The Big 12 Conference just passed the halfway point of the season, and the league race is really taking shape. Three teams remain undefeated both in Big 12 play and overall and are in the Associated Press Top 10 this week. Two other teams absorbed their first Big 12 loss of the season but are still in the race. The rest are in full-on chase mode.

So, who’s stock went up and who’s stock went down? Let’s look at the big movers across the league.

Stock Up

BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at home on Saturday, 28-24. Yes, the ending was controversial (someone still looking for that extra second?). But, remember this — the Cougars went into that game without their best running back, LJ Martin, due to injury. It was BYU’s second game without him. The emergence of Preston Rex at running back in this game might have been the most important development. Less reliance on quarterback Bear Bachmeier in the run game is a good thing.

BYU showed its toughness and resilience in this game. It also gathered a great “chip” when it comes to proving their worthiness for the College Football Playoff, whether they win the league or not.

Houston Cougars

Hey, in case you’re wondering, Conner Weigman can throw the football, too. As much as head coach Willie Fritz wants to run the ball, he trusted his fifth-year quarterback to sling it against Oklahoma State, and he threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-32 win.

The game was a coming out party of sorts for him. I don’t think anyone outside of the Big 12 knew he had that kind of arm. It will come in handy this week against Utah. College Gameday will be in town. Fritz gets a chance to show off his program and it’s a well-deserved one. They have momentum and a chance to shake up the Big 12 race.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

So … guess Texas Tech figured out the offense during the bye week. The Red Raiders went off for 53 points against Arizona State, scoring 43 of those points in the first half. Quarterback Will Hammond looked more comfortable. The offense looked more efficient. Tech did all of that without running back Cameron Dickey, who is out with a high ankle sprain.

The defense has been great all season. At times it’s been elite. If this is the Red Raiders’ offense moving forward, well good luck to the rest of y’all. It’s the sort of offensive explosion Tech has been waiting for against a power conference team.

Stock Down

Oklahoma State Cowboys

I’m not down on Oklahoma State as a whole. But the loss to Houston exposed some things, especially defensively. The secondary had its worst game of the season. Weigman torched them in part because of how porous that unit was. The defensive gave up more than 500 yards. Head coach Eric Morris will do some soul searching this week. The Houston game showed this defense has little margin for error.

That said, the offensive scored 32 points and scored points on four of their final five possessions of the game. Led quarterback Drew Mestemaker, that side of the ball is going to keep the Cowboys in every game they play the remainder of the season.

Baylor Bears

So … the Bears barely lose to Auburn to start the season, win four straight games, get a bye week and then get the Revivalry at home against TCU and … you do that? Six points? SIX POINTS? That’s six points more than I had and I didn’t even play. I felt like Baylor lost twice.

There was a clear path for the Bears to get to 6-0 before having to end the season with BYU, Texas Tech and Houston. Maybe Baylor still would have been 6-3 anyway. But head coach Dave Aranda could have had Baylor undefeated in league play in November and his team let it slip.

So are we back on hot seat watch or no?

Arizona State Sun Devils

That was a rough watch against Texas Tech. Arizona State made a move at quarterback, replacing Cutter Boley with Mikey Keene in the second half. That tells you everything about where the Sun Devils are at right now. The offense is sputtering. The defense is yielding points. They’ve beaten on power conference team — Kansas, which was in London.

I was wrong about this team. I thought Arizona State had a chance to contend in this league. That no longer looks to be the case.

Colorado heads to Stillwater for a Week 8 Big 12 matchup against No. 18 Oklahoma State, with both teams looking to rebound from close losses. The Buffaloes gave Utah everything it could handle before falling 27-24, while the Cowboys’ comeback attempt came up short in a 35-32 loss at Houston. Can Oklahoma State get back on track at home, or can Colorado build on an encouraging performance and pull off the upset? Colorado and Oklahoma State kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT on FS1. Here’s our prediction, pick and preview.

Colorado vs. Oklahoma State Odds

• Spread: Oklahoma State -13.5
• Over/Under: 55.5
• Moneyline: Oklahoma State -600/Colorado +430

Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.

The Biggest Question: Can Oklahoma State Avoid A Slow Start?

