Big 12 power rankings: Which contenders made biggest impressions?

Another week of college football action brought another round of entertaining matchups out of the Big 12 Conference in Week 5.

Iowa State asserted itself as one of the league’s teams to beat, as did Arizona State.

Utah bounced back with a blowout win, while BYU rallied to stay unbeaten.

Cincinnati showed it must be accounted for as well, and Kansas State snapped a losing streak to keep its hopes alive.

Here’s how the teams stack up following the fifth week of the 2025 season.

1. Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Previous ranking: No. 1 (no change)

Last week: Bye

Next game: Saturday at Houston, 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

One week without the ability to watch the Big 12’s top scoring team was enough — thank goodness the bye week is over for Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders get back into action against another unbeaten team, Houston, where Texas Tech is a near two-touchdown favorite. The Cougars have one of the Big 12’s better defenses by the numbers, though Texas Tech was able to pull away from Utah in the fourth quarter two weeks ago after a defensive struggle for much of the game.

2. Iowa State Cyclones (5-0, 2-0)

Previous ranking: No. 3 (⬆️ 1)

Last week: Beat Arizona, 39-14

Next game: Saturday at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN2)

Iowa State didn’t show any signs of slowing down after a bye week, as it built a 22-7 lead on previously unbeaten Arizona before winning by 25. Rocco Becht was brilliant once again in both the passing and running game, and the Cyclones again showed why they’re among the top contenders in the conference.

A couple weeks ago, Iowa State’s game at Cincinnati may not have seemed as daunting. But after the Bearcats went on the road and beat Kansas this past weekend, Cincinnati looks like it could provide a significant challenge for Becht and the Cyclones.

3. Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0)

Previous ranking: No. 5 (⬆️ 2)

Last week: Beat No. 24 TCU, 27-24

Next game: Oct. 11 at Utah, 8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

Arizona State could have folded when TCU, one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 during the season’s first month, built a 17-0 lead in Tempe midway through the second quarter in a Friday night matchup. But the Sun Devils, showing the spirit that led them to last year’s Big 12 championship, fought back and made it a 17-14 game at halftime before prevailing after outscoring the Horned Frogs 10-0 in the final quarter.

The reward for escaping September with a 4-1 record — and a loss to Mississippi State that is looking better as time goes on — is a well-timed bye before visiting Utah in two weeks. That looks like another game that will be critical in determining the conference chase.

4. BYU Cougars (4-0, 1-0)

Previous ranking: No. 4 (no change)

Last week: Beat Colorado, 24-21

Next game: Friday vs. West Virginia, 8:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

BYU’s normally stout defense took some punches early last weekend against Colorado, as the Buffaloes built a quick 14-0 lead behind some wrinkles the Cougars hadn’t seen before.

BYU’s comeback, though, was impressive. True freshman Bear Bachmeier guided a steady offensive approach after a slow start, and the Cougar defense only allowed one more touchdown the rest of the way before shutting the door on an Isaiah Glasker interception.

West Virginia comes into Provo with plenty of players banged up and on the heels of back-to-back 30-plus-point losses. The Cougars should be heavy favorites to stay unbeaten in the Friday night matchup.

5. TCU Horned Frogs (3-1, 0-1)

Previous ranking: No. 2 (⬇️ 3)

Last week: Lost to Arizona State, 27-24

Next game: Saturday vs. Colorado, 5:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)

TCU had plenty of opportunities to knock off the defending Big 12 champions — on the road, no less — but the Horned Frogs just couldn’t fend off Arizona State in the end. Josh Hoover’s fumble with under two minutes left set up the Sun Devils for the game-winning field goal, and the loss puts TCU in an early hole in Big 12 play.

The Horned Frogs have some things to clean up — they turned the ball over three times against Arizona State and gave up six sacks — but still look like one of the tougher teams in the league. Up next is a matchup against a struggling Colorado squad.

6. Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1)

Previous ranking: No. 6 (no change)

Last week: Beat West Virginia, 48-14

Next game: Oct. 11 vs. No. 25 Arizona State, 8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

The Utes convincingly rebounded from their first loss of the season by running over, around and through a stricken West Virginia squad.

Utah scored touchdowns on five of its first six drives, never punted the ball and showed balance on offense that was absent the week prior in losing to Texas Tech. The Utes’ defense also stifled West Virginia, never allowing the Mountaineers — who are dealing with multiple injuries on that side of the ball — to get their offense going until the game was well in hand.

One worry coming out of the game for Utah is injuries. Safety Nate Ritchie went down, as did defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi and two-way player Jackson Bennee. The bye week comes at an ideal time for the Utes, in hopes that they can heal up before a big showdown with the Sun Devils.

7. Baylor Bears (3-2, 1-1)

Previous ranking: No. 7 (no change)

Last week: Beat Oklahoma State, 45-27

Next game: Saturday vs. Kansas State, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN+)

The Bears had played one of the Big 12’s tougher schedules going into last Saturday’s matchup with Oklahoma State, and they got a bit of a breather over the Mike Gundy-less Cowboys. Sawyer Robertson and the Bears offense again shined, though the defense gave up nearly 450 yards and 27 points to a struggling Cowboys team.

Going into the season, both Baylor and Kansas State were expected to contend for the Big 12 title, but the loser of Saturday’s game will have its second conference loss and be put in a tough position if it wants to have any realistic shot at being a contender.

8. Houston Cougars (4-0, 1-0)

Previous ranking: No. 10 (⬆️ 2)

Last week: Beat Oregon State, 27-24

Next game: Saturday vs. No. 11 Texas Tech, 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

In what was a theme with several Big 12 teams in the upper half of the power rankings last weekend, the Cougars got behind early in their game at Oregon State. The winless Beavers led 14-0 early in the second quarter and went up 24-10 in the fourth before Houston finally rallied, scoring the game’s final 17 points, including a game-winning field goal in overtime.

