The Big 12 has gone through quite a bit of change in the last few years, but things are starting to settle into place now. With eight new teams in the last two years and losing Oklahoma and Texas, some view the Big 12 as not the strongest conference compared to where it used to be.
There is some truth to that, but let's not count out the Big 12 just yet. There are certainly some teams that are struggling, and unfortunately, UCF is one of those teams. To be fair, however, UCF is going through a big change right now with Scott Frost returning as the head coach and having to completely rebuild the roster.
So, with the college football season getting closer every day, let's take a look at the Big 12 preseason rankings after spring ball and the spring transfer portal.
1. Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State did not make as much of a splash in the transfer portal this offseason, but to be fair, with the players returning, head coach Chris Klieman didn't need to. The return of quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards is huge for the Wildcats, and the rest of the offense is looking pretty good, too. Sure, the defense could use a little work, but Klieman always finds a way to put together an elite team.
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State was the team that represented. Big 12 last season in the College Football Playoff, which is something no one expected. The Sun Devils were projected to finish at the bottom of the Big 12 last season, and they certainly proved everyone wrong. Now the Sun Devils will have to prove that, with the eyes on them now, they can still perform.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech made a lot of noise in the transfer portal and probably even put together the best transfer class in the Big 12 this offseason. The Red Raiders are looking to make their stand as the top team in the Big 12 this next season, and don't be surprised if they accomplish that goal.
4. BYU Cougars
BYU was another team that surprised the college football world last season. It wasn't until the Cougars took down Kansas State in beatdown fashion that people believed BYU was for real. This team certainly will have more eyes on them this season, which could be more added pressure, but BYU performed fairly well in the transfer portal, so things could still look good for the Cougars.
5. TCU Horned Frogs
After a rough season following their National Championship appearance, the TCU Horned Frogs put together a respectable 2024 football season, and with a lot of returning starters, this team could make another run in the conference. Quarterback Josh Hoover's return is huge for the Horned Frogs and is a big reason for this high of a ranking.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State looked like a team that could contend for the CFP last season, but fell apart when it mattered most, and now, with the departure of some key pieces, the Cyclones have some questions that need to be answered. The return of quarterback Rocco Becht helps, but there is still a lot this team needs to work on.
7. Baylor Bears
After a slow start to the season in 2025, the Baylor Bears went on a bit of a run that not many expected. However, the return of quarterback Sawyer Robinson, who won the starting position last season, is huge, as well as running back Bryson Washington. Watch out for the Bears this season.
8. Utah Utes
Utah was a team projected to completely take over the Big 12 when they made the move last season, and they did anything but. Injuries doomed the Utes' season, but it doesn't look like they are primed to take over the conference this season either.
9. Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks had one good season and got everyone to believe in head coach Lance Leipold, but the Jayhawks' performance last season had fans wishing for the return of basketball season as fast as possible. Jalon Daniels will be back for the Jayhawks again this season, but it seems like everything rests on his shoulders.
10. Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes lost a lot of players this season, most notably quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter. Head coach Deion Sanders will now have to figure out how to coach without his sons playing under him, and Colorado will have some rebuilding to do as well.
11. West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia was another team that expected to play last season, but instead, the season ended in firing their head coach and becoming like UCF and bringing back old head coach Rich Rodriguez. This program will need a lot of love with the number of players that left, and only three starters returning.
12. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona definitely did not have the season they were hoping for last year, adn now with the departure of Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL, the Wildcats have a lot to figure out on offense. Head coach Brent Brennan lost a lot of players to the transfer portal, and now quarterback Noah Fifita will have the weight of Arizona's world on his shoulders.
13. Houston Cougars
Houston has more returning starters coming back this season than most Big 12 teams do, but the Cougars struggled even with those starters last season, so it is fair to say that a new season may not bring out a lot for Houston.
14. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The 2025 season was the furthest from what Oklahoma State thought it was going to be. The Cowboys are normally a team competing for the Big 12 title, and the Cowboys couldn't even be bowl-eligible and finished last in the Big 12. Head coach Mike Gundy could be on the hot seat this season if he doesn't have a big bounce-back.
15. Cincinatti Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats have struggled since joining the Big 12 two seasons ago, and it doesn't look like Year 3 is going to be their year either. The Bearkats just don't have the firepower to compete for a conference title just yet, and they have to find a way to compete in the transfer portal first.
16. UCF Knights
Putting UCF in the last position is hard, but it is also the truth of where the program is right now. There is hope that Scott Frost can work his magic just like he did back in 2016 and 2017 in his second stint now with the Knights and bring this program back from the brink, but looking at the team right now, Frost did great work in the portal and recruiting, but the Knights have a lot to prove before they can move out of the basement.