The Cowboys have been plagued by slow starts, and it finally came back to bite them against Houston. This team continues to struggle early, having been outscored 28-13 in the first quarter in three Big 12 games. At some point, head coach Eric Morris needs to nip that in the bud and figure out why his team has been getting off to such slow starts in recent weeks. If this team wants to stay in the Big 12 Championship race, this needs to end. And while they can probably still get by Colorado like this, as the competition stiffens, they won’t have the luxury of getting off to slow starts anymore.

Colorado vs. Oklahoma State Prediction and Pick

Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Colorado 20

Oklahoma State is back home after a loss, so there’s reason enough to like the Pokes here, as the Buffaloes continue to struggle with a mediocre offense, sloppy mistakes and inconsistency across the board. The Cowboys have an elite passing game led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, and the weapons are all over the field. However, the Colorado defense has not been the problem for this team. Given their Strength of Schedule (No. 12 in the country), they’ve been able to play for 3.5 quarters with Texas Tech, and held a second-half lead against Utah last week. Granted, both games were at home, but the Cowboys’ defense has given me enough pause to consider Isaac Wilson possibly putting up enough points to make this mildly interesting in the second half and get a cover.

Colorado’s offense struggled more against Baylor and Texas Tech, two teams who can get to the quarterback, than they did vs. Utah, who is not an elite pass rushing team, and neither is Oklahoma State (No. 14 in sacks in the Big 12). One area of struggle for the Buffaloes has been turnover margin (No. 121 in the country), but the good news? Oklahoma State ranks No. 116. Both teams haven’t been able to win the turnover battle so far this season. So I’ll roll with the Pokes to get the win, but as Isaac Wilson continues to get comfortable with the 1’s in this offense, I believe the Buffaloes will do enough to cover this nearly two-touchdown spread, but the Pokes will walk out with a relatively comfortable win.

From a betting perspective, the market has remained surprisingly firm on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys opened as roughly a 14-point favorite and still sit around two touchdowns at most sportsbooks despite Colorado drawing significant interest from bettors. That’s typically a sign that bookmakers remain comfortable needing the Buffaloes and continue to view the gap between these teams as substantial. Even so, Colorado has shown enough defensive competitiveness against a difficult schedule to stay within the number, even if Oklahoma State ultimately gets the win.

Oklahoma State wins. Colorado covers.

What a weekend it was for the Big 12. Five of the nation’s top 10 teams lost in Week 7, but the Big 12’s top contenders all survived and, in some cases, thrived. The result? Three Big 12 teams now sit inside the top 10 heading into Week 8, giving the conference plenty of momentum as the second half of the season begins.

Let’s dive into some Week 7 overreactions and look ahead to what’s next in the Big 12.

The Big 12 Is the Best Conference in College Football Right Now

The results are in, and the Big 12 has a legitimate argument as the nation’s top conference.

BYU’s win over Notre Dame vaulted the Cougars to No. 2 in the rankings. Texas Tech dominated Arizona State and climbed to No. 8. Utah survived a late-night battle with Colorado and landed at No. 10. Meanwhile, Houston jumped to No. 14 after knocking off a top-20 Oklahoma State team.

The ACC has only one team in the top 10 and top 15 with Miami sitting at No. 1. The SEC has just two top-10 teams. The Big Ten and Big 12 each have three teams in the top 10, but with BYU checking in at No. 2, the Big 12 gets the nod.

Will that still be true next week? Maybe not. But after seven weeks, no conference can match the combination of depth and top-end rankings the Big 12 currently possesses.

Kansas Might Be the Worst Team in the Big 12

Kansas entered the Sunflower Showdown desperately needing a breakthrough.

Instead, the Jayhawks suffered another frustrating collapse.

Kansas State erased a halftime deficit by scoring the final 17 points of the game to secure a 35-24 victory, extending its winning streak in the rivalry to 18 straight games. Once again, Kansas struggled to finish, something that has become an unfortunate trend.

There are still opportunities ahead for Lance Leipold’s team, but right now it’s fair to wonder whether Kansas has fallen to the bottom of the conference standings.

West Virginia Is the Most Entertaining Team in the Big 12

No team in the conference is more fun to watch than West Virginia.

The Mountaineers don’t play much defense, but they make up for it with explosive offense and high-scoring games. Every West Virginia game has gone over the posted total this season, and each contest has featured at least 55 combined points.

Even more impressively, the Mountaineers’ last three games have all produced more than 80 total points.

West Virginia may not win the conference, but if you’re looking for drama and fireworks, they’re must-watch television every Saturday.

