Way-Too-Early Big 12 Football Power Rankings For 2026 Season
Jan 20, 2026, 8:46 PM | Updated: Jan 21, 2026, 1:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – It’s time to start counting down the days until the 2026 Big 12 football season.
The league enters year three of the 16-team era. In the first two years, four different teams have reached Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game. However, 2026 looks like a year that could set up a potential rematch between defending champion Texas Tech and BYU.
But it’s the Big 12.
Since 2020, there have been six different champions in this league.
Way-Too-Early Big 12 Football Power Rankings for 2026 season
There’s a lot of time between now and the start of the season in August, but with the lone transfer portal window in the rearview mirror, we’re starting to get an idea of where these Big 12 football teams stack up.
It gives a perfect opportunity to roll out some way-too-early Big 12 football power rankings.
1. Texas Tech Red Raiders
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-1 in Big 12): Big 12 Champions (Lost in CFP Quarterfinals)
- Head Coach: Joey McGuire
- Notable games in 2026: at Baylor, Arizona State, Houston
It starts now. pic.twitter.com/9yHfavv0Xd
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 14, 2026
The reigning Big 12 Conference Champions are here to stay. Texas Tech has put together another strong transfer class, headlined by quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who crosses Big 12 lines from Cincinnati to Lubbock.
Replacing defensive stars such as David Bailey, Romello Height, and Jacob Rodriguez will be difficult. However, Joey McGuire and his personnel seem to have identified potential carbon copies of those guys in the portal, including Amarie Fleming, an EDGE rusher out of Allen University, and Jacob Romaine from K-State.
The Red Raiders also bring back linebacker Ben Roberts, defensive back Brice Pollock, and tight end Terrance Carter. On top of that, the Red Raiders have a pair of five-star prospects from the high school ranks joining the program, led by offensive tackle Felix Ojo.
Joey McGuire’s program is built for another CFP run.
2. BYU Cougars
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-1 in Big 12): Lost in Big 12 Championship Game
- Head Coach: Kalani Sitake
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Notre Dame, vs. Arizona State, at Utah
Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/44YxvT2b4i
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) January 20, 2026
BYU did an excellent job in retaining its stars from last year’s 12-2 team that won the Pop-Tarts Bowl over Georgia Tech. The Cougars retained Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin, along with Freshman Offensive Player of the Year Bear Bachmeier.
Perhaps the biggest retention win was keeping Kalani Sitake away from Penn State and retaining him as the head coach. Sitake will have a new defensive coordinator as Jay Hill left for Michigan. Replacing Hill is Kelly Poppinga, who was promoted from within the staff.
On the personnel front, BYU also retained linebacker Isaiah Glasker, Second Team All-American Faletau Satuala, and other key performers.
Then they were selective in the Transfer Portal to fill needs, and the headliner was Cal linebacker Cade Uluave, who picked BYU over interest from Michigan and Texas.
BYU appears to be making a strong push to return to Arlington and ultimately reach the College Football Playoff.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils
- 2025 Record: 8-5 (6-3 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Kenny Dillingham
- Notable games in 2026: at Texas A&M, vs Kansas (London), at Arizona
Right back to work ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/tm6dXMxtXG
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) January 15, 2026
Arizona State held off Michigan to keep Kenny Dillingham in Tempe. The Sun Devils are a program that is showing they can be an annual contender. They were the only Big 12 team last season that knocked off Texas Tech.
ASU loses a lot from last year’s team, led by WR Jordyn Tyson to the NFL and QB Sam Leavitt to LSU, along with potential day one NFL pick Keith Abney in the secondary.
However, the additions Dillingham has landed in the portal would suggest that the Valley will have an opportunity to remain activated.
ASU picked up Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley at QB. They also have four-star freshman signal-caller Jake Fette coming in from the high school ranks.
The Sun Devils also picked up Colorado WR transfer Omarion Miller and retooled with some quality defensive additions out of the portal.
4. Houston Cougars
- 2025 Record: 10-3 (6-3 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Willie Fritz
- Notable games in 2026: Oklahoma State, at Texas Tech, at Utah
Back to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/I6M0LuTuc9
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) January 20, 2026
Willie Fritz has it rolling in Houston. The Coogs pulled off a 10-win season last year and are looking for more in 2026.
Houston might have the best quarterback room in the Big 12 with Conner Weigman returning and the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the 2026 cycle, Keisean Henderson, joining the mix.
The Coogs also bring back one of the Big 12’s best receivers in Amare Thomas and standout defensive lineman Khalil Laufau, a former Herriman High product.
5. Arizona Wildcats
- 2025 Record: 9-4 (6-3 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Brent Brennan
- Notable games in 2026: at BYU, Utah, Arizona State
iced out in the golden state. pic.twitter.com/jgK5GtC15m
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) January 3, 2026
Arizona coach Brent Brennan experienced a big turnaround in year two, in large part because star quarterback Noah Fifita emerged as a first-team signal-caller in the league.
The expectations will be high again in 2026 as Fifita returns. Plus, Arizona is establishing a reputation for toughness on defense under defensive coordinator Danny Gonzalez.
6. Utah Utes
- 2025 Record: 11-2 (7-2 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Morgan Scalley (Entering first season)
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Arkansas, at TCU, BYU
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰. 🔴⚫️#GoUtes | @RSNBUtes pic.twitter.com/fW8w2q5KAG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 6, 2026
It’s officially the Morgan Scalley era on the Hill. Instead of a complete handoff from Kyle Whittingham to Scalley, it feels like a new program already under Scalley, as Whittingham left for Michigan and took many assistants with him.
Still, Scalley embodies Utah football and was able to retain Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Devon Dampier at quarterback, and leading rusher Wayshawn Parker returns. That’s an excellent start for a Utah team that had one of the best offenses in the Big 12 last year.
Scalley hired Kevin McGiven from Utah State to replace Jason Beck, who left with Whittingham to Ann Arbor, as the Utes’ new offensive coordinator.
The most significant task in front of Utah offensively will be retooling along the offensive line as they lose Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, potentially the top two offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL draft.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
- 2025 Record: 9-4 (5-4 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Sonny Dykes
- Notable games in 2026: vs North Carolina (Ireland), Utah, at Texas Tech
This is an 𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙀 place with 𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙀 expectations. The processes must be 𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙀.#GoFrogs 🐸 #ForTheWorthy pic.twitter.com/331gaZ8WWk
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) January 20, 2026
TCU picked up Harvard’s all-time leading passer in Jaden Craig to lead the Horned Frogs at quarterback, in replace of Josh Hoover, who will continue his college career at Indiana.
The Horned Frogs bring in Gordon Sammis to be the new offensive coordinator to replace Kendal Briles, who is now at South Carolina.
TCU had a quiet nine-win season in 2025. Can they get back to being at the top end of the Big 12 again? As always in Cowtown, there’s no shortage of talent to make it to Arlington.
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
- 2025 Record: 1-11 (0-9 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Eric Morris (Entering first season)
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Oregon, at Kansas State, Texas Tech
Welcome back meeting 🤠 pic.twitter.com/4phECmedvz
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) January 12, 2026
It’s a new era in Stillwater as Eric Morris comes in from North Texas to take over an Oklahoma State program that hasn’t won a league game since 2023.
The Pokes have a much-needed fresh start, and Morris is bringing a lot of talented players from Denton, who were knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff this past season.
Why can’t Morris get things rolling immediately in Stillwater? He brings in quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins from North Texas. Then, Oklahoma State assembled one of the best transfer portal classes in the country.
9. Baylor Bears
- 2025 Record: 5-7 (3-6 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Dave Aranda
- Notable games in 2026: vs Auburn (Atlanta), TCU, at Houston
Newest member of the Baylor Family ➡️ @DerekLagway pic.twitter.com/9lz7fBdade
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) January 18, 2026
Is this a lame duck season for Dave Aranda, or could it be an impressive bounce-back? Aranda is back after Baylor finished 5-7 last season.
What’s surprising about Aranda’s Baylor squad in 2025 is that they finished near the bottom in defense. The Bears gave up 32.6 points per game. However, the offense ranked among the league’s top five.
Baylor brings in former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to take over for Sawyer Robertson. Then the Bears have made the trenches a top priority with 12 combined transfers residing along the offensive and defensive lines.
10. Kansas State Wildcats
- 2025 Record: 6-6 (5-4 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Collin Klein (Entering first season)
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Tulane, at Iowa State, Kansas
Another great day to be a Wildcat pic.twitter.com/ncAZo4CUEI
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) December 6, 2025
K-State kicks off a new era with one of its own, as Collin Klein left the Texas A&M offensive coordinator post to take over at his alma mater. Klein retained quarterback Avery Johnson, whom he worked with in 2023, when he was K-State’s OC.
