Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU, ASU, UC Climb — UCF, KU, WVU Fall (Week 6)

Big 12 play started for most teams with Houston playing the only non-conference game of the week as the Cougars went on the road and took down Oregon State 27-24 in overtime. The win kept Houston's undefeated season alive and sets up a big showdown this week against No. 11 Texas Tech.

In Big 12 play, there were three games decided by a field goal as Arizona State rallied for a thrilling 27-24 victory over then-No. 24 TCU, including scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to win the game.

Meanwhile, No. 25 BYU rallied for a 24-21 victory over Colorado in Boulder in a key Big 12 conference game. Despite getting down early (14-0), the Cougars fought back and outscored the Buffs 24-7 the rest of the way to stay undefeated on the year.

Lastly, Cincinnati went on the road and shocked Kansas, 37-34, in a shootout as both teams racked up 1,200 yards of combined offense. Whoever had the ball last was going to win the game and that's exactly what happened  the Bearcats got a touchdown with 29 seconds remaining to walk out with the victory.

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With regards to the AP Top 25 poll and for the second week in a row, the Big 12 has four ranked teams. Texas Tech moved up one spot to No. 11 while Iowa State remained at No. 14, BYU moved up two spots to No. 23 and Arizona State returned at No. 25. TCU, which was No. 24, shockingly dropped 10 spots despite losing by only a field goal on the road in a game they mostly lead.

With some upsets last week in other P4 conferences (Virginia over Florida State), the Big 12 improved its chances of landing multiple teams in the College Football Playoff, but those undefeated and one-loss teams will need to keep winning to make it happen.

As always, let's hope for more upsets and chaos this weekend.

Important Note: Rankings are based on what teams have done on the field so far this season — not a prediction of where they'll finish. While current performance carries the most weight, last year’s performance is also factored in through the first half of the season.

No. 1 Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0)

Wins: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (67-7), Kent State (62-14), Oregon State (45-14), No. 16 Utah (34-10)
Losses: None

Texas Tech is coming off a bye week and will look to keep things rolling as they travel to Houston in a matchup of the unbeatens Saturday night.

Next up: @ Houston

No. 2 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0)

Wins: No. 17 Kansas State (24-21), South Dakota (55-7), Iowa (16-13), Arkansas State (24-16), Arizona (39-14)
Losses: None

Iowa State moves up a spot with TCU falling last week. The Cyclones looked impressive in the 39-14 victory, however, the game was costly with a number of players getting injured. Not good news for a team that will soon start its toughest stretch of the season.

Next up: @ Cincinnati

No. 3 BYU (4-0, 1-0)

Wins: Portland State (69-0), Stanford (27-3), East Carolina (34-13), Colorado (24-21)
Losses: None

BYU didn't cover the spread, but in the end, a win is a win -- especially on the road in the Big 12. The Cougars needed to rally for the come-from-behind victory, but it showed the strength of the team. Playing in a hostile environment and having never trailed before until Saturday's game, the Cougars got the Buffs best shot, and still got the win.

The Cougars return home to for the first time in two weeks to take on a struggling West Virginia team. BYU is favored by 20 points.

Next up: vs. West Virginia

No. 4 Arizona State (4-1, 2-0)

Wins: Northern Arizona (38-19), Texas State (34-15), Baylor (27-24), TCU (27-24)
Losses: Mississippi State (20-24)

If it wasn't for the last-second loss to Mississippi State at the start of the season, the Sun Devils would be challenging Texas Tech for the top spot. The good news for Arizona State is that they were able to come back and beat a good TCU team and are sitting atop the big 12 standings.

After a bye week this week, the schedule gets brutal with Utah and Texas Tech in back-to-back weeks.

Next up: Bye Week

No. 5 Houston (4-0, 1-0)

Wins: Stephen F. Austin (27-0), Rice (35-9), Colorado (36-20), Oregon State (27-24)
Losses: None

Houston is undefeated, but it needed a miracle to do so against a winless Oregon State team in overtime. We'll see just how good this team is as they host Texas Tech in a battle of unbeatens.

Next up: vs. No. 11 Texas Tech

No. 6 TCU (3-1, 0-1)

Wins: North Carolina (48-14), Abilene Christian (42-21), SMU (35-24)
Losses: Arizona State (24-27)

TCU led for much of the game on the road against Arizona State, however, the Horned Frogs couldn't hang on in the 27-24 loss. TCU will look to regroup as they host Colorado at home.