It wasn’t pretty, but Houston kept its unbeaten streak going with the win and now faces top-15 Texas Tech at home next weekend. It’s easily the toughest test of the season for an improving Cougars squad.

9. Cincinnati Bearcats (3-1, 1-0)

Previous ranking: No. 13 (⬆️ 4)

Last week: Beat Kansas, 37-34

Next game: Saturday vs. No. 14 Iowa State, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN2)

One of the most impressive results from Week 5 in the Big 12 came from Cincinnati, who went on the road and beat a Kansas team that had looked pretty solid during the early part of the season. Even after the Jayhawks took the lead with under two minutes to play, Brendan Sorsby coolly led the game-winning drive that ended with a 2-yard Tawee Walker touchdown run with 29 seconds to play.

Though the Bearcats return home, next week provides a bigger challenge — facing unbeaten and top-15 Iowa State. The Cyclones have a fearsome defense, and while Sorsby and company were able to roll up over 600 yards of offense on Kansas, it will be a different level of competition when Iowa State comes to town.

10. Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 0-1)

Previous ranking: No. 9 (⬇️ 1)

Last week: Lost to No. 14 Iowa State, 39-14

Next game: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State, 1 p.m. MDT (TNT)

Arizona’s first loss came courtesy of the unbeaten Cyclones. That’s not surprising, as Iowa State has been one of the toughest Big 12 schools over the past two seasons and the Wildcats had to travel to Ames, Iowa, for the matchup.

Arizona should be able to get back on track this week with moribund Oklahoma State coming to town. That will set up a matchup with BYU in two weeks where there is a strong possibility both teams have just one loss between them heading into the contest.

11. Kansas Jayhawks (3-2, 1-1)

Previous ranking: No. 8 (⬇️ 3)

Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 37-34

Next game: Saturday at UCF, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)

Kansas was bogged down by an inability to finish games for much of the 2024 season, and the loss to Cincinnati probably opened some old wounds. The Bearcats rallied for the winning score with 29 seconds to play after the Jayhawks went ahead 34-30 on a 6-yard Levi Wentz touchdown catch.

Saturday’s game gives Kansas a chance to bounce back from the disappointment. UCF is 3-1, though the Knights are coming off their first loss and — outside of a blowout win over North Carolina — haven’t showcased a lot in the first half of the season.

12. Kansas State Wildcats (2-3, 1-1)

Previous ranking: No. 15 (⬆️ 3)

Last week: Beat UCF, 34-20

Next game: Saturday at Baylor, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN+)

Kansas State needed that win. The Wildcats, once considered the leading candidate to win the Big 12, led by as many as 21 points in taking care of business against a visiting UCF team while snapping a two-game losing streak. Dylan Edwards also got going for Kansas State, rushing for 166 yards.

As bad as the Wildcats’ season has started, Kansas State still only has one Big 12 loss to date. That makes Saturday’s matchup at Baylor even more important for Avery Johnson and the Wildcats, as they fight to get back into relevancy in the conference conversation.

13. UCF Knights (3-1, 0-1)

Previous ranking: No. 11 (⬇️ 2)

Last week: Lost to Kansas State, 34-20

Next game: Saturday vs. Kansas, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)

UCF’s first loss of the season wasn’t a huge surprise, as the Knights fell on the road at Kansas State. Given the Wildcats’ previous struggles, however, there should be some feeling that UCF missed a chance to start off Big 12 play with a win.

Quarterback Tayven Jackson missed a good chunk of the loss to Kansas State with an injury before returning to the contest. One thing to watch against Kansas is, will the Knights’ offense be able to keep pace with the Jayhawks?

14. Colorado Buffaloes (2-3, 0-2)

Previous ranking: No. 12 (⬇️ 2)

Last week: Lost to No. 25 BYU, 24-21

Next game: Saturday at TCU, 5:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)

Colorado had its chance to knock off a ranked BYU team last weekend, but the Buffaloes couldn’t build on their early momentum and 14-0 lead before the Cougars rebounded for the victory. Kaidon Salter showed some shiftiness early in the game, but his passing was never really a threat against a strong BYU defense.

It doesn’t get any easier for Colorado to try and get things turned around. The Buffaloes head to TCU next, and the Horned Frogs, despite coming off a close loss at Arizona State, have looked like one of the Big 12’s top contenders this season so far.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2)

Previous ranking: No. 14 (⬇️ 1)

Last week: Lost to Utah, 48-14

Next game: Friday at BYU, 8:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)

Things are not going well for Rich Rodriguez in his return to West Virginia. The injury-riddled Mountaineers didn’t put up much of a fight against Utah, as the Utes rolled into Morgantown, led by 28 at the half and turned in a complete-game dominance over West Virginia.

Now, the Mountaineers have to go across the country to face a ranked BYU team on a short week. With the number of mounting injuries for West Virginia, it’s not an encouraging sign going into their next contest.

16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-3, 0-1)

Previous ranking: No. 16 (no change)

Last week: Lost to Baylor, 45-27

Next game: Saturday at Arizona, 1 p.m. MDT (TNT)

Well, at least Oklahoma State showed some signs of life on offense. In the same week that the Cowboys said goodbye to longtime coach Mike Gundy after his firing, Oklahoma State at least made things interesting for a time before ultimately falling to Baylor.

Will the Cowboys be able to snap their Big 12 losing streak? It won’t be easy at Arizona this week. The Wildcats look much improved, even after a tough loss at Iowa State.

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