16. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)
The West Virginia Mountaineers drop to the bottom spot in the power rankings after they lost to the Ohio Bobcats by a final score of 17-10 in Athens, Ohio. Bobcats quarterback Parker Navaaro threw for 247 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. It still wasn't enough for West Virginia as its offense gained 250 total yards from scrimmage. The Mountaineers take on an undefeated Pitt team that is favored by 7.5 points as the away team.
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-1)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys came into week two as 28.5-point underdogs to the No. 6-ranked Oregon Ducks. The Cowboys would go on to get demolished 69-3, their only points coming from a field goal at the beginning of the second quarter. Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores passed for 67 yards and 2 interceptions on 19 passing attempts, while the Cowboys' defense gave up 8 touchdowns and 631 yards of offense. Oklahoma State luckily gets a bye week before they prepare for Tulsa on September 19th.
14. UCF Knights (2-0)
The UCF Knights move up two spots after a dominant win over North Carolina A&T by a score of 68-7. The Aggies scored the final touchdown of the game with 3:00 minutes left to avoid the shutout. UCF opened the first quarter with four touchdowns and never looked back. The Knights ran for 356 yards and added another 202 through the air. Running back Jaden Nixon ran for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 4 carries, one of the most impressive stat lines we have seen this year. The Knights have a bye week, but then take on Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels at home on September 20th.
13. Arizona Wildcats (2-0)
The Arizona Wildcats faced the Weber State Wildcats and beat them easily, 48-3. Quarterback Noah Fifitia passed for 373 yards and 5 touchdowns while receiver Javin Whatley caught 5 passes for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Wildcats get their first true test next week when they start conference play against the Kansas State Wildcats in Tucson, AZ. Arizona goes in as 1.5-point home underdogs.
12. Kansas State Wildcats (1-2)
Kansas State continues its slow start as it falls to 1-2 on the season after a 24-21 loss to Army. The Wildcats came into the fourth quarter leading by seven, but would go on to allow 10 Army points and the upset win in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats' defense was no match for the triple option as quarterback Cale Hellums ran the ball 41 times for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns while wide receiver Nate Short led the Black Knights in passing with only 52 yards on one passing attempt. The Wildcats travel to Tucson, Arizona, to take on the other Wildcats, where Kansas State opens as 1.5-point favorites.
11. Houston Cougars (2-0)
The Houston Cougars stayed in town this week but traveled to Rice Stadium to take on the Owls in the American Conference. The Cougars would lead 7-3 at halftime and then explode in the second half, winning by a final score of 38-9. Houston's defense allowed 205 total yards and added 3 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss. They would also pick up a fumble and take an interception 37 yards for a score. The Cougars play the Colorado Buffaloes at home this week, where Houston opens as a 5.5-point favorite.
10. Colorado Buffaloes (1-1)
The Colorado Buffaloes move to 1-1 after a 31-7 win over the Delaware Blue Hens and move up one spot on the power rankings. Third-string quarterback Ryan Staub would come in and put on a show, throwing for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 10 passing attempts. It was announced earlier that Staub will be the starter for the Buffaloes in their upcoming game against Houston, who is favored by 5.5 points.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1)
The Cincinnati Bearcats don't move a spot from last week's rankings to this week's as they get the passing offense settled in, beating the Bowling Green Falcons 34-20. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 40 yards and a touchdown rushing. Two receivers eclipsed 100 yards for the Bearcats, while the defense had 4 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss. The Bearcats play North Western State next week in a game the Bearcats are favored to win by 26.5 points.
8. Kansas Jayhawks (2-1)
After a 2-0 start, the Kansas Jayhawks matched up against the Missouri Tigers in the Border War. The Kansas Jayhawks led 21-6 at one point as well as 31-28 with 8:45 left in the fourth quarter. Missouri would go on to win 42-31 and stay undefeated. Kansas drops two spots in the power rankings heading into a bye week before it starts the Big 12 regular season.
7. BYU Cougars (2-0)
BYU allowed their first points of the season while playing the Stanford Cardinal and winning 27-3. LJ Martin had 18 rushing attempts and gained 110 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The Cougars' defense picked off Ben Gulbranson twice and gave them great position on the way to the comfortable win. BYU travels to Greenville, North Carolina, next week to take on the East Carolina Pirates on ESPN.
6. Baylor Bears (1-1)
Baylor bounced back from their 14-point loss to Auburn last week while playing the No. 17-ranked SMU Mustangs. Sawyer Robertson passed for 440 while Baylor running backs combined for 161 rushing yards in the Bears' 48-45 shootout win. Baylor plays Samford in a bye game before they start Big 12 play with Arizona State in Waco.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1)
Arizona State played the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a game where they trailed 17-0 at one point and 17-3 at halftime. The Sun Devils would fight back to tie the game at seventeen with 13:07 left in the fourth quarter. They would kick a go-ahead field goal with 1:38 left to take a 20-17 lead, looking like a game over. With 41 seconds left on the clock, Blake Shapen would drop back on 3rd & 9 and find Brenen Thompson up the seam for a 58-yard touchdown, on the way to a 24-20 Bulldogs victory. The Sun Devils host Texas State next week in a game where Arizona State is favored to win by 15.5 points. The Sun Devils look to get back on track before they start the Big 12 regular season against Baylor on September 20th.
4. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0)
TCU had a bye week after facing off against Bill Belichick and the UNC Tar Heels in a blowout win. They don't move at all in the Power Ranking. They play a bye game against Abilene Christian next week, where the Horned Frogs are given a 98.2% chance to win.
3. Utah Utes (2-0)
The Utah Utes moved to 2-0 after a blowout victory against Cal Poly, 63-9. The Utes ran for 273 yards through nine different ball carriers, while also accumulating 245 receiving yards through nine different receivers. The Utes' defense allowed 223 total yards and intercepted 2 passes, taking one of them back for a touchdown. They also had 3 sacks and 9 tackles for a loss. Utah travels to War Memorial Stadium to take on the Wyoming Cowboys, who are a 23.5-point home underdog.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0)
Texas Tech played its second straight non-power four opponent of the season in a 62-14 win over Kent State. The Red Raiders are currently ranked No. 21 on the AP Poll and face off against the Oregon State Beavers in Lubbock, Texas. The Beavers are currently 23.5-point underdogs as they sit at 0-2.
1. Iowa State Cyclones (3-0)
The Iowa State Cyclones are the only Big 12 team with at least 3 wins this season as they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 16-13 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Cyclones travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to take on the Arkansas State Redwolves next week on ESPN. The Cyclones are the No. 14-ranked team in the country and are favored to win by 20.5 points next week before they start Big 12 regular season play.