BYU holds steady, Cincinnati wins to move up in power ranking

The first full week of Big 12 play kicked off with two games featuring much-improved teams with title aspirations.

Cincinnati slipped past Kansas State in a battle of teams that entered with 3-0 marks. The big question is whether or not the Bearcats can maintain that momentum. Last year, they started 7-1, but lost their last four games and finished in the middle of the pack.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State snapped a 19-game conference losing streak with a victory over previously undefeated West Virginia.

Three teams — Arizona State, BYU and Kansas — had the week off.

There weren't many surprises this week, which is reflected in the latest power ranking.

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

Last week: 1.

Did not play.

The Cougars have looked the part of a contender, more so than any other team in the conference. They had the week off to prepare for a road game against a team that has struggled.

Next up: At TCU on Oct. 3.

2. Utah (4-0, 1-0)

Last week: 2.

Defeated Iowa State 31-17.

Wayshawn Parker had a career day, leading the Utes to their fourth straight win in a game that was closer than expected. Parker rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 65 yards. Iowa State closed the deficit to 24-17, but Parker's 13-yard reception with 2:58 left helped seal the deal.

Nextup: vs. Kansas on Oct. 10.

3. Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0)

Last week: 3.

Defeated Sam Houston State 49-14.

Senior linebacker Austin Romaine became the first FBS player in 13 years to return interceptions for touchdowns on two consecutive defensive plays as Texas Tech cruised to the win. The first return was for 15 yards and the second was for 31, giving the Red Raiders a 21-0 lead that was never in jeopardy.

Next up: At Colorado on Oct. 3.

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

Last week: 4.

Defeated Georgia Southern 42-28.

Conner Weigman threw four touchdown passes and ran for two scores to lead the Cougars past Georgia Southern in coach Willie Fritz's return to Statesboro. The third-year Houston coach led the Georgia Southern program from 2014-15. Houston scored touchdowns on its first six possessions but didn't put the game away until the second half.

Next up: vs. Central Florida Oct. 3.

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

Last week: 5.

Defeated West Virginia 41-24.

The Cowboys racked up 609 yards, with quarterback Drew Mestemaker throwing for a season-high 389 yards and three touchdowns. Caleb Hawkins also ran for 180 yards and a touchdown to help Oklahoma State register a win in the conference opener for both teams. It snapped a 19-game conference losing streak that dated back two years.

Next up: vs. Central Florida on Oct. 10.

6. Arizona (3-1, 0-1)

Last week: 6.

Defeated Washington State 34-24.

The Wildcats rallied from an early deficit, taking a 21-17 lead with 4:02 left in the third quarter on a 38-yard scoring pass from Noah Fifita to Caleb Smith. Arizona hung on from there, racking up 447 yards in their final nonconference tuneup.

Next up: vs. Cincinnati on Oct. 3.

7. Arizona State (2-1, 1-0)

Last week: 7.

Did not play.

The Sun Devils had the bye after their trip to London. The biggest question mark is the offense, which struggled in the Union Jack Classic game against Kansas. It was special teams and defense making up for that in the win.

Next up: vs. Baylor on Oct. 3.

8. Cincinnati (4-0, 1-0)

Last week: 10.

Defeated Kansas State 31-26.

Cole Tabb scored on a 14-yard run with 3:28 left, capping off a 75-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock, and the Bearcats emerged victorious in their conference opener. Tabb ran for 124 yards, while Gi'Bran Payne ran for 126 yards as the Bearcats totaled 271 on the ground.

Next up: at Arizona on Oct. 3.

9. West Virginia (3-1, 0-1)

Last week: 8.

Lost to Oklahoma State 41-24.

Cam Cook ran for 193 yards, and quarterback Michael Hawkins rushed for another 102, but it wasn't enough as the Mountaineers dropped their conference opener. West Virginia tallied 467 yards of offense, but managed just 132 through the air.

Next up: at Iowa State on Oct. 3.

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

Last week: 9.

Lost to Cincinnati 31-26.

The Wildcats had leads of 10-0 and 17-10, but gave up the next 14 points and never had a lead again. Kansas State had 447 yards of offense, 11 more than the Bearcats. It also had the ball six minutes more than Cincinnati, yet came out on the losing end.

Nextup: vs. Houston Oct. 10.

11. Central Florida (3-1, 1-0)

Last week: 12.

Defeated TCU 21-13.

Landen Chambers scored on a 1-yard run with 12:25 to go to give the Knights an 8-point lead, and the defense took it from there. UCF picked up the win despite playing without starting quarterback Alonzon Barnett, who is out with a pulled hamstring.

Nextup: At Houston Oct. 3.

12. Baylor (3-1, 1-0)

Last week: 13.

Defeated Colorado 23-13.

Quarterback D.J. Lagway returned after missing two games with a sprained ankle. He threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by the go-ahead score with 9:02 left in the conference opener for both teams. It marked the third straight win for the Bears after a season-opening loss to Auburn.

Next up: at Arizona State on Oct. 3.

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

Last week: 11.

Lost to Central Florida 21-13.

The Horned Frogs turned the ball over four times and had 11 penalties for 86 yards. That will lose you most games. Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig threw for 310 yards but was intercepted twice. TCU had 343 total yards, while holding the Knights to 266.

Next up: vs. BYU on Oct. 3.

14. Iowa State (2-2, 0-1)

Last week: 14.

Lost to Utah 31-17.

The Cyclones managed 316 yards of offense but were only 3-for-14 on third down and 2-for-5 on fourth down, and turned the ball over twice. Iowa State faced deficits of 17-0 and 24-3 and wasn't able to cut the Utah lead to single digits.

Next up: vs. West Virginia on Oct. 3.

15. Colorado (2-2, 0-1)

Last week: 15.

Lost to Baylor 23-13.

The Buffaloes still have issues at quarterback, as Isaac Wilson replaced Julian Lewis after the half. Colorado hurt itself with nine penalties for 82 yards. It was also just 3-for-14 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down. The top performance was by wide receiver Joseph Williams, who had 11 catches for 127 yards.

Next up: vs. Texas Tech on Oct. 3.

16. Kansas (1-2, 0-1)

Last week: 16.

Did not play.

The Jayhawks were off after the game against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium in London. The quarterback position remains a problem, as is the kicking game.

Next up: vs. Middle Tennessee on Oct. 3.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: BYU holds steady, Cincinnati wins to move up in power ranking