One year after the Big 12 was penalized for its strength of schedule by having only one team, Arizona State, make the College Football Playoff during its first year of a 12-team format, the league got off to an inauspicious start against fellow power conference schools.
In Week 1 of the 2025 season, Baylor lost to the SEC’s Auburn at home, Colorado fell to the ACC’s Georgia Tech at home, and Cincinnati dropped a neutral-site matchup against the Big Ten’s Nebraska.
Also, Kansas State nearly lost at home to an unranked FCS opponent, North Dakota, before rallying for the winning score in the final minute.
Thank goodness for Utah and TCU, who gave the Big 12 its first two wins over fellow power conference schools — after all of these other games had been completed.
The Utes went to the Rose Bowl and trounced UCLA 43-10, while the Horned Frogs hammered North Carolina 48-14 in a Monday night tilt.
It gives the league a bit of momentum heading into the second week of the year, when six Big 12 teams will play opponents from other power conference schools.
How did this all shake up the Big 12 power rankings?
Here’s a look at how the teams stack up following the first week of the 2025 season.
1. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0, 1-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 6 (⬆️ 5)
- Last week: Beat South Dakota, 55-7
- Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa, 10 a.m. MDT (Fox)
The Cyclones have the early lead in the league race, thanks to their win over Kansas State in Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland. While it was a tight game, Iowa State never trailed and relied on its veteran leadership to deliver the win over their rivals.
Then this past week, Iowa State drubbed a South Dakota squad that entered the year in the top five in the FCS rankings and was coming off a season where it made the national semifinals. In a conference ballyhooed for its returning quarterback talent, Rocco Becht has shown he’s going to be one of the best, even with his top two pass catchers from last year gone to the NFL.
Now, can Iowa State beat the Hawkeyes in their biggest nonconference game of the year?
2. Utah Utes (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 4 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat UCLA, 43-10
- Next game: Saturday vs. Cal Poly, 4 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Utes and their new-look offense took both the Big 12 and the nation by storm with their dominant victory over the Bruins. Utah scored touchdowns on six of its first eight possessions (before running out the clock on their ninth) and were 14 of 16 on third down.
The hype surrounding Devon Dampier was on full display, and the Utes’ offensive line was as dominant as expected, giving Utah’s newfound star plenty of time to create magic. The Utes’ defense also shut down high-profile transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava while sacking UCLA’s signal caller four times.
Looking ahead, Utah shouldn’t receive much of a challenge over the next two weeks vs. Cal Poly and on the road at Wyoming. That sets up what could end up being a top-15 matchup when Texas Tech visits Salt Lake City in a monster Big 12 opener for both schools.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 1 (⬇️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Northern Arizona, 38-19
- Next game: Saturday at Mississippi State, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
The defending Big 12 champions eased into their 2025 schedule by beating in-state FCS foe Northern Arizona without much challenge. Arizona State led 14-0 after one quarter, then the game was relatively even after that, leading to a bit of a ho-hum impression from Week 1.
This week, though, provides the Sun Devils with a chance to make a greater impression. While Mississippi State is projected to finish near the bottom of the SEC, picking up a road victory in SEC territory would do wonders for both Arizona State and the Big 12.
4. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 7 (⬆️ 3)
- Last week: Beat North Carolina, 48-14
- Next game: Sept. 13 vs. Abilene Christian, 6 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
TCU blasted the Tar Heels after falling behind 7-0 early, scoring twice on defense while rolling up 542 yards of offense. That spoiled the coaching debut of Bill Belichick at North Carolina. The Horned Frogs also showed they’re more serious about running the ball, picking up 258 on the ground after averaging 113.9 rushing yards per game a year ago.
