Big 12 Football Rankings: Week 4 AP Top 25 Analysis (2026)

The Week 4 AP Top 25 has arrived, and three programs from the Big 12 Conference will continue into next week ranked among the nation’s best.

Iowa State leads the group at No. 12, followed by Utah at No. 16 and Texas Tech at No. 17.

Iowa State at No. 12 bodes well for the program as the Cyclones continue to build credibility through disciplined defense and an offense that balances veteran leadership and emerging playmakers. That consistency positions Iowa State as a team to watch in the mix for postseason implications.

Utah follows the Cyclones at No. 16, thanks to a dominant showing in their first three outings. Led by star quarterback Devon Dampier, the Utes find themselves in a great spot heading into a Top 25 matchup against Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Texas Tech checks in at No. 17 on Big Noon Kickoff, and the Red Raiders remain in view nationally after some dominant early-season wins. Their style of play and commitment to investing in their roster have turned heads nationwide.

With three teams ranked, not to mention multiple teams receiving votes, the Big12 sends a reminder that it is a Conference of Power 4 standing that continues to climb. The depth and balance across several programs bode well for conference play in the weeks ahead.

Now the spotlight shifts to the field. Will Iowa State sustain its line? Can Texas Tech climb higher? Will Utah validate its spot? These are the questions that will define early Big12 narratives, and Week 4 gives no signs of letting up.