Next up: vs. Colorado

No. 7 Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0)

Wins: Bowling Green (34-20), Northwestern State (70-0), Kansas (37-34)
Losses: Nebraska (17-20)

Cincinnati makes the biggest move this week as the Bearcats climb six spots to land at No. 7. I've been a bit harsh on Cincinnati this year and have been skeptical after last year's performance, but they've been playing well and look much improved.

I'm not the only believer as oddsmakers have the Bearcats as the favorite Saturday in the showdown against the 14th-ranked Cyclones. This game will show us if the Bearcats are legitimate Big 12 contenders this year.

Next up: vs. No. 14 Iowa State

No. 8 Baylor (3-2, 1-1)

Wins: No. 17 SMU (48-45 2OT), Samford (42-7), Oklahoma State (45-27)
Losses: Auburn (24-38), Arizona State (24-27)

Baylor beat Oklahoma State which wasn't a surprise, but their defense giving up nearly 450 yards of offense against the Pokes continues to raise eyebrows. While the Beras can score, they can't really stop anyone either.

Next up is a home game against Kansas State and Baylor is also looking for its first win of the season at home. Will they finally break the curse?

Next up: vs. Kansas State 

No. 9 Utah (4-1, 1-1)

Wins: UCLA (43-10), Cal Poly (63-9), Wyoming (31-6), West Virginia (48-14)
Losses: No. 17 Texas Tech (10-34)

Utah played arguably it's best game of the season -- but that's also what happens when you play West Virginia. It was still great to see the Utes play great on both sides of the ball. Utah has a bye week before it faces its toughest test of the season with back-to-back games against Arizona State and BYU.

Next up: Bye Week

No. 10 Kansas (3-2, 1-1)

Wins: Fresno State (31-7), Wagner (46-7), West Virginia (41-10)
Losses: Missouri (31-42), Cincinnati (34-37)

Kansas continues to be hit and miss and last week was a miss as the Jayhawks had the game won before letting Cincinnati score a touchdown with less than 30 seconds to go in the game. Kansas looks to regroup in a road game against UCF which is also coming off a loss.

Next up: @ UCF

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No. 11 UCF (3-1, 0-1)

Wins: Jacksonville State (17-10), North Carolina A&T (68-7), North Carolina (34-9)
Losses: Kansas State (20-34)

UCF got blown out on the road against a Kansas State team that we aren't sure yet if they are good or not. The Knights played well, however, turnovers were the issue and they'll need to take better care of the ball if they want to beat Kansas on Saturday.

Next up: vs. Kansas

No. 12 Arizona (3-1, 0-1)

Wins: Hawaii (40-6), Weber State (48-3), Kansas State (23-17)
Losses: No. 14 Iowa State (14-39) 

I've been hesitant to move Arizona up all year because they haven't played anyone, combined with last year's performance. I was vindicated last week as the Wildcats got crushed in a 39-14 loss to Iowa State.

Thankfully they play Oklahoma State this week which is just what the doctor ordered.

Next up: vs. Oklahoma State

No. 13 Colorado (2-3, 0-2)

Wins: Delaware (31-7), Wyoming (37-20)
Losses: Georgia Tech (20-27), Houston (20-36)

Colorado looked better on Saturday, but it still wasn't enough against a good BYU football team. If the Buffs play like that the rest of the way, they'll likely make a bowl game and finish in the middle of the Big 12 this year.

However, the schedule doesn't get any easier as they go on the road to face a good TCU team.

Next up: @ TCU

No. 14 Kansas State (2-3, 1-1)

Wins: North Dakota (38-35), UCF (34-20)
Losses: No. 22 Iowa State (21-24), Army (21-24), Arizona (17-23)

Kansas State actually won a game. It's been awhile since we've said that, but the Wildcats looked good in the win over UCF. We'll see if they're Big 12 contenders this year as they go on the road to face a great Baylor team.

Next up: @ Baylor

No. 15 West Virginia (2-2, 0-1)

Wins: Robert Morris (45-3), Pittsburgh (31-24, OT)
Losses: Ohio (10-17), Kansas (10-41), Utah (14-48)

It's not looking good as the Mountaineers lost in a blowout at home to Utah for their second consecutive loss. It doesn't get any easier as they go on the road to play No. 23 BYU.

Next up: @ BYU

No. 16 Oklahoma State (1-3, 0-1)

Wins: UT Martin (27-7)
Losses: No. 6 Oregon (3-69), Tulsa (12-19), Baylor (27-45)

Like I mentioned last week, I don't think Oklahoma State will move from this spot the rest of the season. They put up a better-than-expected fight against Baylor, but once again, it wasn't enough.

Next up: @ Arizona

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