Kansas Football had their first of three open weeks in Week 3. Aside from the important in-house things the open week provided such as an opportunity to get healthy, the Jayhawks had a chance to watch their upcoming opponent, West Virginia, and the rest of their conference foes. Let’s power rank the Big 12 teams with Week 4 on the precipice.
- Iowa State (4-0, 1-0)
- The Cyclones are deserving of the top spot by virtue of a 4-0 start, backed by strong victories over Iowa and K-State. ISU also has a win over a sneaky good Arkansas State team and a blowout victory against South Dakota. Their initial open week is upon us before they host Arizona.
- Texas Tech (3-0)
- Tech wasn’t tested in their early victories over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Kent State, and they followed it up with a third blowout victory over Oregon State. QB Behren Morton has already thrown for 11 touchdowns. A big one at Utah on Saturday is on deck.
- Utah (3-0)
- The Utes have been shot out of a cannon following a disappointing 2024 campaign. They’ve cruised to a 3-0 start with blowout wins over UCLA, Cal Poly and Wyoming. Utah’s defense is allowing an average of 8.33 points per game. Texas Tech is next.
- Arizona (3-0)
- After blowing out Hawaii and Weber State, Arizona closed on their non-conference slate with a “non-con” game against K-State, winning 23-17 in Tucson. Noah Fifita has six TDs and no interceptions.
- BYU (2-0)
- The Cougars have allowed just 3 points total through two games this season, blanking Portland State 69-0 and disposing of Stanford 27-3. The defense has been strong enough to where the Cougars haven’t yet felt the loss of former QB Jake Retzlaff.
- TCU (2-0)
- TCU made a statement in their opening-week victory over North Carolina. A 42-21 victory over Abilene Christian followed, but the Frogs should be tested more when they host SMU on Saturday.
- Houston (3-0, 1-0)
- The Cougars tied Iowa State atop the Big 12 when their conference season started last week with a 36-20 win over Colorado. QB Connor Weigman has been solid through three victories. The Cougars have an open week before heading to Corvallis to battle Oregon State.
- Arizona State (2-1)
- ASU’s lone loss was on the road to an SEC team when they lost to Mississippi State in Week 2. That was sandwiched around victories over Northern Arizona and Texas State. QB Sam Leavitt’s play has been inconsistent at times. The Sun Devils open their conference slate Saturday night in Waco.
- Kansas (2-1)
- KU had no issue with Fresno State or Wagner to open their season before falling in Columbia to Missouri, 42-31. QB Jalon Daniels was superb in the non-conference season, tossing nine touchdowns. Coming off their first of three open weeks, the Jayhawks host a beatable West Virginia team on Saturday.
- Baylor (2-1)
- After losing to Auburn in their home opener, Baylor beat SMU in double overtime before coasting past Samford. QB Sawyer Robertson has been exceptional – he’s already thrown for 1,070 yards and ten touchdowns. A big one is on tap for Saturday when the Bears host Arizona State.
- UCF (2-0)
- The Knights had a closer-than-anticipated win over Jacksonville State in their opener, 17-10, before blowing out North Carolina A&T 68-7. A few questions should be answered on Saturday when they host Bill Belichick and North Carolina.
- Cincinnati (2-1)
- Cincinnati lost a nail-biter to Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium in the opener before beating Bowling Green and Northwestern State. QB Brendan Sorsby has already accounted for a dozen touchdowns. Cincy enjoys an open week before heading to Lawrence in Week 5.
- West Virginia (2-1)
- Things were looking bleak for WVU when they lost at Ohio in Week 2 and lost running back Jaheim White for the season. Last week, Rich Rodriguez’s squad bounced back with an overtime win over Pitt in the backyard brawl. Some questions still remain at the QB position, but southpaw Nicco Marchiol was solid in Week 3. A trip to Lawrence is on tap for Saturday.
- Kansas State (1-3, 0-1)
- It’s been a disastrous start to the season for Chris Kleiman’s team. After losing a close one to Iowa State in Dublin in Week 0, K-State needed a late comeback to topple FCS North Dakota. The Cats then lost to Army at home and lost technically another non-conference game at Arizona. QB Avery Johnson threw for just 88 yards in Tucson. After an open week, K-State hopes to get right when they host UCF in Week 5.
- Colorado (1-2, 0-1)
- Through three games, Deion’s dudes have losses to Georgia Tech and Houston, with their lone win coming at home against Delaware. Their non-con finale comes Saturday against Wyoming before an opportunity comes calling when BYU visits Boulder in Week 5.
- Oklahoma State (1-1)
- Mike Gundy brought Oklahoma State to national prominence, but coming off a disastrous 2024 season where the Cowboys went 0-9 in conference play, the Pokes are 1-1 with a 69-3 loss at Oregon. QB Hauss Hejny is out for an extended time with a broken foot, and backup Zane Flores threw for just 67 yards and two picks in Eugene. The Pokes host Tulsa Friday night before opening conference play against Baylor.
Sean Kellerman