There’s another change at the top of the Big 12 in ESPN’s Football Power Index.
Following a wild Week 7 in the Big 12, Texas Tech has jumped Utah to become the highest-rated Big 12 team in ESPN’s updated FPI rankings.
The Red Raiders climbed two spots nationally to No. 9 with an FPI rating of 19.4 after dismantling Arizona State 53-25 on Saturday. Texas Tech improved to 6-0 and continues to establish itself as one of the Big 12’s top College Football Playoff contenders.
Utah, meanwhile, dropped three spots to No. 13 with a 17.4 rating after surviving Colorado 27-24 in Boulder.
But perhaps the most interesting Big 12 ranking belongs to BYU.
The Cougars remain No. 14 nationally with a 17.4 FPI rating despite knocking off No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo. BYU is now 6-0 with one of the best wins of any team in college football, yet ESPN’s computer model still has the Cougars behind Texas Tech and Utah in the Big 12.
Houston rounds out the conference’s ranked teams at No. 18 with a 14.8 rating after beating Oklahoma State 35-32.
That gives the Big 12 four teams inside ESPN’s FPI Top 18:
Big 12 Teams in the ESPN FPI Top 25 After Week 7
No. 9 Texas Tech — 19.4
No. 13 Utah — 17.4
No. 14 BYU — 17.4
No. 18 Houston — 14.8
The biggest development, though, may be Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders entered Week 7 one spot behind Utah in the FPI. After Texas Tech rolled Arizona State while Utah needed a late escape against Colorado, ESPN’s numbers have flipped the two teams.
And with Texas Tech, Utah and BYU all sitting at 6-0, the top of the Big 12 continues to look awfully strong heading into the second half of the season.