With the overreactions out of the way, let’s look ahead to Week 8.

BYU Is on Letdown Alert

BYU just secured one of the biggest wins in program history by knocking off Notre Dame.

Now comes the difficult part.

The Cougars travel to Orlando to face UCF, a team coming off a bye week and eager to play spoiler. BYU is a touchdown favorite and the more talented team, but emotional victories often lead to dangerous situations the following week.

Adding to the challenge is the fact that the Holy War against Utah is looming in the coming weeks, a game that could have major Big 12 Championship implications.

BYU cannot afford to overlook the Knights, even if UCF doesn’t have Alonza Barnett at quarterback. If the Cougars want to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation, this is a game they simply have to handle.

Arizona Has a Chance to Stay in the Race

The schedule gets much tougher for Arizona down the stretch.

The Wildcats still have road games against Texas Tech and a home showdown with Utah remaining. Before that, though, they host Iowa State in a crucial conference matchup.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, meaning preparation shouldn’t be an issue. Arizona enters as a double-digit favorite and has an opportunity to remind everyone that it remains a legitimate player in the Big 12 race.

Take care of business at home, and the Wildcats will keep themselves firmly in the conversation.

Game of the Week: No. 14 Houston at No. 10 Utah

This one has all the ingredients of a Big 12 classic.

Houston enters fresh off a three-point victory over Oklahoma State, while Utah is trying to build on a narrow 27-24 win over Colorado.

The stakes are enormous.

A Houston loss would leave the Cougars with defeats against both Texas Tech and Utah, making the path to Arlington significantly more difficult due to tiebreaker implications. A win, however, would place Houston directly in the thick of the conference title race with a favorable remaining schedule.

Utah faces similar pressure. Defend home field, and the Utes strengthen their position near the top of the standings. Lose, and suddenly the margin for error disappears.

This game could go a long way toward shaping the Big 12 Championship picture.

Final Thoughts

Week 8 offers another loaded slate of Big 12 action.

From Texas Tech’s road trip to Cincinnati in the early window to Houston and Utah battling under the lights in Salt Lake City, there will be no shortage of intrigue across the conference.

If Week 7 taught us anything, it’s that the Big 12 race is far from settled. And that’s exactly what makes it so much fun.

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.

Houston isn’t just a nice story anymore. The No. 20 Cougars picked up one of their biggest wins of the season Saturday night, holding off No. 18 Oklahoma State 35-32 in a wild Big 12 showdown at TDECU Stadium.

And once again, Conner Weigman was the difference.

The Houston quarterback completed 24-of-33 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns, one week after throwing four touchdown passes in a road win over Kansas State.

Houston led 14-3 at halftime before Oklahoma State finally got its offense going in the second half. The Cougars eventually built a 28-17 lead late in the third quarter, but the Cowboys weren’t finished.

Drew Mestemaker connected with Caleb Hawkins for a 66-yard score early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing two-point conversion made it 28-25.

That’s when Weigman delivered the biggest play of the night. On Houston’s next possession, he connected with Koby Young for a 48-yard touchdown, giving the Cougars some much-needed breathing room at 35-25.

Oklahoma State answered again, with Mestemaker finding Justin Bowick for an eight-yard touchdown to make it 35-32 with 4:59 remaining. But Houston never gave the Cowboys another opportunity, running out the clock on its final possession, with who else but Weigman rushing for a first down to seal the win for the COugars.

Mestemaker was outstanding in defeat, throwing for 365 yards and three touchdowns, while Oklahoma State finished with 499 total yards.

Houston was just a little better. The Cougars piled up 505 yards, improved to 6-1 and picked up their second consecutive impressive Big 12 victory. Willie Fritz’s team is officially in the conference championship race.

Houston is 3-1 in league play and travels to take on Utah next week in Salt Lake City, while Oklahoma State is 2-1 and hosts Colorado in Week 8.

Week 7 of the 2026 Big 12 football season is here, and Saturday brings one of the conference’s best slates of the season. The biggest game comes in Provo, where No. 8 BYU hosts No. 2 Notre Dame with College GameDay in town and the Cougars looking for a massive win for both their College Football Playoff hopes and the Big 12. But that’s hardly the only game with major implications.

No. 18 Oklahoma State travels to No. 20 Houston for a ranked conference showdown, No. 10 Texas Tech puts its undefeated record on the line against Arizona State, and the Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State features two teams desperate for their first Big 12 victory.

