Week 6 of the 2026 Big 12 football season gave us plenty to reconsider in this week’s Power Rankings. BYU and Utah won to remain undefeated, Oklahoma State had a bit of a scare vs. UCF, but hung on to win, while Houston and Arizona blew out their opponents in Week 6.
As we move deeper into October, the gap between the top and bottom of the Big 12 is becoming clearer. But figuring out the order near the top? That’s getting more difficult by the week.
So, after another wild Saturday across the conference, here’s where all 16 teams stand in our Big 12 Football Power Rankings after Week 6.
1. BYU Cougars (Last Week: No. 3)
I’m moving BYU up to the No. 1 spot this week after their 24-10 win over a very solid Iowa State team, and they did it all without star running back LJ Martin. The Cougars had a more convincing win against better competition than Utah, who had to hang on late vs. Kansas. Also, BYU’s win vs. Arizona, which feels like a lifetime ago, continues to look more impressive by the week as the Wildcats keep winning, since their loss in Provo. Last data point, BYU’s Strength of Schedule is nearly 30 slots higher than Utah’s (86 vs. 114).
2. Utah Utes (Last Week: No. 1)
At least for this week, I am bumping Utah down one slot. The secondary really concerned me with its performance against Kansas. Isaiah Marshall is improving, but he shouldn’t look like Patrick Mahomes against a defense of Utah’s quality. This was the most-vulnerable Utah has looked, and while the schedule is going to toughen up, at some point I have to ding them for a SOS that ranks 114 in the country.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Last Week: No. 2)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off a bye, and at least for a quarter, looked like they forgot the bye week was over against UCF. Now, they got it done vs. UCF, and the defense stepped up with some big plays late, but that side of the ball still concerns me a bit. They’ll need to outscore teams to win the Big 12. The good news? They have the offensive horses to do just that.
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 4)
The Red Raiders enjoyed a bye week and remain steady in the No. 4 spot. Their schedule will beef up in a couple of weeks, but the path for Tech to get to Arlington is as smooth as anyone in this league. Now they just need to get more consistent following their bye.
5. Houston Cougars (Last Week: No. 5)
Houston remains at No. 5 after a dominant win at Kansas State. Manhattan is not an easy place to play, and as an underdog, the Cougars crushed the soul and spirit of the Wildcats. But K-State is also down big this season. However, the Cougars are proving to be the Big 12 contenders many of us thought they would be in the preseason. And now, Willie Fritz is calling out his own fan base to show up vs. Oklahoma State next week.
No. 6: Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: No. 6)
Arizona blasted West Virginia without its Top 3 wide receivers on Saturday. The Wildcats feel like one of those teams we aren’t talking enough about in this Big 12 race because of their early-season loss to BYU. In fairness, BYU may be the best team in the league, but that should not discount Arizona from being a legitimate contender. And let’s not forget they were leading BYU in the second half on the road.
No. 7: Baylor Bears (Last Week: No. 7)
The Baylor Bears enjoyed the bye week after blasting Arizona State in Tempe in Week 5. What’s crazy is that the Bears are probably going to be favored in their next four games vs. TCU, at Kansas, at UCF and vs. Iowa State. Is a 6-0 start in league play really possible for the Bears? And who saw that coming?
No. 8: Cincinnati Bearcats (Last Week: No. 8)
Cincinnati had a bye week, but unlike Baylor, didn’t really enjoy it following a 34-7 loss to Arizona. Now they go to Morgantown, followed by three ranked games vs. Texas Tech, Utah and Houston. It’s time for Scott Satterfield to prove this program is improved. If not, his seat may start to boil.
No. 9: Iowa State Cyclones (Last Week: No. 9)
Iowa State has had a brutal schedule, the second-hardest Strength of Schedule in the Big 12 Conference so far this season, ranked No. 25 in the country, and trailing only Colorado (No. 11). I thought about moving them up, but I could not justify it since these Big 12 loses have still been by double-digits. But let’s see if the tough schedule can result in some wins in the second half.
No. 10: UCF Knights (Last Week: No. 12)
UCF went to Stillwater, on the road against a ranked opponent for a second-straight week, held the lead early, and then blew it. I actually really liked their gameplan against OSU. Get the ball out of Jenkins hands quickly, move around the pocket, and keep the ball moving down the field. But eventually, the lack of depth and talent difference caught up with them as the game progressed. And of course, the backwards pass was a back-breaker. The record may not be much different than 2025, but I am seeing strides here.
No. 11: West Virginia Mountaineers (Last Week: No. 11)
Meantime, I am not seeing the strides I want to see in Morgantown. Days after WVU defensive coordinator Zac Alley called this the worst defense in college football, the Mountaineers went out there and … proved that their DC was correct in his assessment by giving up 50+ points to an Arizona team that did not have its top three wide receivers. The UVA game feels like a lifetime ago at this point.
No. 12: Kansas State Wildcats (Last Week: No. 10)
Kansas State keeps sliding after a 19-point loss to Houston on Saturday at home. K-State did not look like it belonged on the field with the Cougars. The development for Avery Johnson just hasn’t been there, the weapons are mediocre, as is the line play on both sides.
No. 13: Colorado Buffaloes (Last Week: No. 13)
Colorado is fresh off a bye week. I’m keeping them at No. 13… for now. I see no reason to move them off of here, given that they do have the toughest Strength of Schedule in the entire Big 12.
No. 14: Arizona State Sun Devils (Last Week: No. 14)
Arizona State beat Hawaii, but even that game wasn’t overwhelmingly impressive. Arizona State remains at No. 14 until I see them step up against better competition. Hawaii isn’t any good, and the Sun Devils didn’t exactly light it up.
No. 15: Kansas Jayhawks (Last Week: No. 15)
Kansas played one of the better games of the week, despite a loss. On the road against Utah, they woke up in the second quarter and the offense, notably the passing game led by Isaiah Marshall, which should give this team some hope. Heck, they might even have enough firepower to beat Kansas State for the first time since 2008.
No. 16: TCU Horned Frogs (Last Week: No. 16)
TCU was on a bye. They’re still No. 16, until proven otherwise. Beat Baylor this weekend and we’re talking. Lose to Baylor, and Sonny Dykes may be on his hottest seat yet in Fort Worth.
