Colorado's Rise and the Big 12's Power Struggle

1. Colorado

Previous ranking: 2Points: 253 (13 first-place votes)Record: 8-2 (6-1 Big 12)Last week: beat Utah, 49-24This week: at Kansas

Shedeur Sanders showed his mettle by throwing an interception on the first play but then went on a scoring spree, completing 30 of 40 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. LaJohntay Wester also contributed with a special teams touchdown on a punt return, and the defense was on fire, picking off Utah's Isaac Wilson three times and sacking him four times. During CU's current four-game win streak, all wins have come by at least 11 points. The last time a CU team achieved this was in 1994 and 1989. — Brian Howell, Boulder Daily Camera

It's been an impressive run for the Buffaloes, and they're looking to continue their dominance as they face Kansas this week.

2. Brigham Young

Previous ranking: 1Points: 236 (three first-place votes)Record: 9-1 (6-1 Big 12)Last week: lost to Kansas, 17-13This week: at No. 21 Arizona State

BYU has been on the brink of greatness this year but has faced some setbacks. They had several chances to beat Kansas but couldn't convert in the red zone, tallying just six points out of four trips. BYU's offense has sputtered lately, recording just two touchdowns in the last two weeks. — Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune

The Cougars will be looking to bounce back and prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with as they take on Arizona State.

3. Arizona State

Previous ranking: 5Points: 220Last week: beat No. 16 Kansas State, 24-14This week: vs. No. 14 BYU

Jordyn Tyson was a star, catching 12 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as the Sun Devils upset Kansas State. They stormed out to a 24-0 lead and held on despite a late rally from the Wildcats. The win coupled with BYU's loss means the Sun Devils control their own destiny. They have a shot at the conference title game in Kenny Dillingham's second season, just a year removed from a 3-9 record. — Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic

Arizona State is on a roll and will be looking to keep the momentum going against BYU.

4. Iowa State

Previous ranking: 4Points: 219Record: 8-2 (5-2 Big 12)Last week: beat Cincinnati, 34-17This week: at Utah

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht extended his program-record streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 14. He also became the sixth player in school history to throw 40 or more touchdown passes in a career. The Cyclones have a strong pass defense, ranking third in the nation (153.4 yards per game), but their rushing defense needs some work, allowing 184.5 yards per game. — Rob Gray, The Cedar Rapids Gazette

Iowa State is a force to be reckoned with on the offensive side of the ball and will be looking to continue their winning ways against Utah.

T5. Baylor

Previous ranking: 8Points: 181Record: 6-4 (4-3 Big 12)Last week: beat West Virginia, 49-35This week: at Houston

Baylor exorcised some demons on Saturday, winning a game in Morgantown for the first time ever and clinching bowl eligibility after a one-year hiatus. The Bears have been carried by their offense, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson throwing for a career-high 327 yards and running back Bryson Washington finishing with four touchdowns for the second game in a row. Dave Aranda improved to 29-29 overall as head coach and will be back for a sixth season. A win against Houston on Saturday would give the Bears their first five-game winning streak since 2021. — Zach Smith, Waco Tribune-Herald

Baylor is on a roll and will be looking to build on their success as they face Houston.

T5. Kansas State

Previous ranking: 3Points: 181Record: 7-3 (4-3 Big 12)Last week: lost to Arizona State, 24-14This week: vs. Cincinnati

A week off didn't do Kansas State any good as they started slow and couldn't recover. They're now hanging on to Big 12 title game hopes by a thread and need to find a way to reset fast. The Wildcats have lost to teams picked 13th (BYU), 15th (Houston), and 16th (Arizona State) this season. They play the team picked to finish 14th (Cincinnati) on Saturday. — Tim Everson, The Manhattan Mercury

Kansas State will need to turn things around quickly if they want to make a run at the Big 12 title.

7. TCU

Previous ranking: 9Points: 148Record: 6-4 (4-3 Big 12)Last week: Open dateThis week: vs. Arizona

TCU's second open week was focused on getting healthy, specifically along the defensive line. Two starting defensive tackles are hoping to be back and healthy against Arizona. Pressuring Noah Fifita will be crucial to slowing down the Wildcats' offense. TCU has four players with 500-plus receiving yards for the first time since 2015. — Jamie Plunkett, Horned Frog Blitz

TCU is looking to get back on track and make a push in the Big 12 with their healthy players.

