UNDATED (AP) — Coach Deion Sanders and 21st-ranked Colorado play their first November game tied for second place in the conference. The 6-2 Buffaloes got in that position and moved up two spots in the AP poll even during their open date last weekend. That is when 6-3 Texas Tech won at previously-undefeated Iowa State. Colorado plays at Texas Tech on Saturday. Ninth-ranked BYU is the league’s only undefeated team. The 8-0 Cougars play at Utah for the first time since 2021.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 brought a reunion with BYU after 13 years apart. It also reinvigorated one of the nation’s fiercest, one that encompasses many sports. The Big 12 quickly designated the Holy War as one of four protected football rivalries in the league. BYU and Utah are guaranteed to meet annually for as long as both schools remain Big 12 members — starting on Saturday when the No. 9 Cougars visit the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Protecting this rivalry extends beyond football to sports like basketball and volleyball, where the Utes and Cougars meet twice during the regular season.

UNDATED (AP) — One of the nitpicks about the first College Football Playoff rankings was that the committee undervalued unbeaten Indiana. The Hoosiers’ No. 8 ranking puts them fourth among Big Ten teams. The Hoosiers have won all nine of their games by at least 14 points and they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 419-123 amid criticism that their schedule is somewhat lightweight. First-year coach Curt Cignetti appears content to bide his time. He said it would be the kiss of death to worry about the conversation around his program. The Hoosiers host Michigan on Saturday before playing at Ohio State.

UNDATED (AP) — The first College Football Playoff rankings are out and now the jockeying for position begins. Two SEC teams just outside the top 12 can enhance their chances of appearing on the bracket. Mississippi is No. 16 in The Associated Press poll and CFP rankings. The Rebels host Georgia. The Bulldogs are No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the CFP. LSU hosts Alabama in a rivalry that heated up over their time together in the old SEC West. LSU is No. 14 in the AP poll and No. 15 in the CFP. Alabama is No. 11 in both.

UNDATED (AP) — An early season matchup between Oklahoma State and Utah was touted as a possible Big 12 championship game preview. Utah was the preseason favorite and Oklahoma State was picked to finish third. Turns out, that matchup is the only thing that has kept the winner out of the conference cellar. The Utes held on to beat the Cowboys, and neither team has won since. Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona — all picked in the preseason media poll to finish in the top five — occupy the bottom four spots in the 16-team league’s standings.