Week 2 of the college football season brought a spotlight to the Big 12 — a few times in a good way, a handful of other times in a bad way.
Iowa State, Utah and Texas Tech continued to roll; so, too, did BYU, and Baylor rallied for an important win.
On the flip side, defending Big 12 champion Arizona State lost a heartbreaker. Kansas State dropped its second game, and Oklahoma State was embarrassed by Oregon.
The sum of those parts likely landed on the negative side of things overall for a league that is trying to prove it is the third-toughest conference in the FBS.
It also led to some shakeup in the latest Big 12 power rankings.
Here’s a look at how the teams stack up following the second week of the 2025 season.
1. Iowa State Cyclones (3-0, 1-0 Big 12)
- Previous ranking: No. 1 (no change)
- Last week: Beat Iowa, 16-13
- Next game: Saturday at Arkansas State, 2 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
The Cyclones passed their toughest test of nonconference play, beating rival Iowa in another grudge fest where points were at a premium. Combined with a Week 0 Big 12 win over Kansas State, Iowa State is off to the hottest start league-wide.
Over the next four games, the Cyclones will only be home once, though Iowa State is favored in each game by ESPN’s Football Power Index. Following the game at Arkansas State, the Cyclones have a bye, followed by a home game against Arizona and back-to-back road contests at Cincinnati and Colorado.
2. Utah Utes (2-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 2 (no change)
- Last week: Beat Cal Poly, 63-9
- Next game: Saturday at Wyoming, 6 p.m. MDT (CBS Sports Network)
The Utes haven’t been seriously challenged yet, and that isn’t likely to happen this week as they face old Mountain West Conference foe Wyoming in Laramie this weekend.
One week after blowing past UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Utah got off to a bit of a sloppy start before rolling past FCS Cal Poly. Again, Devon Dampier was efficient, and the Utes defense was disruptive.
It’s hard not to look forward to the matchup in two weeks, when Texas Tech makes a road trip to Salt Lake City for the Big 12 opener for both schools. That is a potential top-20 matchup, and one that could factor heavily in the league race come season’s end.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 5 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Kent State, 62-14
- Next game: Saturday vs. Oregon State, 1:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)
The Red Raiders are rolling through two weeks, though arguably they have the easiest nonconference schedule of any team in the Big 12. Texas Tech has scored more than 60 points in its two wins, over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Kent State.
While Oregon State should provide a stiffer challenge, things aren’t as rosy for the Beavers as they have been in recent years. Oregon State is coming off a loss to Fresno State and is still looking for its first win of the season.
4. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 4 (no change)
- Last week: Bye
- Next game: Saturday vs. Abilene Christian, 6 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Horned Frogs had an ultra early bye last week, after pounding the ACC’s North Carolina in Week 1. That win raised expectations and hopes that TCU could get back to being a consistent force atop the Big 12.
TCU is a huge favorite this week against its FCS opponent, though there is intrigue in who the Horned Frogs will face the week after. TCU will take on SMU then, a Mustangs team that is coming off falling outside of the top 25 after losing in double overtime to Baylor.
5. BYU Cougars (2-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 6 (⬆️ 1)
- Last week: Beat Stanford, 27-3
- Next game: Sept. 20 at East Carolina, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
Oh, how things have changed in just a few seasons for the Cougars.
Not long ago, a 24-point win over a power conference opponent would have been cause for celebration. Now, BYU struggles offensively but dominates defensively against woebegone Stanford, and seemingly the focus is on the negatives from a blowout win.
While it’s super early in the season, a bye this week could be good for the Cougars and true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. There’s plenty of learning on the job going on for BYU’s offense, and a week to refresh and reset might be just what is needed.
6. Baylor Bears (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 9 (⬆️ 3)
- Last week: Beat No. 17 SMU, 48-45
- Next game: Saturday vs. Samford, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN+)
Midway through the fourth quarter last Saturday, it looked like Baylor was on its way to an 0-2 start, as the Bears trailed SMU by 14 points. A furious rally led by Sawyer Robertson forced overtime, and Baylor bested the Mustangs on a walk-off field goal.
For a Baylor team that looks like it could be a Big 12 contender if it survives a difficult first half of the season, that rally was huge. The Bears have an easy one this week before hosting defending Big 12 champion Arizona State to open conference play.
7. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 3 (⬇️ 4)
- Last week: Lost to Mississippi State, 24-20
- Next game: Saturday vs. Texas State, 8:30 p.m. MDT (TNT)
The Sun Devils were their own worst enemy in SEC territory: Arizona State fell behind 17-0 at Mississippi State, rallied to tie the game at 17-all, then had a chance to take a touchdown lead but couldn’t reach the end zone in a goal-to-go situation and settled for a three-point advantage with under two minutes to play.
Then the unthinkable happened: the Bulldogs won on a 58-yard touchdown pass into single coverage with 30 seconds to play. Just like that, the league’s defending champs had the most disappointing Big 12 result of Week 2.
How will Arizona State rebound this week in its final game before conference play?
8. Arizona Wildcats (2-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 10 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Weber State, 48-3
- Next game: Friday vs. Kansas State, 7 p.m. MDT (Fox)
The competition has been far from a challenge, but so far, Arizona is taking care of business and doing so in dominant fashion. The Wildcats are one of five Big 12 teams who are top five nationally in scoring defense, having given up 4.5 points per game.
