Big 12 Football: Spring 2026 Power Rankings
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Spring practice is already underway or will soon start for all 16 teams in the Big 12 for the 2026 college football season. Although it’s tough to get an accurate or in-depth read on teams from practices in the spring, this is the first set of official workouts and provides some insight into rosters, coaching outlooks, transfers or impact freshmen for the upcoming year. And with no spring transfer portal this year, the rosters should largely be set for upcoming workouts and for the battle to settle positions on the depth chart.
The Big 12 is arguably the most unpredictable of the four power conferences. Although Texas Tech and BYU emerged as the top teams last season – and begin the ’26 power rankings in the same position – this conference will produce its share of wild card contenders. New coaches at Oklahoma State (Eric Morris) and Kansas State (Collin Klein) could lead both teams to marked improvement in ’26, with intriguing transfer hauls impacting the outlook for Colorado, Kansas, Iowa State, and West Virginia. Utah isn’t far behind BYU and Texas Tech at the top of the league. However, the Utes are also in transition under new coach Morgan Scalley.
What are the early storylines to watch and how do the teams stack up in the Big 12 going into ’26? Here are Athlon’s top things to watch and the storylines in the conference going into spring practice:
Big 12 Football: Spring 2026 Power Rankings
16. UCF
James Madison transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett should be a good fit for coach Scott Frost’s high-powered offense. The Knights also added help at the skill spots for Barnett from the portal, including former Louisville running back Duke Watson. Help from the transfer ranks is also coming on defense, where the Knights need to get better against the run after ranking No. 112 nationally in success rate in ‘25.
- Related: 6 Must-See Revenge Games for 2026
15. Iowa State
New coach Jimmy Rogers is a solid hire to replace Matt Campbell. However, the Cyclones are facing a massive roster overhaul this offseason. Iowa State brings back zero starters off last year’s squad and landed over 45 transfers from the portal.
14. Colorado
The Buffaloes have a lengthy to-do list to tackle this offseason. Both sides of the ball feature new coordinators, and coach Deion Sanders brought in a large transfer class (over 40 commits) to restock the roster after a 4-8 record last year. The development of quarterback Julian Lewis under new offensive play-caller Brennan Marion is a top storyline to watch this spring.
13. Cincinnati
The Bearcats bring back only four starters off last year’s team, but the offensive line should be a strength with Joe Cotton, Evan Tengesdahl, and Taron Tyo leading the way. Georgia Southern transfer JC French and Samaj Jones will battle to replace Brendan Sorsby under center.
12. Baylor
The ‘26 campaign is a make-or-break season for coach Dave Aranda. The Bears hit the portal hard for help on both sides of the ball after a disappointing 5-7 record in ‘25. That haul included talented (but inconsistent) Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway.
11. Kansas
Can coach Lance Leipold get the Jayhawks back on track after two straight losing records? The return of Andy Kotelnicki as play-caller should help an offense breaking in a new quarterback and revamped skill talent. The defense brings back four starters off a unit that allowed nearly 30 points (29.4) a game in Big 12 play last year.
10. West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez’s team is poised for a step forward in his second year back in charge in Morgantown. This spring is all about the quarterback battle between Scotty Fox and Michael Hawkins. Additionally, the Mountaineers need to develop better play in the trenches.
9. Kansas State
The combination of new coach Collin Klein and dynamic quarterback Avery Johnson could help K-State quickly turn things around after a disappointing 6-6 mark last year. Bigger question marks rest on a defense with just two returning starters.
8. Oklahoma State
The arrival of new coach Eric Morris and a large transfer portal class that includes quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins should help Oklahoma State rank as one of the most-improved teams in the nation this fall.
7. TCU
This spring is the first chance for coach Sonny Dykes to get an extended look at Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig with Josh Hoover off to Indiana. The Horned Frogs have a solid overall foundation coming back in ‘26 with nine returning starters. Craig’s development is crucial to contend for a spot in the Big 12 title game.
6. Arizona State
The Sun Devils return only two starters, but coach Kenny Dillingham should push the right buttons to keep this team in the mix for a finish in the top five of the Big 12 standings. The development of Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley looms large this spring.
5. Arizona
After a disappointing 4-8 debut in ‘24, the Wildcats were significantly better in coach Brent Brennan’s second trip through the Big 12 with a 9-4 record. Although both sides of the ball have turnover to navigate, quarterback Noah Fifita returns, which should keep Arizona in contention for a spot in the conference title game.
4. Houston
The Cougars displayed marked improvement last season with a 10-3 record in coach Willie Fritz’s second year in charge. Expect Houston to contend for the Big 12 title in ’26 with quarterback Conner Weigman headlining a group of 12 returning starters.
3. Utah
Change is in the air in Salt Lake City this spring with Morgan Scalley’s first offseason in charge after replacing Kyle Whittingham. Scalley inherits a team capable of contending for the Big 12 title behind quarterback Devon Dampier. Rebuilding the offensive line won’t be easy.
Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
2. BYU
Coach Kalani Sitake’s team returns seven starters off one of the Big 12’s top defenses in ‘25. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier is also poised for a step forward next season, but the receiving corps and offensive line are undergoing an offseason rebuild.
1. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders open spring practice where they left off in 2025: No. 1 in the Big 12. Coach Joey McGuire’s team reloaded through the portal, landing impact players in Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby, along with plenty of help on defense to replace departing standouts in edge rusher David Bailey and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Related: Big 12 Football: Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings
Related: 10 Biggest Winners in College Football’s Transfer Portal for the 2026 Season
Related: 6 Must-See College Football Revenge Games in 2026
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos