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Big 12 football power rankings heading into conference title game
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- Big 12 football power rankings heading into conference title game
The Texas Tech football program has never played in a Big 12 championship, much less won one. The Red Raiders will check off the get-there box this weekend and, based on the way they steamrolled through the regular season, they ought to win their first Big 12 title on Saturday, Dec. 6, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas .
The game's a rematch between Texas Tech and Brigham Young. The Red Raiders beat the Cougars 29-7 on Nov. 8 and opened as 12 1/2-point favorites this time. Is that spread a little narrow? Tech's only the sixth major-college team in 100 years to win at least 11 regular-season games by 20 or more points.
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The Red Raiders haven't budged off the No. 1 spot in the Big 12 power rankings since getting there after week three. No reason to change now.
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1. Texas Tech (11-1, 8-1 in the Big 12)
Last week:1
This week:vs. BYU , Saturday in Big 12 championship game
What to know:Texas A&M's dodged Texas Tech since joining the SEC, but an Aggies-Red Raiders game might be unavoidable in the College Football Playoff.
More: CFP bracket predictions — Where Texas Tech could land, plus opponent in playoff bracket
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2. Brigham Young (11-1, 8-1)
Last week:2
This week:vs. Texas Tech, Saturday in Big 12 championship game
What to know: BYU alum Kalani Sitake to Penn State ? Sounds like one of those AI-generated fakes, right?
Nov 29, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Dickey (8) warms up prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
3. Utah (10-2, 7-2)
Last week:3
What to know:Kyle Whittingham couldn't retire after a five-win season last year. Now he should come back to fix a suddenly, shockingly lousy run defense.
4. Arizona State (8-4, 6-3)
Last week:4
What to know:Every time an SEC coaching job gets filled, Sun Devils yell "Dilly, Dilly".
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5. Iowa State (8-4, 5-4)
Last week:7
What to know:Last Saturday was the 10-year anniversary of Matt Campbell hiring. Prediction: He goes another 10 and gets into Kyle Whittingham/Mike Gundy tenure territory.
More: Iowa State football 2025 bowl, postseason projections for Cyclones
More: Iowa State football finishes 'rollercoaster' regular season | Hines
6. Arizona (9-3, 6-3)
Last week:8
What to know:New defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and new offensive coordinator Seth Doege have done wonders for Brent Brennan's program. Wildcats have gone from No. 108 in scoring defense last year to No. 20, and Noah Fifita has career highs in passing yards and passing touchdowns with fewer interceptions.
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More: Arizona Wildcats get the best of ASU in Territorial Cup
7. TCU (8-4, 5-4)
Last week:9
What to know:Only thing standing between Horned Frogs and a 10-win season was blowing double-digit leads against Arizona State and Iowa State .
8. Houston (9-3, 6-3)
Last week:6
What to know:Cougars went 6-0 on the road, fattening up on five teams who finished with losing records.
9. Cincinnati (7-5, 5-4)
Last week:5
What to know:In Scott Satterfield's defense, a four-game losing streak against Utah, Arizona , BYU and TCU isn't exactly choking on creampuffs.
More: What we learned from Cincinnati Bearcats loss to TCU in Big 12 finale
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10. Baylor (5-7, 3-6)
Last week:10
What to know:Bless those tasked with selling season tickets for the same show again next year.
11. Kansas State (6-6, 5-4)
Last week:11
What to know:Coach Chris Klieman will return after a disappointing season, but will quarterback Avery Johnson test the market in the transfer portal?
More: Kansas State football RB Joe Jackson continues to make case for 2026
More: Kansas State coach Chris Klieman isn't 'satisfied' with 6-6 season
12. Kansas (5-7, 3-6)
Last week:12
What to know:KU poured more money into Lance Leipold and the program after back-to-back bowl trips in 2022 and 2023 and has gotten a pair of 5-7 seasons since.
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More: 'Heartbroken': Jalon Daniels' Kansas football career comes to an end
13. Central Florida (5-7, 2-7)
Last week:14
What to know:Fast start at BYU notwithstanding, Knights have been bad outside the Bounce House with a nine-game road losing streak.
More: UCF football's hot start not enough in season-ending road loss at BYU
14. West Virginia (4-8, 2-7)
Last week:13
What to know:Any other Mountaineers game in the past month would have been more encouraging to end on than a 49-0 loss to Texas Tech.
15. Colorado (3-9, 1-8)
Last week:15
What to know:"We won't be in this situation again. I promise you that," Deion Sanders last week, echoing Deion Sanders 2023.
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16. Oklahoma State (1-11, 0-9)
Last week:16
What to know:New coach Eric Morris will inherit a 19-game conference losing streak.
More: How Oklahoma State football hiring Eric Morris has boosted energy for Cowboys fans
More: How Oklahoma State football earned respect despite dismal 1-11 season
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 football power rankings heading into conference title game
