While the overall picture of the Big 12 didn’t change drastically through the first full week of the 2026 college football season, there were a handful of interesting takeaways.
- Houston beat Oregon State, pulling away late with a touchdown for a two-score win.
- New-look Cincinnati rolled past Boston College in a nonconference power school matchup.
- Colorado had the most thrilling contest of the bunch, beating Georgia Tech after blocking a last-second field goal.
- Oklahoma State, considered by many to be a potential dark horse in the Big 12 race, was humbled by Tulsa.
- TCU also stumbled out of the gate, falling in Ireland to North Carolina.
While the league has gone 13-3 as a whole, those five contests proved to be the most telling as the season kicked off.
Here’s how the league stacks up following Week 1 of the 2026 season.
1. BYU Cougars (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 2 (up 1)
- Last week: Beat Utah Tech, 63-7
- Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona, 1:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)
At least going into the season, there’s more of a palpable buzz surrounding the BYU program than Texas Tech, and the Cougars had a more impressive Week 1 win.
BYU made quick work of its FCS opponent, forcing Utah Tech into four turnovers, and enjoyed standout performances from freshman receiver Legend Glasker and returner Cannon DeVries.
The first big test of the season is this week, as the Cougars host Arizona.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 1 (down 1)
- Last week: Beat Abilene Christian, 33-10
- Next game: Saturday at Oregon State, 5:30 p.m. MDT (CBS)
The Red Raiders won easily over Abilene Christian, and Texas Tech’s defense only gave up three points. One of the few nitpicks about Week 1 is that the Red Raiders’ offense had to settle for four field goals.
Texas Tech is a heavy favorite again against the Beavers, though this game will be a good barometer for where the Red Raiders are before taking on Houston, a 33-20 winner over Oregon State last week, on Sept. 18.
3. Utah Utes (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 5 (up 2)
- Last week: Beat Idaho, 66-14
- Next game: Saturday vs. Arkansas, 8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
That was a great first act for the Morgan Scalley-led Utes in front of a Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd, as they never let their FCS opponent create any doubt while playing efficiently — Utah was only flagged once.
The Utes’ offensive playmakers, in particular, gave a tantalizing look at what that side of the ball could produce week in and week out this season, with Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin one of the best 1-2 QB punches in the nation.
The competition level jumps significantly this week, with the SEC’s Arkansas coming to town. The Utes are sizable favorites, though, in the second time an SEC program comes to Rice-Eccles.
4. Houston Cougars (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 3 (down 1)
- Last week: Beat Oregon State, 33-20
- Next game: Saturday vs. Southern, 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Cougars, viewed as a Big 12 contender this season, held off a game Oregon State team in a contest disrupted by a weather delay. Still, Houston led by as many as 19 before the Beavers made it a six-point game before the Cougars put the game away with a late touchdown.
Houston has its matchup with an FCS opponent next, before an ultra important contest at Texas Tech on Sept. 18, perhaps the most impactful Big 12 contest in September.
5. Arizona Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 4 (down 1)
- Last week: Beat Northern Arizona, 35-7
- Next game: Saturday at No. 15 BYU, 1:30 p.m. MDT (Fox)
Like so many of its Big 12 peers, Arizona ran away with a dominant win over an FCS foe to open the season, holding Northern Arizona scoreless until a few minutes into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats’ biggest blemish was turning the ball over three times, including a pick-six.
Arizona has one of the most difficult Big 12 schedules in the league this season, and Saturday’s matchup in Provo will provide the Wildcats with a difficult challenge — and an opportunity to push their way into the conference race early.
6. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 7 (up 1)
- Last week: Beat Morgan State, 70-7
- Next game: Saturday at No. 10 Texas A&M, 10 a.m. MDT (ABC)
The first glance of ASU’s new quarterback, Cutter Bolley, sure was a good one. The former Kentucky signal caller threw for 387 yards and six touchdowns in an abbreviated appearance as the Sun Devils pounded the Bears.
This week will be a true litmus test, though, of where Kenny Dillingham’s program stands, two years removed from a Big 12 title and coming off an 8-5 season. Texas A&M is one of the toughest nonconference opponents any Big 12 team will face this season, and Arizona State has to hit the road for the matchup.
7. Kansas State Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 8 (up 1)
- Last week: Beat Nicholls, 71-3
- Next game: Saturday vs. Washington State, 10 a.m. MDT (TNT)
The Wildcats got the offense rolling early and often in Colin Klein’s head coaching debut, and Avery Johnson accounted for four touchdowns to pace that effort. It was an impressive effort for a program coming off an uninspiring 6-6 season.
Washington State will provide a stiffer challenge — the Cougars gave No. 17 Washington a fight before falling 24-10. Can Kansas State build some early momentum this season as it plays five of its first six games at home?
8. Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 13 (up 5)
- Last week: Beat Boston College, 34-15
- Next game: Saturday vs. Western Carolina, 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
How ’bout them Bearcats? Cincinnati took care of business against a moribund Boston College program, and did so behind a four-touchdown day from new quarterback JC French IV.
