Big 12 Mojo Rankings: BYU soars, Preseason Favs Drop, Another Ranked Matchup in Week 5

Welcome back to the ‘Mojo Rankings,’ where each week, I rank and discuss the entire Big 12 based on a custom formula, which includes categories like winning, program health, momentum, outside noise and enjoyment. 

Last week, Utah handled a Big 12 road litmus test with unnerving ease, BYU made a statement in electric fashion and Colorado’s overtime win over Baylor was all the rage on Saturday night. 

Some teams are starting to ease into their good and bad lanes, but plenty of questions and parity remain on the road to Arlington. 

Six Saturday conference games highlight this week’s trips, while Arizona and West Virginia are on bye.

Here’s how I view the league’s big-picture pecking order entering week five. 

1. UTAH (4-0, 1-0) 

Last Week: No. 1, WIN 22-19 @ No. 14 Oklahoma State

Isaac Wilson started at QB and handled the Utes’ first road trip into a usually hostile Stillwater setting with poise despite a couple of interceptions. Utah may be the class of the league based on this first month. And now have a nice Top 15 win for the resume. I have no interest in playing the “Will Cam Rising Play?” game for the second straight year. They’re still pretty good without him.

Up Next: Home vs. Arizona, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

2. Iowa State (3-0, 0-0)

Last Week: No. 4 (+2), WIN 52-7 vs. Arkansas State

The Cyclones easily handled Arkansas State and now open Big 12 play with perhaps the biggest layup on the schedule. A 4-0 start is a near guarantee.

Up Next: Home vs. Houston, Saturday, 6 p.m. on FS1

3. BYU (4-0, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 8 (+5), WIN 38-9 vs. No. 13 Kansas State

The defense kept another P4 team out of the endzone after holding SMU to 5 field goals two weeks ago. And the Cougars struck the ‘Cats with heavy damage from every phase and angle. They gave a rabid home crowd multiple reasons to go ballistic, resulting in an incredible atmosphere, win and look on TV. They’re the surprise of the league entering week five, and 5-0 is definitely in play.

Up Next: AT Baylor, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FS1

4. UCF (3-0, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 5 (+1), OPEN

UCF returns from a bye week as Big Noon Kickoff visits the Bounce House to battle the Buffaloes. It’s a beautiful setup and opportunity for the Knights. And a chance to knock Prime and company down from their Hail Mary high. Hopefully, Hurricane Helene will hold off causing any havoc on the Orlando area.

Up Next: Home vs. Colorado, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX

5. Oklahoma State (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 2 (-3), LOSS 22-19 vs. No. 12 Utah

The Cowboys benched Alan Bowman until it turned out backup Garret Rangel fared even worse against Utah’s vaunted defense. Upon return in the fourth quarter, Bowman made the final score respectable with a couple of late touchdown passes and two-point conversions. But make no mistake, Utah came into Stillwater and punked the Pokes. Now, a fantastic rebound or further reeling.

Up Next: AT No. 23 Kansas State, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FOX

6. Kansas State (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 3 (-3), LOSS 38-9 @ BYU

You didn’t just lose. You got beat by 28 points in the conference opener. Provo was a borderline insane asylum, and it totally affected young Avery Johnson and the Wildcats. As did an avalanche of huge plays. That happens. Now, they must fight to retain a Top 25 ranking and, more importantly, earn a first conference win in a fun showdown against the Pokes. The support and soothing tones of a home crowd will be a welcomed far cry from last week.

Up Next: Home vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State, Saturday, 11 a.m. on ESPN

7. Colorado (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 10 (+3), WIN 38-31 vs. Baylor

It wasn’t the Miracle at Michigan, but it was a miracle in Boulder as the Buffaloes won their first Big 12 contest since 2010 and earned a signature comeback win for the program and Deion Sanders era. Back-to-back victories have given the Buffs some energy and belief, but seeing how they travel and follow up on last week’s emotions will be interesting. Can this defense withstand RJ Harvey and the layers of this UCF rushing attack?

