In cooperation with the Houston Chronicle and other Big 12 football beat writers, the Star presents weekly Big 12 power rankings now that we're entering the bulk of conference play.听
Over the last few weeks, our colleagues at the Houston Chronicle have collected votes and commentary from football writers at news outlets that cover Big 12 teams.
The Arizona Wildcats dropped from fifth to seventh following their 31-7 loss to Kansas State, which leap-frogged Oklahoma State for the second spot behind preseason Big 12 favorite Utah.听
Here's a complete look at the Big 12 power rankings entering Week 4:

Utah entered the season looking like the class of the Big 12. That still may be the case, if quarterback Cameron Rising (7) can get (and stay) healthy.
1. Utah
Previous ranking:听1
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听245 (eight first-place votes)
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搁别肠辞谤诲:听3-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Utah State, 38-21
This week:听at听No. 14 Oklahoma State
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听Without Cam Rising under center, Utah鈥檚 offense finally looked serviceable against Utah State. The good news for the Utes is that Rising is expected to be back this week.听
Did you know?听This will be Utah鈥檚 second all-time matchup against Oklahoma State. Their last game occurred on Oct. 20, 1945.听鈥斕Jason Batacao, The Salt Lake Tribune

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) runs the ball during the first half against Arizona. UA is off this week before traveling to Utah.
2. Kansas State听
Previous ranking:听3
Points:听242 (six first-place votes)
搁别肠辞谤诲:听3-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat No. 20 Arizona, 31-7
This week:听at BYU
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听K-State will be looking听to start its season 4-0 for the first time since 2012. The Cougars and Wildcats are squaring off for the ninth time in history,听each team winning four games. The last time the K-State came away with a win in the series was 1976.听
Did you know?听 K-State has scored non-offensive touchdowns in all three games this season, the first time doing so to start the year since the first three games of the 2002 season. 鈥斕Tim Everson, The Manhattan Mercury

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy celebrates with the crowd after the win over Arkansas earlier this month. Gundy is 169-79 in 20 years with the Cowboys.
3. Oklahoma State
Previous ranking:听2
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听230 (two first-place votes)
Record:听3-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Tulsa, 45-10听
This week:听vs. No. 12 Utah
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听Despite the return of Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon and his entire offensive line, Oklahoma State hasn鈥檛 been able to run the ball against anyone this season. Only 25 teams average less yards per carry than the Cowboys (3.37). Up next: Utah, which limits teams to 3.14 yards.
Did you know?听Oklahoma State is one of eight teams in the country yet to allow a sack this season. 鈥斕Tyler Waldrep, Tulsa World听

Central Florida running back RJ Harvey (7) takes a handoff from quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) during the Knights' game against TCU on Sept. 14 in Fort Worth, Texas.
4. UCF
Previous ranking:听6
Points:听196
Record:听3-0 (1-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat听TCU, 35-34听
This week:听Open date
Comment:听The Knights rallied from 21 points down in the third quarter to open conference play with a come-from-behind win at TCU. Quarterback KJ Jefferson鈥檚 20-yard pass to Kobe Hudson with 36 seconds remaining capped off the comeback, giving UCF an improbable road win. Running back RJ Harvey rushed for 180 yards, his fifth consecutive 100-yard game.听
Did you know?听The 21-point comeback was the largest since UCF rallied against Boise State on Sept. 2, 2021, which was Gus Malzahn鈥檚 first game as UCF鈥檚 coach.听鈥 Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht looks to pass during the first half of the Cyclones' game against Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.
5. Iowa State听
Previous ranking:听4
Points:听195
Record:听2-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听Open date
This week:听vs. Arkansas State听
Comment:听Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is 276 yards from becoming the 10th player in program history to eclipse 4,000 career passing yards 鈥 and he鈥檚 only made 15 career starts. The redshirt sophomore owns a 14-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his past six games dating to last season.
Did you know?听颅Cyclone head coach Matt Campbell is one win away from tying Dan McCarney for the most in program history (56). 鈥斕Rob Gray, The Cedar Rapids Gazette