It’s too bad TCU has an early bye this week — Monday night’s primetime blowout of an ACC foe was not only entertaining but a good win for the Big 12. The Horned Frogs will play FCS foe Abilene Christian before finishing up nonconference play at ranked SMU on Sept. 20, another chance for a showcase win.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 5 (⬇️ 3)
- Last week: Beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 67-7
- Next game: Saturday vs. Kent State, 10 a.m. MDT (TNT, TruTV)
The Red Raiders fell in this week’s power rankings not because of their performance, but because a couple other teams below them had impressive victories. Still, Texas Tech had a much better showing against their FCS opponent this season, cruising to a 60-point win, than last year when the Red Raiders were nearly knocked off by Abilene Christian.
It’s worth monitoring, though, Behren Morton’s health after Texas Tech’s starting quarterback left last Saturday’s game with a leg injury. The Red Raiders won’t hit the road until their Big 12 opener at Utah on Sept. 20.
6. BYU Cougars (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 8 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Portland State, 69-0
- Next game: Saturday vs. Stanford, 8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
The Cougars used an effective formula — overpowering run game and stifling defense — to run roughshod over the visiting Vikings in their opener. That helped take a lot of pressure off BYU true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who still accounted for five touchdowns — three passing, two rushing — in one half of play.
BYU’s defense, in particular, had an impressive showing. The Cougars gave up 47 yards to Portland State on its first two drives but just four yards on the Vikings’ remaining 12 possessions. That included holding Portland State to minus-5 yards rushing.
While Stanford is projected to be one of the worst power conference programs this season — and lost at Hawaii in Week 0 — the Cardinal will provide a stiffer test for Bachmeier and company. The freshman will need to be more crisp against a team with power conference talent.
7. Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 9 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Wagner, 46-7
- Next game: Saturday at Missouri, 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
The Jayhawks have taken care of business in satisfying fashion thus far in 2025, cruising past Wagner one week after beating the Mountain West’s Fresno State 31-7 in Week 0. Jalon Daniels is off to a strong start — he’s thrown for 456 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception — and Kansas looks like it’s building off some of that momentum from the end of the 2024 campaign.
This week, the Jayhawks will have their opportunity to deliver a statement win when they hit the road to play the SEC’s Missouri. The Tigers sit just outside the national top-25 rankings and are coming off a season where they went 10-3.
8. Kansas State Wildcats (1-1, 0-1 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 3 (⬇️ 5)
- Last week: Beat North Dakota, 38-35
- Next game: Saturday vs. Army, 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
The Wildcats were oh-so-close to truly taking a freefall in just the first weekly update of the Big 12 power rankings. After losing to Iowa State in a Week 0 conference matchup, Kansas State was on the ropes against FCS opponent North Dakota this past weekend and trailed 35-31 after giving up a touchdown with 4:19 to play. The Wildcats won on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 42 seconds left.
Still, it’s hardly done much to bolster the hope surrounding Kansas State at the moment. The Wildcats were expected to be one of the Big 12’s best contenders this season, and while that’s still plenty possible, it’s a rough start.
9. Baylor Bears (0-1)
- Preseason ranking: No. 5 (⬇️ 4)
- Last week: Lost to Auburn, 38-24
- Next game: Saturday at No. 17 SMU, 10 a.m. MDT (The CW)
Baylor looks like it has the offense to be a Big 12 contender — even if it took some time to get going in the season opener — but the Bears’ defense needs to improve. Baylor missed a prime opportunity to pick up a win over an SEC team, with the Tigers going into Waco and walking out victorious.
The Bears, though, do have a chance for some redemption this week. They’ll have to go on the road to get it, however, as they head to Dallas to take on the top-20 ranked Mustangs. A win would be big for the Big 12 in its battle of superiority with the ACC.
10. Arizona Wildcats (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 13 (⬆️ 3)
- Last week: Beat Hawaii, 40-6
- Next game: Saturday vs. Weber State, 8 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Wildcats used a balanced offensive attack and forced five turnovers in beating Hawaii one week after the Rainbow Warriors rallied to knock off the ACC’s Stanford. It’s a promising result to start off Year 2 under Brent Brennan.
