West Virginia shocked Virginia and Texas Tech held on against Houston at the death. It was a chaotic week of football for the Big 12, here’s where all 16 teams sit as conference play begins to shift into gear:
16. UCF
The good news for UCF: The running back room finally had a good week, as the Knights generated 304 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. The bad news: The passing game was nonexistent in the first week with backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins in at signal caller and the defense struggled to stop Georgia State. The defense allowed 24 first-half points, causing UCF to trail at halftime. 3 second-half interceptions made the difference for UCF, but the Knights shouldn’t be relying on late-game turnovers to knock off a team like the Panthers.
15. Kansas
The Jayhawks kept themselves within range of Arizona State for four full quarters on Saturday, putting themselves a stop and a score away from sending the game to overtime. They outgained the Sun Devils 414 total yards to 228, but three turnovers and a kick return for a touchdown put the Jayhawks too far behind the 8 ball to win despite the overall strong performance. Until Kansas shows an ability to maintain possession, both through limiting turnovers and controlling the clock, the Jayhawks will struggle to compete in the Big 12.
14. Colorado
The eye test wasn’t good for Colorado in the first two weeks, but the Buffaloes did enough to win. Against Northwestern on Saturday, the bill came due, as Colorado surrendered 4 turnovers and allowed the Wildcats to go for 41 points and 423 total yards. The run game was the clear bright spot for the offense in spite of the 2 fumbles, generating 5.5 yards per carry. The defense needs to be able to come up with a stop, though, for that offense to compete even if the turnovers are fixed. Northwestern’s offense isn’t exactly a juggernaut, and several of the Buffaloes’ Big 12 opponents will be even more potent with the Wildcats.
13. TCU
Quarterback Jaden Craig looked great on Saturday, passing for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns. The defense held the Arkansas State passing game to 5.5 yards per attempt. It was another fantastic outing for the Horned Frogs against lesser competition. With UCF on the schedule Saturday, TCU has an opportunity to prove that its growth over the past three weeks can translate to power conference competition and extend its winning streak to three games.
12. Baylor
Backup quarterback Nate Bennett made his case to become the permanent starter on Saturday, passing for 253 yards and 3 touchdowns to just 3 incompletions against a Louisiana Tech defense that gave Sam Leavitt and the LSU Tigers fits the week prior. Bennett was dominant on deep balls, finding touchdown passes of 51, 43 and 36 yards. Yes, it was a win over a Group of 5 team, but Bennett has the Bears looking like an efficient offensive force that will be a tough out for anyone lining up against them.
11. Oklahoma State
After the most chaotic two weeks of any FBS teams to open the year, Oklahoma State finally showed some stability against Murray State. After leaning heavily on his legs in the Cowboys’ win over Oregon, quarterback Drew Mestemaker worked effectively as a pocket passer against the Racers, passing for 324 yards and 5 touchdowns on just 22 attempts. On the ground, the Cowboys produced 301yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense held Murray State under 4 yards per play in a shutout performance. The week-to-week consistency is a promising sign for the Cowboys after the dramatic swing from weeks one to two, and with an undefeated West Virginia team on the schedule for Saturday, the Cowboys have an opportunity to prove they’re the team that beat Oregon, not the one that lost to Tulsa.
10. Cincinnati
There’s no such thing as a bad rivalry win. Cincinnati came about as close as you could get on Saturday, outscoring Miami (OH) 28-3 in the second half before a dramatic comeback victory. JC French continued his hot start, throwing for 309 yards and 2 touchdowns. At the end of the day, the Bearcats are 3-0, including a Power 4 win and a rivalry win. The Bearcats are off on the right foot, but their defense must play better in Big 12 play if they want to be competing for a trip to Arlington come November.
9. West Virginia
What a win for the Mountaineers. West Virginia went on the road against a ranked Virginia squad and delivered a 38-27 Power 4 win to improve to 3-0. Nothing short of a statement. Michael Hawkins was a dynamic juggernaut on Saturday, generating 313 yards of total offense and 5 total touchdowns. Running back Cam Cook provided the thunder for Hawkins’ lightning, matching his 123 rushing yards. The Mountaineer defense held Cavalier quarterback Beau Pribula to 6 yards per attempt on Saturday. West Virginia didn’t need turnovers or swingy special teams plays to knock off Virginia, they just outplayed Virginia on play after play.
