BYU has climbed to the top of the Big 12 power rankings after another unbeaten showing, while Houston’s road win at Kansas State sent the Cougars surging and Arizona kept piling up offense before heading into a bye.
The conference picture keeps shifting in Week 6, and the movement at the top is now being driven by teams that keep stacking wins. BYU’s 24-10 home victory over Iowa State on Friday night was enough to put the Cougars at No.
- Even without running back LJ Martin, BYU found what it needed on offense and held the Cyclones to 10 points.
That sets up a massive test against Notre Dame.
Utah stays right behind at No. 2 after handling Kansas 41-24 at home to remain undefeated. The Utes have kept rolling, and a trip to Colorado gives them another chance to stay near the top of the board.
Texas Tech did not play in Week 6, but the Red Raiders still slid two spots as BYU and Utah strengthened their cases. They remain unbeaten and very much in the mix, with Saturday’s home game against Arizona State offering a chance to reclaim some of that top billing.
Houston made one of the week’s biggest jumps after a convincing 35-16 win at Kansas State. The Cougars move up two spots and now get Oklahoma State at home in a matchup that could shake up the rankings again.
The Cowboys are right there too after beating UCF 42-28 at home to stay unbeaten in Big 12 play. Oklahoma State actually drops a spot only because Houston moves ahead of it, and the trip to Houston offers a direct chance to settle that in the field.
Arizona also made noise with offense, putting together a 52-31 road win at West Virginia. That performance pushes the Wildcats up one spot as they head into their bye, and it gives TCU something to keep in mind before the Horned Frogs’ November trip to Tucson.
Baylor didn’t play in Week 6 either, but the Bears fall two spots as the teams above them keep winning. Still, their unbeaten conference record keeps them in a strong position heading into the Revivalry against TCU.
Cincinnati also sat out the week and moves up one spot. The Bearcats have gotten off to a solid start, but the next stretch will say more about where they fit among the contenders. First up is a trip to West Virginia, where a road win would help them answer for their loss to Arizona.
Iowa State drops one spot after the 24-10 loss at BYU. The Cyclones had trouble generating enough offense to keep the game in reach, and a bye now gives them time to reset.
Kansas State’s loss to Houston leaves it still searching for a first conference win, though the Wildcats move up one spot because UCF falls. The Sunflower Showdown against Kansas now becomes an early chance to respond and avoid a third straight Big 12 loss.
Arizona State got back in the win column with a 30-12 victory over Hawai‘i. The result improves the Sun Devils’ overall record while leaving them 1-1 in conference play, and now they head to Texas Tech for a much tougher challenge.
UCF took its second straight conference loss in the 42-28 defeat at Oklahoma State. The Knights scored enough to hang around, but they could not keep pace and now head into a bye with adjustments to make.
West Virginia was hurt badly by its defense in the 52-31 loss to Arizona. The Mountaineers are 0-3 in Big 12 play and now try to regroup at home against Cincinnati.
TCU remains No. 14 after its bye and heads into a critical road game at Baylor. The Horned Frogs have lost their first two conference games, and while there has been some encouraging signs - including freshman Ace Theus giving them something to build on - they need better execution when they get to Waco. A rivalry win would offer a much-needed reset.
Colorado stays at No. 15 after a week off and is still looking for its first conference win. The Buffaloes return against undefeated Utah and will need a much stronger outing to create an upset.
Kansas remains at the bottom after falling 41-24 at Utah. The Jayhawks are still searching for that first Big 12 win, but the chance comes quickly with the trip to Kansas State for a Sunflower Showdown between two 0-2 teams in league play.
For TCU, the immediate job is Baylor, but the bigger issue is clear enough: the schedule does not get easier, and the Horned Frogs need to start turning close games into wins before the standings become even harder to climb out of.
In Other News...
Baylor Finally Has A Chance To Change This TCU Rivalry Script
Baylor heads into this week with a chance to do something it has had trouble doing in this rivalry: carry the favorites label into a meeting with TCU and make it mean something. The buildup around the game has centered on Baylors offense and defense working together, with players and coaches stressing how difficult TCU can be on that side of the ball and how important it is for Baylor to stay patient, physical and organized from the opening series.
For the Bears, the challenge is less about style points than control. A fast start on the ground, a steady pace and a game that stays low-scoring are all part of the formula Baylor believes can tilt the matchup its way, especially against a TCU defense that has been stubborn all season. It gives this rivalry a different feel than usual, with Baylor trying to set the terms instead of reacting to them. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Comes Out Of The Bye Facing A Big 12 Gut Check
Baylor heads into its matchup with TCU in a familiar spot for this point in the season: riding momentum and trying to keep it going. The Bears are 4-1 and have piled up big margins in recent wins, a sign that the offense and defense have both been doing enough to separate early and settle games before they get uncomfortable. A week off gave Baylor time to reset, but it also put the focus squarely on what comes next against a conference opponent that has been searching for answers.
TCU arrives in Waco after back-to-back losses and with the benefit of its own bye week to regroup. The Horned Frogs are 2-3 and know this trip carries more weight than an ordinary midseason game, especially with both teams trying to make a statement in Big 12 play. Coaches and players on both sides have talked about preparation and the need to be ready, and the next step for Baylor is to see whether its early rhythm can hold up when the conference grind tightens again. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Should Be Watching Josh Cameron A Lot More Closely
A former Baylor walk-on kept turning up in meaningful moments for Jacksonvilles latest win, the kind of performance that makes alumni and Baylor fans take notice. Josh Cameron was involved on offense and on special teams, giving the Jaguars a useful spark while another former Bear, Terrel Bernard, logged seven tackles in Buffalos win and James Lynch chipped in during Chicagos victory over Green Bay.
Camerons night was especially notable because his impact went beyond a few routine touches, with his work on special teams helping tilt the finish in Jacksonvilles favor. For Baylor followers, it is another reminder that the Bears continue to have players making their mark around the league, even if the bigger question around a separate former Houston defender still hangs over the week as he works through an injury evaluation. [Read more 🡒]