As conference play begins, Traver Cox shares his take on where the Big 12 teams stand. 

1. No. 9 BYU (3-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Last ranking: 2

Despite not playing the toughest competition, BYU has impressed so far this season. In Week 3, the Cougars took care of Colorado State (2-1) on the road with ease, winning 41-23. 

BYU’s offense has dominated the young season, averaging 44 points per game through Week 3, behind sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier and senior running back LJ Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Martin recorded his first 100-yard rushing performance against the Rams last Saturday, racking up 176 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns despite carrying the ball only 15 times. 

The Cougars’ defense has also looked good up to this point, even against conference foe Arizona, where they only allowed 17 points. The unit has held both FBS teams that they have played under 100 rushing yards. 

BYU has been outstanding in 2026, but it hasn’t faced a particularly tough opponent yet either. 

The Cougars have a bye week in Week 4, during which they will rest and prepare to play TCU the following week.

2. No. 11 Texas Tech (3-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Last ranking: 1

The Red Raiders have the best win in the conference this season, narrowly edging No. 25 Houston (2-1) 28-26 at home last Friday night. Although Texas Tech beat the Cougars, its offense got off to another slow start, scoring 0 points in the first quarter and quickly finding itself down 10-0. 

The offense did just enough for the Red Raiders to win on Friday, a common theme for them over the past two years. Sophomore quarterback Will Hammond had a decent performance against Houston, posting 257 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but did little to dispel doubts about whether he can elevate the offense. 

The Red Raiders undeniably have the best resume in the conference right now, but their relatively uninspiring paths to victory have led me to drop them from the No. 1 spot. 

I truly believe the offensive struggles will catch up to Texas Tech eventually, even if it's not soon. 

The Red Raiders host Sam Houston (1-2) at home this weekend in what should be an easy win in their last non-conference matchup of the season. 

3. No. 15 Utah (3-0)

Last ranking: 3

The Utes have seemingly not lost a step under new coach Morgan Scalley. There were many questions about the team in the offseason, but the turmoil seems largely fabricated, as the program continues to operate at a very high level. 

Utah cruised to a 3-0 record in a 33-0 rout of Utah State (0-3) last Saturday. Although the competition has been relatively weak for Utah so far this season, the Utes have been excellent. 

The offense is extremely explosive, averaging 47 points per game until now. Senior quarterback Devon Dampier is the nucleus of the offense and largely spearheads one of the nation’s best rushing offenses. Also, the defense has been outstanding through three games, only allowing 24 total points on the year. 

The key for the Utes achieving the goals they want to is consistency, something they have struggled with in the past. Utah simply cannot afford not to make the conference title game in order to make the College Football Playoff. 

Scalley’s squad has the chance to start conference play on the right foot on the road at Iowa State (2-1) Saturday, in a game in which they are favored by only a touchdown. 

4. No. 25 Houston (2-1, 0-1 Big 12)

Last ranking: 4

The Cougars came up mere inches short on the game-tying two-point conversion attempt against Texas Tech. Houston certainly showed a lot of good against the Red Raiders, but ultimately, not winning matters. 

Senior quarterback Connor Weigman was superb, especially down the stretch last Friday night, when he had 333 total yards and three touchdown passes. Senior wide receiver Amare Thomas also continued to shine against Texas Tech, posting seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Houston's offense seems like it will certainly be a strength for the squad. 

The defense played very well itself last Friday, but the inability to limit explosive plays ultimately doomed them. The Red Raiders amassed nine plays that gained over 20 yards. 

While Willie Fritz’s squad would certainly have preferred a win last Friday night, they can still be a conference contender and achieve many of the goals they set out to achieve. 

The Cougars avoid BYU on the schedule this year, with their toughest remaining matchup being at Utah in Week 8. 

Houston plays a Sun Belt squad in Georgia Southern (1-2) on the road this weekend, which is uncommon among Power Four teams. The Cougars should easily rebound from their brutal loss on Saturday before heading into the thick of conference play. 

5. Kansas State (3-0)

Last ranking: 5

The Wildcats remained undefeated in their non-conference slate after beating Tulane (1-2) at home last weekend. Collin Klein’s team did not quite dominate the Green Wave as expected, but they took care of business nonetheless, 31-20. 