8. Arizona State
Arizona State should have lost to Kansas. The Sun Devils were outgained both on the ground and through the air, couldn’t convert a third down, and surrendered 7 penalties for 65 yards. Still, they found a way to win, and that matters. The Sun Devils protected the ball, forced 3 turnovers, and managed to hold onto the ball for over 30 minutes of game time despite just 4 third-down conversions. Jaren Hamilton’s 100-yard kickoff return touchdown made the difference on Saturday, providing what ultimately turned out to be a game-winning spark out of the special teams. Cutter Boley has to be better moving forward, but at the end of the day, a conference win is a conference win.
7. Iowa State
After losing in heartbreaking fashion to Iowa in week two, the Cyclones bounced back with a dominant performance against Bowling Green. Running back Aiden Flora ran for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 16.2 yards per carry in the game. The Cyclone rushing attack has impressed to start the year, but with a battle against Utah on the horizon, quarterback Jaylen Raynor will need to prove he was the right choice for Jimmy Rogers and the Cyclones if Iowa State hopes to be a real threat in the Big 12 this fall.
6. Arizona
Arizona looked just fine coming off its week two loss to BYU. Wildcat quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns, becoming Arizona’s all-time passing yards record holder in the process. The defense was efficient against NIU as well as Arizona won comfortably. With a trip to Washington State on the slate this week to close nonconference play, we’re unlikely to learn much about Arizona this week.For now, building momentum into a difficult second half of the schedule, which includes both Texas Tech and Utah, is exactly what the Wildcats need.
5. Kansas State
Kansas State did enough to come out and produce a win against a talented Group of 6 team in Tulane. The K-State running backs went for 4 touchdowns on the day behind a dominant offensive line performance, while quarterback Avery Johnson played consistent and efficient, albeit unremarkable, football. The defense struggled to string multiple stops together, particularly in the second half, but if the Wildcats are this steady on offense, a stop here and a stop there will be enough to grind out tight games.
4. Houston
The Cougars were inches away from shocking the Red Raiders on Saturday and putting themselves into position to compete for a College Football Playoff spot. Conner Weigman continued his dominance to start the season, looking like one of the best, if not the best, quarterback in this conference. The Cougars slowed down in the second half, which ultimately did them in, but they were a 2 point conversion away from sending the game to overtime and a strip sack away from winning in spite of the second-half slowdown. With a get-right game against Georgia Southern this week, expect the Cougars to come out with a vengeance.
3. Texas Tech
What a win for the Red Raiders. A critical strip sack late in the first half sparked a defensive show of force that held Houston to nine points in the second half. Two interceptions put the Red Raiders in a hole, but a 168-yard, 3-touchdown game on the ground allowed Texas Tech to claw back into the game and take a second-half lead. With neither BYU nor Utah on the schedule and Houston in the rear view mirror, the Red Raiders are now in full control of the Big 12. Barring a collapse, they’ll be playing in Arlington in December. Now, it’s just about preventing that collapse.
2. Utah
Utah completely shut down in-state rival Utah State to improve to 3-0 on Saturday. There’s not much more to say than that. Quarterback Devon Dampier passed for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns while protecting the ball, the Utes averaged over 5 yards per carry while running for 192 yards and the defense held the Aggies under 3.5 yards per play. Utah controlled a game it was expected to. The Utes now travel to Iowa State to begin Big 12 play with hopes of a trip to Arlington.
1. BYU
Despite a 0 touchdown, 1 interception game from quarterback Bear Bachmeier, BYU rolled against Colorado State, leading 34-7 before giving up a pair of garbage-time touchdowns in the fourth quarter. LJ Martin was a force against the Rams, running for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 carries. The Cougars are the best team in the league until proven otherwise, and with a bye in week four, they’ll stay at the top for at least another week.