- No. 11 Utah (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Last ranking: 1
The Utes proved again last week they have one of the country’s best offenses after a 41-24 win over Kansas (2-3) at home. Utah's running offense took over as usual, posting 287 rushing yards.
Senior quarterback Devon Dampier had another great day and continues to fly under the radar in my opinion. Dampier racked up 306 yards and four total touchdowns while throwing an interception.
The defense certainly showcased some flaws last Saturday, particularly in its secondary.
A below-average Kansas offense posted 333 yards passing. The Utes certainly have to improve in this facet of the game, especially if it has aspirations of a playoff berth.
While the team has looked great so far, it has not been truly tested at all through five games. The hardest opponent Utah has played this year is Iowa State (3-3) on the road, which is not an especially hard matchup, especially for a team as good as the Utes.
Morgan Scalley’s squad faces No. 20 Houston at home next weekend in its hardest game of the season aside from its rivalry game against BYU. Utah looks to extend its undefeated season on the road against a struggling Colorado (2-3) team this weekend.
2. No. 8 BYU (5-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Last ranking: 2
The Cougars are certainly still among the best teams in the Big 12, but I question whether they have a fatal flaw that will hold them back.
While BYU’s offense is terrific, its passing attack has certainly struggled, especially against TCU (2-3), posting only 62 yards.
Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier is a prolific rusher for the position but has showcased serious limitations through the air. This, along with the injury to star senior running back LJ Martin, could derail the team, especially against top-tier opponents like the one BYU plays this Saturday.
The defense, on the other hand, is incredible and has proven itself to be among the best in the entire country. The Cougars’ defense is allowing only 13.4 points per game and limiting opponents to a measly 80 yards on the ground.
This unit is the strength of the team and will certainly be vital to the Cougars accomplishing more than they have in the past two seasons.
While I do not fully trust the offense, BYU is still one of the best teams in the conference and will be in the race for the Big 12 title all season.
The Cougars play host to No. 2 Notre Dame (6-0) this weekend in what could be the biggest game in Provo history. BYU has the chance to make a statement to the nation this weekend.
3. No. 10 Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Last ranking: 3
Despite all the hype around the Red Raiders, I am still not fully convinced they will play for the Big 12 championship, let alone the playoffs.
The offense is the main reason I believe this, as it has shown numerous inconsistencies throughout the season. Specifically, the passing offense has been mediocre, only averaging 227 yards per game through the air.
I continue to believe that sophomore quarterback Will Hammond III is not good and will ultimately hold the team back from competing on the national stage, much like we saw in its 28-3 playoff loss to Oregon last year.
The rushing offense remains the unit's strength and is among the best in the conference. That said, I think there has certainly been regression for Texas Tech on the offensive line.
On the other hand, the defense is dominating everybody in its way once again. The unit is only allowing 16.2 points per game and seems to be at least somewhat maintaining the defensive success they saw last year.
While the defense has performed so far, I question whether it is a truly elite unit and believe it lacks high-end talent.
The Red Raiders are coming off a bye week and host Arizona State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12), a team that gave the program one of its two losses on the year, this upcoming weekend.
4. No. 20 Houston (5-1, 2-1 Big 12)
Last ranking: 5
While the Cougars haven’t dominated their competition so far this season, they have won all the games they were supposed to. The team has even staved off an upset attempt at home against UCF (3-3), going down 17-0 before eventually winning.
The offense is just about as good as advertised for Houston, averaging an incredible 40 points per game so far. The rushing attack is the driving force behind the dominance on offense, racking up 230 yards per game, good for 11th-best in the nation.
Despite the rushing game being the catalyst, the passing offense is also quite good. Senior quarterback Connor Weigman has already thrown for 21 touchdowns while turning the ball over only twice.
The main difference so far for the Cougars between this year and last is the defense. What was an average unit last year has stepped up so far and stood out last weekend, allowing 16 points on the road against Kansas State (3-2).
In particular, the rushing defense is suffocating for Houston, allowing only 74 yards per game, the fourth-best mark in the country heading into Week 7. The strength of both sides of the ball is what makes the Cougars such an interesting team in the Big 12 this year.
