Big 12 Power Rankings updated after Week 2 of college football
It was an eventful Week 2 of college football around the Big 12 as teams continued non-conference play early in the season. Now, with the help of the On3 Massey Ratings, here is a look at how those Big 12 teams stack up with the Week 2 Power Rankings.
The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Around the Big 12, there were a handful of teams, like Kansas State and Oklahoma State, that were able to avoid upset bids. Others, like Iowa State, won rivalry games. Amid all of that, there was plenty of room for movement within the Big 12 Power Rankings.
1. Kansas State Wildcats (2-0)
Kansas State is currently the top team in the Big 12 Power Rankings, per the On3 Massing Ratings. Through two weeks the Wildcats are 2-0, but nearly got upset by Tulane in Week 2. That game came down to a Kansas State scoop and score before stopping the Green Wave in the redzone late in the fourth quarter to earn a 34-27 win.
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The combination of quarterback Avery Johnson and running back DJ Giddens has been an exciting one so far this year, with the pair being a key reason why expectations are so high for Kansas State. Next up, the Wildcats host Arizona. That’s an AP Top 25 Poll ranked matchup that’s potentially going to help shape the expectations for the Big 12 moving forward.
2. Utah Utes (2-0, 1-0)
The Utah Utes played their first Big 12 conference game in Week 2 by hosting the Baylor Bears. It was a suffocating performance, especially by the Utes’ defense. After jumping out to a 23-0 lead, Utah was in control of the game for the rest of the way. However, starting quarterback Cam Rising did get injured and didn’t return to the game, which could be a major concern moving forward.
Next week, Utah plays a rivalry game on the road against Utah State. With or without Rising, it’s a game they’ll be expected to win. However, getting back their star quarterback would be a relief moving forward this season because the schedule is gonna get much more difficult quickly.
3. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0)
For the second time in three seasons, the Iowa State Cyclones have beaten the Iowa Hawkeyes with both wins coming in Iowa City. That, after six losses in a row to the Hawkeyes, isn’t something for Cyclones fans to take lightly. It was a game that saw the Cyclones put up 20 second half points to win by a single point.
Now ranked in the AP Poll, Iowa State is looking to make its impact felt in the Big 12 race. First, however, the Cyclones have another non-conference test against Arkansas State that they can’t afford to overlook. Of course, if quarterback Rocco Becht plays like he did in the second half against Iowa, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-0)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys narrowly avoided getting upset at home by the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 2. That game saw the Razorbacks jump out to a 14-0 first quarter lead before Oklahoma State was able to mount a comeback, eventually forcing overtime. That’s where the Cowboys’ defense stood tall and kept Arkansas from scoring in two overtimes.
Despite the struggles that Oklahoma State had early against Arkansas, the Cowboys are still a very talented team and should be a threat to compete in the Big 12. However, getting more consistency from the start and more yardage than the 2.9 yards per carry from running back Ollie Gordon is going to be important. That starts next week with a game against Tulsa.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (2-0)
The TCU Horned Frogs jumped out to a 2-0 start. That, after struggling to a 5-7 record in 2023, is huge as the Horned Frogs look to return to the College Football Playoff. In Week 2, the Horned Frogs beat the LIU Sharks 45-0 in a dominant effort.
Next week is going to be a real test for TCU. The Horned Frogs are opening Big 12 play by hosting the UCF Knights. In particular, the TCU rushing defense is going to need to be at its best. To this point in the season, the Horned Frogs have been strong there, only allowing 90 yards per game on the ground in what is, admittedly, a small sample size.
6. BYU Cougars (2-0)
The BYU Cougars earned a win over the SMU Mustangs on the road in Week 2. That was a bit of a surprise, with SMU being the favorite. However, BYU was excellent on defense, particularly in the Redzone, and was able to hold SMU to just 15 points in the win.
Now 2-0, BYU has another road game next week with a trip to Wyoming. That game is one the Cougars will be favored to win before getting into Big 12 play. From there, BYU is a program that would like to find a way to make noise and compete this season.
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7. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0)
Through two weeks, Arizona State has been one of the biggest surprises in the Big 12, winning both games despite struggling in recent seasons. That included a big win over Wyoming before hosting Mississippi State in Week 2 for what turned into a convincing win in its own right. The Sun Devils had a 27-3 lead at the half and while a late push by the Bulldogs made it look closer than that, Arizona State was in control.
Next week, Arizona State travels for the first time this season. They’ll be on the road against Texas State, one of the better teams in the Group of Five. It’s a potentially tricky game that the Sun Devils will need to be ready for before getting into their first season of Big 12 Conference play.
8. UCF Knights (2-0)
While the competition that UCF has played in the first two weeks hasn’t been overly challenging, the Knights have been dominant in their efforts. To this point, the Knights have outscored opponents 102-17, with the rushing game going for an average of 419 yards per game. That’s the best in the country.
Where UCF will need to see improvement this season is at the quarterback position. It’s been a slow start to the season for KJ Jefferson but he did show signs of improvement in Week 2. Now, Big 12 play is set to start with UCF’s first road trip of the season to TCU.
9. Arizona Wildcats (2-0)
The Arizona Wildcats come in at ninth in the Big 12 Power Rankings. That’s despite being ranked in the AP Poll to this point of the season. Through two games, the Wildcats are unbeaten but there have been some issues in each of those games. First, Arizona gave up 39 points in a win over New Mexico. They followed that up by letting Northern Arizona go into halftime with the lead.
Still, there is plenty to like about the Wildcats. In particular, the combination of quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan seems like one of the best in the country. As long as those two can consistently connect with one another, the Wildcats should have a difficult offense to stop.
10. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)
After dropping their Week 1 game to Penn State, the West Virginia Mountaineers bounced back and earned a win over FCS Albany in Week 2. It was a fairly dominant effort as the Mountaineers ended up winning the game 49-14. That was largely on the back of 305 rushing yards as a team.
Next week, the Mountaineers are going to play rival Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. It’s a game that West Virginia won last season in Morgantown. Now, the Mountaineers want their first win over the Panthers in Pittsburgh since 2010.
Rest of Big 12 Power Rankings
11. Baylor Bears (1-1, 0-1)
12. Kansas Jayhawks (1-1)
13. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-1)
14. Colorado Buffaloes (1-1)
15. Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1)
16. Houston Cougars (0-2)
Week 3 around the Big 12 is going to be an interesting one with more conference games and rivalries in action. Those conference games will start on Friday with Kansas State hosting Arizona in a vital game early in the season. Week 3 then continues on Saturday with UCF traveling to TCU. On top of that, there’s going to be several non-conference rivalry games. Amid all of that, the Big 12 picture will continue to take shape.