season, finally shook loose in running for 166 yards. A monstrous battle – perhaps one that will go a long way in determining the fate of K-State’s season – is on tap Saturday in Waco.
- UCF (3-1, 0-1)
- UCF wasn’t tested much in the non-con, and it opened conference play with a 34-20 loss at K-State. Questions at quarterback remain, and whether it’s Cam Fancher, Tayven Jackson or Jacurri Brown – or some combination of the three – they’ll need to play well for the Knights to beat Kansas in Orlando on Saturday.
- Colorado (2-3, 0-2)
- Colorado led BYU 14-3 after the first quarter in Boulder last week, but ultimately fell by 3. Inconsistent play across the board has the Buffaloes as healthy underdogs when they visit TCU Saturday night.
- West Virginia (2-3, 0-2)
- Not even Notre-Dame-looking uniforms could help a WVU team paying rent in the dumps on Saturday. The Mountaineers were crushed by Utah in Morgantown, 48-14. There are still no answers at quarterback, as Jaylen Henderson was ineffective in his start. Perhaps Khalil Wilkins will get the keys to the car in Provo on Friday night.
- Oklahoma State (1-3, 0-1)
- It’s been another year to forget for the Cowboys on the gridiron, as they took a beating from Baylor in Stillwater in their Big 12 opener, 45-27. Interim head coach Doug Meachem will hope for better success – albeit against a good team in a good environment – when the Pokes head to Tucson to take on Arizona.
Sean Kellerman