With that said, it is likely that Houston will have to win this Saturday against No. 18 Oklahoma State (4-1) if it wants to make the conference title game and potentially the playoffs. The team has already lost a game in conference play, which cannot be said for any of the other teams in my top five
To finish, Willie Fritz’s squad certainly has all the tools to truly compete this year; it will just be a matter of consistency that decides its fate.
5. No. 18 Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12)
Last ranking:
The Cowboys possess one of the most explosive offenses in the entire country, and that has been on display throughout the last few weeks. The unit is averaging an incredible 38.2 points per game, which is even more impressive considering the team scored 10 points in Week 1.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is among the best in the entire nation and continues to make himself more of a household name as the weeks pass. The turnovers certainly need to be limited better, but Mestemaker has one of the better arms I have ever seen at the collegiate level and can make nearly every throw on the field.
The weapons surrounding him are also terrific, with sophomore running back Caleb Hawkins and junior wide receiver Wyatt Young as headliners.
Although the offense is among the nation’s best, the defense is nowhere near that and will be the reason the team does not play in the Big 12 championship game.
One thing that the defense has done well is get timely stops, especially against Big 12 competition. I just question how much this trend will hold up, especially as its schedule gets tougher.
Oklahoma State has a massive opportunity to cement itself in the running for the Big 12 championship game this weekend when it heads on the road to play No. 20 Houston (5-1). If the Cowboys win this game, there is a real chance they could accomplish far more than anyone thought possible in year one under new coach Eric Morris.
6. Baylor (4-1, 2-0 Big 12)
Last ranking: 6
The Bears are one of the most surprising teams in the conference, as the usual flaw for the team, defense, has actually been the strength of the squad so far.
The last time the team took the field, they routed Arizona State on the road 55-19 in a statement win. The offense is coming along as the year progresses, with junior quarterback DJ Lagway getting healthier.
The rushing offense was similarly dominant in Tempe, racking up 244 yards. If the offense can gain some consistency, there is no reason they cannot contend for the Big 12.
This is all said without mentioning the dominant defense. The unit is allowing only 14.2 points per game, which ranks 11th-best in the country. The combined dominance of these two units makes Baylor a true threat in the conference, completely flipping the preseason narrative about the program.
Head coach Dave Aranda went from fighting for his job to being comfortable for the moment, but he must continue the success. The program seems to be truly rebounding.
The team will play TCU (2-3) at home coming off of a bye week.
7. Arizona (5-1, 2-1 Big 12)
Last ranking: 7
The Wildcats proved they are once again a force to be reckoned with in the conference with another convincing road win over West Virginia, 52-31.
The offense is pleasantly surprising and has been quite good despite questions surrounding the unit heading into the year.
Despite turning the ball over four times this year, senior quarterback Noah Fifita is undoubtedly elevating the team. He’s posted 19 touchdowns and has been the catalyst for the offense.
The defense has also been surprisingly strong, allowing only 19 points per game this season. In contrast to last year, the defense's front seven is the driving force, as Arizona does a terrific job of stopping the run.
Overall, the team is very good but will fail to truly compete at the top of the conference due to the difficulty of its schedule. The Wildcats have already played No. 8 BYU (5-0) and are yet to face No. 10 Texas Tech (5-0) and No. 11 Utah (5-0).
Due to the gauntlet the team faces, I do not think it will be in the conference title game come December. Arizona will enjoy a bye this week.
8. Cincinnati (4-1, 1-1 Big 12)
Last ranking: 8
The Bearcats are undeniably much better than many across the country thought they would be so far, but I question how much longer their success will last.
The last time we saw Cincinnati play, they scored only seven points in a blowout 34-7 loss to Arizona (5-1).
The offense is, frankly, average at best and will certainly struggle to move the ball through the air against Big 12 teams. The rushing offense also seems good but not great, as it has faltered against better competition.
The defense is also not particularly good. The unit has surrendered 26.5 points per game against FBS opponents, which, in my opinion, is not enough to carry the team to above-average status.
Scott Satterfield has done a great job this year, but his teams always seem to trail off and flounder near the end of the year. For instance, the team was ranked at one point last season and finished 7-6.
This is all said to say I am not buying into the team’s early successes and find them largely due to weak competition.