With games against FCS Western Carolina and Miami (Ohio) up next, the Bearcats have an excellent chance to go unbeaten in nonconference play and build some momentum before the grind of league play gets going.
9. UCF Knights (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 14 (up 5)
- Last week: Beat Bethune-Cookman, 73-6
- Next game: Saturday at Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
The Knights rolled both on offense and defense against their overmatched FCS opponent in Week 1, as UCF put up 560 yards of total offense and held Bethune-Cookman scoreless until the final play of the game.
A much bigger test awaits this week in a trip to ACC territory. Pitt opened the season with a 59-14 victory over Miami (Ohio) and has a 75% chance of beating UCF, according to ESPN Analytics.
10. Colorado Buffaloes (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 15 (up 5)
- Last week: Beat Georgia Tech, 14-13
- Next game: Saturday vs. Weber State, 1:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
The Buffaloes hold the honor of the most thrilling Big 12 game in Week 1. Behind a clutch touchdown drive led by Julian Lewis, Colorado grabbed the lead late against Georgia Tech, then blocked a field-goal attempt on the final play to preserve the win.
With Weber State coming to Boulder this weekend, Colorado is in a strong position to build off that Week 1 momentum before hitting the road to face the Big Ten’s Northwestern to cap nonconference play.
11. Baylor Bears (0-1, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 10 (down 1)
- Last week: Lost to Auburn, 17-16
- Next game: Saturday vs. Prairie View A&M, 6:08 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
Baylor’s oh-so-close dreams of knocking off an SEC power on a neutral site nearly came to fruition, but the Bears were stopped on a two-point conversion late that would have given them the lead. It would have been a huge win for Dave Aranda and his maligned program.
There’s an opportunity for Baylor to shake this off and get on a roll, though — the Bears will play four of their next five games at home, including two of their first three conference contests.
12. Kansas Jayhawks (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 11 (down 1)
- Last week: Beat Long Island, 51-6
- Next game: Saturday vs. No. 23 Missouri, 6 p.m. MDT (Fox)
Kansas used a 24-point second quarter to help spark the blowout win, as the Jayhawks overcame a slow start to overwhelm Long Island. Not only did the Jayhawks put up 613 yards of total offense, they also held the Sharks to 146.
The good times might hit a snag this week, with top-25 Missouri coming to town. Kansas and Missouri have a longstanding rivalry, though the Tigers have a four-game win streak in the series.
13. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 12 (down 1)
- Last week: Beat Coastal Carolina, 31-24
- Next game: Saturday vs. UT Martin, 11 a.m. MDT (ESPN+)
Hey, a win is a win. The Mountaineers built a 24-0 halftime lead against the Chanticleers only to see Coastal Carolina rally and make things interesting for a moment after scoring 10 points in the final two minutes. Cam Cook was as advertised, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns for West Virginia.
The Mountaineers should roll this week, before facing No. 25 Virginia next week in the final nonconference game for West Virginia.
14. Iowa State Cyclones (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 16 (up 2)
- Last week: Beat SE Missouri, 38-10
- Next game: Saturday at No. 21 Iowa, 5:30 p.m. MDT (NBC)
The expectations aren’t high for first-year coach Jimmy Rogers and his new group, which includes more than 80 newcomers. The Cyclones took care of business against SE Missouri, though, as they led 28-7 at halftime and forced three turnovers.
This week’s challenge is much more daunting, as Iowa State hits the road to face rival Iowa. Yes, the Cyclones are on a two-game win streak in this rivalry, but there is plenty of change around the program that could make building consistency a difficult task.
15. TCU Horned Frogs (0-1, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 6 (down 9)
- Last week: Bye
- Next game: Saturday vs. Grambling, 6 p.m. MDT (ESPN+)
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Horned Frogs sputtered in a Week 0 loss against North Carolina in Ireland, though that bitter taste is still around. TCU came into 2026 viewed as a dark horse candidate for the Big 12 crown — and that’s still possible — but it was a rough start to the season.
There’s plenty of doubt out there right now that Harvard transfer Jaden Craig isn’t the answer at quarterback for Sonny Dykes’ program, and if that is ultimately the case, it could be a middling season for TCU, though there’s still plenty of ball left to be played.
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-1, 0-0 Big 12)
- Preseason ranking: No. 9 (down 7)
- Last week: Lost to Tulsa, 24-10
- Next game: Saturday vs. No. 6 Oregon, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN/Disney+)
Nobody had it worse in their season opener than Oklahoma State — at least in Big 12 country. It was easy to buy into the hype that new coach Eric Morris could quickly turn around the Cowboys program after bringing over plenty of talent from his former North Texas squad, but Tulsa quickly humbled those expectations.
Oklahoma State is now staring straight into the face of likely its toughest challenge of the season, with No. 6 Oregon coming to Stillwater. There’s a real danger this one could get ugly.
