The bye week could not have come at a better time for coach Kalani Sitake and BYU.

The Cougars faced a wave of doubt in their road matchup at Iowa State the week before. With junior running back LJ Martin out midgame and BYU falling behind 24-10 at Jack Trice Stadium, momentum appeared to be slipping away.

That’s when freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered the best performance of his young career. Bachmeier threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense forced four turnovers to rally for a 41-27 win.

The victory marked the first time in program history that BYU opened back-to-back seasons with an 8-0 record. This year, the Cougars hope the strong start leads to a Big 12 appearance — something they narrowly missed last season after losses to Kansas and Arizona State.

They will now face their biggest test yet. Ranked No. 7, BYU travels to Lubbock this weekend to meet No. 8 Texas Tech, in a matchup selected for ESPN’s College Gameday and the first Big 12 game this season to air on ABC.

A win gives the Cougars a clear path to the conference title game — barring a late-season stumble.

2. Texas Tech - 8-1 (5-1)

Senior quarterback Behren Morton returned to the field Saturday after missing two games with an ankle injury.

Morton injured himself in a 42-17 win over Kansas, leading freshman Will Hammond to step in at quarterback. Hammond performed well in limited action, but suffered a torn ACL during Texas Tech’s 42-0 win over Oklahoma State.

Morton resumed starting duties against Kansas State, starting slowly before settling in. He threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as the Red Raiders pulled away for a 43-20 victory.

Now, coach Joey McGuire’s team heads back to Jones AT&T Stadium for its biggest home game since Michael Crabtree’s walk-off touchdown beat Texas in 2008.

With a recent loss to Arizona State, Texas Tech can ill afford another setback. A second conference loss would not eliminate the Red Raiders from Big 12 title contention, but it would likely mean needing help elsewhere in the standings to reach the conference championship in Arlington.

3. Utah - 7-2 (4-2)

Utah may look back on this season and reflect on how costly each of its losses proved to be.

The Utes have dropped games to Texas Tech and rival BYU — both in frustrating fashion. The loss to Texas Tech came against backup quarterback Will Hammond, who entered the game in the third quarter. Meanwhile, in the rivalry game, Utah converted just 1 of 5 attempts on fourth down.

Aside from those setbacks, the program has experienced a strong rebound following last year’s 5-7 finish. Staying healthy has played a key role for coach Kyle Whittingham’s team.

In a 45-14 win last week, Utah leaned once again on its running game, the foundation of its offense this season. 

Sophomore running back Wayshawn Parker finished with 104 yards on 17 carries, while junior quarterback Devon Dampier added 78 yards on 14 carries. Dampier also threw for 213 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Utah appeared at No. 13 in the first College Football Playoff rankings released this week. If the Utes continue to win, they could play themselves into consideration for an at-large berth.

4. Cincinnati - 7-2 (5-1)

Last week’s loss may have been a disappointment for Cincinnati, but it should not derail the Bearcats’ season.

Despite a 45-14 defeat at No. 24 Utah, Cincinnati is 5-1 in Big 12 play and remains in position to contend for a spot in the conference championship game.

Playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Bearcats were overmatched in Salt Lake City. Junior quarterback Brenden Sorsby had one of the least efficient outings of his career, completing 11 of 33 passes with a QBR of 23.2.

Cincinnati still entered the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, coming in at No. 25 as it heads into its second bye week.

The game that looms largest for coach Scott Satterfield’s team is a Week 13 meeting with No. 7 BYU at Nippert Stadium. A win in that matchup could keep the Bearcats’ Big 12 title hopes intact, and possibly fully ignite them.

5. Arizona State - 6-3 (4-2)

Miracles can happen in college football. Whether it’s senior quarterback Jeff Sims earning Associated Press National Player of the Week honors or Arizona State continuing to compete without two of its top offensive weapons, the Sun Devils have given their fanbase reasons to believe.