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) fights for yards against Texas State during the second half last week. The Sun Devils are off to a surprising 3-0 start, although a tough Big 12 schedule awaits.
6. Arizona State听
Previous ranking:听8
Points:听167
搁别肠辞谤诲:听3-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat听Texas State,听31-28
This week:听at Texas Tech
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听The Sun Devils showed some resiliency, coming back from a 14-point deficit and beating a team on the road that had been receiving votes in the national poll and did so in a short week, having to play on Thursday. They also had to survive a clock fiasco with the home team given one more play after time had run out.
Did you know?听This is the first time ASU has started the season 3-0 since 2019, but the first since 2007 the Sun Devils won all three against FBS opponents. 鈥斕Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic

Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, tries to get past Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber during the first half of the host Wildcats鈥 31-7 win.
7. Arizona
Previous ranking:听5
Points:听150
Record:听2-1 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听lost to No. 14 Kansas State, 31-7
This week:听Open date
Comment:听After getting boat-raced by 24 points at Kansas State, Arizona enters a much-needed open date. Arizona's biggest flaws are stopping the run and penalties. Arizona鈥檚 rushing defense is ranked 103rd out of 133 teams in FBS after surrendering 200-yards on the ground in two games this season. Arizona is also tied for the fourth-most penalty yards (269) in college football. Arizona will have to do some soul-searching during its week off.听
Did you know?听Arizona had its nine-game winning streak snapped, the longest active streak in college football. The longest active winning streak now belongs to Missouri. Arizona also ended its streak of appearances in the Associated Press Top 25, which started in Week 10 of last season.听鈥斕Justin Spears, 大象APP

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes, center, waits with the team to run out of the tunnel before the game against Central Florida on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
8. TCU
Previous ranking:听7
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听125
搁别肠辞谤诲:听2-1 (0-1 Big 12)
Last week:听lost to UCF, 35-34
This week:听at SMU
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听TCU blew a 21-point lead in the third quarter to fall to the听Knights, conceding 289 rushing yards and raising questions about the Frogs' ability to defend the run. Next up, the second-to-last Iron Skillet game against the Mustangs.听
Did you know?听TCU leads the all-time series against SMU 53-42-7.听鈥 Jamie Plunkett, Horned Frog Blitz

BYU cornerback Marque Collins, center, breaks up a pass intended for SMU wide receiver Key'Shawn Smith, left, during the first half of their game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Dallas.
9. BYU
Previous ranking:听T10
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听123
Record:听3-0 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Wyoming, 34-14
This week:听vs. No. 13 Kansas State
Comment:听BYU鈥檚 final trip to Laramie wasn鈥檛 all perfect for the Cougars, but the game was never in doubt. BYU nursed a three-possession lead the entire second half. There are still lingering questions about quarterback Jake Retzlaff鈥檚 decision-making heading into conference play, but BYU knows its 2024 hopes rest on the quarterback鈥檚 playmaking ability.
Did you know?听BYU is 3-0 for the second straight season. Last year, the Cougars finished 2-7 in conference play. 鈥斕Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune听

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders hypes up the fans during the Buffaloes鈥 opener against North Dakota State on Aug. 29 in Boulder, Colorado.
10. Colorado听
Previous ranking:听13
Points:听90
Record:听2-1 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Colorado State, 28-9听
This week:听vs. Baylor
Comment:听The Buffs got back on track last week with a dominating win at Colorado State. CU鈥檚 run game showed some life for the first time this season, Shedeur Sanders threw four more touchdown passes and Travis Hunter was special on both sides of the ball, but the Buffs鈥 defense set the tone from the start. CSU鈥檚 only touchdown and 41% of its yards came in the fourth quarter after the Buffs were already in control of the game.
Did you know?听Last week was just the third time in 15 games under head coach Deion Sanders that the Buffs reached 100 rushing yards, finishing with 109. In those 15 games, the Buffs have 1,011 rushing yards (67.4 per game). 鈥斕Brian Howell, Boulder Daily Camera

Baylor quarterback Dequan Finn (7) throws against Utah in the first half of their game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
11. Baylor
Previous ranking:听12
Points:听86
Record:听2-1听(0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Air Force, 31-3
This week:听at Colorado
Comment:听Sawyer Robertson stepped in for injured starter Dequan Finn and had the game of his life against Air Force, completing 75% of his passes, throwing for a career-high 248 yards and rushing for a touchdown in the win. Finn is dealing with an injured shoulder, and his status for the game in Boulder against Colorado won鈥檛 be decided until the middle of the week.听
Did you know?听Baylor鈥檚 win against Air Force on Saturday was the first win against an FBS team at McLane Stadium since the Bears beat Kansas on Oct. 22, 2022, a streak of nine games 鈥斕Zach Smith, Waco Tribune-Herald

