12. No. 14 BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) put on yet another defensive clinic in its 41-19 rout of Arizona (3-3, 1-2), forcing four turnovers by Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita and limiting Arizona’s potent offense to 4.6 yards per play. The Cougars, ranked 16th nationally in scoring defense (15.8 points per game), previously beat SMU 18-15 and Kansas State 38-9.
Meanwhile, No. 11 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0) is off to its best start since 1938(!) following a 28-16 win at West Virginia (3-3, 2-1). On a night when his father, Anthony, was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht was a solid 18 of 26 for 265 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown pass.
Even halfway through the season, it feels like half the Big 12 could still win the conference, but BYU and Iowa State have been the most impressive so far.