Last week, ASU learned that sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt would miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Entering Saturday’s rematch of last year’s Big 12 Championship Game against Iowa State, the Sun Devils were also without junior wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who was out with a hamstring injury.

Despite being shorthanded, ASU delivered one of its grittiest performances of the season. Behind a physical defensive effort and a dominant rushing performance from Sims, the Sun Devils secured a 24-19 win.

Sims threw for 177 yards and rushed for 228, the most rushing yards by a quarterback in program history. His jersey — featuring a pink-stained right shoulder — was placed on display in the ASU Hall of Fame days later.

The Sun Devils’ defense, one of the team’s most consistent units this season, played a key role again. The Sun Devils contained Iowa State’s passing game and stopped the Cyclones’ final drive to preserve the victory.

Even with Leavitt sidelined, ASU remains in the Big 12 title conversation. With games remaining against West Virginia, Colorado and rival Arizona — and some help in the conference standings — the Sun Devils could still play their way into contention down the stretch.

6. Houston - 7-2 (4-1)

So much for the momentum Houston carried out of its 24-16 win over No. 24 Arizona State.

Ranked for the first time since joining the Big 12, the Cougars hosted West Virginia in what many fans hoped would be a statement game. Instead, it became one they will want to forget.

The afternoon began with a disappointing turnout. TDECU Stadium, which seats about 40,000, drew just 25,049 fans. It was not an ideal scene for a team making its return to the Top 25.

Once the game kicked off — in blackout uniforms on an 11 a.m. local start — things only got worse. Houston committed four turnovers, and its defense struggled to contain the Mountaineers. Although the game was tied 21-21 at halftime, West Virginia took control in the second half, capitalizing on mistakes by junior quarterback Connor Weigman.

Houston trailed 45-28 before ultimately falling 45-35.

Despite the setback, the Cougars remain in a position to stay competitive down the stretch, with a manageable schedule ahead. However, the path to the Big 12 Championship would have looked far more favorable had Houston secured last week’s win.

Up next is a Friday night road matchup under the lights in Orlando against UCF.

7. TCU - 6-2 (3-2)

TCU has quietly become one of the more overlooked teams in the Big 12.

The Horned Frogs entered conference play at 3-0 and ranked No. 24, appearing to be a potential sleeper. But momentum shifted after a 27-24 loss to Arizona State — a game in which TCU surrendered a 17-0 lead — followed by an upset loss at Kansas State that pushed the Frogs out of early title contention.

Since then, TCU has rebounded. The Horned Frogs have won two straight and now sit at 6-2, securing bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season, and now they find themselves in an under-the-radar position entering November.

TCU returns to Fort Worth this week to host Iowa State, a team searching to regain its early-season form. The Horned Frogs will need to win out to stay in the Big 12 race, with matchups against BYU and Cincinnati looming to close the regular season.

8. Arizona - 5-3 (2-3)

Perhaps the criticism of Arizona came a bit too soon.

The Wildcats entered their bye week following a 31-28 loss to Houston. That defeat initially appeared damaging, but Houston was 7-1 heading into last week before falling to West Virginia, making the result look more respectable in hindsight.

Arizona’s most telling performance came in its matchup with BYU. The Wildcats led 24-14 with about 10 minutes remaining before the Cougars rallied for a 33-27 win in double overtime. 

The loss raised questions about where the Wildcats stand in the Big 12 picture. With three conference losses, their chances of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game are slim, but the quality of those defeats suggests the team is more competitive than its record shows.

Last week, Arizona delivered its most complete conference performance of the season in a 52-17 road win at Colorado. Junior quarterback Noah Fifita went 11 of 19 for 213 yards and four touchdowns, while senior running back Ismail Mahdi rushed for 85 yards on just three carries.

While the start of men’s basketball season — highlighted by a statement win over No. 3 Florida — has drawn much of the spotlight in Tucson, the football program is showing signs of growth. Coach Brent Brennan and his staff may view this season as a foundation for a potential breakthrough in 2026.

Arizona returns home to host Kansas on Saturday.

