We update the Big 12 Football Power Rankings every week. Week 4 is in the books with some exciting games for the first week of conference play.
Big 12 Football Power Rankings
16. Houston (1-3, 0-1 conference) ((–))
Houston 0-Cincinnati 34
The Cougars win streak did not last long – at all. The offense has only scored 26 points in their four games thus far on the year. Against the Bearcats, the offense only had 233 total yards with three costly turnovers. The only time they were in scoring position was late in the first quarter when kicker Joseph Kim missed a 32-yard field goal. After that, the offense was all the Bearcats.
There aren’t many bright spots on this Houston. Quarterback Donovan Smith threw for just 73 yards and an interception. He did run for 10 carries for 27 yards. Running back Re’Shaun Sanford had six carries for 62 yards, and averaged 10.3 yards a carry on some open holes against this Bearcats defense. Houston looks for the first conference win next week against the Iowa State Cyclones.
Next game: Saturday vs Iowa State
15. Kansas (1-3, 0-1 conference) ((-1 Spots))
Kansas 28-West Virginia 32
The Jayhawks now have upped their losing streak to three in a row, including the last two previous games to unranked teams. Their trip to West Virginia ended once again in disappointment.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels had 15 completions for 184, a touchdown and an interception. The usually mobile quarterback was also held to just 11 yards on seven carries. Running back Devin Neal was the bright spot for the offense, though, running for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The game was close for the majority of the day, with the teams tied at 14 near the beginning of the third quarter. Kansas went up 28-17 in the middle of the forth and looking primed to win the game. But the defense gave up some big plays to West Virginia that resulted in two touchdowns. Kansas tried to come back with just :26 seconds left, but a big sack with a fumble ended the game.
Next Game: Friday vs TCU
14. TCU (2-2, 0-1 conference) ((-5 Spots))
TCU 42-SMU 66
The Horned Frogs lost their second game in a row, this time at the hands of SMU. TCU was down 17 points before halftime and they were never able to recover from the deficit. The Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover played a solid game, but had quite a few turnovers. He threw for 396 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and accounted for two fumble losses.
TCU played a sloppy and unproductive game. They put up a total of 480 yards on the day against 375 yards for SMU and controlled the time of possession. Wide receiver Jack Bech had eight receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. The run game was inefficient, with only 65 yards on the ground.
Head coach Sonny Dykes was ejection at the start of the second half when he earned his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. SMU created five total turnovers, with three fumble recoveries and one for a touchdown. There were three defensive scores from the opponent as well, putting TCU’s offense in a hole early on.
Next Game: Saturday at Kansas
13. Baylor (2-2, 0-1 conference) ((-5 Spots))
Baylor 31-Colorado 38
The Baylor Bears lost in a heartbreaking game on Saturday. With the clock down to zero in regulation, Colorado threw up a prayer and came down with an answer. After being forced into overtime, Baylor fumbled at the goal line and Colorado won the game.
It was a back and forth game until then. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw 11 completions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also had nine carries on the ground for 82 yards and a touchdown. Both teams played a clean game with no turnovers, and Baylor turned a kickoff return in the second quarter into a 100 yard touchdown.
Although Baylor didn’t get any turnovers off of Colorado, they were able to sack Shedeur Sanders eight times. Their defense was renewed but got beat in the secondary by Sanders multiple times, giving up big plays to the quarterback.
Next Game: Saturday vs BYU
12. Arizona State (3-1, 0-1 conference) ((-1 Spot))
Arizona State 22-Texas Tech 30
The Arizona State Sun Devils lost their first Big 12 outing, falling to Texas Tech 22-30. The two teams were evenly matched for this game; and it was a back and forth affair until the fourth quarter when Tech pulled ahead after a pair of touchdowns. Arizona State tried to make a comeback, but with just 1:39 left on the clock, there was no chance.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 282 yards and an interception. He added 25 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown as well. His favorite player all season has been Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo rushed 18 times for 60 yards in a touchdown, in addition to six receptions for 117 yards. He was their leading rusher and receiver in this game, which never bodes well when an entire offense goes through a single player. Luckily, the Sun Devils have a bye week for some much needed rest.
