Big 12 Conference Power Rankings: Week 2

© SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK

Week 1 in the Big 12 Conference is in the books. Aside from Houston (0-1) losing 27-7 to UNLV (1-0), there were not many surprises. The only other loss by a conference member was widely anticipated, with West Virginia (0-1) falling 34-12 to No. 8 Penn State. The competition steps up this week for Big 12 teams with 10 games against other Power Four conference members.

College Football Dawgs' Big 12 power rankings are based on an aggregated weighing of writing staff votes for conference members.

Point Structure

Each first-place vote counted for 16 points, going in descending order. For example, second-place votes counted for 15, third for 14 and so on. Each team's points were added up and the poll was organized to reflect how many points (shown in parentheses) each team received. Here are the results, with summaries about each of the top 5 vote-receiving teams.

No. 1: Utah Utes (1-0) (78), No. 1 Last Week

The No. 11 Utah Utes opened their season against FCS opponent Southern Utah (0-1), prevailing 49-0. Quarterback Cam Rising did not miss a step after a season off with an injury, completing 10 of 15 passes for 254 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Utes defense showed it is still outstanding, only yielding 150 yards of total offense, getting 5 sacks and forcing a turnover. Utah did what was expected in their first week of action and destroyed their FCS opponent. The Utes will be in the thick of the Big 12 title race as long as the key contributors stay healthy.

Upcoming Game: Baylor Bears (1-0)

No. 2: Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0) (77), No. 2 Last Week

No. 16 Oklahoma State did not get the memo that FBS teams are supposed to struggle against defending FCS national champion South Dakota State (0-1). They cruised to a 44-20 victory over the Jackrabbits.

Running back Ollie Gordon had an average day for his standards with 27 carries, 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns, a breath of fresh air for Cowboys fans after the QB controversy to start 2023. The Oklahoma State defense had issues stopping the Jackrabbits' offense, surrendering 388 yards, but they did force 1 interception.

Upcoming Game: Arkansas (1-0)

No. 3: Kansas State Wildcats (1-0) (67), No. 3 Last Week

The No. 17 K-State Wildcats took care of business on Aug. 31, with a 41-6 triumph over the UT Martin Skyhawks (0-1). KSU struggled in the first half, scoring only 1 offensive touchdown and another TD on a scoop-and-score blocked punt. The Wildcats led 17-3 at halftime, then commenced the second half by fumbling the kickoff return. The Skyhawks trimmed K-State's lead to 11 after a field goal. But, the Wildcats turned it on after that, scoring on four straight drives and extending the lead to 35 points. Quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 153 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The defense only gave up 134 yards and picked up 4 sacks.

Upcoming Game: at Tulane Green Wave (1-0)

No. 4: Kansas Jayhawks (1-0) (65), No. 6 Last Week

No. 19 Kansas had no problem with the Lindenwood Lions (0-1). The final score was 48-3. Kansas had a big second quarter, scoring 27 points and taking a 34-0 lead into halftime. The Jayhawks' ground game rolled against the Lions, racking up 331 yards, led by running back Devin Neal's 112 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Jalon Daniels had a slow day for his standards, throwing for 148 yards 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The defense gave up 202 yards total offense, picking up 2 sacks and a Mello Dotson 33-yard pick-6.

Upcoming Game: at Illinois Fightin' Illini (1-0)

No. 5: Arizona Wildcats (1-0) (63), No. 5 Last Week

No. 20 Arizona pulled away from New Mexico (0-2) in the second half to win 61-39. The Lobos had no answer for outstanding wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian who piled up 304 yards on 10 catches and 4 touchdowns. Quarterback Noah Fifita had 422 yards passing with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Wildcats defense had a rough day, giving up 39 points and 471 total yards with 211 yards of those yards on the ground. With Fifita and McMillian the Wildcats will not have any issue scoring this season which might prove essential if the defense does not improve.

Upcoming Game: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (1-0)

Big 12 Power Rankings: Nos. 6-16

No. 6: UCF Knights (1-0) (53); last week - No. 8; next up: Sam Houston Bearkats (1-0)

No. 7: Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) (50); last week - No. 7; next up: No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0)

No. 8: TCU Horned Frogs (1-0) (45); last week - No. 10; next up: Long Island Sharks (0-1)

No. 9: BYU Cougars (1-0) (33); last week - No. 13; next up: at SMU Mustangs (1-0)

No. 10: West Virginia Mountaineers (0-1) (32); last week - No. 4; next up: Albany Great Danes (1-0)

No. 11: Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0) (31); last week - No. 14; next up Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0)

No. 12: Colorado Buffaloes (1-0) (31); last week - No. 10; next up: at Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)

No. 13: Baylor Bears (1-0) (21); last week - No. 12; next up: at Utah Utes (1-0)

No. 14: Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0) (18); last week - No. 9; next up: at Washington State Cougars (1-0)

No. 15: Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0) (11); last week - No. 16; next up: Pitt Panthers (1-0)

No. 16: Houston Cougars (0-1) (5); last week - No. 15; next up: at No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)

Week 2 in the Big 12 should offer better insight into how strong the Big 12 is. It should be noted that while Baylor and Utah are playing this week, the game will not count in the conference standings.