Post-Spring Big 12 Football Power Rankings For 2025 Season
May 29, 2025, 12:17 PM | Updated: 12:50 pm
The 2025 Big 12 Football schedule will be released on Tuesday, February 4. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY—The Big 12 proved to be college football’s wildest rodeo last season— unpredictable, chaotic, and impossible to look away from. Does 2025 prove to be more of the same, or will the perceived favorites actually live up to the billing?
At the very least, there will be a lot of teams in contention again this season. Many programs return key figures, while others have had to make significant changes.
Arizona State brings back a good core from its title-winning squad. Texas Tech landed what might be the best transfer class in the country. Utah hit reset on offense with dynamic QB Devon Dampier and new play-caller Jason Beck. Houston and Colorado brought in flashy new quarterbacks with high ceilings and high expectations. And others meticulously pieced together their transfer portal classes.
After assessing roster movement and updates from spring ball throughout the Big 12, here is how I currently view the conference.
RELATED: College Football Playoff Format Among Storylines At Big 12 Spring Meetings
Big 12 Power Rankings, Tier 1: The Preseason Favorites
These teams are considered favorites for the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff appearance.
1. Arizona State Sun Devils
2024 Record: 11–3 (7–2) | Big 12 Finish: 1st
Led by breakout freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, the Sun Devils rattled off a series of gritty, high-scoring wins, capped by a conference championship and a playoff berth. Looking ahead to this fall, the Sun Devils lost some significant pieces but return the bulk of last year’s team.
Jordyn Tyson and Chamon Matayer will lead the way for ASU’s receiver and tight end spots. The loss of Cam Skattebo is significant, but ASU has a solid offensive line, with Kyson Brown expected to lead the way and transfer addition Kanye Udoh to play a big role. The defense returns nine starters from a unit that was third-best in points allowed. They were also tops in turnover margin in the Big 12, which is rarely accomplished in consecutive seasons.
The Sun Devils did most of their portal recruiting in the winter window. However, in order to improve depth, they added a pair of offensive linemen, a receiver, and a safety during the spring window. Coach Kenny Dillingham proved he’s not just an offensive mind—he’s a culture builder. Though it’s never been done in the Big 12, the Sun Devils’ chances to repeat should be taken seriously.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders
2024 Record: 8–5 (6–3) | Big 12 Finish: 7th
The Red Raiders invested significantly in the transfer portal and hope to cash out on the No. 2 portal class with a Big 12 title. Coach Joey McGuire brought in a new defensive coordinator and secured four-star talent across the defensive front and five new defensive backs in hopes of improving their second-to-last pass defense last season.
Quarterback Behren Morton returns, but his offseason shoulder surgery kept him out of spring ball. The Red Raiders return key skill players and added contributors at running back, receiver, and tight end from the portal. The offensive line is a bit of a question mark, but the Red Raiders also secured two transfers who are expected to make an impact next season.
Whether or not it all comes together remains to be seen, but the Red Raiders have seemingly increased their margin for error with the talent accumulated.
3. Kansas State Wildcats
2024 Record: 9–4 (5–4) | Big 12 Finish: 8th
Coach Chris Klieman has built one of the league’s most consistent and stable programs. With eyes to 2025, the Wildcats have done an impressive job of strengthening this year’s roster to position themselves as a favorite.
Avery Johnson rebuffed enticements to enter the transfer portal, which is crucial to the Wildcats’ chances next season. The Wildcats have really invested in the positions around him to maximize their chances for a title run next season. They’ve made good additions at receiver and offensive line with guys like Jaron Tibbs and George Fitzpatrick, and continued to improve offensive line depth with a few spring additions.
The questions revolve around K-State’s run game and pass defense, because they have to replace running back DJ Giddens and four starters in the secondary. The Wildcats will be contending this season, and their chances may ultimately be determined by Johnson’s ability to maximize the players around him.
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) April 15, 2025
4. BYU Cougars
2024 Record: 11–2 (7–2) | Big 12 Finish: 3rd
If not for the Sun Devils, the Cougars would have been the biggest shock of the conference last year. The Cougars are looking to build on that momentum going into the 2025 season. However, the Cougs did lose a handful of key figures from last season’s squad.
RELATED: Five BYU Football Underclassmen Poised For Bigger Impacts In 2025
Replacing the impact and production of guys like Tyler Batty, Jakob Robinson, Caleb Etienne, and Harrison Taggart is the task for Kalani Sitake and his staff to figure out. The Cougars return impact players such as Chase Roberts and Jack Kelly, both of whom will lead their respective sides. The Cougars also addressed some important roster needs through the transfer portal. They added Bear and Tiger Bachmeier, as well as big defensive line additions in Justin Kirkland and Alvin Puefua.
The obvious disclaimer revolves around quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has been accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit. Regardless of the case’s outcome, Retzlaff’s status with the program could be impacted, which would impact the Cougars’ outlook.
Big 12 Power Rankings, Tier 2: Strong Contenders
Solid rosters for Big 12 title contention, and playoff potential if things break their way.
5. Baylor Bears
2024 Record: 8–5 (6–3) | Big 12 Finish: 5th
Dave Aranda’s seat was practically melting at 2–4, but six straight wins later, Baylor looked like a team reborn. Sophomore QB Sawyer Robertson took control of the offense and looked like one of the top passers in the country. Josh Cameron is the top returning pass catcher, and the Bears added former Alabama receiver Kobe Prentice to the mix. To go along with a 1,000-yard rusher in Bryson Washington and a veteran offensive line, the offense is in good shape.
Baylor has returned a good core from last season’s roster, while Aranda has added promising pieces in both portal windows. In the spring portal window alone, the Bears have added a pair of offensive linemen and cornerbacks, as well as a receiver, defensive edge, tackle, and safety.
Aranda has seemingly shored up most of their depth concerns this offseason. If Robertson continues to ascend and the defense maintains its stinginess, Baylor should be a title contender.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
2024 Record: 11–3 (7–2) | Big 12 Finish: 2nd
The Cyclones only added eight transfers this offseason, including only two during the spring window. Matt Campbell’s program will rely largely on the development of guys running it back in 2025.
The good news is that it includes quarterback Rocco Becht, breakout running backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama, as well as four of five starters up front. The receiver room has lost two significant talents, but they’ve added transfers Xavier Townsend (UCF) and Chase Sowell (Colorado), who are expected to fill those shoes immediately.
There are questions revolving around the defensive front. Outside of two returning starters, the Cyclones have to re-establish the entire depth chart along the line. Iowa State will be a very tough out, and if Becht takes the next step as a signal caller, they’ll be in the title mix again.
Big 12 Power Rankings, Tier 3: Big 12’s Most Dangerous
These teams have playoff-level talent in spots, but significant question marks also make them a little volatile.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
2024 Record: 9–4 (6–3) | Big 12 Finish: 6th
Thanks to the emergence of Josh Hoover, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, Sonny Dykes was able to right the ship at TCU last season. Having Hoover back is big, but the supporting cast around him is new or limited in experience. Just like the Cyclones, the Horned Frogs have to replace two pass catchers, who moved on to the NFL. They’ve brought in Idaho transfer Jordan Dwyer and Houston transfer Joseph Manjack.
The offensive line, particularly the left side of the line, is a question mark. If the line improves, they’ll be a tough out. A conference title run will hinge on the offensive line and skill positions playing well, but another 9-win season is well within reach.
GO TAKE IT @Jordan_Lester13 😤 pic.twitter.com/wNuHrB3URe
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) April 13, 2025
8. Utah Utes
2024 Record: 5–7 (2–7) | Big 12 Finish: 13th
Kyle Whittingham had to make drastic changes this offseason. He started by hiring New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck, which led to the landing of the Lobos’ dynamic dual-threat transfer quarterback, Devon Dampier.
RELATED: Assessing Potential Impact Of Utah Football’s Spring Transfer Portal Additions
The offense progressed throughout spring ball, especially the passing game. Chemistry and consistency became more apparent by the end of the five weeks. Utah continued to address its offensive makeover in the portal by adding Tobias Merriweather, Larry Simmons, and Bryce Duke to the mix.
The defense has all the ingredients to be tough again this season, as Smith Snowden, Lander Barton, and Tao Johnson all seem poised to make a bigger impact. However, Utah will need players such as Dallas Vakalahi and Rabbit Evans to emerge as big contributors. Utah also utilized the portal to address needs at defensive tackle and cornerback.
There’s a renewed sense of excitement and hunger around the program. A lot hinges on how Dampier adjusts to the Big 12, but this team can jump tiers if Dampier proves himself at this level.
RELATED: Utah Football’s X-Factors For 2025 Season
9. Colorado Buffaloes
2024 Record: 9–4 (7–2) | Big 12 Finish: 4th
Coach Prime’s team stunned everyone with a top-4 Big 12 finish last year. Thanks in large part to the exceptional play of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Both are gone, though, and the Buffs have to find replacements.
