UPDATED BIG 12 FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS: COLORADO ON THE RISE AFTER WEEK 3 WIN
Overall, the Big 12 Conference was mediocre during Week 3 of the 2024 college football season. Top-tier teams such as Utah, Kansas State and Oklahoma State looked strong again, but losses from Kansas and West Virginia ultimately soured the second full weekend of September.
Head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes produced one of the Big 12's most impressive performances, defeating the Colorado State Rams on the road, 28-9. As a result, the Buffs moved up slightly in our post-Week 3 conference power rankings.
Check out our updated Big 12 football power rankings with Week 3 now in the books:
16. Houston Cougars (1-2)
Week 3 Result: 33-7 win vs. Rice Owls
Week 4 Matchup: at Cincinnati Bearcats
The Houston Cougars have scored the second-fewest points (52) in the Big 12 Conference.
15. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1)
Week 3 Result: 27-16 win at Miami (OH) RedHawks
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Houston Cougars
Cincinnati is up one spot in our power rankings after defeating Miami (OH) on the road.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-1)
Week 3 Result: 66-21 win vs. North Texas Mean Green
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Texas Tech's offense looked great against North Texas with quarterback Behren Morton throwing for four touchdowns.
13. Baylor Bears (2-1)
Week 3 Result: 31-3 win vs. Air Force Falcons
Week 4 Matchup: at Colorado Buffaloes
Beating Air Force while allowing only three points is impressive, even if the Falcons are undergoing a rebuild.
12. TCU Horned Frogs (2-1, 0-1 Big 12)
Week 3 Result: 35-34 loss vs. UCF Knights
Week 4 Matchup: at SMU Mustangs
TCU led UCF by three touchdowns early in the third quarter before collapsing.
11. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-2)
Week 3 Result: 38-34 loss at Pitt Panthers
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Kansas Jayhawks
West Virginia, much like its Week 4 opponent, has underperformed so far this season.
10. Arizona State Wildcats (3-0)
Week 3 Result: 31-28 win at Texas State Bobcats
Week 4 Matchup: at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Arizona State didn't look great against the Bobcats, but their winning ways continued.
9. BYU Cougars (3-0)
Week 3 Result: 34-14 win at Wyoming Cowboys
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Kansas State Wildcats
BYU, surprisingly, is one of six Big 12 teams that have yet to lose.
8. Colorado Buffaloes (2-1)
Week 3 Result: 28-9 win at Colorado State Rams
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Baylor Bears
Colorado leaped from No. 11 to No. 8 in our Big 12 power rankings after beating Colorado State.
7. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
Week 3 Result: 23-20 loss vs. UNLV Rebels
Week 4 Matchup: at West Virginia Mountaineers
Kansas' early struggles continued in Week 3 with a disappointing loss to the Mountain West's UNLV Rebels.
6. Arizona Wildcats (2-1)
Week 3 Result: 31-7 loss at Kansas State Wildcats
Week 4 Matchup: BYE
Arizona's offense fell flat in a blowout loss to Kansas State, although star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan impressed with 138 yards on 11 catches.
5. UCF Knights (3-0, 1-0 Big 12)
Week 3 Result: 35-34 win at TCU Horned Frogs
Week 4 Matchup: BYE
UCF's comeback win in Fort Worth has the Knights up to No. 5 in our Big 12 power rankings.
4. Iowa State Cyclones (2-0)
Week 3 Result: BYE
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves
Coming off a statement Week 2 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State was dormant in Week 3
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0)
Week 3 Result: 45-10 win at Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Week 4 Matchup: vs. Utah Utes
Oklahoma State remains at No. 3 after an expected win over Tulsa.
2. Kansas State Wildcats (3-0)
Week 3 Result: 31-7 win vs. Arizona Wildcats
Week 4 Matchup: at BYU Cougars
Kansas State will be looking for its first true conference win this week at BYU.
1. Utah Utes (3-0)
Week 3 Result: 38-21 win at Utah State Aggies
Week 4 Matchup: at Oklahoma State Cowboys
All eyes will be on Utah's Week 4 matchup with Oklahoma State.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Updated Big 12 football power rankings: Colorado on the rise after Week 3 win
2024-09-15T20:50:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd