College Football Big 12 power rankings entering Week 4

So why exactly were two Big 12 teams from Arizona and Kansas playing a college football game in London in Week 3? And why was the biggest game of the season in the conference played on a Friday night?
These are questions that don’t have answers. But regardless, the Big 12 continues to provide us with the most entertaining football on Earth. 
MORE: College Football risers & fallers after Week 3
10. Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback JC French IV (4) throws a pass in the first quarter of the football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Miami RedHawks at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The Bearcats fall one spot this week, but they almost fell off the list entirely. The Bearcats trailed Miami (Ohio) 28-7 at the half, and were able to rally to win 35-31. Disaster averted. 
9. West Virginia
The Mountaineers didn’t really do a whole lot to impress in Week 1, with a 7-point victory over Coastal Carolina. But in Week 3, Michael Hawkins and Cam Cook ran wild, each rushing for 123 yards, and West Virginia defeated Virginia 38-27. If this is a sign of things to come, West Virginia is going to be able to run on anyone in the Big 12. 
8. TCU
It was just a ho-hum 31-7 victory over Arkansas State in Week 3, but the Horned Frogs continue to leave us breadcrumbs that they are turning the corner. Jaden Craig topped 300 passing yards, and Ed Small continued his breakout season by going 7-164-1. 
7. Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the game against Nicholls Colonels inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026.This is a case of the box score not telling the whole story. According to the box score, Avery Johnson dominated with 379 total yards. But watching the game revealed that Johnson is still below average in terms of accuracy and decision-making in the pocket, and it gives me pause before picking this team against the upper echelon of the Big 12. 
6. Arizona State
It’s only fitting that the London game featured not one, but two return touchdowns. In a strange football game, Arizona State beat Kansas without topping 100 passing yards. The lack of total offense was helped by the fact that they didn’t turn the ball over, which was their achilles heel in Week 2 against Texas A&M. 
5. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys get to move up a spot this week, not because their 59-0 win over Murray State was anything impressive, but because some other teams around them had to move down. We have seen the ceiling for this team — if they can sustain it, they can reach the Conference Championship game. 
4. Houston
It’s hard to knock Houston too far down after a 28-26 loss to Texas Tech. They were literal inches away from tying the game on a two-point conversion with under a minute remaining. It was not a bad showing, but not quite good enough to get the job done. It would require some help, but we could still see this team reach the Big 12 Championship game. 
3. Utah
Sep 19, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (7) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Braden Pegan showed his former team what they were missing in Week 3, with a dominant 8 receptions, 122 yards, and 2 TDs in Utah’s 33-0 victory over Utah State. The Utes haven’t beaten anyone impressive yet, but they have looked good each week. 
2. Texas Tech
We can officially make the declaration: this year’s Texas Tech is not last year’s Texas Tech. They can still go 12-0; they can still make the CFP, but this team does not have the National Championship ceiling that last year’s did. It starts at the QB position. Will Hammond and Tommy Castellanos are just mediocre. It makes sense why Tech wanted Sorsby to be eligible so badly. 
1. BYU
It was LJ Martin, not Bear Bachmeier, who powered the BYU offense in Week 3, rushing for 176 yards and 3 TDs. This team has been impressive thus far. Picking it today, they should be considered the favorites to win the conference. 
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