The USA TODAY Sports Network has released its own ordering of the 2026 Big 12 football season, even though the conference itself has not published official preseason rankings.
Predicted Order of Finish
According to the projection, Texas Tech is slated to reclaim the conference crown, while BYU is expected to finish just behind, and Iowa State is forecast to finish at the bottom of the league.
Iowa State’s Rebuilding Challenge
The outlook for the Cyclones reflects a major transition: longtime head coach Matt Campbell has departed, and the program is undergoing a substantial rebuild of its roster.
Despite the pessimistic placement, Iowa State did receive some recognition, as Aiden Flora, Kyle Konrardy and Isaac Terrell were listed among the preseason All‑Big 12 honorees as honorable mentions, with Flora and Konrardy returning as All‑Big 12 selections and Terrell having earned the Pac‑12 Defensive Line Top Performer of the Year last season.
Season Opener Details
The team will open the season at home against Southeast Missouri State on September 5, with the game scheduled to start at noon Central Time; the Redhawks finished the previous year with a 4‑8 record.
Beyond the Cyclones, the network also highlighted several preseason award winners, underscoring the competitive balance that could shape the upcoming schedule.