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Big 12 football power rankings: Who's moving up after Arizona State goes down?
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- Big 12 football power rankings: Who's moving up after Arizona State goes down?
Reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State couldn't make it past Week 2 without raising questions about its ability to win back-to-back titles.
The Sun Devils went on the road last weekend and lost to lowly Mississippi State (2-10 last year, picked last in the SEC this year). Preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year Sam Leavitt had only 82 yards passing, 25 rushing in the 24-20 loss.
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Arizona State can't stay atop the Big 12 football power rankings after a performance like that. Good news: Other candidates are making their case. Portal-powered Texas Tech has flexed on two weak opponents. Utah looks primed for a quick recovery from last year's 5-7 anomaly. Brigham Young's showing plenty of run game, defense and special teams. TCU crushed Bill Belichick's North Carolina , and Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson 's among the hottest passers in the country.
For now, though, the nod for No. 1 goes to Iowa State , which handled that tricky trip to Ireland to beat Kansas State and last weekend topped rival Iowa — on a late 54-yard field goal for the second year in a row.
More: Hines: Iowa State football makes its claim for a Cyclone State after another Cy-Hawk win
More: College football rankings: Big 12 teams in updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25 after Week 2
Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Jalen Smith (10) makes the tackle during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
1. Iowa State (3-0, 1-0 in the Big 12)
Last week:3
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This week:at Arkansas State
What to know:Give Kyle Konrardy all the Hickory Park he wants, on the house.
More: 'NFL stuff:' Kyle Konrardy's game-winner lifts Iowa State football in Cy-Hawk game
2. Texas Tech (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:2
This week: Oregon State
What to know:Pass the oxygen mask to 290-pound defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard after his pick-six against Kent State.
More: Texas Tech football's Skyler Gill-Howard: From fire hydrant DL to big-play scoring threat
3. Utah (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:5
This week:at Wyoming
What to know:Jackson Bennee's interception-return TD against Cal Poly gives the Utes a pick-six 22 seasons in a row.
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More: 2025 Utah football odds to win Big 12 Conference, national championship
4. Arizona State (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:1
This week:Texas State
What to know:The Sun Devils got a fever. The last thing they need is more cowbell.
More: Arizona State report card: Sun Devils allowed too many big plays vs. SEC foe
5. TCU (1-0, 0-0)
Last week:4
This week:Abilene Christian
What to know:On its open week, TCU debuted a "snow room," whose constant sub-freezing temperature aids athlete recovery and adapting for cold-weather games.
6. Baylor (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:6
This week:Samford
What to know:Former Mississippi State quarterback Sawyer Robertson and former Baylor QB Blake Shapen both had a memorable Saturday.
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7. Brigham Young (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:8
This week:Idle
What to know:L.J. Martin's the Big 12's leading rusher after 100-yard games against Portland State and Stanford .
8. Kansas State (1-2, 0-1)
Last week:7
This week:Friday at Arizona
What to know:If the Wildcats can't throttle non-conference opponents like North Dakota and Army, how are they supposed to win the conference?
More: Sound the alarm: Kansas State football knows this season could spiral after loss to Army
9. Kansas (2-1, 0-0)
Last week:9
This week:Idle
What to know:If the Big 12 wants to improve perceptions against the SEC, it needs Kansas to stop blowing 15-point halftime leads against Missouri .
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More: Kansas football vs Missouri grades: Jayhawks report card in Border War loss
10. Cincinnati (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:10
This week: Northwestern State
What to know:Bearcats ended a 322-day victory drought by beating Eddie George-coached Bowling Green.
More: 5 instant takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats football home victory vs. Bowling Green
11. Colorado (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:11
This week:Friday at Houston
What to know:The Buffaloes waxed the team with the winged helmet ! Not Michigan , Delaware .
More: Deion Sanders says he's 'not lost for direction' after shocking twist at quarterback
12. Houston (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:12
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This week:Friday vs. Colorado
What to know:Just as you'd expect in year two from a Willie Fritz team: Defense still stout, offense getting better.
13. Arizona (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:14
This week:Friday vs. Kansas State
What to know: Noah Fifita 's five TD passes against Weber State matched his career high, a good sign for new offensive coordinator Seth Doege.
14. UCF (2-0, 0-0)
Last week:15
This week:Idle
What to know: Knights are on to Bill Belichick's North Carolina, which might be better — no promises — than the North Carolina A&T team UCF just routed .
More: Has UCF football QB Tayven Jackson done enough to keep starting job going forward?
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15. West Virginia (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:13
This week: Pittsburgh
What to know:Rich Rodriguez isn't bashful talking smack on Pitt. Now if his team can smack Pitt, we might forgive that loss to Ohio .
16. Oklahoma State (1-1, 0-0)
Last week:16
This week:Idle
What to know:What could be worse than losing 69-3 at Oregon? Losing next week to little brother Tulsa.
More: Oklahoma State football could use friends in low places with Mike Gundy, Cowboys falling
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 power rankings: Who moves up after Arizona State goes down?
