Week 7 of the 2026 Big 12 football season was a historic week for the Big 12. BYU shocked Notre Dame, Houston and Oklahoma State played down to the wire, there was a walk-off win for West Virginia vs. Cincinnati, and the Big 12 now has three teams ranked inside the Top 10 of the AP Poll.
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 7.
1. BYU Cougars (Last Week: No. 1)
BYU, you have the best win in college football after beating Notre Dame on Saturday night. And as a result, you remain No. 1 in our Power Rankings, and it’s not all that close. Bear Bachmeier should be a household name for college football fans, BYU deserves to be the favorite to win the Big 12, and the Big 12 should be a serious contender for two teams to make the College Football Playoff this year.
2. Houston Cougars (Last Week: No. 5)
This will be controversial, but I am giving Houston the nod over Texas Tech for No. 2 this week. The quality of win vs. Oklahoma State last week, compared to Tech boat racing a really bad Arizona State team is why I am giving the edge to UH. Houston’s Strength of Schedule is No. 44, while Texas Tech is No. 82. The two teams have played head-to-head, with Texas Tech winning by two, but at this point, that game was a month ago, and since then, Houston has been more consistent and beaten much better competition.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 4)
Texas Tech finally looked like the team we thought they could be this season with a dominant victory over Arizona State. But, was this game more about a get-right game for Tech or is Arizona State just that bad. They’ve lost their two Big 12 games by a total score of 108-44. For now, I’m putting Tech in the No. 3 slot.
4. Utah Utes (Last Week: No. 2)
The Utes continue to play with fire. Yes, they’re 6-0, but the resume is underwhelming, and Saturday night vs. Colorado did not help the cause. They dominated the first half, Colorado has more penalty yards than total yards, but somehow the Buffaloes led the game in the third quarter. Utah won, but something just feels a bit off the last couple of weeks.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Last Week: No. 3)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys went to Houston and could not get the stops when they needed them, and also found themselves digging another first-half hole, and had to make a second-half comeback, which has become a too-frequent issue for the Pokes. They can’t keep needing second-half comebacks, especially as the competition improves. It bit them on Saturday.
No. 6: Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: No. 6)
Arizona continues to be the team that is quietly not getting enough attention. But they are ranked in the Top 25 this week following their bye week. Now, it’s home to Iowa State before a huge road game at Texas Tech next week.
No. 7: Iowa State Cyclones (Last Week: No. 9)
We now get into the messy part of the Power Rankings. Iowa State was off, but I’m moving them up. They have 3 losses, but they’re to BYU, Utah and Iowa. They also have a win over West Virginia, who just beat Cincinnati. So off the bye week, I’m sliding the Cyclones up to No. 7. But I admit, it’s a mess starting here.
No. 8: West Virginia Mountaineers (Last Week: No. 11)
West Virginia slides up three spots after beating Cincinnati on a walk-off field goal on Saturday. WVU is 1-3 in the league, but they have three losses to teams all ranked ahead of them in the Power Rankings. If only this team could find a semblance of a defense…
No. 9: Cincinnati Bearcats (Last Week: No. 8)
Cincinnati led for most of the game in Morgantown, except for when it mattered most. They put together a really good game, outgaining WVU, but they also couldn’t slow down Michael Hawkins Jr. to save their life. Now, they’re home to take on Texas Tech, which sets up all kinds of storylines ahead of Week 8.
No. 10: UCF Knights (Last Week: No. 10)
UCF was on a bye this week, but remains in the No. 10 slot in the Power Rankings. The Knights will get a crack at BYU this weekend, which … could be a letdown game for the Cougars?
No. 11: Kansas State Wildcats (Last Week: No. 12)
Death, taxes and a K-State win in the Sunflower Showdown. Kansas State moves up to No. 11 after beating Kansas on Saturday for the 18th-straight time. What else can you say? This series has been dominated one way for nearly two decades. There are soon-to-be KSU players who haven’t been alive for a KU win over K-State in football. Just wild.
No. 12: TCU Horned Frogs (Last Week: No. 16)
TCU’s defense remains one of the more underrated defenses in college football this season, and that was on display in a 17-6 win over Baylor on Saturday. The Horned Frogs get out of the basement thanks to a road win over their biggest rival. Well deserved.
No. 13: Baylor Bears (Last Week: No. 7)
Baylor plummets this week after being a sizable favorite against the Horned Frogs and losing this game at home in a poor showing for Dave Aranda’s squad. This is the kind of loss that gets Dave Aranda back on the hot seat, unless the Bears turn things around quickly this weekend at Kansas.
No. 14: Colorado Buffaloes (Last Week: No. 13)
Colorado falls one spot here. They played a very solid second half against Utah, but it doesn’t change the fact that this team still has a ton of issues, like penalties, that have just been problematic ever since Deion Sanders got the job. At some point, that’s just a problem that has to fall on the head coach, and not the players.
No. 15: Kansas Jayhawks (Last Week: No. 15)
Kansas went to Manhattan and blew a 17-7 lead to fall to Kansas State for an 18th-straight time. Kansas’ schedule only has one ranked team left on it (No. 2 BYU) and if they can’t get some wins here, it’s just a bad look for Lance Leipold in trying to convince the fan base he can get this program back to where it was just a few short years ago.
No. 16: Arizona State Sun Devils (Last Week: No. 14)
Arizona State, welcome to the basement. And it’s well deserved after losing their last two Big 12 games 108-44. The team is a mess on defense. They now have a quarterback controversy. And nothing seems to be working. 2024 feels like a long time ago.