The most encouraging part of the Wildcats’ outing against Tulane was certainly how senior quarterback Avery Johnson played, as he did not turn the ball over once and racked up 379 total yards and two rushing touchdowns. Johnson recorded 152 yards rushing and touchdowns on only 12 attempts, producing a ridiculous 12.7 yards per carry. The rushing offense was relatively poor outside of Johnson on Saturday, as their usually explosive running-back room managed only 44 yards on 21 carries. 

The defense has continued to overachieve for Kansas State as well, sacking the quarterback six times last weekend while limiting the Green Wave to 260 total yards. 

The Wildcats have a chance to continue their hot start when they head on the road to play conference opponent Cincinnati (3-0) this Saturday. 

All signs so far point to Kansas State once again being an upper-echelon team in the Big 12, and they have the chance to prove just that this weekend and the following weekend when they host No. 25 Houston. 

6. Arizona State (2-1, 1-0 Big 12)

Last ranking: 6

The Sun Devils are fresh off a win to start conference play against Kansas in London last Saturday, in the first FBS football game in England. The offense was merely decent against the Jayhawks, only managing 220 yards and 17 points in their 24-17 victory. Senior wide receiver Reed Harris continued to show out for ASU, recording four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown last weekend, nearly accounting for half of junior quarterback Cutter Boley’s 95 yards passing in the contest. 

The defense was outstanding in London, not even allowing their opponent a single snap in the red zone and allowing only 6/16 third-down conversions. 

The Sun Devils swung the game drastically in what coach Kenny Dillingham calls “the middle eight,” the four minutes before and after halftime. At the end of the first half, the offense capitalized on a special teams blunder by Kansas, which punted the ball just 17 yards, leaving ASU with only 25 yards to the end zone. Previously mentioned Harris caught a 25-yard touchdown pass to end the half, followed by senior receiver Jaren Hamilton’s kick-return touchdown to start the second half. 

The Sun Devils won despite a sloppy effort last weekend, but have plenty of time to reflect and recuperate as they head into their bye week. 

7. West Virginia (3-0)

Last ranking: 16

The Mountaineers put the nation on notice last weekend when they took down then-No. 25 Virginia (2-1) at a neutral site, 38-27. A team that was largely overlooked by many, myself included, entering the season seems to have found its footing, as its rushing offense continues to suffocate opponents. 

Senior quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and senior running back Cam Cook combined for 246 rushing yards against the Cavaliers, proving that their offense can operate at a high level against good competition. 

The most encouraging thing about West Virginia's offensive performance is that they were also able to get the job done through the air when needed. Hawkins Jr. passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns while playing turnover-free football. The rhythm this team has gained thus far on offense is undeniable. 

The defense was not outstanding for the Mountaineers, but they were simply good enough to get the job done. If the defense can be an average unit while the offense continues playing the way it does, this team can seriously make some noise in the Big 12. 

West Virginia has a chance to continue its terrific start to the season when it hosts Oklahoma State (2-1) this weekend, in a contest that will certainly be crucial to the conference standings, as I believe these teams are of similar caliber at this point. 

Rich Rodriguez is well on his way to not only securing his job as head coach, but also potentially bringing the program back to life. 

8. Oklahoma State (2-1)

Last ranking: 7

The Cowboys easily disposed of FCS opponent Murray State last weekend, 59-0, coming off the high of upsetting then-ranked No. 6 Oregon (2-1) in Week 2. Eric Morris seems to have his star quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, extremely comfortable in the new environment they are both in. 

Mestemaker is proving that his unforgettable freshman campaign last year was not a fluke. The offense for this team will be terrific all year, with playmakers at all skill positions like wide receiver Wyatt Young and running back Caleb Hawkins.  The offensive line play proved to be just good enough as well. Showcased against Oregon. 

The defense will certainly remain the question for this squad throughout the season, but if the unit can just be average, the Pokes could be a dark-horse contender in the conference. The rushing defense specifically will need to show up this Saturday for the Cowboys. 

Oklahoma State has the chance to start conference play on the right foot when it travels to Morgantown to play West Virginia (3-0) this weekend in a consequential conference matchup. 