There are seven games involving Big 12 teams on Saturday, so let’s get to our Week 7 predictions and picks.

Cincinnati at West Virginia

Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET | TNT/truTV

Cincinnati heads to Morgantown looking to get back on track in Big 12 play, while West Virginia desperately needs a conference win after an 0-3 start. The Mountaineers have been able to score points, but their defense has become one of the biggest concerns in the Big 12.

Cincinnati vs. West Virginia Prediction, Pick and Preview

Kansas at Kansas State

Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET | FS1

The Sunflower Showdown arrives with both programs in desperate need of a win. Kansas State has dominated this rivalry for nearly two decades, but the Wildcats have struggled defensively this season, giving Kansas an opportunity to finally end its long losing streak against K-State.

Kansas vs. Kansas State Prediction, Pick and Preview

Arizona State at No. 10 Texas Tech

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET | FOX

Texas Tech returns from its bye week undefeated and firmly in the Big 12 Championship race. Arizona State got back in the win column against Hawaii, but a trip to Lubbock represents a major step up in competition for the Sun Devils.

Arizona State vs. Texas Tech Prediction, Pick and Preview

TCU at Baylor

Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET | FS1

It’s time for the Revivalry in Waco. Baylor enters the weekend undefeated in Big 12 play, while TCU is trying to turn its season around after dropping its first two conference games. Rivalry games can get weird, but the Horned Frogs badly need this one to keep their season from slipping away.

TCU vs. Baylor Prediction, Pick and Preview

No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC

This is the headliner.

College GameDay is in Provo as undefeated BYU gets a massive opportunity against No. 2 Notre Dame. The Cougars are double-digit underdogs despite having one of the best defenses in the country, and I believe this matchup is much closer than the point spread suggests.

In fact, I’m calling for the upset.

Notre Dame vs. BYU Prediction, Pick and Preview

No. 18 Oklahoma State at No. 20 Houston

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET | FOX

One of the biggest games in the Big 12 Championship race takes place in Houston. Oklahoma State remains undefeated in conference play behind one of the Big 12’s best passing attacks, while Houston has emerged as one of the surprise contenders in the league.

Something has to give Saturday night.

Oklahoma State vs. Houston Prediction, Pick and Preview

No. 11 Utah at Colorado

Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET | ESPN

Week 7 wraps up in Boulder, where undefeated Utah is a heavy favorite against Colorado. The Utes have been one of the most complete teams in the Big 12, but the Buffaloes are coming off a bye, playing at home and getting more than two touchdowns.

Could this one be closer than expected?

Utah vs. Colorado Prediction, Pick and Preview

Week 7 should tell us plenty about where the Big 12 race is headed. BYU has an opportunity to make a national statement, Oklahoma State and Houston meet in a game with major conference championship implications, while Texas Tech and Utah look to remain unbeaten.

By Saturday night, we should have an even clearer picture of the Big 12 contenders — and pretenders.

After a wild Week 6 in the Big 12, Week 7 brings another loaded slate for the Big 12, featuring several critical conference matchups and one massive non-conference showdown. From Notre Dame heading to Provo to Houston hosting Oklahoma State, we’re about to learn a lot more about several teams across the league. Some programs are looking to establish themselves as legitimate Big 12 contenders, while others are already fighting to avoid falling behind in the conference race.

Can BYU Hang with Notre Dame?

Of all the games in college football this weekend, none is bigger than this one. Two national brands are squaring off in a top-10 matchup, with College GameDay making the trip to Provo. Does it get much bigger than that for a regular-season game? I don’t think so.

Despite being at home, BYU enters as a double-digit underdog.

Many view Notre Dame as a legitimate national championship contender, but the Irish haven’t faced a test quite like this. At the same time, not everyone is sold on BYU, with some believing the talent gap could ultimately be too much for the Cougars to overcome. Can BYU hang with Notre Dame? That’s the million-dollar question heading into the weekend.

Will Kansas End the Streak?

Even though both teams already have a couple of losses, that doesn’t diminish the significance of the Sunflower Showdown. These programs simply do not like each other.

Unfortunately for Kansas, the rivalry has been one-sided for quite some time. Kansas State has won 17 straight meetings, and the Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Wildcats since 2008.

