A wild Week 2 shook up the Big 12 pecking order, and the biggest winners were the teams that made clean statements on Saturday.
BYU and Utah both surged after convincing victories, while Oklahoma State delivered the kind of result nobody saw coming. At the same time, preseason favorite Texas Tech took a small step back in the eyes of this ranking, even after staying unbeaten. There’s still plenty of season left, but the early picture is already getting interesting.
- BYU (2-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Cougars earned the top spot by handling their Big 12 opener with a 28-17 win over Arizona. Bear Bachmeier is making an early run at Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after throwing three touchdown passes and adding another score on the ground.
- Utah (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): Utah made a loud move up the board after blasting Arkansas 43-10. The Utes controlled the line of scrimmage and held the Razorbacks to 61 rushing yards in a lopsided win.
- Texas Tech (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Red Raiders survived Oregon State 35-24, but they haven’t exactly looked like a team that belongs in the very top tier yet. They’ve also failed to cover the spread as favorites in both games, and the timing of a looming Week 3 matchup with Houston may have had their attention elsewhere.
- Houston (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): Willie Fritz’s team joined the scoring barrage around the conference by rolling past Southern 77-6. No Big 12 team has put up more points in a game this season, and Houston gets a chance to make an even bigger splash Friday at Texas Tech.
- Kansas State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Wildcats were expected to be dangerous offensively under Collin Klein, but the defense has been the early story. Kansas State is among the few teams nationally that hasn’t allowed a touchdown.
- Arizona (1-1, 0-1 Big 12): Arizona pushed BYU hard before a fourth-down conversion was wiped out by video review with 8:24 left. That sequence could have changed everything, and the Wildcats didn’t deserve a harsh drop for a close loss in Provo.
- Oklahoma State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): After the opening loss to Tulsa, the Cowboys stunned Oregon 39-31 as a 23.5-point underdog.
They also out-gained the Ducks by 273 yards. North Texas transfer Drew Mestemaker delivered a huge day with 317 passing yards, two touchdown passes, 109 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
- Cincinnati (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): Cincinnati piled up touchdowns in every direction during a 62-10 win over Western Carolina. Six different players scored on the ground, and two more caught touchdown passes from quarterback JC French.
- Colorado (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Buffaloes already own one notable nonconference win after going on the road and beating Georgia Tech. They’ll have another chance to add to that resume with Northwestern next.
- West Virginia (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Mountaineers have started 2-0 at home, but the real test is coming now. A road trip to Virginia will show much more about where this team stands.
- Baylor (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): Joe Klanderman’s defense has been one of the early bright spots in Waco. Baylor has allowed just 20 points through two games and beat Prairie View A&M without DJ Lagway at quarterback.
- Arizona State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): Arizona State had some encouraging stretches before Texas A&M pulled away with two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 48-20 win. The Sun Devils actually out-gained the Aggies by 114 yards, and now they head to London for an international game against Kansas.
- Kansas (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): Kansas gave Missouri plenty of extra motivation with its pregame hype video before the Border Showdown, but the Jayhawks couldn’t back it up and fell 38-21. Lance Leipold is now 0-7 in rivalry games at KU.
- TCU (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): The Horned Frogs are hoping an off week and a blowout win over an FCS opponent can help shake off the effects of the Dublin trip.
- UCF (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): Scott Frost’s group played solid defense but couldn’t do enough offensively in a 12-7 loss at Pittsburgh. UCF finished with just 206 total yards.
- Iowa State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12): The Cyclones nearly deserve a slight bump after staying close with Iowa, but that rivalry usually turns into a slow, low-scoring grind anyway.
In Other News...
Kansas State's QB Future Makes This Recruit's Interest Worth Watching
Kansas States search for its next quarterback is already drawing attention, and a recent visitor gives that conversation a little more shape. Titus Huard, the four-star signal-caller from Valor Christian in Colorado and the son of former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, was on campus for the Wildcats game against Washington State, a visit that fits neatly into a broader look at how the program is thinking ahead at the position.
The timing matters because Avery Johnsons status beyond this season remains uncertain, which leaves the Wildcats weighing their future options now rather than later. Huard already holds offers from Kansas State, Arkansas, Arizona State, Kansas and Colorado, so his interest will be worth monitoring as Kansas State tries to make itself part of that next wave of quarterback recruiting. [Read more 🡒]
Darien Whitaker Is Giving K-State's Defense A New Problem For Opponents
Darien Whitakers move from linebacker to defensive end has added a new wrinkle to Kansas States defense this season, and it has not taken long for the change to show up on tape. Originally listed as a linebacker, Whitaker has been used at the edge in 2026 and has already turned in a string of impactful plays, showing up in the run game, getting after the quarterback and creating problems for offenses trying to account for him.
For the Wildcats, the bigger question now is how much more the new role can unlock. The coaching staff and teammates have pointed to his athleticism and the way he has handled the transition, which gives Kansas State another versatile piece up front. Opponents have already had to adjust to him in a short time, and that adjustment may only get harder as he settles in. [Read more 🡒]