Preseason Big 12 power rankings: How does TCU stack up with the league’s best?
Entering the offseason, most expected the Big 12 to be a two-team race for the 2026 season between Texas Tech and BYU.
The Red Raiders defeated the Cougars in the Big 12 championship game to advance to the College Football Playoff last season, while the Cougars narrowly missed the CFP. With both teams returning plenty of production, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a rematch in Arlington in December.
However, the potential suspension of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby for gambling could alter the landscape of the league. Sorsby’s appeal to the NCAA for reinstatement was denied Tuesday and will be appealed by Texas Tech.
If Sorsby can’t play this season, the Big 12 should be a wide open race. Another factor to consider is the coaching changes that impacted the conference. Kyle Whittingham left Utah for Michigan, and Matt Campbell landed at Penn State after a long run at Iowa State.
Oklahoma State and Kansas State will also have new coaches as the league enters a new era. How does a program like TCU factor into the mix after back-to-back nine-win seasons?
Here’s how the Star-Telegram ranks all 16 Big 12 teams heading into the summer break before fall camps:
1. BYU
Last year’s record: 12-2
Breakdown: The Cougars had another impressive season with their only losses being to Texas Tech. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier was a breakout star as a freshman throwing for 3,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions while adding 527 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Bachemeir will be a top-five quarterback in the conference.
The Cougars return eight starters from a defense that ranked top-20 nationally in scoring defense, led by linebacker Isaiah Glasker and safety Faletau Satuala. Offensively, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year L.J. Martin also returns after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2. Texas Tech
Last year’s record: 13-1
Breakdown: The Red Raiders would be No. 1 if Sorsby was eligible to play, but the absence of the Cincinnati transfer changes the outlook of a Texas Tech that was embarrassed offensively in its loss to Oregon in the CFP. Most publications had Sorsby as the No. 1 or No. 2 quarterback in the transfer portal, and he was expected to be the potential missing piece.
Now, the Red Raiders will likely have to rely on Will Hammond, a talented but inexperienced sophomore quarterback. Texas Tech is projected to return seven starters on offense including leading rusher Cameron Dickey (1,124 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), All-Big 12 tight end Terrance Carter and three starters up front.
The Red Raiders’ biggest question mark besides Sorsby will be how they reload on defense with the departure of Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Rodriguez and edge rusher David Bailey, who was selected No. 2 in April’s NFL Draft.
3. Houston
Last year’s record: 10-3
Breakdown: The Cougars were one of the biggest surprises in the conference going from four wins to 10 in Willie Fritz’s second season. The arrival of quarterback Connor Weigman elevated the offense and the Texas A&M transfer returns for another season, along with six other starters on offense including three wide receivers. Houston could see its passing game take another leap.
Houston also brings back most of its secondary from its solid defense. The Cougars could be the team that benefits most from Sorsby’s suspension.
4. Arizona
Last year’s record: 9-4
Breakdown: The Wildcats rebounded from a four-win season in 2024 behind a strong season from quarterback Noah Fifita. Fifita may be the league’s best quarterback; he was more productive than Sorsby last season with 3,228 yards and 29 touchdown passes.
The Wildcats will lean heavily on the transfer portal to replace eight starters on a defense that was quietly one of the best in the nation. Oregon safety Daylen Austin and Memphis linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. are two names to know.
5. TCU
Last year’s record: 9-4
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs will be one of the more interesting teams to watch after the departure of quarterback Josh Hoover to Indiana. TCU brought in Jaden Craig from Harvard to lead the offense along with new offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis. That means there will be some unknowns offensively, but the Horned Frogs return standout receiver Jordan Dwyer and running back Jeremy Payne.
Defensively, TCU returns All-Big 12 safety Jamel Johnson and its entire defensive line. Will that be enough for TCU’s defense to take another step in defensive coordinator Andy Avalos’ third season?
6. Utah
Last year’s record: 11-2
Breakdown: The Utes will be without legendary coach Kyle Whittingham this season as the program begins a new era under former defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley. Scalley will have his hands full trying to replace Whittingham, but he’ll have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the conference with the return of Devon Dampier plus running back Wayshawn Parker.
