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Ranking Every Big 12 Team Heading Into Spring Practice
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- Ranking Every Big 12 Team Heading Into Spring Practice
After the transfer portal slowed down, and now most of the teams are in place, how do all of the Big 12 teams look going into the spring?
There are just four new head coaches out of the 16, but across the board are wholesale changes with transfers and big playmakers stepping in.
We still need to see and hear how everyone is jelling, and good luck trying to guess how the starting lineups will come together.
Keeping in mind that all of this can and will change in several different ways, here's our first-look Big 12 ranking going into 2026.
Ranking Every Big 12 Team Heading Into Spring Practice
Nov 28, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
16. Colorado
Why the Buffaloes are Here:Let's see if the transfer portal can save this thing. Lots of Buffs left, lots are coming in, and while the playmakers should be okay, it all starts with the lines. If the run defense isn't night-and-day better, and there isn't a wee bit of pass protection, uh oh.
What Needs Work:It's not even about the talent and the returning starters. It's about whether or not Deion Sanders can get the program's groove back after the party crashed hard. (That's going to be a problem with the brutal schedule over the first half of the season.)
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:3-9
Preseason:51
Final:82
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:De'Andre Moore Jr. WR, Texas
Biggest Loss:Jordan Seaton, OT to LSU
Season Opener:at Georgia Tech, Sept. 5
- 2026 Colorado Schedule Breakdown
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15. Kansas
Why the Jayhawks are Here:Just how good are all the transfers? Getting running back Dylan Edwards from Kansas State was big. There were a slew of nice gets for the defensive side, and Chase Jenkins from Rice is an interesting quarterback option.
What Needs Work:The defense has to be better. It has to be stronger against the run, taking the ball away more is a must, and overall, it has to figure out how to be nastier. (Kansas went 0-7 when allowing 24 points or more.)
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:5-7
Preseason:48
Final:59
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Dylan Edwards, RB Kansas State
Biggest Loss:Lyrik Rawls, S to Arizona State
Season Opener:LIU, Sept. 4
- 2026 Kansas Schedule Breakdown
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker takes photos with fans during a college wrestling dual between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Iowa State Cyclones at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.© BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
14. Oklahoma State
Why the Cowboys are Here:Yes, Eric Morris is about to kickstart the offense, and no, Oklahoma State won't be the worst team/finish last in the Big 12 again. However, even with quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, and all of the North Texas stars coming in, this will take a little while, especially on …
What Needs Work:Defense. The offense will be instantly great, but the defense was non-existent at North Texas, and Oklahoma State's wasn't anything positive last year. There will be plenty of shootouts.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:1-11
Preseason:57
Final:113
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Drew Mestemaker, QB North Texas
Biggest Loss:Wendell Gregory, EDGE to Kansas State
Season Opener:at Tulsa, Sept. 5
- 2026 Oklahoma State Schedule Breakdown
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13. Iowa State
Why the Cyclones are Here:Call this a Wait and See early positioning. Matt Campbell didn't take everyone with him to Penn State, but it certainly seems like it. This is a true rebuild after getting gutted through the portal.
What Needs Work:It's not all doom and gloom. There are still plenty of decent players looking to step up, but it'll take every practice to come up with the starting 22, much less the depth.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:8-4
Preseason:35
Final:46
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Isaac Terrell, EDGE Washington State
Biggest Loss:Rocco Becht, QB to Penn State
Season Opener:SE Missouri State, Sept. 5
- 2026 Iowa State Schedule Breakdown
12. UCF
Why the Knights are Here:It's still going to take a little bit. Last year's UCF team was okay, but it was hardly at the level it was when Scott Frost took over the first time around. The transfer portal parts are okay, but the quarterback combination of Alonza Barnett III (James Madison) and Keyone Jenkins (FIU) is strong.
What Needs Work:Get the offense moving. The scoring punch just wasn't there, and this year, with the new quarterbacks, it starts with cranking the ball down the field more.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:5-7
Preseason:54
Final:75
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Alonza Barnett III, QB James Madison
Biggest Loss:John Waker, DT to Ohio State
Season Opener:Bethune-Cookman, Sept. 3
- 2026 UCF Schedule Breakdown
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11. Baylor
Why the Bears are Here:This might be way, way too low and could change in a big way before the season. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will be a statistical superstar, and the defensive front needs the new guys to shine right away.
What Needs Work:The pass defense needs to be stronger, the offense has to be better in pass protection, and overall, the lines have to be stronger and deeper.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:5-7
Preseason:37
Final:70
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:DJ Lagway, QB Florida
Biggest Loss:Coleton Price, C to Kentucky
Season Opener:Auburn (in Atlanta), Sept. 5
- 2026 Baylor Schedule Breakdown
10. West Virginia
Why the Mountaineers are Here:This should be fun. Rich Rodriguez got the plane off the ground last year, but his offense wasn't as explosive and consistent as it needed to be. With this class from the transfer portal - hello RB Cam Cook - he has the parts.
What Needs Work:Make that running game rumble like it's supposed to, but to do more in the Big 12, the pass defense has to be far better. That starts with generating a stronger pass rush.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:4-8
Preseason:62
Final:71
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Cam Cook, RB Jacksonville State
Biggest Loss:Cam Vaughn, WR to Miami
Season Opener:Coastal Carolina, Sept. 3
- 2026 West Virginia Schedule Breakdown
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9. Cincinnati
Why the Bearcats are Here:It's a loaded conference, and there's way too much overhauling to be done. Star quarterback Brendan Sorsby is off to Texas Tech, but the receivers coming in are strong for potential starter JC French (Georgia Southern).