9. Baylor - 5-4 (3-3)

It has been a frustratingly inconsistent season for the Baylor Bears.

While a bowl game remains within reach, the Bears entered the year with hopes of contending for their first conference championship since 2021. Instead, inconsistency on offense and struggles on defense have kept Baylor from taking that step forward.

Senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson has been steady for much of the season, but the offense has lacked rhythm. Combined with defensive lapses, the Bears have found themselves in the middle of the conference — competitive, but short of their preseason expectations.

Last week, however, Baylor put together one of its most complete performances of the season in a 30–3 win over UCF at home. Robertson and freshman running back Caden Knighten led a balanced offensive effort, while the defense allowed just 225 total yards and forced two fumbles.

The victory was an encouraging sign for coach Dave Aranda’s team. Baylor now looks to close the regular season strong and position itself for a solid bowl appearance.

10. Kansas State - 4-5 (3-3)

Although Kansas State has staged a near-complete turnaround this season, it has not been enough to overcome the Big 12’s top-tier teams.

The Wildcats opened the year 1-3 before winning three of their next four to return to .500 at 4-4. But with Texas Tech returning starting quarterback Behren Morton, Kansas State could not keep pace.

The Wildcats stayed within reach for much of the game, trailing 29-20 in the fourth quarter before the Red Raiders pulled away with two late touchdowns to secure the win.

Junior quarterback Avery Johnson accounted for the bulk of Kansas State’s offense, leading the team in rushing with 88 yards while scoring three total touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air. However, he also threw two interceptions.

Turnovers were the difference. Kansas State committed four in total, including fumbles by junior tight end Garrett Oakley and junior wide receiver Jayce Brown. Both turnovers were converted into Texas Tech touchdowns.

Now 4-5, the focus for coach Chris Klieman shifts to securing bowl eligibility. While the season has fallen short of expectations after entering the year ranked No. 17, reaching a bowl game would help salvage some momentum heading into the offseason.

11. Kansas - 5-4 (3-3)

Some Kansas fans may already have their attention turned toward men’s basketball — especially after a 49-17 loss to Kansas State extended the Jayhawks’ losing streak against their in-state rival to 17 games. But bowl eligibility remains within reach.

Kansas sits one win away from its first postseason appearance since 2023. The Jayhawks took a key step last week with a 38-21 win over Oklahoma State, one of the Big 12’s struggling teams. Kansas relied on its ground game, rushing for 232 yards at 5.9 yards per carry.

Senior quarterback Jalon Daniels bounced back from a difficult outing against Kansas State, delivering a steadier performance despite a limited passing role. He finished with 110 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jayhawks led only 10-7 at halftime, but a blocked 19-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half swung the momentum. Kansas capitalized from there, pulling away in the second half.

Kansas now travels to Tucson on Saturday to face Arizona, with a chance to clinch bowl eligibility and add meaningful stakes to the final stretch of the season.

12. Iowa State - 5-4 (2-4)

If there is a team that has endured a full collapse in the Big 12 this season, it is Iowa State.

A month ago, the Cyclones were 5-0 and ranked No. 12 — the highest of any team in the conference. Since then, everything has unraveled. 

Iowa State has lost four straight, including last week’s defeat to an Arizona State team playing without its starting quarterback and top wide receiver.

Injuries on defense have taken a toll, and junior quarterback Rocco Becht has struggled to maintain the consistency he showed earlier in the season. The Cyclones could not contain Arizona State’s offense, which leaned heavily on senior quarterback Jeff Sims, who rushed for more than 200 yards while repeatedly breaking through the interior of the defense.

Although Becht has been one of the most reliable late-game quarterbacks in the conference since taking over the starting job in 2023, he was unable to deliver in crunch time. Iowa State turned the ball over on a fourth-and-6 attempt in the final minutes, sealing the loss.

The defeat effectively ends any chance of the Cyclones returning to the Big 12 Championship Game.

Iowa State travels to Fort Worth this weekend to face TCU. At 5-4, the remaining priority is to secure at least one more win to reach bowl eligibility.