Despite the early road bump in a Week 1 loss against rival Tulsa, the Cowboys seem to be back on track as a very solid team that can compete with any team in the conference, far removed from their dreadful 1-11 campaign last year. 

There is once again hope in Stillwater as the program seems to be reviving itself.

9. TCU (2-1)

Last ranking: 11

The Horned Frogs have seemingly gotten their feet underneath them after an uncharacteristic Week 0 loss to North Carolina (2-1).

TCU took care of Sun Belt opponent Arkansas State (1-2) in a game in which it looked like the team many of us are accustomed to watching under coach Sonny Dykes. 

The Frogs racked up 468 yards of offense, with 337 of those coming through the air, reminding everyone they might still have a good offense. Senior quarterback Jaden Craig looked similar to his form at Harvard last weekend, tossing three touchdowns and one interception.

TCU’s defense also seems to have some life, although the competition outside North Carolina has been relatively weak. 

If the offense can operate at the usual level they have under Sonny Dykes during conference play, there is no reason this team cannot make noise in the conference. The air raid offense is slowly being phased out of the forefront of football offenses in general, but the Horned Frogs still run the system at a high level. 

Although the Week 0 loss will certainly hurt this team’s resume, they have yet to begin conference play and could still make a lot of noise in a chaotic and unpredictable conference. With this being said, the schedule in conference play is not favorable for TCU, as they end up playing BYU, Texas Tech and Utah. 

The Horned Frogs have the opportunity to pick up a conference win this weekend when they travel to UCF (2-1). 

The good news for Dykes’ squad is that the season is still in its early goings, with all nine conference matchups ahead of them. 

10. Cincinnati (3-0)

Last ranking: 12

Cincinnati has looked extremely solid this season, taking care of Boston College (2-1) in Week 1 and ultimately ending their non-conference play undefeated. 

The reason Cincinnati is this low on the list is my prior opinion of the team: they are nothing but decent, and they had to mount a 21-point comeback to beat MAC opponent Miami (1-2) 35-31 at home. 

The offense for the Bearcats has certainly been the bright spot of the team so far, as they are averaging just under 44 points per game. Despite questions about the quarterback position with Brendan Sorsby leaving in the offseason, transfer JC French IV has looked very serviceable so far. 

The offense ran the ball with ease last weekend, as junior running back Cole Tabb recorded 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns on only six carries. I do believe that Cincinnati's offensive output can continue somewhat into conference play, but their defense will ultimately hold the team back from making any real noise in the conference. 

Miami is a very solid mid-major team, but allowing 31 points and 407 total yards of offense to any team is not a particularly good look. 

Ultimately, I believe the Bearcats will simply be a mediocre team in the conference once again as questions about coach Scott Satterfield’s job continue to arise.

11. Arizona (2-1, 0-1 Big 12)

Last ranking: 8

The Wildcats' offense has not looked as outstanding this season as many expected.

I continue to question whether the supporting cast surrounding senior quarterback Noah Fifita is good enough to help Arizona replicate last season's success. The Wildcats have struggled to run the ball this season, failing to eclipse 100 yards on the ground in either of their two games against FBS opponents. 

The defense has also been nothing special for Brent Brennan’s squad this year, surrendering 17 points to a lifeless Northern Illinois (0-3) squad last weekend. 

Arizona is bound for some regression this year, simply due to the amount of high-end talent they lost to graduation and the offseason draft. The Wildcats’ conference schedule is a gauntlet this year, as they face Texas Tech and Utah, and have already played BYU. 

Because Arizona played conference opponent BYU in Week 2, it will finish its non-conference slate this weekend when they head to Pullman to play Washington State (1-2). 

The Wildcats certainly could still make a little bit of noise in the Big 12 and maybe even make a bowl game, but I do not think they will be near the top of the conference come the end of the season. 

12. Baylor (2-1)

Last ranking: 10

The Bears turned in a solid performance last weekend when they beat Louisiana Tech (1-2) 36-19, without their starting quarterback DJ Lagway. The offense managed to operate at a decent level without Lagway, and the defense additionally played very inspired football. 

The rushing offense will certainly need to find its footing heading into conference play, as the offensive line remains a question mark for the team. 

