Big 12 Power Rankings updated after Week 3 of college football

The third week of college football didn’t look great on paper, with zero games between Top 25 teams. Still, there ended up being plenty of excitement around college football, specifically within the Big 12 Conference. With that, it’s time for another round of power rankings after Week 3.

These power rankings are determined by several members of the On3 staff. It’s also worth pointing out that any power rankings are in place to determine where individual teams rank at a certain point in time. These are not standings.

Here are those Big 12 power rankings, following Week 3 of the college football season:

1. Texas Longhorns (3-0)

Texas opened the season as the favorites to win the Big 12. Since the start of the season, the Longhorns have proven themselves and there is a very real discussion about whether Texas is back or not. One of the biggest moments came in Week 2 when Texas traveled to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama.

It seemed like Texas might have a slight hangover in Week 3, letting Wyoming hang around for three quarters. However, in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns hit the gas and pulled away from the Cowboys. Next week, Texas opens up Big 12 play on the road at Baylor.

2. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)

Another traditional powerhouse program, the Oklahoma Sooners came into the 2023 season looking to prove that the 2022 season was a temporary backstep. Through three non-conference games, the Sooners are 3-0 and have been a dominant force in those games.

Most recently, Oklahoma beat Tulsa on the road by a score of 66-17. Through three games against three Group of Five opponents, Oklahoma is outscoring those opponents by an average of 55.6 to 9.3. It’s hard not to be impressed by that kind of success on both sides of the ball.

3. BYU Cougars (3-0) (+6)

The BYU Cougars made the biggest leap this week of any team in the Big 12. The Cougars went on the road and beat the Arkansas Razorbacks in an exciting game that many people didn’t think BYU had a chance to win. Now, BYU is 3-0 and looks as impressive as anybody in the conference.

BYU came out slowly this season, winning a close game against Sam Houston State. That was a concerning game and has helped keep the Cougars in the lower end of these power rankings. However, an awesome win ahead of conference play earned BYU plenty of respect.

4. UCF Knights (3-0)

The UCF Knights continue to steadily remain fourth in the Big 12 power rankings. A large part of why the Knights have gotten so much respect is the team’s excellent running game, paired with some of the most consistent special teams in the country. That, and a 3-0 record, has helped make them an exciting new addition to the Big 12.

UCF does have a major question to answer in the next few weeks. How do you replace quarterback John Rhys Plumlee? He was injured in the team’s win over Boise State and would be replaced by Timmy McClain for the team’s win over Villanova. McClain is the guy going into Big 12 play against Kansas State and UCF needs him to step up for those games.

5. Kansas Jayhawks (3-0) (+1)

The Kansas Jayhawks moved to 3-0 and moved up one spot in the Big 12 power rankings. This comes after the Jayhawks traveled to Nevada and earned a hard fought victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack. Unsurprisingly, that win was in large part because of quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Daniels can threaten teams with his arm and his legs. Paired with running back Devin Neal, the Kansas offensive is incredibly difficult to stop. In conference play, the Jayhawks will likely go as long as that combination is able to take them.

6. Kansas State Wildcats (2-1) (-3)

Defending Big 12 champion Kansas State suffered its first loss of the season when the Wildcats took on the Missouri Tigers. It was a heartbreaking loss too, with Missouri hitting a 61-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. However, now there is concern that Kansas State may have suffered a bigger loss than the game.

Quarterback Will Howard reportedly banged up his leg in the loss and tried to play through pain during the game. As of now, Howard is in a lot of pain but it’s unclear how severe the injury is going to be. However, one thing that is clear is that Kansas State needs Howard for its long term goals.

7. TCU Horned Frogs (2-1, 1-0) (+1)

TCU played the only Big 12 conference game this week when the Horned Frogs played and beat the Houston Cougars. In the end, it was a dominant 36-13 win over Houston as the Cougars are still getting adjusted to being in the conference.