While Kansas has had its share of issues this season, Kansas State hasn’t exactly looked unbeatable, either. Rivalry games often produce surprises, which raises an interesting question: Can Kansas finally pull off the upset and end its lengthy losing streak against its in-state rival?

It would also mark Lance Leipold’s first victory over Kansas State after entering the matchup 0-7 against the Wildcats and Missouri since taking over in 2021.

Whose Defense Will Show Up?

While BYU and Notre Dame will dominate the headlines, don’t overlook another ranked matchup involving a Big 12 team this weekend as Oklahoma State travels to Houston.

If you’re looking for an elite quarterback battle, you’ve found it. Drew Mestemaker and Conner Weigman are among the best quarterbacks in college football.

Both Oklahoma State and Houston boast explosive offenses, but neither defense has consistently played at an elite level. Houston’s unit has been better statistically, but it also hasn’t faced an offense as potent as Oklahoma State’s.

I expect plenty of points in this one, but the game may ultimately come down to which defense can find a way to make a few key stops.

Can DJ Lagway Keep Rolling?

Even with only three starts under his belt, Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway has been impressive.

The former five-star recruit arrived in Waco with enormous expectations. While things didn’t work out at Florida, he has looked the part at Baylor. Through three starts, Lagway has thrown for 860 yards, eight touchdowns, and just two interceptions.

His completion percentage still leaves room for improvement, but he turned in a career-best performance against Arizona State in his last outing. Can he build on that momentum against TCU?

If he does, Baylor could quickly become a much more serious threat in the Big 12 race.

Will West Virginia’s Defense Finally Show Signs of Life?

It’s no secret that West Virginia owns one of the worst defenses in the Big 12, and arguably one of the worst in all of college football.

Defensive coordinator Zac Alley said the coaching staff simplified things before the Arizona game. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, the results didn’t follow, as they surrendered more than 50 points in the loss.

Now comes another difficult test.

Cincinnati enters the weekend with one of the top three rushing offenses in the conference, an area where West Virginia has struggled all season. The Mountaineers are allowing more than 163 rushing yards per game and have had difficulty consistently stopping physical ground attacks.

With JC French not posing a major threat through the air, expect West Virginia to load the box and focus heavily on slowing Cincinnati’s rushing attack. The question is simple: Can the Mountaineers finally find a way to stop the run?

The Big 12 football schedule delivers another loaded slate in Week 7, featuring two ranked matchups, heated rivalry games, and major conference title implications. From a top-20 showdown between Oklahoma State and Houston to the latest edition of the Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State, this weekend could have a significant impact on the Big 12 championship race and College Football Playoff picture.

#1. No. 8 BYU vs. No. 2 Notre Dame

This is the game everyone in college football will be watching. BYU has been one of the biggest surprises in the country, while Notre Dame continues to carry the national brand and College Football Playoff expectations that come with it. It’s not often the Big 12 gets a regular-season non-conference matchup of this magnitude, and the winner will leave with a massive boost in the national rankings and playoff conversation.

The quarterback matchup alone makes this worth your attention, but what really stands out is how complete both teams have looked at different points this season. BYU has shown it can win in multiple ways, while Notre Dame brings the physicality and depth that few programs can match. Add in the atmosphere, the national spotlight, and the postseason implications, and it’s easy to see why this is the biggest game on the Big 12 schedule this weekend.

More: BYU vs. Notre Dame Prediction and Pick

#2. #18 Oklahoma State at #20 Houston

It’s not often that the Big 12 features two ranked matchups in the same weekend, but that’s exactly what fans get in Week 7. While Notre Dame vs. BYU will grab plenty of national attention, this game deserves just as much respect.

Over the last few weeks, Oklahoma State’s offense has been firing on all cylinders as Drew Mestemaker has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. On the other side, Houston’s Connor Weigman may be the most underrated quarterback in the country. Both teams are playing some of their best football of the season, and if there were ever a game for Houston fans to pack the stadium, this is it.

More: Oklahoma State vs. Houston Prediction and Pick

#3. TCU at Baylor

Even though TCU is enduring a disappointing season by its standards, this rivalry remains one of the best in the Big 12. While recent meetings have produced plenty of shootouts, don’t expect this one to become an offensive showcase.

That said, rivalry games often have a way of defying expectations. Baylor enters the weekend as one of the few remaining undefeated teams in Big 12 play and has a chance to strengthen its position in the conference race.

