BIg 12 power rankings after week 3: Red Raiders finally turn it around

The Big 12 finally got around to some conference games in week three. However, most of the conference will begin league action this coming weekend.

Still, it was a telling weekend for the conference. Several of the conference favorites made statements while there was some chaos within the rest of the league. So let's look at our updated power rankings for the Big 12 after three weeks.

Week 3: Houston 33 - Rice 7

The Cougars got the first win of the Willie Fritz era by beating their cross-town rival, Rice in week three. But given that the Owls are one of the worst FBS teams in America, that's not enough to move Houston off of the bottom of our power rankings. This week's game against fellow bottom-feeder Cincinnati could be a battle to stay out of last place in the conference.

Week 3: Cincinnati 27 - Miami (OH) 16

Beating regional rival Miami (OH) by eleven points in week three was a great way for Cincinnati to rebound from a disappointing loss to Pitt in week two. Now, the Bearcats carry some momentum into this week's home game against Houston before coming to Lubbock in two weeks.

Week 3: Colorado 28 - Colorado State 9

The Buffaloes moved to 2-1 by soundly beating their in-state rival in a true road game. However, given that Colorado State has now lost its two games this season against Power Conference teams by an average of 35.5 points, it is hard to discern what the Buffs' week three win really means. This week's home game against Baylor should be a better barometer of where Deion Sanders has his team headed.

Week 3: Baylor 31 - Air Force 3

After leading Air Force only 6-3 at halftime in Waco, the Bears turned on the afterburners in the second half to outscore the Falcons 25-0. It was a nice bounce back after week two's loss at Utah. Now, Dave Aranda has a chance to quiet his critics if he can coax a win in Boulder out of his team on Saturday.

Week 3: Pitt 38 - West Virginia 34

West Virginia could argue that they are the best two-loss team in America given that those losses came against Penn State and Pitt. However, that is little consolation after choking away a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Panthers in week three. Head coach Neal Brown is seeing his team head in the wrong direction after being a dark horse preseason conference contender. Now, they must right the ship at home against a reeling Kansas team in week four.

Week 3: Arizona State 31 - Texas State 28

Beating one of the best Group of 5 teams in the nation on the road was a nice result for Arizona State in week three. Certainly, at 3-0, they are one of the surprise teams in the conference. However, their other two wins are shaky as Wyoming is 0-3 so far and Mississippi State is just 1-2 after being hammered at home by Toldeo. A win in Lubbock this week would legitimize the Sun Devils' hot start.

Week 3: Texas Tech 66 - UNT 21

Texas Tech finally put it all together in week three and blasted the Mean Green in Lubbock. Still, questions remain about just what this Red Raider team is. If Tech can take down Arizona State and Cincinnati in Lubbock over the next two weeks before heading to Arizona, people in Lubbock will feel much better about Joey McGuire's team.

Week 3: BYU 34 - Wyoming 14

Normally, a 20-point win at Wyoming would be impressive. However, the Cowboys are now 0-3 and look like a program in dramatic decline after a coaching change. Hosting No. 13 Kansas State this weekend, BYU can truly make noise in the Big 12 with a win and prove that their hot start to the year is legitimate.

Week 3: UCF 35 - TCU 34

The Horned Frogs have to be sick after blowing a 28-7 halftime lead in a game in which they blocked three kicks. It is year another disappointing result for head coach Sonny Dykes whose reputation continues to take hits after his improbable run to the National Title Game in 2022-23. Upcoming games at SMU and at home vs. Kansas feel like must-wins for the Frogs after their week-three meltdown.

Week 3: UNLV 23 - Kansas 20

Putting Kansas at No. 7 despite a 1-2 record feels wrong. However, both of KU's losses this year have been one-point affairs against teams currently ranked in the top 25. Still, KU was supposed to be a Big 12 sleeper this year and through three games, they are not showing they have the killer instinct needed to contend in the Big 12.

Week 3: Kansas State 31 - Arizona 7

Dominated by Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas, the Arizona Wildcats lost much of their shine on Friday night. While they may have the best QB/WR combo in the conference, they seem to lack the type of defense needed to win at the highest levels. Now they have a week off to lick their wounds before heading to No. 12 Utah where they will have a chance to prove they are actually one of the elite teams in the conference.

Week 3: UCF 34 - TCU 33

The Knights' improbable comeback win over TCU in Fort Worth was the type of win that can propel a team to new heights. In that game, they ran for nearly 300 yards and they got three TD passes from QB K.J. Jefferson, who isn't the best passer in the game. Now they have two weeks to prepare for a visit from Colorado. Look out because the Knights could be ready to get on a roll.

Week 3: Off

Iowa State didn't play in week three meaning they had an extra week to celebrate their dramatic win over rival Iowa. They next host Arkansas State before traveling to Houston and Hosting Baylor. Those are three winnable games and the Cyclones could find themselves ranked before too long.

Week 3: Oklahoma State 45 - Tulsa 10

After being pushed to the limit by Arkansas in week two, the Cowboys had no trouble with Tulsa in week three. Business picks up this weekend, though, as Mike Gundy's team hosts Utah in a top-15 showdown that will have massive Big 12 implications.

Week 3: Utah 38 - Utah State 21

To say that Utah played with its food in week three is fair. In fact, the Utes trailed at lowly Utah State 14-3 in the second quarter before waking up and pulling away. Now the Utes get a chance to prove that all of their fans' offseason bravado about running the Big 12 was more than just bluster as they head to Stillwater to take on the Cowboys in one of the games of the year in the Big 12.

Week 3: Kansas State 31 - Arizona 7

Kansas State climbs to the top of this week's power rankings by virtue of their dominant victory over Arizona in week three. QB Avery Johnson won the biggest game of his young career by throwing two TD passes and running for 110 yards. He'll have to continue to improve as a passer, though, if KSU is going to win the Big 12. But for now, they have the top spot in our power rankings thanks to a statement win in week three.