The Bearcats are playing West Virginia (3-3) at home this weekend with a chance to move to an impressive 5-1 record to start the season.
9. Kansas State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 9
The Wildcats have proven that, in their current iteration, they are too flawed to compete in the conference for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, the defense seems to be suspect, especially as the team has entered conference play. The unit allowed 66 points combined in its first two Big 12 games of the season. This is also said without mentioning that it was against a subpar Cincinnati (4-1) offense.
On top of the defensive flaws, the team’s offense is not anything special. Last weekend, Kansas State struggled to put up 16 points against No. 20 Houston (5-1) at home.
Senior quarterback Avery Kohnson does not seem capable of elevating the team, especially in its current state. The offensive line is good but nothing special, and the run game reflects that as well, being very solid but not outstanding.
I still believe that Coach Collin Klein is the right man for the job, but the results may take a little longer than I anticipated. After a hot start to the season, Klein’s squad has dropped its last two games to start conference play.
The Wildcats hope to get back on track this weekend when they host their in-state rival Kansas (2-3).
10. Iowa State (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 10
The Cyclones have been one of the more surprising teams in the conference, managing to stay afloat despite loads of offseason turmoil surrounding the program.
The program has done a terrific job navigating the staff and roster changes, and it is showing immediately. While Iowa State is only 3-3, it has already played two of the top three teams in the conference, Utah and BYU.
The offense is the main part of the surprise and has been an efficient unit so far. Sophomore running back Aiden Flora is phenomenal, breaking onto the scene and ranked sixth in the country in yards rushing with seven touchdowns to go along with them.
The passing offense is still quite questionable, but it does not seem to be holding the team back as much as I thought it would.
The defense is definitely below average, but has shown the ability to get timely stops and adjust when needed. If the defense can continue to play at its current level, there is no reason the Cyclones can not make a bowl game, which is not something I thought I would be saying about this team with zero returning starters.
First-year head coach Jimmy Rogers has really impressed me so far, and is quickly working to keep Iowa State at the level of relevance it’s used to in the 21st century. The team is currently enjoying a bye week.
11. Arizona State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
Last ranking: 11
The Sun Devils took care of inferior opponent Hawaii (1-5) last week, but it was far from an inspiring performance.
The offense played well but not up to the standard that many thought it would be operating at.
Junior transfer quarterback Cutter Boley has showcased real limitations so far, especially regarding his pocket presence. Boley is also clearly limited in his mobility, which is not necessarily a bad thing for quarterbacks like him, but when paired with subpar pocket presence, it creates a bad equation. It certainly does not help that the offensive line is among the worst in the conference, and Boley is constantly under pressure.
The defense has been an encouraging unit for ASU so far, but has proven it is not an elite unit after allowing 55 points to Baylor (4-1). In my opinion, the Sun Devils simply aren't maximizing the talent on their roster and are playing well below their ceiling.
I understand the offensive and defensive lines are not as good as in previous years, but it truly feels like the team does not have a chance to compete against the top teams in the conference.
Kenny Dillingham and his staff must feel they are not maximizing the team's talent, and the program must do so to succeed, given its near-bottom ranking in total spending.
Overall, this year is not ideal for ASU, and I find it hard to believe they can turn it around with road games against No. 8 BYU and No. 10 Texas Tech. ASU heads on the road to play Texas Tech this weekend in what will undoubtedly be an uphill battle.
12. UCF (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 12
The Knights competed with No. 18 Oklahoma State for three quarters on the road last week but ultimately fell short, as the Cowboys pulled away in the fourth and won 42-28.
The passing offense looked its best all year last weekend, but it was against one of the more mediocre defenses in the conference. The team still does not have its starting quarterback playing either. The offense is not bad, but it will struggle to be anything special, especially in the Big 12.
On top of this, the team does not have an outstanding defense either. After a few great defensive outings to start the year, such as allowing only 12 points against Pittsburgh (5-1), the defense seems to be at least an above-average unit.
This team seems like nothing but a decent squad in the Big 12 and will struggle to make any real noise in the conference, in my opinion. Overall, I still believe head coach Scott Frost is fighting for his job this year, and he needs to improve quickly for it to be secure.