West Virginia wide receiver Traylon Ray (7) carries during the first half against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
12.听West Virginia
Previous ranking:听T10
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听83
Record:听1-2 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听lost to Pitt, 38-34
This week:听vs. Kansas
Comment:听The Mountaineers need to flush nonconference play and get ready for a tough Big 12 slate.听WVU and Kansas meet in a matchup between teams desperate for a win. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, their biggest weaknesses听鈥 defending deep passes and quarterback scrambling听鈥 are what Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels does best.
Did you know?听The last time Kansas was in Morgantown, the Jayhawks came away with the rare two-touchdown overtime win, 55-42, as JT Daniels threw a pick-six to Cobee Bryant. 鈥斕Cody Nespor, The Dominion Post听

Texas Tech wide receiver Drae McCray carries the ball during the second half of the Red Raiders' game against Washington State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Pullman, Wash.
13. Texas Tech
Previous ranking:听14
Points: 82
Record:听2-1听(0-0 Big 12)
Last week: beat North Texas, 66-21
This week: vs. Arizona State
Comment: The Red Raiders who took the field against North Texas were a stark contrast to how they started the year. They looked much more like the team coaches gloated about in the preseason, but now how to replicate that kind of effort on offense and defense in games that matter.听
Did you know?听Texas Tech tied the program record for points in a quarter (35) and points in a half (52) in the modern era against UNT. 鈥斕Nathan Giese, Avalanche-Journal
14. Kansas听
Previous ranking:听9
Points:听78
Record: 1-2 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week: lost to UNLV, 23-20
This week: at West Virginia
Comment: KU may have a quarterback problem it听couldn't possibly have anticipated prior to the season, after key interceptions by Jalon Daniels, who has now thrown more picks in three games than he did in his previous 12, helped sink the Jayhawks in a pair of unexpected early-season losses.
Did you know?听The only time the Jayhawks have won a conference opener on the road since 2008 was at West Virginia in 2022. 鈥斕Henry Greenstein, Lawrence Journal-World

Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (8) lines up against the Towson Tigers on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 in Cincinnati.
15. Cincinnati
Previous ranking:听15
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听46
Record:听2-1 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Miami (Ohio), 27-16
This week:听vs. Houston
Comment:听After dropping the Victory Bell game for the first time in 17 seasons last year in overtime, the Bearcats regained the trophy Saturday with a 27-16 win over the defending MAC champion Miami RedHawks. Corey Kiner went over 100 yards for the second straight game, finishing with 126 yards and a touchdown. Kickoff specialist Nathan Hawks beat Carter Brown in a weekly competition and made his debut for the Bearcats with field goals of 55 and 50 yards.
Did you know?听Hawks began his college career at Division III Wittenberg and before getting into the transfer portal had enrolled at Cincinnati. He joined the team in time for fall training camp in 2023. His first FBS field goal was the longest of his career (55 yards) and three off the school record of 58 yards. 鈥斕听Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer
16. Houston
Previous ranking:听16
笔辞颈苍迟蝉:听31
Record:听1-2 (0-0 Big 12)
Last week:听beat Rice, 33-7
This week:听at Cincinnati
颁辞尘尘别苍迟:听Don鈥檛 look now, but defensive coordinator Shiel Wood鈥檚 unit has put together back-to-back impressive showings against Oklahoma and Rice. The Cougars rank in the top 15 in total defense (238.7 yards per game) and passing defense (123.7 yards). The 16.6 points allowed is nearly half the total from the same point last season. In the last six quarters, Houston has forced opponents to punt on 80% of their drives (16-of-28), including nine three-and-out possessions.
Did you know?听The Big 12 is the fourth different league in which Houston and Cincinnati have competed together. The two schools were co-members of the Missouri Valley (1957-59), Conference USA (1996-2004) and the American Athletic Conference (2013-22) before joining the Big 12 last season. 鈥斕Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle听
The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev look back on the Arizona Wildcats' first three games and discuss why the UA has struggled. It it personnel? Coaching? Both? Plus, the guys answer some of your mailbag questions and predict the Big 12 football slate this weekend. (Video by Justin Spears / 大象APP)
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports