For the first time this season, there’s a new No. 1 in the Big 12 power rankings, while the Colorado Buffaloes made a jump after a big win last weekend.

Iowa State (4-0) took over the top spot this week, receiving nine first-place votes and 246 points from a panel of media who regularly cover the Big 12. Utah, which held the top spot for the first four weeks, dropped to fifth after a 23-10 home loss to Arizona.

Colorado (4-1) was in a tie for ninth last week, but was bumped to No. 6 after a 48-21 rout of Central Florida.

BYU (5-0), the Big 12’s only other remaining unbeaten team, along with Iowa State, was second with six first-place votes and 237 points. Kansas State was third, followed by Arizona (one first-place vote).  Oklahoma State tumbled six spots to 10th after a second straight loss.

1. Iowa State

Previous ranking: 2

Points: 246 (nine first-places votes)

Record: 4-0 (1-0 Big 12)

Last week: beat Houston, 20-0

This week: vs. Baylor

Comment: The 16th-ranked Cyclones seek their first 5-0 start since 1980 and their first back-to-back wins over the Bears since the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Wide receiver Jayden Higgins caught a touchdown pass in last week’s win over Houston, extending his program-record streak in that area to six games. Iowa State ranks among the top five nationally in passing defense (102.5 yards per game), scoring defense (7.3 points per game), and turnover margin (plus-1.75 per game).

Did you know?   Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell broke a tie with Dan McCarney to become the program’s all-time wins leader with 57 as his team shut out a conference opponent on the road for the first time since 1971.  — Rob Gray, The Cedar Rapids Gazette