However, the Utes return just five starters overall and will need to replace much of its defense from last season.
7. Oklahoma State
Last year’s record: 1-11
Breakdown: There’s always a Big 12 team that comes out of nowhere to surprise people and the Cowboys fit the billing of potentially being that team this season. Oklahoma State hired Eric Morris from North Texas and Morris brought in over 50 transfers to try and rebuild the Cowboys’ talent base.
Among those transfers include former UNT star quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and leading receiver Wyatt Young.
8. Arizona State
Last year’s record: 8-5
Breakdown: 2026 will likely be a rebuilding year for the Sun Devils after the program lost star quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Raleek Brown to LSU and Texas. Arizona State returns just three starters from last year with defensive lineman C.J. Fite being the most notable returner.
The Sun Devils landed a number of impact transfers like Colorado receiver Omarion Miller, Colorado State linebacker Owen Long and LSU corner Ashton Stamps. Will that be enough to keep Arizona State in contention?
9. Kansas State
Last year’s record: 6-6
Breakdown: The Wildcats had a disappointing finish last season which played a part in Chris Klieman retiring. Former K-State quarterback Collin Klein returns to his alma mater to lead the program after being offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. It was a major victory for the program to retain star quarterback Avery Johnson. Could Klein help the talented dual threat signal caller improve?
10. Baylor
Last year’s record: 5-7
Breakdown: Baylor opted to bring back Dave Aranda for another season and the head coach will certainly be on the hot seat. Aranda landed a major name with the arrival of former five-star quarterback DJ Lagway, who is coming off a rocky season at Florida. But the Bears return just one starter on offense and are trying to rebuild a defense that ranked second to last in scoring defense in the conference.
11. Cincinnati
Last year’s record: 7-6
Breakdown: Losing Sorsby may not have been the worst outcome for the Bearcats as he likely would’ve faced the same level of scrutiny had he remained with the program. With Sorsby gone, Cincinnati will turn to Georgia Southern transfer J.C. French to lead the offense. French threw for 2,920 yards, 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions and also rushed for 315 yards and six touchdowns.
The Bearcats also return three starters on an underrated offensive line and productive defensive back Antwan Peek Jr. but the Bearcats will also need to replace defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, one of the most dominant players in program history.
12. Central Florida
Last year’s record: 5-7
Breakdown: The Knights struggled in coach Scott Frost’s first season back and could see more improvement in year two. UCF returns six starters on a defense. That was better than expected, and the Knights landed James Madison transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who led the Dukes to the CFP last season.
13. West Virginia
Last year’s record: 4-8
Breakdown: Despite their lackluster record, the Mountaineers were competitive last season with upsets over Pittsburgh and Houston while nearly taking down TCU and Arizona State. The arrival of former TCU running back Cam Cook from Jacksonville State should provide an immediate boost for the offense after Cook rushed for 1,659 yards last season.
14. Kansas
Last year’s record: 5-7
Breakdown: The Jayhawks will be another team going through a rebuilding year after the graduation of star quarterback Jalon Daniels. Expect the Jayhawks to lean on the ground game with arrival of Kansas State transfer running back Dylan Edwards and Syracuse transfer Yasin Willis.
15. Colorado
Last year’s record: 4-8
Breakdown: The first season without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter was a rough one for Deion Sanders, and it’s hard to be optimistic that the second year without the two stars will fare much better. The Buffaloes lost offensive tackle Jordan Seaton to LSU and Omarion Miller to Arizona State. Quarterback remains a question mark with sophomore JuJu Lewis set to battle with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson for the starting job.
The Buffaloes also return just one starter on defense.
16. Iowa State
Last year’s record: 8-4
Breakdown: The Cyclones’ roster saw massive attrition after the departure of Campbell to Penn State. Jimmy Rogers arrives from Washington State to take over, but he’ll have a big rebuilding job on his hands. The Cyclones are the only Power Four conference team to not return a single starter from last season.
