BYU climbed up the Associated Press poll on Sunday to No. 17 in the nation, up five spots from No. 22.
This jump comes after a thrilling 34-28 win against the Baylor Bears on Saturday in Waco, Texas.
The Cougars improved to 5-0 on their season for the first time since 2021. BYU improved to 2-0 in the Big 12 after struggling in its first year in the conference last year. In 2023, the Cougars went just 2-7 through conference play and finished with a record of 5-7 overall. They have matched both win totals in conference and overall by week five in the 2024 campaign.
The Cougars head into a bye week and will be playing next at home on Oct. 12 against the Arizona Wildcats.
BYU was ranked just behind fellow Big 12 team Iowa State and just ahead of in-state rival and new conference addition Utah, which sits at No. 18. Iowa State was ranked No. 18 last week. The Cyclones won 20-0 against a struggling Houston team and moved up two spots.
Utah, previously ranked No. 10, just suffered its first loss of the season to Arizona, 23-10, at home. This is the first time BYU has been ranked higher than the Utes since 2022.
The rivalry needs no extra weight but this development adds to the pressure building for their first matchup as Big 12 foes on Nov. 9 in Salt Lake City.