We are two weeks into the college football season and it is time for some weekly power rankings.
The Big 12 has gone 25-7 in the first two weeks with only one team without a win. The conference has five teams ranking in the top 25 and three teams in the top 15.
Kansas State has definitely had its troubles so far this season, but they are slowly starting to figure it out and once they do, they are going to be a handful for the rest of the conference. The Big 12 is a conference that might have some sleepers coming up while teams everyone thought would be great are slipping.
So here are this week's Big 12 power rankings.
16. Houston Cougars
Previous Big 12 ranking: 15
Record: 0-2
The Houston Cougars are the only team in the Big 12 not to have a win this season. Even though Houston put up a good fight against Oklahoma and almost took down the ranked Sooners, they have yet to win this season. New head coach Willie Fritz is seeing what a power conference looks like and it is yet to be seen what the rest of the season will look like for the Cougars.
15. Cincinnati Bearcats
Previous Big 12 ranking: 14
Record: 1-1
Cincinnati had the game locked up against Pitt and was cruising to a 2-0 record, but the Bearcats weren't able to hold the lead and get it done. The media did not feel as though Cincinnati was going to take any big steps forward this season and the blown lead to Pitt just starts to prove that.
14. Colorado Buffaloes
Previous Big 12 ranking: 11
Record: 1-1
There was a lot of talk around Colorado this offseason and of course, it was a lot of hype about Deion Sanders, Sheduer Sanders, and Travis Hunter getting the Buffaloes to the College Football Playoff. For a second straight season, it seems like the Buffaloes will not live up to the hype. They barely beat North Dakota State in their season opener and then got destroyed by freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola and Nebraska. New season, new conference, same old Colorado.
13. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Previous Big 12 ranking: 1-1
Record: 9
This one is a bit of a surprise as Texas Tech seemed like a team that could be a sleeper, but I guess they actually fell asleep this season. The Red Raiders had to go to overtime in order to beat Abilene Christian in their season opener and then took a beating from Washington State in game two. The injury to Tahj Brooks is proving to be worse for the Red Raiders than expected.
12. Baylor Bears
Previous Big 12 ranking: 12
Record: 1-1
Baylor is another team that is just simply struggling to start the season. The Bears looked good in their season opener, but at the same time, they should have looked good playing Tarleton. However, they didn't look good against Utah this past weekend and that was even after the Utes lost starting quarterback Cam Rising at the end of the first half. Dave Aranda might be feeling his seat warming up.
11. BYU Cougars
Previous Big 12 ranking: 13
Record: 2-0
BYU is a team that has two wins and no losses in the season, they beat Southern Illinois and while they beat SMU, the Mustangs are new to a not-so-powerful ACC conference, so the big win doesn't seem quite so big. BYU has to start Big 12 play soon and it will be an eye-opener.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
Previous Big 12 ranking: 10
Record: 2-0
TCU is like BYU in the fact that they are 2-0 and had win a over an ACC team and then a big win over their easier opponent. However, it can't be forgotten how big of a fall TCU had from grace last season and the Horned Frogs didn't necessarily get better. A lot will be figured out once Big 12 play starts, which for them is this week when they take on UCF, a very prolific running team.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers
Previous Big 12 ranking: 7
Record: 1-1
West Virginia was able to bounce back this week after a tough loss to Penn State in Week 1. However, what makes the Mountaineers look bad is that Bowling Green moved the ball with ease against the Nittany Lions, something West Virginia just couldn't figure out how to do. The Mountaineers need to show some consistency with their offense in weeks to come.
8. Arizona State Sun Devils
Previous Big 12 ranking: 16
Record: 2-0
Arizona State is the surprising team right now in the Big 12. The Sun Devils are new to the Big 12 this season and were projected to finish last in the conference. The fact that Arizona State is 2-0 with a big win against Mississippi State is very telling and maybe Kenny Dillingham has something brewing for the Sun Devils.
7. UCF Knights
Previous Big 12 ranking: 8
Record: 2-0
UCF has had two fairly easy teams to start off the season with New Hampshire and Sam Houston State. Other than some questionable quarterback play in the first half of Week 1, the Knights offense has been rolling. The running back room in Orlando just might be one of the best in the country and RJ Harvey came back this season to leave his mark and he is on his way to doing that. Also, their defense isn't something to scoff at, so the Knights could be a sleeper this season and their first test will be this week against TCU.
6. Kansas Jayhawks
Previous Big 12 ranking: 4
Record: 1-1
Kansas seemed like a team everyone outside the conference was rooting for as a program that struggled for years. Lance Leipold definitely is a miracle worker with how much he has turned this program around, but the Jayhawks did stumble this week in their loss to Illinois. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels threw three interceptions against Illinois and looked human for the first time this season.
5. Arizona Wildcats
Previous Big 12 ranking: 5
Record: 2-0
Arizona has looked a little interesting this season with how much they have struggled against what seemed to be easier opponents. The Wildcats faced New Mexico and Northern Arizona and with how prolific this offense can be, one would think that they would cruise by, but they didn't. Other than Tetairoa McMillan, the offense is stuttered and something needs to get figured out if they want a chance to win the Big 12 and a lot will be discovered against Kansas State this week.
4. Iowa State Cyclones
Previous Big 12 ranking: 6
Record: 2-0
Iowa State walked into Iowa City this week and walked out with a win over Iowa and the Cy-Hawk Trophy in hand. The Cyclones were shut out in the first half and went to put 20 points on the Iowa defense, which may not sound all that great, but the Hawkeyes are known for their suffocating defenses. Iowa State showed some of its true colors against Iowa, both good and bad, and they are a threat in the Big 12.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Previous Big 12 ranking: 3
Record: 2-0
Oklahoma State struggled against Arkansas as they allowed the Razorbacks to do almost anything they wanted on offense. While the Cowboys were also putting points up on the board, Arkansas had a bit of an answer as to how to bottle up Ollie Gordon. The Cowboys look vulnerable early in the season and now is the time to strike for any team in the Big 12.
2. Kansas State Wildcats
Previous Big 12 ranking: 2
Record: 2-0
Kansas State did show some struggles against Tulane in the first half, but they turned it on in the second half and Avery Johnson started showing streaks of greatness. The margin between the Wildcats and the Utes is razor-thin and these two teams truly are the top teams in the conference. Once Johnson figures out more about being a starter, he is going to be a nightmare for defenses.
1. Utah Utes
Previous Big 12 ranking: 1
Record: 2-0
Utah had a scare against Baylor when quarterback Cam Rising fell into those water coolers and came up holding his hand in pain. However, it doesn't seem like a serious injury and Rising will probably be back this week. Utah is another team that has struggled a bit more than expected, but they are still at the top with Kansas State.