More: TCU vs. Baylor Prediction and Pick

#4. Kansas at Kansas State

Another rivalry game? Absolutely.

It’s rare to have a weekend featuring two ranked matchups and two major rivalry games, but that’s the case in the Big 12 this week. While the Sunflower Showdown has been largely dominated by Kansas State in recent years, don’t be surprised if Kansas makes things interesting.

Both teams are coming off losses, making this a critical opportunity to get back on track. The biggest question is simple: Can the Jayhawks finally snap the streak?

#5. Cincinnati at West Virginia

This matchup may not have major Big 12 title implications, but it’s more intriguing than it appears at first glance. Cincinnati enters with just one loss, though the Bearcats are coming off a lopsided defeat to Arizona.

Ironically, Arizona is the same team that handled West Virginia with ease last weekend. Both teams are looking to bounce back, and with questions surrounding each defense, this game has the potential to turn into one of the highest-scoring contests of the weekend in Morgantown.

#6. Arizona State at #10 Texas Tech

Before the season began, this looked like one of the more appealing matchups on the conference schedule. Unfortunately, Arizona State’s recent performances have taken some of the shine off the game.

The Sun Devils were blown out by Baylor two weeks ago and struggled against Hawaii last weekend. Texas Tech has concerns of its own, but the Red Raiders simply have a significant talent advantage and should be in control throughout this one.

#7. #11 Utah at Colorado

It’s rare to see a road team favored by more than two touchdowns, but that says everything about where these programs currently stand.

Utah has looked like one of the best teams in the Big 12, if not the best, and the Utes appear poised to continue their strong run. Meanwhile, Colorado has struggled mightily in recent weeks. Unless the Buffaloes can find something they’ve been missing all season, Utah should roll into Boulder and leave with a comfortable victory.

The Big 12 Conference has some of the biggest games in the country this weekend, starting with a Top 25 matchup between two teams with Big 12 title aspirations. BYU hosts Notre Dame, while Oklahoma State travels to Houston. We also have two of the best rivalry games in the conference, with one taking place in Kansas and another in Texas.

As we enter Week 7, here are four teams that to me have the most to prove going into the weekend.

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State has been one of the surprises of the season. With Drew Mestemaker at quarterback, the Cowboys have played their way into potential Big 12 contention. This week, Oklahoma State gets to prove that it belongs in that conversation.

The Cowboys are heading to Houston to take on the Cougars, another team with Big 12 title aspirations. But they’re where they were expected to be. The Cowboys were not.

The job is simple this week — the Cowboys must prove they belong in the conversation. If OSU wins, their next three games are favorable enough to allow the Cowboys to be 6-0 going into their Nov. 14 showdown with Texas Tech.

If they lose, well, the Cowboys are just part of the group that will have no margin for error the rest of the season.

Kansas State

The Kansas State Wildcats face the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown this weekend. What does Kansas State need to prove? That the Wildcats aren’t going to take a nosedive.

Kansas State has lost its first two Big 12 games to Cincinnati and to Houston. While losing to your rival is never good, losing to Kansas this year would be especially bad. The Jayhawks have a losing record, head coach Lance Leipold might be on the hot seat, and the Wildcats haven’t lost this game in 16 years.

Nothing says bottoming out quite like losing to your rival for the first time in 16 years. Kansas State needs to prove that they’ve already hit rock bottom and are ready to bounce back up.

Baylor and TCU

We will pair Baylor and TCU this week since they’re playing one another. First, hats off to both schools for using “Revivalry” in their social accounts. We’re never going to call it the “Bluebonnet Battle.” That’s just ridiculous.

For Baylor, the prove it is simple. The Bears are undefeated in Big 12 play, they’re coming off a bye week and there’s an opportunity for to get through the first third of Big 12 play undefeated. The Bears want to prove they are a legitimate contender to get to the Big 12 Championship game. Baylor can’t afford to get tripped up in a rivalry game this weekend if that’s the goal.

For TCU, they must prove that their season isn’t about to fall off a cliff. The Horned Frogs are coming off a bye week and in case you need to be reminded they have yet to win a Big 12 game. They’ve lost to UCF and BYU. Maybe playing a team with a non-ubiquitous acronym will help?

If the Horned Frogs lose this game their Big 12 title hopes are done. And I’m not sure I would give them a puncher’s chance against West Virginia next weekend. You could even say the Horned Frogs’ bowl game hopes are on the line. Sonny Dykes job? We’ll see. Let’s play the game first.

