The Big 12 enters the 2026 season with a clear hierarchy that is already generating buzz among analysts and fans alike.
The Top Tier
Texas Tech rode the wave of a dominant 2025 campaign, finishing as the conference’s No. 1 team and projecting as the preseason favorite for 2026. Head coach Joey McGuire will rely on quarterback Will Hammond, who is expected to be fully recovered from an ACL tear that sidelined him late last year.
BYU, fresh off a 12‑2 season and a No. 16 spot in Athlon’s projected 138 rankings, brings a defense that ranks among the league’s best. Coach Kalani Sitake will look to tighten a receiving corps that underperformed in key moments, while still banking on a strong defensive identity.
Mid‑Tier Contenders
Utah and Houston sit just behind the leaders, each carrying distinct storylines. Utah’s new head coach Morgan Scalley aims to preserve the defensive excellence that helped the Utes clinch nine conference wins by 22 points or more last season. Meanwhile, Houston’s 10‑3 record and dark‑horse status make them a team to watch, especially as they integrate transfers like quarterback Alonza Barnett III, a move orchestrated by coach Scott Frost.
A host of other programs could break into the top 25 conversation. Arizona State’s coach Kenny Dillingham has landed key transfers to revamp the offense, while Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris brought in a monster transfer class that includes standout talent such as Cutter Boley and Reed Harris. TCU, under Sonny Dykes, has posted at least nine wins in three of the last four years and will look to extend that streak.
The conference also features several teams battling for bowl eligibility. West Virginia and Kansas missed out on postseason play a year ago but are projected to return, while Kansas State, Arizona, and Colorado each have new coordinators — Brennan Marion at Colorado, for example, hopes to lift an offense that averaged just 20.9 points per game last season. Iowa State is undergoing a massive rebuild under Jimmy Rogers, returning zero starters, which adds an element of uncertainty to their outlook.
Overall, the 2026 Big 12 landscape is marked by parity, with multiple programs capable of reshaping the standings. The blend of seasoned coaches like Rich Rodriguez and emerging strategists such as Andy Kotelnicki ensures that storylines will evolve rapidly, keeping fans engaged throughout the season.
Key Storylines
Key storylines involve a host of players and coaches who will shape the season, including Brendan Sorsby, Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin, Willie Fritz, Conner Weigman, Makhi Hughes, Amare Thomas, Devon Dampier, Collin Klein, Avery Johnson, Noah Fifita, Danny Gonzales, Kenny Dillingham, Cutter Boley, Reed Harris, Omarion Miller, Eric Morris, Drew Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins, Sonny Dykes, Jaden Craig, Gordon Sammis, Rich Rodriguez, Michael Hawkins, Cam Cook, Andy Kotelnicki, Cole Ballard, Isaiah Marshall, Dave Aranda, DJ Lagway, Brennan Marion, and Scott Frost.