Welcome back to the Queen Media Sports Report. I’m Cody Queen, and we are officially locking in our sights on the 2026 college football season.

The Big 12 Conference remains a wildly entertaining, 16-team gauntlet where parity is the name of the game. After running the numbers and cutting through the early offseason rumor mill, here is a realistic look at the 2026 Big 12 Football Power Rankings.

1. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Let's put the crown where it belongs. Texas Tech is the reigning 2025 Big 12 champion and the undisputed team to beat. They reloaded through the transfer portal, landing top quarterback Brendan Sorsby to lead an offense that is built to win right now. They enter the year as the heavy favorites to capture the conference title again.

2. BYU Cougars

Following a stellar 2025 campaign where they met Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cougars are built for another deep run. Head coach Kalani Sitake returns rising star quarterback Bear Bachmeier and standout running back LJ Martin. With a top-tier defense, BYU has a highly favorable path to challenge for a playoff spot.

3. Houston Cougars

Houston is widely considered one of the top contenders to crash the Texas Tech-BYU party at the top of the standings. They have the pieces in place to make serious noise in the conference title race.

4. Utah Utes

Always physical and always dangerous, Utah enters 2026 as a premier threat to win the Big 12. They have the culture and talent to be playing their best football when November rolls around.

5. Kansas State Wildcats

The Wildcats belong in the conversation of teams that could easily contend for a top-25 finish or put together a run at the conference title game if the right pieces fall into place.

6. Arizona Wildcats

Another program with the ceiling to contend for a spot in Arlington. Arizona has the momentum to string together a run at the top of the conference standings.

7. UCF Knights

Alright, this is a much safer landing spot for Orlando's finest. While preseason projections have them hovering around the bowl-eligible tier, they remain a dangerous dark horse. With five home conference games at the Bounce House and an early non-conference schedule that gives them a chance to build momentum, they have the potential to play spoiler and significantly outperform expectations.

8. Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State finds itself squarely in the mix of teams that could challenge the top tier. If things break their way, they will be a tough out every single week.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Cowboys are another high-variance team that could absolutely contend for a top-25 spot. They have the talent to surprise people if they find consistency early in the year.

10. TCU Horned Frogs

The Horned Frogs round out the tier of dangerous middle-of-the-pack teams capable of pushing for a title game appearance if everything aligns perfectly. They kick off the season in Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland against North Carolina.

11. West Virginia Mountaineers

A steady program that is expected to return to the bowl scene this year. The Mountaineers' season will largely hinge on their quarterback battle under head coach Rich Rodriguez. Returning starter Scotty Fox Jr. is competing against Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr., a true dual-threat who passed for 950 yards and rushed for 262 during his two seasons with the Sooners. If Hawkins can use his explosive speed to win the job, or if Fox takes the next step, WVU's offense will be dangerous.

12. Kansas Jayhawks

Expect Kansas to be right in the mix for bowl eligibility in 2026. They'll get an early test against Missouri in a Friday night Border Showdown on September 11.

13. Baylor Bears

The Bears find themselves in a lower tier heading into the season. They face a critical early test against Auburn in Atlanta on September 5.

14. Cincinnati Bearcats

Like Baylor, Cincinnati is projected in the lower half of the conference. They will need to establish an identity early to navigate the rigorous Big 12 slate.

15. Colorado Buffaloes

Expectations are tempered for the Buffaloes as they are projected near the bottom of the conference. They open their season on Thursday, September 3, against Georgia Tech.

16. Iowa State Cyclones

It is going to be a highly transitional year in Ames. First-year head coach Jimmy Rogers inherits a massive rebuild, as the Cyclones return zero starters heading into the 2026 season.

Whether you're booking flights to Dublin, packing your bags for London, or gearing up to defend the Bounce House, one thing is guaranteed: the Big 12 is going to be an absolute circus in 2026. In a league defined by this much parity, these rankings won't stay static for long. Expect the unexpected, brace yourself for some massive November upsets, and get ready for one of the most unique seasons in college football history.

What did I get right? Who am I sleeping on? Drop your thoughts on my social media.

For the Queen Media Sports Report, I’m Cody Queen. We'll see you next week when we break down the trenches. Until then, stay locked in.

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