1. Oregon (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

But the game is meaningless in the big picture.

This weekend’s matchup with Oklahoma State is much more relevant. The Cowboys went 0-9 in the Big 12 last season and arguably have a worse roster this year.

If Oregon doesn’t throttle OK State, it’s fair to raise some questions.

2. Utah (0-0, 1-0) ▲2

The result is easily the Big 12’s best win of the season.

There was a reason why the program received so much hype over the offseason. Devon Dampier is a difference maker and he thrives within Jason Beck’s system.

There’s a new top dog in town. And it’s the Utah Utes.

3. Arizona State (0-0, 1-0) ▼1

But it was the first game of the year, and perhaps a showing like that is to be expected.

The main issue facing Arizona State over the offseason was replacing Cameron Skattebo. The team posted 203 yards rushing and a quarter of that production came on a single run from quarterback Sam Leavitt.

The Sun Devils need to get more out of their ground game moving forward.

4. USC (0-0, 1-0) ▲1

The result against the Conference USA opponent has positive sticker-shock value.

But the result is largely irrelevant, and the team must quickly move on. Nobody really cares when a Power Conference team blows out a former FCS program playing its first year of FBS football.

After the last few seasons, USC must “prove it” to regain relevancy on a national level. The benefit of the doubt is gone.

5. BYU (0-0, 1-0) ▲1

That is truly an awful football team BYU played, and it’s unwise to put any stock into the performance.

The game against Stanford this week is the de facto first game of the season. The Cardinal are not a good team, either, but they are much better than the Vikings.

How the Cougars perform against the Tree will be more indicative of this year’s ceiling.

6. Washington (0-0, 1-0) ▲1

The expectations around the program are elevated, and the relatively close game with the Rams is questionable. The game was tied at halftime.

But CSU is one of the better teams in the Mountain West and the UW staff learns nothing when they play cupcakes.

As the saying goes, “A win is a win.”

7. California (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR

It’s entirely possible that Oregon State is just a bad football team. But the results from Week One provide optimism, to say the least.

Securing a road win against a Pac-12 opponent while starting a true freshman is significant. A bowl game now seems like the bare minimum.

If Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele plays like that every week, Cal could become a threat in the ACC.

8. UNLV (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR

Boise State, San Jose State, Colorado State, and Fresno State have all lost games. That leaves the Rebels as the leader of the MWC.

The team’s success last year and their splash hiring of Dan Mullen provide the necessary clout on a national level.

As long as UNLV keeps winning, it will remain in the Playoff discussion.

9. Boise State (0-0, 0-1) ▼6

One game never defines the year, and definitely not the result in Week One. But it knocks the program down a notch in the perceived pecking order.

The result damaged the reputation of the entire Mountain West.

No matter which team wins the MWC, the 34-7 defeat to South Florida will be used against the league in the Playoff debate.

10. Arizona (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR

Offensive coordinator Seth Doege’s scheme is more effective than what the Cats ran last season. The defense forced five turnovers and played with a level of physicality that was absent in 2024.

It’s only one game and the Rainbow Warriors probably aren’t a good team.

But there’s some momentum building in Tucson.

Dropped Out: UCLA, Oregon State, San Jose State

*This story has been revised from a previous version, which incorrectly identified Missouri State as an FCS team.