Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of Rice-Eccles Stadium between the third and fourth quarters of a game between the Utah Utes and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The hierarchy in the Big 12 appears to be becoming crystal clear. The BYU Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders seem to be the class of the conference, with the Utah Utes following closely behind. The top two have a Texas-sized showdown on tap in Week 11.

The Cincinnati Bearcats were a team that could challenge for the top spot, but ran into a buzzsaw known as Utah in Salt Lake City. They fell behind early and couldn't recover against a very physical defense. That is the calling card of a Kyle Whittingham-coached team.

With Utah flexing its muscles, we examine the updated Big 12 power rankings with the top three all set.

No. 1: BYU Cougars

Last Week: No. 1

Saturday's Result: IDLE

The top team in the Big 12 prepares for its biggest challenge of the year, a trip to Lubbock to face Texas Tech. College GameDay will be in town for this epic showdown. We could see this game against in December for the Big 12 championship at AT&T Stadium.

No. 2: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last Week: No. 2

Saturday's Result: 43-20 win vs Kansas State

After a slow start in this game, the Red Raiders ramped it up in the second quarter and into the second half. They fell behind 7-0 after one quarter but outscored Kansas State 43-13 the rest of the way. Tech now shifts the focus to the BYU Cougars, who remain perfect on the season.

No. 3: Utah Utes

Last Week: No. 5

Saturday's Result: 45-14 win vs Cincinnati

The Utah Utes continued to prove that they are the third-best team in the conference. After blowing out the Colorado Buffaloes last week, it continued this past Saturday against the Bearcats. With No. 1 and No. 2 going head to head in Week 11, the Utes continue to remain close in the title game race.

No. 4: Cincinnati Bearcats

Last Week: No. 3

Saturday's Result: 45-14 loss vs Utah

For the first time since Week 1, the Bearcats suffered a loss. They were no match for the Utes in Salt Lake City. They will look to get back on track in Week 12 after the open week.

No. 5: Houston Cougars

Last Week: No. 4

Saturday's Result: 45-35 loss vs West Virginia

It did not go well for the Houston Cougars in Week 10. After surviving both Arizona teams over the last two weeks, it finally came back to bite the Cougars against WVU. The defense had no answer for Rich Rod on Saturday. They have one less day to prepare for UCF on the road under the Friday Night lights.

No. 6: Arizona State Sun Devils

Last Week: No. 6

Saturday's Result: 24-19 win vs Iowa State

It is now the Jeff Sims show, with Sam Leavitt being done for the year with an injury. He will need a healthy Jordyn Tyson if the Sun Devils want to make a final run at repeating as Big 12 champions. Arizona State currently sits one game back of No. 2 seed Texas Tech and Cincinnati.

No. 7: TCU Horned Frogs

Last Week: No. 7

Saturday's Result: IDLE

After the open week, TCU will look to keep the winning streak going. They have won back-to-back games and three of the last four. They begin the final stretch at home against a struggling Iowa State before BYU welcomes them to Provo in Week 12.

No. 8: Baylor Bears

Last Week: No. 10

Saturday's Result: 30-3 win vs UCF

Baylor responded to the pressure put on head coach Dave Aranda following the 41-20 loss to Cincinnati. They found little resistance from UCF in the 30-3 victory at home.

No. 9: Kansas State Wildcats

Last Week: No. 8

Saturday's Result: 43-20 loss vs Texas Tech

It seemed like there would be a resurgence for the Kansas State Wildcats after wins over TCU and Kansas over the last three weeks. The team found out just why Tech is the favorite in the conference after a slow start to the game. They will need to use the open week to figure out how to slow down Utah in three weeks.

No. 10: Iowa State Cyclones

Last Week: No. 9

Saturday's Result: 24-19 loss vs Arizona State

It just keeps getting worse for the Cyclones. Losers of four straight after the promising 5-0 start to the season. The loss to Colorado keeps looking worse after how the Buffs continue to get blown out. A Sun Devils team without Sam Leavitt or Jordyn Tyson was able to fend off ISU.

No. 11: Arizona Wildcats

Last Week: No. 13

Saturday's Result: 52-17 win vs Colorado

Arizona buried the Colorado Buffaloes after a 38-7 first half and was able to coast to the victory. They will host Kansas, with the winner becoming bowl eligible with six wins.

No. 12: Kansas Jayhawks

Last Week: No. 11

Saturday's Result: 38-21 win vs Oklahoma State

The Jayhawks are one step closer to punching their ticket to the postseason. KU overcame first-half struggles to run away from OSU in the second half. Next up is Arizona on the road ahead of an open date.

No. 13: UCF Knights

Last Week: No. 12

Saturday's Result: 30-3 loss vs Baylor

The game tape for this one should be burned shortly after watching it. Especially in the fourth quarter, where the Knights threw two interceptions on back-to-back drives while trying to get back into the game down 23-3. The Knights host Houston on Friday night as they look to shake off the loss.

No. 14: West Virginia Mountaineers

Last Week: No. 15

Saturday's Result: 45-35 win vs Houston

The Mountaineers under Rich Rodriguez got off the snide on Saturday. It was the first win in the Big 12 for WVU since Nov. 23 of last season against UCF. WVU gets a chance to build off the win against Colorado on Saturday at home.

No. 15: Colorado Buffaloes

Last Week: No. 14

Saturday's Result: 52-17 loss vs Arizona

There wasn't much to take away from the second straight blowout loss for the Buffs. They look lost, and Deion Sanders will likely need to make massive changes in Boulder.

No. 16: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last Week: No. 16

Saturday's Result: 38-21 loss vs Kansas

The return of Zane Flories was a welcome sight for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who trailed KU 10-7 at the half. It just wasn't enough to earn the first P4 win of the year as OSU fell 38-21 in Lawrence.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Utah Utes jump in Big 12 rankings after throttling Cincinnati

Reporting by Patrick Conn, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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