UCF has to make a bowl game, at the very least, to maintain some level of optimism around the program. The Knights will enjoy a bye this week, as they gear up to host No. 8 BYU (5-0) in Week 8.
13. West Virginia (3-3, 0-3 Big 12)
Last ranking: 13
The Mountaineers have been mightily struggling ever since conference play began this season.
After a good start to the season where the squad was 3-0, it has had a brutal start to conference play. West Virginia is 0-3 in Big 12 play while allowing 46 points per game.
The flaw I feared would be fatal for the team seems to be that the defense cannot compete.
The offense has been pleasantly surprising all year, but especially the rushing offense. The team is still averaging 295 yards rushing per game this season, good for fifth in the nation. The combination of senior transfer running back Cam Cook and sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is a backfield duo that any team in the conference will struggle to stop.
That said, the Mountaineers’ defense is too bad for them to accomplish anything meaningful. If the defense is going to be routinely surrendering 40 or more points in conference play, I believe the team could struggle to make a bowl game.
The unit's weakness is the passing defense, which is third-worst in the entire FBS. With this caliber of defense, I find it hard to believe the team will accomplish anything this year, let alone make a bowl game.
Overall, this team came back down to earth just as fast as they lifted off, and looks to steady the ship this week against Cincinnati (4-1) at home.
14. TCU (2-3, 0-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 14
The Horned Frogs have been one of the Big 12’s most disappointing teams this year. A team that was widely thought to be at least a conference contender coming into the year is still searching for its first win against a Power Four opponent.
The usually explosive TCU offense has been below average this year, nullifying the team's perceived strength. Senior transfer quarterback Jaden Craig has not been what coach Sonny Dykes expected, as he has largely disappointed this season and is a large reason why the offense is not as good as in previous years.
The defense has been encouraging for certain so far, but they can only do so much, especially in an offensively driven conference. The defense is allowing an impressive 13.4 points per game so far, good for the eighth-best mark in the nation.
As the season continues and things keep getting worse for the Horned Frogs, I continue to question how much longer Sonny Dykes can keep hot-seat talk at bay, as the team may struggle to make a bowl game. The national championship run under Dykes was a fluke. I am comfortable saying that much right now, and I believe that he should be seriously concerned about his job.
TCU heads on the road to play Baylor (4-1) in an intrastate clash this weekend.
15. Colorado (2-3, 0-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 15
The last time Deion Sanders’ squad played, it was another incredibly anemic performance, specifically offensively.
The Buffaloes seemingly have no clue how to move the ball, especially through the air, as they threw four interceptions against No. 10 Texas Tech.
The defense doesn’t seem to be a bad unit, but because it's on the field so much, it can not really find a rhythm. Colorado is only allowing 25.4 points per game despite its poor record.
I truly believe that Deion Sanders should be fired at the end of the year if things continue to trend the way they are. After a disastrous year last year, it continues to seem like Sanders is not a floor raiser and, quite frankly, is not a good enough coach to hang around in Boulder for years to come.
The guy who was widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the sport just two years ago after a terrific 9-4 season. If the Buffaloes do not make a bowl game this year, I do not see any reason Sanders should stick around.
Colorado hosts No. 11 Utah (5-0) this weekend in an old Pac-12 matchup.
16. Kansas (2-3, 0-2 Big 12)
Last ranking: 16
The Jayhawks were surprisingly competitive last weekend against Utah, but I do not think that is indicative of how the team will play down the stretch. Kansas had the game within two possessions, with a chance to cut it to one.
The passing offense was far better than it has looked in any outing this year. Sophomore quarterback Isaiah Marshall posted 333 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Last weekend marked his best performance of the year, and if it can be built upon, the Jayhawks could end up turning their season around somewhat.
However, the rushing offense remains inconsistent and holds the team back.
On the other hand, the defense has been an issue for Kansas so far, as it is allowing 34 points per game against Power Four opponents this year. On top of this, Kansas has yet to beat a Power Four opponent and has looked largely lackluster against worthy competition.
I believe that head coach Lance Leipold is truly on the hot seat right now and needs to go on a winning streak to keep his job.
Kansas heads on the road this weekend to play its bitter rival Kansas State (3-2).