13. UCF - 4-4 (1-4)

At this point in the season, UCF is simply aiming to finish strong and lay a foundation for next year — a year the Knights hope mirrors the growth shown recently by programs like Houston and Cincinnati.

UCF was overmatched last week in a 30-3 loss at Baylor. The Knights struggled to generate offense, while senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson picked the defense apart.

With senior quarterback Cam Fancher missing his second straight game due to broken ribs, junior Tayven Jackson returned as the starter. The results were difficult. 

Jackson threw for 151 yards at just 4.6 yards per attempt and was intercepted twice. The run game offered little support, as UCF managed only 74 rushing yards, 50 of which came from senior running back Myles Montgomery.

The Knights have settled into the bottom tier of the Big 12 this season — not the worst team in the league, but far from contending.

Coach Scott Frost’s team now returns home for a Friday night matchup against Houston, which enters the week looking to rebound from a 45-35 upset loss to West Virginia.

14. Colorado - 3-6 (1-5)

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like Colorado had a somewhat realistic path to bowl eligibility. While that possibility still exists, recent performances suggest the road will be difficult.

After a 53-7 loss at Utah, Colorado suffered another lopsided defeat last week — this time at home in a 52-17 loss to Arizona.

In the game, the Buffaloes used four different quarterbacks, more than they used in their early-season matchup against Delaware.

Senior quarterback Kaidon Salter started and went 11 of 15 for 49 yards with a touchdown and an interception before being replaced. In the second half, sophomore quarterback Ryan Staub entered but threw interceptions on both of his pass attempts.

Freshman quarterback Julian Lewis provided the most stability under center, completing 9 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Dominiq Ponder took the final series in the closing seconds.

Lewis is expected to start this Saturday against West Virginia, marking another shift at the position as Colorado continues to search for offensive rhythm.

At 3-6, Colorado will need to win its final three games to reach bowl eligibility. The Buffaloes now enter the final stretch of the season looking to find consistency and build momentum heading into the offseason.

15. West Virginia - 3-6 (1-5)

After weeks of struggles, West Virginia delivered one of the most surprising results in the Big 12 last weekend.

The Mountaineers went on the road and upset No. 22 Houston, 45-35, snapping the Cougars’ momentum and securing one of their most complete performances of the season.

Freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. continued to show encouraging development. After throwing for more than 300 yards in a loss to TCU the previous week, Fox accounted for three touchdowns against Houston — one passing and two rushing — while totaling 157 passing yards and 65 rushing yards.

West Virginia’s run game also re-emerged after several quiet weeks, producing 246 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Mountaineers forced four turnovers, including two interceptions of junior quarterback Conner Weigman.

In a conference defined by parity, West Virginia added another unexpected result to the mix. Even in a year that has not met expectations, late-season wins like this can serve as building blocks for the program’s future.

Coach Rich Rodriguez’s team now returns home to Morgantown to host Colorado on Saturday in a game that appears very winnable.

16. Oklahoma State - 1-8 (0-6)

Even amid the significant changes the Big 12 has undergone over the past five years, one of the most notable storylines has been the decline of Oklahoma State.

With in-state rival Oklahoma departing for the SEC in 2024, the Cowboys were expected to position themselves as a consistent contender in the reshaped conference. 

Instead, Oklahoma State has dropped 15 straight league games. With Mississippi State snapping its own skid last weekend, the Cowboys now hold the longest active conference losing streak in the FBS.

Last week’s matchup against Kansas offered early signs of progress. Freshman quarterback Zane Flores returned from injury and played efficiently, while the Oklahoma State defense held firm through much of the first half. 

But the momentum didn’t last. The defense wore down after halftime, and the offense struggled to keep pace, resulting in another lopsided defeat.

Now 0-6 in Big 12 play, the question becomes whether Oklahoma State can win a conference game this season. There is a legitimate possibility the Cowboys could go two full seasons without a league victory.