Welcome to the BYU Weekly, also known as the Big 12 Conference football power rankings.
The Big 12 has taken a beating in terms of perception, but the Cougars knocking off Notre Dame 28-24 can turn the tide. Thanks to Bear Bachmeier and company, the conference has a legitimate shot at multiple College Football Playoff teams — so long as as BYU is one of them.
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As for the rest of the league, let’s take a look.
1. BYU (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: 1, def. Notre Dame 28-24
This week: at UCF (3-3, 1-2)
What to know: BYU gets the conference-validating win in dramatic fashion to cement No. 1 status for another week.
2. Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: 2, def. Arizona State 53-25
This week: at Cincinnati (4-2, 1-2)
What to know: Looked as 2025-esque as possible in dismantling Arizona State. Can Tech keep it up?
Last week: 3, def. Oklahoma State 25-32
This week: at Utah (6-0, 3-0)
What to know: Cougar fans finally made their way to the stadium and watched their team pick up an important win.
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4. Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1)
Last week: 4, lost 35-32 to Houston
This week: vs. Colorado (2-4, 0-3)
What to know: The sequel to “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” is “If You Give Oklahoma State a Defense.”
Last week: 5, Open
This week: vs. Iowa State (3-3, 1-2)
What to know: Wildcats can’t afford to overlook the Cyclones with Texas Tech coming up in two weeks.
6. Utah (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: 6, def. Colorado 27-24
This week: vs. Houston (6-1, 3-1)
What to know: The Utes have looked mid since Big 12 play started, and against the weakest teams in the conference. Good luck with Houston.
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Last week: 10, def. Kansas 35-24
This week: at Arizona State (3-3, 1-2)
What to know: If Kansas State doesn’t come out of this three-game stretch against Kansas, Arizona State and Colorado with three wins, it’s gonna be a long offseason in Manhattan.
8. Iowa State (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 8, Open
This week: at Arizona (5-1, 2-1)
What to know: The Cyclones can ruin a couple of teams’ paths to the conference title game over the next two weeks.
9. Baylor (4-2, 2-1)
Last week: 7, lost 17-6 to TCU
This week: at Kansas (2-4, 0-3)
What to know: DJ Lagway and the Bears took all that good mojo and threw it out the dang window, 53 times to be exact. Get a running game, Dave.
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10. West Virginia (4-3, 1-3)
Last week: 11, def. Cincinnati 45-42
This week: at TCU (3-3, 1-2)
What to know: If there’s a team that can make the TCU offense look good, it’s West Virginia.
11. Cincinnati (4-2, 1-2)
Last week: 9, lost 45-42 to West Virginia
This week: vs. Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0)
What to know: Do I have this right: the Bearcats gave up 464 passing yards to Michael Hawkins Jr.? Tough scene.
12. UCF (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 13, Open
This week: vs. BYU (6-0, 3-0)
What to know: UCF’s coming off an open week and BYU is riding high after the Notre Dame win. Trap game?
13. TCU (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 15, def. Baylor 17-6
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This week: vs. West Virginia (4-3, 1-3)
What to know: Don’t look now, but the Horned Frogs have a defense that could actually carry them to a bowl game. Or not. TBD.
14. Arizona State (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: 12, lost 53-25 to Texas Tech
This week: vs. Kansas State (4-2, 1-2)
What to know: Sun Devils filled the sidelines with boosters to watch them get blasted by the Red Raiders. Yes, it’s personal.
15. Kansas (2-4, 0-3)
Last week: 14, lost 35-24 to Kansas State
This week: vs. Baylor (4-2, 2-1)
What to know: Jayhawks need to win their next four games for any shot of a bowl game. Otherwise, maybe Leipold’s time in Lawrence is running out.
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16. Colorado (2-4, 0-3)
Last week: 16, lost 27-24 to Utah
This week: at Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1)
What to know: Buffs showed a pulse against Utah. They’ll be back in a coma in Stillwater.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 football power rankings: BYU an undisputed No. 1 after Notre Dame win
