BCSNN — Well, Week 5 sure didn’t deliver the seismic shocks fans have been waiting for, but it did provide just enough drama to fuel a fresh round of sweeping proclamations across the college football landscape. For the most part, the top teams handled their business, while a few unbeaten squads finally cracked, and the national picture remains largely intact.

TUCSON, Ariz. — For weeks, Cincinnati had lived on the edge. Close calls, late escapes, and narrow margins had defined the Bearcats’ unbeaten start. On Saturday night, that tightrope finally snapped. Cincinnati’s first setback of the season wasn’t subtle or sudden — it was a long, grinding unraveling in a 34–7 bludgeoning at the hands of a much better Arizona team, in a game where the Bearcats repeatedly squandered opportunities and looked overdue for a fall.

FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 10 BYU defeated TCU on the road 17-10 Saturday night, marking the Cougars’ third straight season with a 4-0 start. 

IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma State earned four weekly awards, alongside recognition for Arizona, Baylor, UCF, Texas Tech and Utah, in the fourth set of Monster Energy Big 12 Football player of the week honors. The Cowboy quartet of Keltner, Mestemaker, Wesloski and the offensive line all earned awards for the second time in three weeks.

BCSNN — Texas Tech needed a steadying performance after an uneven first month, and the Red Raiders finally found one Saturday. Linebacker Austin Romaine delivered a historic pair of pick‑sixes on consecutive throws, running back Cameron Dickey scored twice, and No. 11 Texas Tech pulled away in the second half for a 49–14 win over Sam Houston at Galaxy Stadium.

Romaine’s two interception returns - both in the opening minute of the second quarter and against different quarterbacks - marked the first time an FBS player has done so on consecutive passes in 13 years. The Kansas State transfer had clear lanes to the end zone both times, becoming the first Red Raider with two pick‑sixes in a game since 2000.

“I was in disbelief that I did it twice in a row,” Romaine said. “It was crazy.”

Despite entering as a heavy favorite, Texas Tech (4–0) led only 21–14 at halftime, hampered by three interceptions from quarterback Will Hammond in the final 5½ minutes of the second quarter. Sam Houston (1–3) managed just seven points off those turnovers, but the miscues kept the game far closer than expected.

Head coach Joey McGuire didn’t hide his frustration. “We’ve got way too many self‑inflicted wounds in the first half,” he said. “That’s why we’re playing close games. That’s what we’re allowing people to be in the game.”

Texas Tech finally settled in after the break. Dickey’s second touchdown - a 13‑yard run - and Hammond’s 21‑yard strike to Coy Eakin came within the first five minutes of the third quarter, stretching the lead to 35–14. Hammond finished 17‑of‑29 for 224 yards and added a 23‑yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke, who entered as one of only three FBS passers with 300‑plus yards in each of his first three games, was held to 195 yards on 23‑of‑37 passing. He threw two touchdowns but also two interceptions, including Romaine’s second return.

Texas Tech’s defense added another bright spot with freshman edge rusher LaDamion Guyton, who recorded the first two sacks of his career. Guyton reclassified from the high school class of 2027 to 2026 and enrolled early, making his performance a promising sign for the Red Raiders’ depth.

In the end, Texas Tech secured the comfortable win it needed heading into Big 12 play, extending its home winning streak to 11 games, the program’s longest since 2007–09. But McGuire made clear that the Red Raiders must clean up their early‑game issues after a month filled with close calls.

Texas Tech travels to Colorado on Oct. 3 for its first Big 12 road game. Sam Houston has a bye before visiting Liberty on Oct. 8.

STATESBORO, Ga. – University of Houston senior quarterback Conner Weigman threw for four touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead the #25/rv Cougars to a 42-28 win over Georgia Southern at Allen E. Paulson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State safety Wesley Fair has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – one of the most prestigious honors in major college football – the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced.

BCSNN — In a game that carried the intensity, physicality and late‑game drama of a postseason showdown, No. 13 Texas Tech survived a furious final push from No. 22 Houston to secure a 28–26 victory Friday night at Galaxy Stadium.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks are set to make the more than 4,500-mile journey to London this week to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first-ever Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

BCSNN — A year ago, Houston faced a Texas Tech defense loaded with future NFL draft picks. The Red Raiders sent six defenders to the league, including four in the first three rounds, and used that unit as the backbone of a College Football Playoff run. As the Cougars prepare for Friday night’s Big 12 opener at Galaxy Stadium, head coach Willie Fritz expects a challenge that looks remarkably similar.

IRVING, Texas – BYU and Oklahoma State had multiple players honored, with Colorado and Texas Tech also receiving accolades, in the second set of Monster Energy Big 12 Football weekly awards. The Cowboys received a majority of honors after defeating then-No. 6 Oregon, 39-31, on Saturday in Stillwater, and the Cougars took home two awards after beating Arizona 28-17 in the first Conference game of the season.

BCSNN — No. 13 Texas Tech entered Saturday night as a heavy favorite, but what the Red Raiders proved in their first-ever trip to Corvallis was far more meaningful than any point spread. In a hostile environment, against an Oregon State team that refused to fold, Texas Tech showed the kind of composure, toughness and late-game execution that defines elite programs.

BCSNN — West Virginia didn’t just win its home opener on Saturday afternoon — it looked like a program beginning to find its stride. Behind explosive plays, a deep rotation of contributors and another strong outing from quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., the Mountaineers rolled past UT Martin 52–7 before 47,049 sun‑drenched fans at Milan Puskar Stadium.

BCSNN — For months, Oklahoma State insisted that the program’s overhaul - a new coaching staff, a rebuilt roster, and a fresh identity - would pay off sooner than outsiders believed. On Saturday afternoon, in front of a roaring crowd that refused to leave its feet, the Cowboys delivered the first seismic jolt of the 2026 season.

BCSNN — In front of 107,523 fans - another massive crowd that has become standard at Kyle Field - No. 10 Texas A&M handled its business with the calm efficiency of a program that expected nothing less. The Aggies controlled Arizona State from start to finish, using a suffocating defense and timely offense to secure a 48–20 victory and move to 2–0 on the season.

BCSNN — Arizona’s Week 2 matchup at No. 15 BYU already carried the weight of a potential early‑season statement. Now, the Wildcats will arrive in Provo with reinforcements - and with a chance to strengthen their case as a rising Big 12 dark horse.

BCSNN — Arizona State hits the road for the first time in 2026, traveling to College Station for a marquee non-conference matchup against No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday at Kyle Field. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. MST on ABC, marking one of the most high‑profile road games in recent Sun Devil history - and potentially the largest crowd the program has ever played in front of.

Baylor football senior punter Palmer Williams has been named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for Week One of the 2026 season, as announced Wednesday by the Augusta Sports Council.

(BCSNN) — The Big 12 Conference unveiled its first set of weekly football awards for the 2026 season on Monday, recognizing standout performances from Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State and West Virginia. Colorado and BYU each earned multiple honors after impressive opening‑week victories.

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The Kansas Jayhawks started the 2026 football season with a commanding 51-6 victory over Long Island on Friday night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.