The Big 12 Conference is nearing the halfway point of the 2026 college football season. Some teams are already out of the Big 12 title game race.

Others? Well, they’re in it but the games — and the pressure — is going to start getting bigger. This weekend features a Top 25 showdown between Houston and Oklahoma State, with the Cougars entering the game with a Big 12 loss to Texas Tech and in need of the victory. The Cowboys are trying to stay undefeated in Big 12 play. Plus, there’s the Top 10 match up between BYU and Notre Dame.

So, who’s stock went up and who’s stock went down? Let’s look at the big movers across the league.

Stock Up

Arizona

I felt this was a big game for Arizona because it was a noon kick in Morgantown — 9 a.m. in Tucson — and the Wildcats were without three wide receivers.

So what happened? Arizona scored 51 points, quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns while wide receiver Isaiah Mizell made up for the missing receivers with six catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, the defense allowed 31 points. But the Mountaineers’ issue is not scoring points. It’s stopping them.

The Wildcats have now played six games. They’ve lost one — to BYU. Right now, they’re in the thick of it. They’re in contention to get to the Big 12 Championship game. As long as Fifita continues to play at a high level, Arizona will have a shot. It won’t be easy. But it will have a shot.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys are buzzy right now but they’re also the team that can shake up this Big 12 race. Quarterback Drew Mestmaker threw for more than 300 yards against UCF and the defense worked through some tackling issues to hold the Knights to seven second-half points, along with a defensive touchdown. The offense overwhelms opponents. The defense closes the door with big plays in big moments.

The game with Houston, their first against a ranked team as a ranked team, is the pivot point of the season. if Oklahoma State wins, I could see them staying undefeated in Big 12 play going into their matchup with Texas Tech on Nov. 14. If they lose, then the Cowboys are still in the race, but it gets much tougher. Either way, their stock is up.

Utah

Entering last weekend Utah was dominant in every game it played. But Saturday against Kansas the Utes got their first taste of a challenge. Utah was only up 21-17 at the break. I watched that game on replay and Kansas played them hard. They threw some different things at Utah and the Utes struggled to adjust. But they made some big adjustments in the second half and the Utes pulled away.

The Utes should be lean into running back Wayshawn Parker as much as possible. This is the dynamic back in the Big 12 that few are talking about. He dumped 171 yards and two scores on Kansas and it’s the second time in three Big 12 games where his running helped close the door on an upset-minded opponent (Iowa State).

I had my doubts about Utah coming into the season mainly because of the coaching change. But the Utes are in great shape.

Stock Down

UCF

UCF has now lost 12 straight road games since the Knights beat TCU in their Big 12 debut in September of 2023. That’s head coach Scott Frost’s streak to break now, but he and his Knights are struggling. They’ve been in each road game and haven’t been able to close the deal.

UCF was missing 10 players against Oklahoma State, including quarterback Alonza Barnett III and wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. That makes the Knights’ offense extremely limited and until those players return a stout defensive line can only do so much. Even with the injuries, the Knights need to find ways to win those games, or they’ll fall short of a bowl game again.

Kansas State

I guess I’m just so used to Kansas State being good that I’m having difficulty with the concept that they’re, well, not.

Houston came to town and after a close first quarter the Cougars pretty much handled their business. The Cougars are a great team and that showdown with Oklahoma State on Saturday is going to be electric. Kansas State’s biggest problem right now is defense. They lost so much in the portal and while head coach Collin Klein did what he could to replace it, there just isn’t enough talent there right now.

That makes it that much harder for quarterback Avery Johnson and the offense to keep the Wildcats in ball games. Kansas State plays Kansas this weekend and puts its 17-year Sunflower Showdown on the line. And it’s ON THE LINE.

BYU

Strange to say that BYU stock is down when they’re undefeated and I get that. But the injury to running back LJ Martin is critical. I thought quarterback Bear Bachmeier had a great game, and he certainly put that team on its back. He threw for 329 yards and rushed for another 109 yards and I can’t imagine he can keep that up the rest of the season.

BYU used six other players rushing the football, but Preston Rex had 21 years to lead the non-Bear rushers. So that’s the worry — can the Cougars find a complement to Bachmeier in the run game? BYU needs to find it this week with No. 2 Notre Dame coming to town.