Programs don’t simply replace a Heisman winner, but Colorado is well stocked at receiver and cornerback. The bigger question mark for Colorado is actually at quarterback. They’ve brought in Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter and highly touted freshman Julian Lewis, but both had their ups and downs during spring ball, according to reports.
Colorado continued to utilize the portal pretty heavily. They made 30 additions between the winter and spring windows. The Buffs have continued to secure skill position talent, while also adding key pieces in the trenches. This boils down to the quarterback situation and what develops there. The Buffs could easily jump a tier higher if things click.
8️⃣ vs 8️⃣@DjMcKinney22 x #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/1aq6Kfn7sE
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) April 9, 2025
Big 12 Power Rankings, Tier 4: High Variance, High Risk
These programs don’t appear to have high-end talent or depth, but they are equally capable of big upsets or completely collapsing.
10. Kansas Jayhawks
2024 Record: 5–7 (4–5) | Big 12 Finish: 10th
Jalon Daniels came back. And came back again. But 2024 was a disaster—five second-half leads lost, key injuries at RB and WR, and a defense that couldn’t close. However, the Jayhawks finished incredibly well with upset wins over Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado in the final month.
Daniels is back for one last ride, but the supporting cast is thinner than it was two years ago. Coach Lance Leipold is a masterful motivator, and that alone keeps Kansas from falling further down this list.
11. Cincinnati Bearcats
2024 Record: 5–7 (3–6) | Big 12 Finish: 11th
Cincy started hot, but faded fast as injuries and poor depth caught up with them. The Bearcats didn’t lose a lot from last season’s squad, as only 15 players hit the portal, while they added 16 from it. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby was solid but couldn’t raise the bar enough last season.
With a year under his belt, as well as tight end Joe Royer and promising additions at receiver around him, Sorsby could be on breakout watch. The Bearcats seem to have added depth at key position groups to maintain a stronger level play during the season.
12. Houston Cougars
2024 Record: 4–8 (3–6) | Big 12 Finish: 12th
Willie Fritz is a program builder, and Year 2 is usually when things start clicking. Texas A&M transfer QB Connor Weigman gives Houston immediate upside, and the Cougars showed signs of life late in 2024. If the additions Houston made at the skill positions pan out, that should be the boost the offense desperately needs.
The defense was solid but must improve in 2025. There are players that return, and they’ve added transfers to the mix. Fritz’s track record suggests he’ll have them in bowl contention. The Cougars’ schedule is fairly favorable, it’ll be up to them to take care of business.
Big 12 Power Rankings, Tier 5: Programs In Reset Mode
Coaching turnover, roster holes, and limited upside define this group.
13. West Virginia Mountaineers
2024 Record: 6–7 (5–4) | Big 12 Finish: 9th
Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown, but the team he inherits is gutted. He’s brought in tempo, energy, and a swarm of JUCO transfers, but this is a full-on rebuild. Rodriguez will get this program rolling eventually, but don’t expect instant results. The Mountaineers will have a backfield of Nicco Marchiol and Jaheim White, who provided promising moments last season. Rodriguez added some good pieces in the portal, but not enough to expect a lot out of them this year.
Got a little help with the play-calling 😂 pic.twitter.com/jyYFSBgR1z
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) April 6, 2025
14. Arizona Wildcats
2024 Record: 4–8 (2–7) | Big 12 Finish: 15th
Arizona fell off a cliff in Year 1 under Brent Brennan, despite retaining star QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan. Now McMillan is gone, and the administration that hired Brennan is too. The program lost nearly 40 players, many of whom were big contributors to past success. The Wildcats lack an identity, and unless Fifita rediscovers his 2023 form, this is a program in free fall.
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys
2024 Record: 3–9 (0–9) | Big 12 Finish: 16th
Mike Gundy’s 20-year run hit rock bottom in 2024 with a winless Big 12 season. The Pokes lost more talent than they gained, and while Gundy thrives when expectations are low, this feels like a full reset.
Regardless of who wins the QB battle, Zane Flores or Hauss Hejny, the Cowboys will have a quarterback who has never thrown a pass in college. The defense is young and untested, and the offense lacks a clear identity. Bowl eligibility would be a minor miracle.
16. UCF Knights
2024 Record: 4–8 (2–7) | Big 12 Finish: 14th
This is a big reset in Orlando. Scott Frost returns to lead the Knights, and though he had great success the last time he was the head coach of the Knights, there are questions around his ability as a coach. The Knights lost a lot in the transfer portal on both sides of the ball. There is optimism for the future, but the upcoming season could be a rocky ride.
