PROVO, Utah — Boasting a 5-0 record and 2-0 start in Big 12 play, BYU moved up to No. 17 in The Associated Press Top 25 and No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll released on Sunday.
The Cougars jumped five spots in the AP rankings and three places in the AFCA poll following their 34-28 win at Baylor on Saturday. BYU entered the national polls at No. 22 last week, earning a top-25 ranking for the first time since week five of the 2022 season.
In their second season in the BIg 12, the Cougars achieved their first conference road win with a wire-to-wire victory over the Bears in Waco, Texas, to follow their dominating 38-9 truimph over then No. 13 Kansas State the prior week at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars are off to a 5-0 start for the eighth time in school history and the third occasion under head coach Kalani Sitake, matching the three seasons BYU teams accomplished the feat under Hall of Fame coach Lavell Edwards.
Four Big 12 teams were placed in the top 25 by voters this week, while three conference schools received votes.
Iowa State (4-0) is the highest ranked Big 12 team at No. 16 in both polls, with previous No. 10 Utah falling eight places to No. 18 in both rankings following its 23-10 home loss to Arizona on Saturday. In AP, BYU is ranked No. 17, followed one spot by Utah (4-1) with Kansas State up three places to No. 20. The coaches also have K-State at No. 20, up five spots, while voting Utah at No. 18 and BYU at No. 19.
Arizona, BYU's next opponent, is receiving votes in both polls, including being listed just outside the rankings at 26th by AP voters. Oklahoma State and Colorado also reveived votes, with the Cowboys falling out of the top 25 this week after losing 42-20 at K-State on Saturday.
SMU, who BYU kept out of the end zone in an 18-15 road win in week two, continues to receive votes in both polls after back-to-back wins over TCU (66-42) and Florida State (42-16).
Texas (5-0) and Alabama (4-0) hold the No. 1 spots in the two polls this week. The Longhorns were replaced at No. 1 in AP by the Crimson Tide on the strength of Alabama beating Georgia (previuosly No. 1 AFCA/No. 2 AP) on Saturay. Texas, however, advanced one place to the top spot by the coaches with the Crimson Tide reaching No. 2.
Voters in both polls agreed on the placements for the remainder of the top 10. Ohio State (4-0), Tennessee (4-0) and Georgia (3-1) round out the top five, followed by Oregon (4-0), Penn State (4-0), Miami (5-0), Missouri (4-0) and Michigan (4-1).
This week's AP ranking marks BYU’s 281st overall appearance in the AP poll. The Cougars have a bye this week before hosting Arizona on Oct. 12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.