While a matchup this week against Kansas State is considered a nonconference contest, it will be a solid litmus test for how competitive Arizona could be in the Big 12 this year. Kansas State is hurting, and Arizona is seeking vengeance for a blowout loss in Manhattan, Kansas, last year.
9. Kansas Jayhawks (2-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 7 (⬇️ 2)
- Last week: Lost to Missouri, 42-31
- Next game: Sept. 20 vs. West Virginia, 4 p.m. MDT (FS1)
What could have been. The Jayhawks had a solid chance to beat Missouri and earn a victory over an SEC opponent, but Kansas couldn’t protect a 21-6 first-half lead or a 31-28 edge in the fourth quarter. There’s no shame — Missouri is a tough team, and the Tigers are expected to be competitive in the SEC this season.
For now, Kansas will have to regain its focus and prepare for the start of Big 12 play. The Jayhawks have a bye this week, before they open league action at home against a West Virginia team that is hurting right now.
10. Colorado Buffaloes (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 12 (⬆️ 2)
- Last week: Beat Delaware, 31-7
- Next game: Friday at Houston, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes took a look at three different quarterbacks in their victory over Delaware, and it was the third-stringer, Ryan Staub, who had the most impressive outing. He led a couple of touchdown drives, and it creates some question what Colorado will do at the position going forward.
The Buffaloes are hitting the road this week for an early Big 12 opener against Houston. Like Colorado, plenty of eyes at Houston are on its quarterback, with transfer Conner Weigman taking over the offense.
11. Houston Cougars (2-0)
- Previous ranking: No. 15 (⬆️ 4)
- Last week: Beat Rice, 35-9
- Next game: Friday vs. Colorado, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
So far, Houston looks improved. Weigman, the former Texas A&M quarterback brought in to take over a moribund offensive attack, has been fine while helping Houston average 31 points per game through two contests.
This week, though, will be a nice test for just how much Houston could be a factor in the Big 12 this season. Both Colorado and Houston are in flux, and the winner will gain a valuable advantage early on in the league.
12. Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 13 (⬆️ 1)
- Last week: Beat Bowling Green, 34-20
- Next game: Saturday vs. Northwestern State, 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Bearcats responded well from a tough loss to the Big Ten’s Nebraska in Week 1, as they stormed out to a 31-10 lead before Bowling Green made the score a bit closer in a nonconference matchup last weekend.
Cincinnati will have an opportunity this week against an FCS opponent and during a bye next week to fine tune some things before the Bearcats open Big 12 play on the road at Kansas the final weekend in September.
13. UCF Knights (2-0)
- Preseason ranking: No. 16 (⬆️ 3)
- Last week: Beat North Carolina A&T, 68-7
- Next game: Sept. 20 vs. North Carolina, 1:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)
The Knights, like many other Big 12 teams have done so far, rolled up a lot of points in their matchup against an FCS opponent. New lead back Jaden Nixon showed off his explosiveness with touchdown runs of 87 and 66 yards, as well as a 97-yard kickoff return for a score to open the game.
UCF now has a bye week to help get the team ready for its biggest test outside of conference play: a contest against Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team. If the Knights win that game, they’ll have some serious momentum going into league play, even if UCF entered the season without much fanfare.
14. Kansas State Wildcats (1-2, 0-1 Big 12)
- Previous ranking: No. 8 (⬇️ 6)
- Last week: Lost to Army, 24-21
- Next game: Friday at Arizona, 7 p.m. MDT (Fox)
What is happening with Kansas State?
The Wildcats are the lone sub-.500 team in the Big 12 after losing to Army one week after FCS Tarleton State beat the Black Knights. If it wasn’t for a rally against North Dakota, Kansas State could be 0-3.
The panic button is staring Kansas State in the face, and now it must hit the road for a game against Arizona. Yes, Kansas State easily handled Arizona last season, but Arizona is the team with momentum right now, while Kansas State is just trying to stay afloat. It’s a critical week for a team that was supposed to be a Big 12 favorite.
15. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 11 (⬇️ 4)
- Last week: Lost to Ohio, 17-10
- Next game: Saturday vs. Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
It’s been a tough few days for the Mountaineers. First, West Virginia lost a road game at Ohio, a team from the MAC, and on Monday, there was the news that standout running back Jahiem White and wide receiver Jaden Bray are lost for the season due to injury.
That’s incredibly difficult timing, considering West Virginia has Pittsburgh coming up next. The game is in Morgantown, where the Mountaineers beat the Panthers two years ago, but Pittsburgh won their matchup last season in a close contest.
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-1)
- Previous ranking: No. 14 (⬇️ 2)
- Last week: Lost to No. 6 Oregon, 69-3
- Next game: Sept. 19 vs. Tulsa, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
Mike Gundy poked the bear, and the Ducks poked back. The OSU coach’s NIL comments didn’t sit well in Eugene, Oregon, and the ranked Ducks put a hurting on Oklahoma State.
Now, the Cowboys must wallow in that feeling for another week, as they go through a bye week before finishing nonconference play against Tulsa. For a once-proud program, it’s tough times for beleaguered Oklahoma State.
