Three weeks into the 2026 college football season, we’re finally starting to get a clearer picture of the Big 12, although figuring out the top of this conference isn’t getting any easier.
Texas Tech survived its first real test, holding off Houston 28-26 on Friday night. BYU and Utah continued to take care of business, while West Virginia delivered arguably the conference’s biggest win of the weekend by knocking off No. 25 Virginia, 38-27, to improve to 3-0. Meanwhile, Arizona State bounced back with a win over Kansas in London, and Colorado turned in a disastrous performance in a 41-7 loss to Northwestern.
As always, these rankings are based on what each team has accomplished on the field so far this season. They are not a projection of where I believe teams will finish, nor are they necessarily a ranking of which teams I think are the most talented. Results, opponent quality, and how a team has actually performed matter most.
So, after another revealing weekend, here are the Heartland College Sports Big 12 Football Power Rankings after Week 3.
1. BYU Cougars (Last Week: 1)
The BYU Cougars handled Colorado State on the road, which some perceived as a trap game. However, BYU took care of business with an 18-point win and improved to 3-0, while looking like the most consistent and dominant team in the conference through three games.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 8)
Texas Tech makes a big jump this week. And while things haven’t been perfect for Tech when compared to 2025 and the preseason expectations, they are 3-0, and they have one of the best wins in the Big 12 with a 28-26 victory over Houston on Friday night. The Cougars are a solid Top 25 team, and this win was hard-fought and earned by Tech.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers (Last Week: 9)
It’s a big jump for the Mountaineers who are 3-0 and went to a neutral site location and beat Top 25 Virginia. WVU is 3-0 and Michael Hawkins Jr. has been one of the best players in the country. The Mountaineers ran all over UVA’s stout front seven and have a ton of confidence going into their Big 12 opener vs. Oklahoma State this weekend.
4. Utah Utes (Last Week: 2)
The Utah Utes didn’t do anything wrong in dropping to No. 4 after beating Utah State 33-0, but it’s more about the competition they’ve faced vs. the teams now in front of them. The Arkansas win is solid, but they don’t look to be much this season. So as the year progresses, I expect Utah to rise, but for now, they’re No. 4.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Last Week: 3)
Oklahoma State moves down simply because of what the teams in front of them have done. The Oregon win was great, and they blew out Murray State this past weekend, but now we get into league play. Go to Morgantown this weekend and get a win, and we’re talking about this team in a brand new light next week.
No. 6: Kansas State Wildcats (Last Week: No. 5)
K-State is 3-0. They seemed to sleepwalk through some of the Tulane game on Saturday, but it was still a comfortable victory. The defense was due to give up a touchdown, and they did trail the game early, but they got it done. I have questions at wide receiver, and even at quarterback as it relates to Johnson’s accuracy, at times, but the line play continues to exceed expectations.
No. 7: Houston Cougars (Last Week: No. 6)
Houston was one foot away from tying the game in Lubbock on Friday night, but the two-point conversion came up just short. This is a solid Top 25 team, but the offense is going to have to carry this program if it wants to end up in Arlington playing for a Big 12 Championship.
No. 8: Arizona State Sun Devils (Last Week: No. 11)
The Arizona State Sun Devils picked up their first Big 12 win of the season in the season opener in London. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but hey, a win is a win, especially when it caps off a nine-game road trip from College Station to overseas before a well-deserved week off in Tempe. But let’s not do this goofy game again, thanks Big 12.
No. 9: Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: No. 10)
Arizona climbs one spot after a slow start against Northern Illinois. Noah Fifita continues to play at the levels we expect, but I need to see more from this team to believe it’s ready to contend in the Top 3 in the Big 12 Conference. Plus, while it’s early, they don’t have a defining win just yet. Washington State on the road this weekend might be a decent test.
No. 10: Iowa State Cyclones (Last Week: No. 12)
Iowa State keeps quietly climbing in these power rankings after a 55-7 win over Bowling Green. The defense has been very solid so far this year. But now, it’s a huge test welcoming Utah in this weekend. That is going to give this defense a tougher test, by far, than its seen all year. Good luck.
No. 11: Colorado Buffaloes (Last Week: No. 4)
Colorado keeps plummeting. This week, it’s a drop to No. 11 after a 34-point loss to Northwestern. The offense has bee abysmal in its two Power 4 games (Georgia Tech and Northwestern), and then you have Deion Sanders calling out his players for their post-game attitude. Can they right the ship this weekend vs. Baylor?
No. 12: Cincinnati Bearcats (Last Week: No. 7)
The Cincinnati Bearcats also plummet after a near-disaster against Miami (OH). Yes, they won the game, but I have to dock them for trailing 28-7 and needing a massive comeback to win this game. This team is 3-0, but the Boston College win looks weaker by the week. Impress me by beating K-State at home this weekend.
No. 13: Baylor Bears (Last Week: No. 13)
The Baylor Bears beat Louisiana Tech, as expected. But I’m holding them at No. 13 this week. The best part of the resume remains the near loss to Auburn, but now with league play starting, we will find out whether or not this team has help Dave Aranda keep his job beyond this season.
No. 14: TCU Horned Frogs (Last Week: No. 16)
TCU moves up two slots. I’ll say this much, Jaden Craig has improved dramatically since the UNC game. He now leads the Big 12 in passing yards, is tied for Top 3 in passing touchdowns and is Top 5 in passer rating. The competition isn’t great, but still, considering how Week 0 went, it’s a step in the right direction.
No. 15: Kansas Jayhawks (No. 15)
Kansas is 1-2 after losses to Missouri and Arizona State. And Saturday was not pretty. The turnovers cost this team in a big way. And the sloppiness is the most frustrating part if you’re a KU fan. Now the fan base has to think about it for two weeks before Middle Tennessee State.
No. 16: UCF Knights (Last Week: No. 14)
The UCF Knights are in the No. 16 slot after needing to come back vs. Georgia State. Add in the Alonza Barnett injury, the defensive issues, and Year 2 under Scott Frost could go off the rails sooner than later.