The defense may end up being more of a strength for Baylor than I thought it would be, especially given that they played Louisiana Tech last weekend. If the defensive performance in Week 1 against Auburn is indicative of how the unit will look this year, Baylor could see itself in conference contention. 

If the offense can find a rhythm this weekend against conference opponent Colorado (2-1) in Lagway’s return, the narrative about the team and head coach Dave Aranda could shift quickly. 

Aranda is fighting for his job, to put it frankly, and needs to turn in a season where his team is at least in the race for the conference title to keep his position, in my opinion. 

13. Colorado (2-1)

Last ranking: 9

The Buffaloes stifled any talk of them being a real threat in the Big 12 when they were routed by Northwestern (2-0), 41-7, on the road last weekend. 

The offensive struggles seen in Week 1 against Georgia Tech (1-2) persisted against the Wildcats, as Deion Sanders’ squad turned the ball over four times and converted only 3/12 third-down attempts. Quarterback Julian Lewis seems lost on the field and seemingly has not really improved that much since arriving at Colorado.

The trenches that I was praising just a week ago got dominated by Northwestern on both sides of the ball. The Buffaloes even allowed quarterback Aidan Chiles to rack up five touchdowns last Saturday. 

The outlook for this program, once again, seems bleak, as they will likely be fighting for bowl eligibility all season. A team I thought had some potential in the preseason has shown it is largely just as flawed as it was a year ago, when it finished 4-8.

14. Iowa State (2-1)

Last ranking: 14

Iowa State has certainly looked very solid this year, especially considering it lost its entire staff and roster in the offseason. 

The offense looked terrific last weekend against Bowling Green (0-3), posting 507 yards of offense to go along with 55 points in their crushing defeat of the Falcons, 55-7. Iowa State’s rushing offense specifically looked incredible on Saturday. Junior running back Aiden Flora exploded for 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries. 

The defense has also been extremely solid for the Cyclones, allowing only 10 points per game so far. 

First-year head coach Jimmy Rogers has seemingly done a great job at building a solid team from the ground up following the offseason turmoil Iowa State experienced over the summer. 

The Cyclones have the opportunity to start conference play off with a massive upset as they play host to No. 15 Utah. Despite low expectations for Iowa State entering the year, it’s only a one-touchdown underdog this weekend. 

Overall, Jimmy Rogers has seemingly done a magnificent job of rebuilding a program that was left in shambles mere months ago, and while they might not make a bowl game this year, I am much more optimistic about their future than I was in the preseason. 

15. UCF (2-1)

Last ranking: 15

The Knights once again seem to be a potential bottom-feeder in the Big 12, as they played an extremely close game against Sun Belt opponent Georgia State (2-1), which they won 44-30. 

The offense has already shown early struggles, managing only seven points in a Week 2 loss to Pittsburgh. 

On top of the already bleak outlook on this side of the ball, transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III was injured in the game against Pittsburgh, rendering him out for at least the next three weeks with a hamstring injury. 

The defense also seems to be nothing special for UCF, allowing a mid-major team to rack up 30 points and 485 yards of offense. 

Scott Frost’s squad has the chance to start conference play off with a win when they host TCU (2-1) this weekend. Unfortunately, the Knights seem set to fight for bowl eligibility once again, as head coach Scott Frost’s seat continues to get hotter.

16. Kansas (1-2, 0-1 Big 12)

Last ranking: 11

The Jayhawks seemed lethargic in a 24-17 loss to Arizona State in London last Saturday. 

The offense remains the issue for Kansas, as it mustered only 10 points despite totaling 414 yards. The Jayhawks struggle mightily to finish drives, and sophomore quarterback Isaiah Marshall seems lost despite the athletic talent he clearly possesses. 

Kansas’s defense has been solid so far, though the unit will likely struggle given how much time it's spent on the field. Junior defensive end Leroy Harris III has been a bright spot this season for the Jayhawks, already forcing two fumbles and recording a sack. 

The Jayhawks have a bye week before they take on Middle Tennessee State (2-1) the following week. Kansas will certainly need to answer questions on offense to be successful this year. 

Lance Leipold’s seat continues to get hotter as the mediocrity continues for the Jayhawks.