The Big 12 put their best foot forward on a weekend with several intriguing nonconference games.
Texas Tech picked up a nonconference win over a top 25 opponent in Houston. The “state” schools, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State picked up solid nonconference wins. Iowa State, in particular, won a hard-fought game against an Iowa team that may not play much offense but looks to have one of the best defenses in the country through two weeks.
Though Baylor lost their top 25 showdown, it was at least against a BYU team that will be joining the Big 12 soon.
BYU and Houston look like they’ll fit right in with the new-look Big 12 and provide intriguing matchups on the conference schedule.
Kansas beat West Virginia in the only Big 12 game on the schedule this week, further solidifying the Jayhawks’ upward trajectory.
So, after a great week of Big 12 action, how does the Big 12 stack up in Paul Myerberg’s latest 1-131 re-rank for USA TODAY Sports (subscription required)?
96. West Virginia Mountaineers
Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Luke Grimm (11) makes a catch over West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rashad Ajayi (4) during the fourth quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Down 15 spots after loss to Kansas.
77. Kansas Jayhawks
Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) celebrates after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Up 19 spots after win over West Virginia.
63. TCU Horned Frogs
Sep 2, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Derius Davis (11) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Max Duggan (15) in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Up 6 spots after win over Tarleton.
46. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Sep 10, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Smith (7) reacts after scoring the winning touchdown in double overtime against the Houston Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Up 36 spots after win over Houston.
32. Iowa State Cyclones
Members of the Iowa State Cyclones football team celebrate a 10-7 win over Iowa during the Cy-Hawk Series football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Up 23 spots after win over Iowa.
26. Texas Longhorns
Sep 10, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) catches a pass and lands out of bounds near the end zone against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Up 12 spots after 1 point loss to Alabama.
20. Kansas State Wildcats
Sep 10, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn (22) runs away from Missouri Tigers linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (8) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Up 12 spots after win over Missouri.
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders (3) gestures before a play during a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Arizona State Sun Devils at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Oklahoma State won 34-17. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Up 4 spots after win over Arizona State.
12. Baylor Bears
Sep 10, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dallin Holker (5) runs the ball against Baylor Bears safety Devin Lemear (20) and linebacker Tyrone Brown (36) in the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports
Down 2 spots after loss to BYU.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 10, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jeffery Johnson (77) and Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Reggie Grimes (14) celebrate during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