11. Cincinnati Bearcats
- 2025 Record: 7-6 (5-4 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Scott Satterfield
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Boston College, vs Miami (Ohio), Texas Tech
Evan Tengesdahl is back for more in 2026#GoBearcats pic.twitter.com/O4uNoVExx2
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) January 11, 2026
The Bearcats started last year strong, but faded down the stretch. Now they look to retool after Brendan Sorsby’s departure across conference lines. Redshirt sophomore Samaj Jones could be one to watch at quarterback. He earned playing time in the Liberty Bowl, but the Bearcats also added Georgia Southern transfer JC French.
Whoever the quarterback ends up being, there is talent along the offensive line to protect him as All-Big 12 performers Joe Cotton and Evan Tengesdahl return this season.
Cincinnati will have a new defensive coordinator in Nate Woody, who comes from Army West Point.
12. West Virginia Mountaineers
- 2025 Record: 4-8 (2-7 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez
- Notable games in 2026: vs Virginia (Charlotte), Kansas, at Utah
Workin 📈 pic.twitter.com/6Hf9oBCvbf
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) January 16, 2026
The Mountaineers picked up former four-star quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. out of the Transfer Portal. Hawkins was a reserve at Oklahoma and is enrolled in Morgantown. Scotty Fox, West Virginia’s offensive freshman of the year, also returns at QB.
It’s still a rebuild for Rich Rodriguez in year two, but this Mountaineer squad, based on the additions they made out of the transfer portal, should be a lot bigger in the trenches. There’s also some high-level talent coming from the high school ranks, as it’s a close that was knocking on the door of a Top-25 group.
13. Colorado Buffaloes
- 2025 Record: 3-9 (1-8 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders
- Notable games in 2026: at Georgia Tech, vs. K-State, Texas Tech
JuJu 🤝 @CUBuffsMBB pic.twitter.com/1I3cQYr9y5
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) January 8, 2026
Everyone always speculates if “Coach Prime” is going to take a quick exit in Boulder. As he prepares for year four after a 3-9 season, it’s pretty clear he’s invested in building up Colorado again. Will he be able to do it?
Last year, the Buffs struggled at quarterback. But there were flashes of a brighter future with heralded signal-caller Julian “Juju” Lewis at the end of the season, before he ultimately took a redshirt.
Lewis will have to be special next year. But can the Buffs get it right along the offensive line? It didn’t help to lose “The Franchise” Jordan Seaton to the transfer portal. The Buffs have ranked 124 or lower in sacks allowed in each of the three seasons since Coach Prime took over in Boulder.
14. Iowa State Cyclones
- 2025 Record: 8-4 (5-4 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Jimmy Rogers (Entering first season)
- Notable games in 2026: at Iowa, vs. K-State, at BYU
A New Era.
🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/xCyjxuuoRe
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) January 21, 2026
Year one of the Jimmy Rogers era in Ames after Matt Campbell departs for Penn State, and takes many of the key players from last year’s eight-win team, which also includes quarterback Rocco Becht.
Rogers looks to be a solid fit for Iowa State. He’s a former FCS National Champion at South Dakota State, and he wanted this job.
It’s a big portal class and clearly a new era for the Cyclones.
In the portal era, new coaches can build something special quickly, but this overhaul feels like a big lift to get in the upper crust of a Big 12 that should be deep once again in 2026.
15. Kansas Jayhawks
- 2025 Record: 5-7 (3-6 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Lance Leipold
- Notable games in 2026: vs. Missouri, vs. Arizona State (London), at K-State
See the progress in real time 👀⬇️
Watch Live → https://t.co/49wo9azVqO pic.twitter.com/JyiaFc13tE
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) January 6, 2026
The addition of Dylan Edwards at running back from Sunflower State rival K-State is spicy. Who will be the quarterback of the Jayhawks? Jalon Daniels is gone after a career that got KU back on the map, but it was up-and-down over the past few years.
The Jayhawks brought in Rice transfer Chase Jenkins to pair up with returning signal-callers Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard.
What’s intriguing about Kansas is that Andy Kotelnicki returns as Associate Head Coach after a pair of seasons at Penn State. Kotelnicki is a longtime assistant under Lance Leipold.
16. UCF Knights
- 2025 Record: 5-7 (2-7 in Big 12)
- Head Coach: Scott Frost
- Notable games in 2026: at Pitt, at Colorado, Arizona State
Just a reminder pic.twitter.com/LEK0cqpJ9O
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 10, 2026
Year two of the Scott Frost era in Orlando. A positive from year one was that the defense was solid. But the identity of UCF’s offense is still to be determined heading into Frost’s second year.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
