Big 12 cracks Top 10 for the first time in 2026

BYU’s LJ Martin runs for a touchdown against Colorado State. Photo: AP Photo/David Zalubowski

All eyes were glued to the Kiffin Bowl from Oxford late last night, and the game delivered on the hype as Pete Golding got the better of his former boss in a 32-24 win of Top 10 teams. The landscape of the Top 10 got its weekly shake up, and for the first time this season, there is Big 12 representation towards the top.

BYU climbs up to No. 9 in the rankings, headlining the same contingent of four Big 12 teams in this week’s rankings. Texas Tech inched up to No. 11 after their 2 point win over Houston, who hangs on at No. 25 heading to Week 4. Utah moves up to No. 15 after their shutout win over Utah State. West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Arizona, and Kansas State all received votes, with the Mountaineers settling 34 points behind Houston in the eyes of the Associated Press.

Louisville was the beneficiary of the biggest move up, jumping 7 spots after a 41-31 win over then-No. 16 SMU, while Arizona State’s previous opponent in Texas A&M was the biggest loser of the week, falling 14 spots to No. 23 after falling to unranked Kentucky 31-21 at home.

Florida and Mississippi State join the rankings this week following drops by Oklahoma and Virginia, giving the SEC ten teams in the Top 25, five of those in the Top 10. The Big Ten is next with seven teams in the rankings, followed by the Big 12 with four, the ACC with three, and Notre Dame the lone independent. The highest ranked Group of Six team is Boise State with 48 vote points, but don’t sleep on the story of North Dakota State over in the Mountain West, starting 3-0 in their FBS debut season.