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Big 12 Chaos Reigns: 2026 Season Preview
25 Aug
Summary
- Texas Tech is the reigning champion and clear favorite for 2026.
- BYU reached last year's title game and returns key talent.
- Six different teams have won the Big 12 title since 2020.
The Big 12 conference is set to kick off its 2026 season, continuing its reputation as college football's most unpredictable league. Texas Tech enters the year as the dominant favorite, holding the reigning championship title and boasting one of the strongest defenses in conference history. Their impressive 2025 campaign saw them reach the College Football Playoff and earn their highest preseason AP ranking since 1977.
BYU emerges as a strong contender, having reached the conference championship game last season. Led by quarterback Bear Bachmeier and key returning players, the Cougars are seeking their first Big 12 title since 2007. Houston also looms as a dark-horse candidate after a solid 10-win season. The league's parity is further emphasized by the fact that six different schools have claimed the conference championship since 2020.
With the expansion to 16 teams, the conference landscape is dynamic. Teams like Utah, TCU, Arizona, and Arizona State are expected to contend, though some face transitions like new coaching staffs or significant player departures. Oklahoma State, Baylor, UCF, West Virginia, Kansas, Cincinnati, Colorado, and Iowa State round out the rankings, with several programs undergoing significant changes through the transfer portal.