Next Game: Bye Week
11. Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0 conference) ((+4 Spots))
Cincinnati 34-Houston 0
The Bearcats finally got their first home win in the Big 12, dating back to a year ago when they were winless in the conference at home. The team has already equaled the total amount of wins from 2023, including the single win in conference play. With three wins on the season, Cincinnati has moved up multiple spots in these Big 12 football power rankings.
The offensive success is thanks to quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby completed 12 of 15 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another touchdown. His two passing touchdowns went to Xzavier Henderson, who had two catches that turned into scores. Running back Corey Kiner had 16 carries for 78 yards, including a long 44-yard run that resulted in a touchdown.
The defense stepped up again this week, causing three turnovers. They kept the score as a shutout, the first shutout of a Power 4 team this year.
Next game: Saturday at Texas Tech
10. Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0 conference) ((+4 Spots))
Texas Tech 30-Arizona 22
The Texas Tech Red Raiders really fought hard for this win against Big 12 opponent Arizona. Tech pulled ahead by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and their defense helped to make a stand to keep Arizona out of the end zone. Tech had the ball almost 10 minutes more than Arizona, which helped tip the scales in their favor.
Quarterback Behren Morton completed 24 of 44 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He found four different receivers for scores. Running back Tahj Brooks ran for 117 yards, beating the defense for a long 25-yard play that eventually led the Red Raiders to a field goal. Both teams had issues with penalties, racking up 163 yards in penalties between the two.
The defense also stepped up in a major way. They forced three turnovers, including one for a touchdown. North Texas had no answer for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech scored five touchdowns in just over six minutes in the second quarter for a total of 35 points.
Tech fans are happy to have a solid win under their belt before facing Arizona at home for the first conference game of the year; and that moves them up in our Big 12 football power rankings.
Next Game: Saturday vs Cincinnati
9. West Virginia (2-2, 1-0 conference) ((+3 Spots)
West Virginia 32-Kansas 28
The Mountaineers got a big win for their first in-conference game this season. Quarterback Garrett Greene showed out against the Jayhawks. He had 15 completions for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also their leading rusher, with 17 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown.
West Virginia came back from an 11-point deficit to win the game. That came at the hands of Greene with just under four minutes left in the game, when he threw two touchdowns to seal the deal. The defense stepped up to force an interception and a fumble that essentially ended Kansas’ bid to score in the final seconds. The Mountaineers get a break next week for a bye.
Next Game: Bye Week
8. Colorado (3-1, 1-0 conference) ((+2 Spots))
Colorado 38-Baylor 31
The unlikely happened this week to Colorado, after quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw up a Hail Mary pass and his offense came down with the ball, tying the score as the clock hit zero. After rolling into overtime, the Buffaloes were able to get the win when the defense stepped up to stop Baylor and get the fumble at the end.
Sanders threw 41 passes and completed 25 of them. He had 342 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown as well. Wide receiver Travis Hunter had a great game once again. He caught seven passes for 130 yards, including a long 46 yard pass from Sanders that resulted in a touchdown drive.
Special teams almost gave the game away, through. They definitely struggled, letting Baylor return a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, as well as a 54-yard punt return. Defense in general just got by in the game, only getting a single sack. They allowed 166 rushing yards on the ground, including big plays from Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson.
Next Game: Saturday at UCF
7. Oklahoma State (3-1, 0-1 conference) ((-4 Spots)
Oklahoma State 19-Utah 22
The Cowboys offense was stagnant against Utah in their first loss of the season. Quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 206 total yards, but 117 yards of those came with just nine minutes left in the game. Bowman was pulled after halftime, with backup Garret Rangel playing for a quarter and a half, throwing for just 31 yards.
Running back Ollie Gordon had 42 yards on the day and only averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Overall on the year, the Doak Walker Award Winner has just 258 yards through four games and averaging 3.5 yards per carry.
The defense was a bright side to the team. At least, the secondary was a bright side. The defense got two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble to disrupt Utah’s offense. Unfortunately, the offense was not able to capitalize on the turnovers. The run defense gave up 249 rushing yards and a touchdown, for an average of 4.8 yards per carry.
The offense will need to find a way to click again when they meet Kansas State in Manhattan in a week.
Next Game: Saturday at Kansas State
6. Kansas State (3-1, 0-1 conference) ((-5 Spots))
Kansas State 9-BYU 38
This was a disappointing loss for the Kansas State Wildcats in a late game on Saturday night. Kansas State controlled the game in total yards, first downs, and time of possession, but couldn’t get out of the hole after three turnovers in the game.
KSU quarterback Avery Johnson threw for just 130 yards and threw two interceptions, as well as running for 74 yards. Running back DJ Giddens had 93 yards but no touchdowns. All of Kansas State’s points came from just field goals. The offense could not get a single drive going.
After two K-State field goals in the first half, BYU ran the score up to 31 points before the Wildcats were able to score again. Special teams didn’t help much, either. KSU gave up a 90-yard punt returned for a touchdown at the beginning of the third quarter, essentially stopping any momentum the Wildcats were trying to secure.
Next Game: Saturday vs Oklahoma State
5. Arizona (2-1, 0-0 conference) ((+1 Spot))
Bye Week
Arizona has a nice break this week before facing Utah in Salt Lake City.
Next Game: Saturday at Utah
4. UCF (3-0, 1-0 conference) ((+1 Spot))
Bye Week
The Golden Knights also have a bye week before facing Colorado at home.
Next Game: Saturday vs Colorado
3. BYU (4-0, 1-0 conference) ((+4 Spots))
BYU 38-Kansas State 9
The BYU Cougars are officially undefeated in the conference. Not bad for a team every projected to be in the bottom half of the standings in the preseason polls. They handled the Kansas State Wildcats at home to propel them to the third overall spot in this week’s Big 12 football power rankings.
BYU scored 31 unanswered points in the second quarter, to when Kansas State finally put up some points late in the 3rd. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff had a solid showing, completing 15 of 21 passes for 149 and two touchdowns. He was able to find running back Sione Moa for 17 receiving yards, 76 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.
The team got two interceptions on the game, as well as a fumble recovery. Punt returner Parker Kingston also went 90 yards on a return for a touchdown, extending the Cougars lead and making it out of reach for the Wildcats.
Next Game: Saturday at Baylor
2. Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 conference) ((+2 Spots))
Iowa State 52-Arkansas State 7
The Cyclones are the surprise undefeated team in the Big 12. Although they have not played a Big 12 team as of yet, with their bye week coming early in the season, the Cyclones are looking like a top tier team thus far.
Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, throwing for a total 204 yards. The team controlled the time of possession with 34 minutes to 25. Iowa State had a total of 490 yards, with their offensive skill players tallying up the yardage, even though no player got more than 100 yards.
Defensively, Iowa State got to the Arkansas State’s quarterback with the pressure, sacking him four times. Two different players also got interceptions and held Arkansas State to just 216 total yards. The Cyclones face their first Big 12 action in Houston on Saturday.
Next Game: Saturday at Houston
1. Utah (4-0, 1-0 conference) ((+1 Spot))
Utah 22-Oklahoma State 19
The Utah Utes got their first Big 12 conference win of the season when they went to Stillwater and handled the Cowboys. Starting quarterback Cam Rising warmed up in pregame, but did not play a snap. Instead, backup quarter back Isaac Wilson made his second start for the Utes.
Wilson threw for 207 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The Utes were able to run all over Oklahoma State, with Micah Bernard 182 yards on 25 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
The score was not indicative of the actual game. Utah dominantly controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for 42 minutes compared to just 17 for the Cowboys. They also ran a total of 81 plays compared to 59. Utah did turn the ball over three times in the first half, but the Cowboys offense was not able to capitalize on the turnovers. The offense was able to convert 80 percent of their fourth downs in critical times to keep the Cowboys defense on the field.
Next Game: Saturday vs Arizona
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.