What Needs Work:Make more big plays in the secondary. The Bearcats came up with just two picks last season, the run defense wasn't good enough, and both of those things have to change for a team that will never control the time of possession battle.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:7-6
Preseason:56
Final:52
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:JaVonnie Gibson, WR Oklahoma
Biggest Loss:Brendan Sorsby, QB to Texas Tech
Season Opener:Boston College, Sept. 5
- 2026 Cincinnati Schedule Breakdown
8. TCU
Why the Horned Frogs are Here:There's a decent base in place, and it has to rock without a ton of transfers coming in. Jaden Craig from Harvard has the pressure to be the new quarterback star with Josh Hoover off to Indiana.
What Needs Work:Step up the pass defense, and get running. The Horned Frogs brought in a few pass rushing ends and corners to crank up the production on one side, and helping Craig out with a ground attack is a must on the other.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:9-4
Preseason:34
Final:30
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Noah McKinney, OG Oklahoma State
Biggest Loss:Josh Hoover, QB to Indiana
Season Opener:North Carolina (in Dublin), Aug 29
- 2026 TCU Schedule Breakdown
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7. Arizona State
Why the Sun Devils are Here:Of course, any Kenny Dillingham team will be a tough out, but there's a LOT of overhaul happening here. It's all up to the transfer portal hires being awesome.
What Needs Work:Get the passing game going again. Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley will be in the spring spotlight, but he has the receivers with Omarion Miller (Colorado) and Reed Harris (Boston College) cranking up the receiving corps.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:8-5
Preseason:20
Final:29
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Omarion Miller, WR Colorado
Biggest Loss:Sam Leavitt, QB to Arizona State
Season Opener:Morgan State, Sept. 5
- 2026 Arizona State Schedule Breakdown
6. Houston
Why the Cougars are Here:The wild card in the Big 12 bunch, they loaded up
on transfers to go along with a defense that gets as many starters back as any in the conference, and an offense that returns veteran quarterback Conner Weigman.
What Needs Work:Special teams. Solid kicker Ethan Sanchez is gone, and the punting, return, and coverage games could all use a boost.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:10-3
Preseason:61
Final:26
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Javion White, S Tulane
Biggest Loss:Corey Platt, LB to Texas Tech
Season Opener:Oregon State, Sept. 5
- 2026 Houston Schedule Breakdown
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5. Kansas State
Why the Wildcats are Here:This should come together quickly under new head coach Collin Klein. Expect more tweaking than any sort of an overhaul, with enough back to be better and more consistent.
What Needs Work:Get the O going. The Wildcats struggled just to get first downs on a regular basis, but Job One should be to make the run defense stronger.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:6-6
Preseason:28
Final:48
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Wendell Gregory, EDGE, Oklahoma State
Biggest Loss:Tob Osunsanmi, EDGE to Indiana
Season Opener:Nicholls State, Sept. 5
- 2026 Kansas State Schedule Breakdown
4. Utah
Why the Utes are Here:There's a little too much work to do after losing way too many key guys to Kyle Whittingham and Michigan. Quarterback Devon Dampier is dynamic, and the infrastructure is fun, but this might not be a smooth first full-time year for Morgan Scalley.
What Needs Work:Find the next men up, especially to make the run defense stronger. There will hardly be a drop off the map, but it will take something big to get past the loaded top Big 12 teams.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:11-2
Preseason:14
Final:14
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Braden Pegan, WR Utah State
Biggest Loss:Smith Snowden, CB to Michigan
Season Opener:Idaho, Sept. 3
- 2026 Utah Schedule Breakdown
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3. Arizona
Why the Wildcats are Here:Don't sleep on the suddenly loaded team coming off a great season. Quarterback Noah Fifita is back, the transfer portal is loaded up with strong parts, and everything is in place to challenge for a Big 12 Championship spot.
What Needs Work:Generate more of a pass rush, and be tighter and more efficient offensively in the red zone. The Wildcats gave away too many scoring opportunities and didn't generate enough sacks.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:9-4
Preseason:55
Final:22
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:DJ Jordan, WR USC
Biggest Loss:Marquis Groves-Killebrew, CB to Cal
Season Opener:Northern Arizona, Sept. 5
- 2026 Arizona Schedule Breakdown
Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
2. BYU
Why the Cougars are Here:It's not exactly the Texas Tech model or level, but there's a great group of returning starters around quarterback Bear Bachmeier to go along with some massive hits in the transfer portal.
What Needs Work:Keep it all going. Be a bit more explosive, cut down on the fumbles, and get just a bit more out of the defensive front and pass rush - but there's nothing glaring.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:12-2
Preseason:45
Final:11
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Cade Uluave, LB Cal
Biggest Loss:Max Alford, LB to Michigan
Season Opener:Utah Tech, Sept. 5
- 2026 BYU Schedule Breakdown
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1. Texas Tech
Why the Red Raiders are Here:Imagine last year's Texas Tech team with a slightly worse pass rush and, with the addition of Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati, slightly better passing production. Once again, there's a great base of talent with upgrades and fill-ins making things even better.
What Needs Work:The pass protection needs to be better, and the penalties have to slow down, but all that really matters is getting all the new guys to mesh right away with the infrastructure.
2025 CFN Rankings
Record:12-2
Preseason:22
Final:7
Transfer Portal
Top Transfer In:Brendan Sorsby, QB Cincinnati
Biggest Loss:Braylon Rigsby, DT to Oklahoma State
Season Opener:Abilene Christian, Sept. 5
- 2026 Texas Tech Schedule Breakdown
Related: ACC Football Rankings 2026: Where Things Stand Before Spring
This story was originally published by College Football News on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