8. Texas Tech

Previous ranking: 7Points: 144Record: 6-4 (4-3 Big 12)Last week: Open dateThis week: at Oklahoma State

Texas Tech's preseason projected record of 8-4 is still within reach with two tough games left against Oklahoma State and West Virginia. Joey McGuire's tenure is showing signs of progress, even if it hasn't gone as planned. This year will mark the fewest number of games against ranked opponents in the regular season for Texas Tech since 2006. — Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Texas Tech will be looking to finish strong and prove themselves as a competitive team in the Big 12.

9. West Virginia

Previous ranking: 6Points: 126Record: 5-5 (4-3 Big 12)Last week: lost to Baylor, 49-35This week: vs. UCF

For the fifth week in a row, West Virginia was outscored in the second half, preventing any comeback against Baylor. They have two chances left to become bowl-eligible, against UCF and Texas Tech. West Virginia has lost four home games for the first time since 2019. — Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle

West Virginia will be looking to turn things around at home and secure a bowl berth.

10. Kansas

Previous ranking: 12Points: 115Record: 4-6 (3-4 Big 12)Last week: beat No. 6 BYU, 17-13This week: vs. No. 16 Colorado

After a season of bad luck in the fourth quarter, Kansas finally got a break when a pooch punt by quarterback Jalon Daniels led to a fumble and a go-ahead touchdown. They'll need more good fortune as they face Colorado. KU has now beaten ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time in school history. To secure bowl eligibility, they'll need to beat Colorado and then Baylor on the road. — Henry Greenstein, Lawrence Journal-World

Kansas is on a roll and will be looking to continue their winning ways against Colorado.

11. Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 10Points: 106Record: 5-5 (3-4 Big 12)Last week: lost at Iowa State 34-17This week: at Kansas State

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby had a solid game but was limited by Iowa State's defense. The Bearcats led at halftime but couldn't hold on, losing by 17 points. Cincinnati is 0-3 in night games this season and hasn't played Kansas State since 1996. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati will be looking to bounce back and avoid a losing streak as they face Kansas State.

12. Central Florida

Previous ranking: 13Points: 76Record: 4-6 (2-5 Big 12)Last week: Open dateThis week: at West Virginia

UCF comes off the bye week needing to win their final two games to become bowl-eligible for the ninth straight season. New starting quarterback Dylan Rizk has been performing well, completing 75% of his passes for 523 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. UCF is 3-7 in regular-season road contests since joining the Big 12 last July, with seven games decided by five points or less. — Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

UCF will be looking to finish strong on the road and earn a bowl berth.

13. Houston

Previous ranking: 11Points: 68Record: 4-6 (3-4 Big 12)Last week: lost to Arizona, 27-3This week: vs. Baylor

Houston had a tough loss after an open week, getting outscored 69-17 in two games. They've been struggling to convert in the red zone, converting just 57.9% of their trips, last among 134 schools. — Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle

Houston will be looking to turn things around and avoid a losing season as they face Baylor.

14. Arizona

Previous ranking: 15Points: 59Record: 4-6 (2-5 Big 12)Last week: beat Houston, 27-3This week: at TCU

Arizona kept their bowl hopes alive with a win over Houston and snapped a five-game losing streak. Defensive back Genesis Smith was named Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Week. Kicker Tyler Loop set a program record with a 62-yard field goal. TCU head coach Sonny Dykes was an offensive coordinator at Arizona and mentored Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. — Justin Spears, Arizona Daily Star

Arizona is on a high after their win and will be looking to build on it as they face TCU.

15. Utah

Previous Ranking: 14Points: 32Record: 4-6 (1-6 Big 12)Last Week: lost to Colorado, 49-24This week: vs. No. 22 Iowa State

After starting the season undefeated, Utah has struggled this season and is now among the worst teams in the Big 12. Their offense is struggling, ranking second-to-last in the conference. Utah's six-game losing streak is the worst in the Kyle Whittingham era. — Jason Batacao, The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah will be looking to turn things around and avoid a losing season as they face Iowa State.

16. Oklahoma State

Previous ranking: 16Points: 17Record: 3-7 (0-7 Big 12)Last week: Open dateThis week: vs. Texas Tech

Oklahoma State swapped quarterbacks and offensive strategies during their open week and nearly came back to win in the final seconds. Mike Gundy has a good record against nine-win teams after an open week. Oklahoma State's seven-game losing streak ties the longest in program history. — Tyler Waldrep, Tulsa World

Oklahoma State will be looking to end their losing streak and make a statement as they face Texas Tech.