Up Next: AT UCF, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on FOX

8. Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 12 (+4), WIN 30-22 vs. Arizona State

If it seems like Texas Tech always plays at home, that’s because this is their third straight home game and fourth in five contests. That was a terrific win over ASU to open league play, and the sour taste from weeks one and two is now slowly dissipating. Tech jumped on the Sun Devils early and always had an answer to keep the game out of reach. Homefield at night could play a prominent role in this one.

Up Next: Home vs. Cincinnati, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2

9. Arizona State (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 6 (-3), LOSS 30-22 @ Texas Tech

ASU got down early in Lubbock and could not string together enough scores and stops to crawl out of that early 14-0 deficit against Texas Tech. RB Cam Skattebo is a great player, but it wasn’t a good night for the offense overall. The offense went 5-for-14 on the third down and had an abysmal 0-for-3 on the fourth down. That won’t win road games or many games.

Up Next: OPEN

10. Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 13 (+3), WIN 34-0 vs. Houston

The Bearcats dismantled Houston for their first-ever Big 12 home win and matched their league win total from a year ago. That lone victory was also against the Cougars. The trip to Tech kick starts eight opportunities to beat that mark in year two. From Brendan Sorsby to Corey Kiner to Xzavier Henderson, they have the weapons to make things interesting.

Up Next: AT Texas Tech, Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2

11. West Virginia (2-2, 1-0)

Last Week: No. 15 (+4), WIN 32-28 vs. Kansas

The Mountaineers rallied to swipe a critical victory over the Jayhawks, saving Morgantown from panic and anger, especially with a bye week making the latest result linger longer. QB Garrett Greene was excellent down the stretch, including his game-winning toss with 26 seconds remaining, as they overcame an 11-point deficit with just over three minutes remaining.

Up Next: OPEN

12. Arizona (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week: No. 11 (-1), OPEN

The Big 12’s desert variety Wildcats return refreshed after an early bye week and ready to reset their struggles under first-year head coach Brent Brennan. Last we saw them, ‘Zona was getting run off the field by K-State in Manhattan. Now, an even more challenging test.

Up Next: AT No. 10 Utah, Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN

13. TCU (2-2, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 7 (-6), LOSS 66-42 @ SMU

Sonny Dykes got ejected during a lopsided loss at the hands of their rivals and his previous employer. The only surprising thing for anyone who’s watched him on the sidelines is that it was a career first. Andy Avalos’ defense has quickly gone off the rails, and they have zero run game. The trip to Lawrence is a matchup where both teams need a win for morale’s sake more than anything.

Up Next: AT Kansas, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+

14. Baylor (2-2, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 9 (-5), LOSS 38-31 @ Colorado

An unbearable and inexplicable overtime loss in Boulder has everyone wondering what type of effort we see this weekend. This matchup figures to be another slobber knocker with Sitake’s Cougars. The Bears need this win. The people need this win. Dave Aranda needs this win.

Up Next: Home vs. No. 22 BYU, Saturday, 11 a.m. on FS1

15. Kansas (1-3, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 14 (-1), Loss 32-28 @ West Virginia

Another close game, another brutal loss for a struggling Jayhawks squad that led by 11 with just over 5 minutes to play in Morgantown. Jalon Daniels continues turning the ball over and now boasts a four TD to seven INT ratio. Saturday feels like a must-win home game in many ways.

Up Next: Home vs. TCU, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+

16. Houston (1-3, 0-1)

Last Week: No. 16 (NC), Loss 34-0 @ Cincinnati

The Cougars will earn a permanent residence at No. 16 if things continue at this rate. Struggling QB Donovan Smith will start again, but we’ll also see backup transfer Zeon Chriss continue to get reps after replacing Smith in the third quarter, per Willie Fritz. They got outplayed in every way, and with the Cyclones rolling into town, more storms await. 

Up Next: AT No. 18 Iowa State, Saturday, 6 p.m. on FS1