Since the Week 1 loss to Colorado, TCU has been a little bit overlooked. However, the more success that Colorado has this season, the better that loss looks. On top of that, since the game TCU has been dominant in its two wins. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise they’re climbing the rankings.

8. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) (-3)

After starting 2-0 and getting a road win at Pitt, expectations were high for Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats who seemed like they didn’t miss a beat in the transition out of the Luke Fickell era. However, the loss to rival Miami (OH) was really difficult for the team to take.

Cincinnati fell three spots in the rankings because of the loss. Now, the Bearcats are going to need to find a way to step up in Big 12 play. That improvement is also going to need to come quickly too, as the Oklahoma Sooners are coming to Nippert Stadium next weekend.

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-2) (+3)

Coming into the season, there were a lot of people who thought that Texas Tech would be a dark horse contender in the Big 12. However, two tight losses in non-conference play forced the Red Raiders to the back half of the power rankings. Now, a win over Tarleton State has Texas Tech jumping back up three spots.

Conference play starts next week for Texas Tech with a trip to West Virginia. If the Red Raiders want to make a run at a conference title this season, finding a way to win there is going to be critical.

10. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1) (+3)

Coming into the season, very few people expected West Virginia to have a good season. In fact, many even expected head coach Neal Brown to get fired at some point during the season. Things still aren’t perfect in Morgantown. However, after beating Pitt in the Backyard Brawl, things are much better for the Mountaineers.

Now, with some momentum, West Virginia is getting ready to enter Big 12 play. The question is about whether the Mountaineers can keep that momentum moving forward. There is also the question about quarterback Garrett Greene‘s health, as he was seen in a boot after getting knocked out of the Backyard Brawl.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-1) (-4)

At 2-1, Oklahoma State has a respectable record. However, there have been some cracks in the walls early in the season. Perhaps the biggest and most obvious issue has been the ongoing quarterback competition. Three quarterbacks played against South Alabama, none of those quarterbacks completed more than 50 percent of their passes, though.

That Week 3 game against South Alabama is when things seemed to boil over for Oklahoma State. The Jaguars blew out the Cowboys, 33-7. Punting nine times, turning the ball over twice, and averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, Oklahoma State’s offense was stuck in the mud and it’s no surprise the Cowboys fell four spots.

12. Baylor Bears (1-2) (+2)

The Baylor Bears jumped up two spots after getting their first win of the season. That came against Long Island University, in a 30-7 win. The secondary, in particular, had a massive game for Baylor, only allowing 40 passing yards and snagging an interception.

This was Baylor’s third straight home game to open the season and in each game, the Bears did seem to improve. The upset loss to Texas State was devastating, but in Week 2 Baylor gave Utah all it could handle before earning this win against LIU. Next week, Baylor will get a fourth home game in a row against Texas.

13. Houston Cougars (1-2, 0-1) (-2)

In their first season as a Big 12 school, things haven’t come easily to the Houston Cougars. The Cougars opened with a close win at home over UTSA, before suffering a tight loss to crosstown rival Rice. Then, in Week 3, Houston followed that up with a big loss to TCU in Big 12 play.

Next up for the Cougars is a non-conference game against Sam Houston State. That game should give Houston and head coach Dana Holgorsen a chance to get back on track before getting back to conference play.

14. Iowa State Cyclones (1-2) (-4)

Matt Campbell is arguably the best coach in Iowa State program history. However, things aren’t going well right now. This offseason, the program was rocked by a gambling scandal and the product on the field hasn’t been good so far this season.

After losing to rival Iowa, Iowa State traveled to play the Ohio Bobcats on the road. The offense never got out of neutral in the game and the Cyclones ultimately lost 10-7. Now, Iowa State is preparing for Oklahoma State to open up Big 12 play.

While there was a conference game in Week 3, most teams are going to be beginning Big 12 play in Week 4. That means that teams are finally going to get a chance to compete against one another and truly test themselves against their piers. It also means these power rankings could be in for a big shakeup soon.