Arizona will have its first real test in two weeks when Kansas State visits for a Friday night matchup of two Big 12 teams that will actually count as a nonconference game. Can the Wildcats be more competitive than last year, when they lost to Kansas State 31-7 on the road?
11. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 11 (no change)
- Last week: Beat Robert Morris, 45-3
- Next game: Saturday at Ohio, 2 p.m. MDT (ESPNU)
The Mountaineers kicked off Year 1 of Rich Rodriguez 2.0 with an easy victory over an FCS opponent, a similar result for many Big 12 teams in Week 1. Nicco Marciol won the team’s QB competition and impressed by throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 56 yards and another score.
West Virginia hits the road for a game at the MAC’s Ohio before hosting the ACC’s Pittsburgh in its final — and most difficult — nonconference game. The contest against the Panthers will provide the best answers about West Virginia has in its arsenal heading into league play.
12. Colorado Buffaloes (0-1)
- Preseason ranking: No. 10 (⬇️ 2)
- Last week: Lost to Georgia Tech, 27-20
- Next game: Saturday vs. Delaware, 1:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)
The Buffaloes played tough against the Yellow Jackets, a team that sits just outside the top-25 rankings, before a late touchdown lifted Georgia Tech to the win. Colorado, at least, showed a commitment to establishing the run much better than they did last season.
Colorado gets a chance to earn its first win of the season against a Delaware program in its first year as an FBS school. There are winnable games over the next few weeks before the Big 12 schedule toughens up for the Buffaloes.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats (0-1)
- Preseason ranking: No. 12 (⬇️ 1)
- Last week: Lost to Nebraska, 20-17
- Next game: Saturday vs. Bowling Green, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Bearcats, even in a loss, played tough in a neutral-site matchup at Arrowhead Stadium that was essentially a Nebraska home game. It could have been a marquee win for the Big 12 over the Big Ten, but Cincinnati couldn’t overcome a Huskers team that held them to 69 passing yards.
The Bearcats start a stretch this weekend where they’ll play four of their next five games at home, including two of the team’s first three conference games. It will give Cincinnati the chance to get some things rolling early in the season.
14. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 14 (no change)
- Last week: Beat UT Martin, 27-7
- Next game: Saturday at No. 6 Oregon, 1:30 p.m. (CBS)
After a disastrous 3-9 season in 2024 that ended with nine straight losses, a victory — even over a nondescript FCS opponent — is a step in the right direction for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, though, lost quarterback Hauss Henjy to a broken foot in the contest, and will hand over the offense to Zane Flores in his absence.
The reward for their first win in nearly a year? Hitting the road and facing the top-10 Ducks, who are heavy favorites over Oklahoma State. This one is likely to get ugly in Eugene, Oregon.
15. Houston Cougars (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 16 (⬆️ 1)
- Last week: Beat Stephen F. Austin, 27-0
- Next game: Saturday at Rice, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Houston fans got their first glimpse at former five-star quarterback Conner Weigman, as he threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns in his first game as a Cougar. The Houston defense, meanwhile, held Stephen F. Austin to 144 yards.
The Cougars have a manageable nonconference schedule — with road games at Rice and Oregon State remaining, with a home contest against Colorado in between. The hope is that Weigman and the offense can show more than they showed in their FCS warm-up game.
16. UCF Knights (1-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 15 (⬇️ 1)
- Last week: Beat Jacksonville State, 17-10
- Next game: Saturday vs. North Carolina A&T, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Knights were unimpressive in a season-opening win over Jacksonville State. After a scoreless first half, the Gamecocks took a 10-3 lead early in the fourth quarter before UCF managed a pair of touchdown drives to win — including a 33-yard DJ Black touchdown reception with just over a minute to play.
Following an FCS matchup this week, the Knights will be tested against North Carolina in two weeks. It will provide a challenge for UCF and its new quarterback, Tayven Jackson.