Big 12 Update: BYU Outlasts Arizona, 2 Big 12 Schools Drops In-State Rivalries in Week 2

The Big 12’s Week 1 of the 2026 season was mostly filled with the league’s schools beating up on FCS competition, but Week 2 featured a handful of notable games.

Here’s a look around the league and a preview of next week.

BYU Opens Big 12 Slate with Win

Big 12 play got started this weekend for two of the league’s western schools, as BYU hosted Arizona. The Cougars won 28-17.

In some way or another, sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier was responsible for all of BYU’s scoring, throwing for three touchdowns and running for the other.

The pivotal moment of this game came in the fourth quarter. Arizona was deep in BYU territory trailing 21-17 and went for it on fourth down. It was initially ruled that the Wildcats got to the line to gain, but after review, they hadn’t. BYU went down and scored after that to essentially ice it.

If BYU goes on to beat Arizona and reaches the Big 12 title game, never forget Tommy Prassas coming up with this 4th down stop…by inches! pic.twitter.com/qsTuOSkoGQ

— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) September 12, 2026

Jayhawks Fall in Border War

Kansas fell to old Big Eight rival Missouri 38-21 on Friday night in the Border War.

It went into half tied at 14, but the Tigers outscored the Jayhawks 24-7 from that point on.

KU quarterback Isaiah Marshall was 13-for-30 (43%) for 168 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. That’s, obviously, not a great line, but it was sort of fun being on the roller coaster with plays like this:

Isaiah Marshall SOMEHOW gets this throw off 😳

What a play for @KU_Football! pic.twitter.com/CdlTbBIuWr

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 12, 2026

Wheels Fall Off for Sun Devils in College Station

A Top 10 Texas A&M squad found itself in a scrap with the Big 12’s Sun Devils, but a pair of fourth-quarter pick-sixes saw the Aggies pull away and win 48-20.

Arizona State trailed 24-20 going into the fourth quarter. The Aggies promptly scored in the final frame to go up 31-20, and then the first of those pick-sixes made it 38-20. A&M then kicked a field goal and scored on another pick-six to win the fourth quarter 24-0.

It was another outstanding day for Sun Devil receiver Reed Harris, who caught nine passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Through two games, Harris has 15 catches for 326 yards and four scores.

Utah Pummels Arkansas

The past four seasons, Arkansas has gone a combined 20-30, so it’s not that the Razorbacks are some SEC power. But a Big 12 team thumping a team from the Southeastern Conference is never a bad thing for the league.

Utah beat Arkansas 43-10. The Utes were up 29-3 at halftime, and the Razorbacks’ touchdown didn’t come until there was just 6:43 left to play.

Devon Dampier had an excellent all-around game. He completed 75% of his pass attempts for 261 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for another 50 yards and two more scores.

One of the more viral moments from this game was Utah using two quarterbacks at the same time. Backup Byrd Ficklin (who’s from Muskogee) took a snap and handed to Dampier. Dampier then pitched back to Ficklin for a nice run.

I LOVE Utah’s 2-QB Package pic.twitter.com/yodwtxVuJW

— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) September 13, 2026

Heartbreak at Cy-Hawk

Going in, I would’ve said a 16-13 loss was somewhat of a success for Iowa State in this year’s Cy-Hawk game, but man, the Cyclones were right there.

In a game that featured five field goals and two touchdowns, the Hawkeyes beat their in-state rival 16-13.

The Cyclones got out to a 10-0 lead in Iowa City before Iowa responded with a touchdown. Then it was a game of field goals.

Iowa tied it shortly before the half. Iowa State took the lead back early in the third. Iowa tied it again with about six minutes to play, and then the Hawkeyes’ game-winner came with all of 15 seconds left for the Cyclones to respond.

Full Week 2 Results

Missouri 38, Kansas 21
Oklahoma State 39, Oregon 31
Texas A&M 48, Arizona State 20
Texas Tech 35, Oregon State 24
BYU 28, Arizona 17
Utah 43, Arkansas 10
Iowa 16, Iowa State 13
Houston 77, Southern 6
Kansas State 34, Washington State 7
West Virginia 52, UT-Martin 7
Colorado 52, Weber State 21
Pitt 12, UCF 7
Cincinnati 62, Western Carolina 10
TCU 63, Grambling 7
Baylor 44, Prairie View A&M 3

Next Weekend’s Schedule

No. 22 Houston at No. 12 Texas Tech — 7 p.m. Friday on FOX
Tulane at Kansas State — 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2
Bowling Green at Iowa State — 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPNU
Arizona State at Kansas — 11 a.m. Saturday on FS1
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati — 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Louisiana Tech at Baylor — 3 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU
Murray State at Oklahoma State — 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
Georgia State at UCF — 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
No. 11 BYU at Colorado State — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS
West Virginia vs. No. 25 Virginia (Charlotte) — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on ACC Network
Colorado at Northwestern — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on FOX
Arkansas State at TCU — 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU
Northern Illinois at Arizona — 9:30 p.m. Saturday on TNT