Texas Tech, currently ranked No. 12 nationally, entered the 2026 season with the goal of becoming the first team in the Big 12 era to win back‑to‑back conference championships. Coach Joey McGuire emphasized the rarity of the feat, saying, “We want to do something that very few teams have been able to do, and that’s to win the Big 12 championship again.”
Returning talent and transfer additions
The Red Raiders rebuilt through the transfer portal after a historic 12‑win season that produced nine NFL draft selections. Quarterback Will Hammond, cleared from an ACL injury, is slated to start after the NCAA ruled transfer Brendan Sorsby ineligible due to a gambling violation. The team hopes the blend of seasoned veterans and new arrivals will sustain the momentum from last year’s College Football Playoff appearance.
Conference rivals line up for a chance at the title
Several programs are positioning themselves to extend the Big 12’s unprecedented streak of different champions. No. 14 BYU, fresh off its first 12‑win campaign since 2001, lost twice to Texas Tech—once in Lubbock (29‑7) and again in the conference title game (34‑7). Coach Kalani Sitake noted the Cougars’ desire to improve on last season’s success.
Utah, returning 82% of its offensive production from an 11‑win team, faces the loss of two first‑round NFL draft linemen and the departure of longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham after 22 seasons. The Wildcats still retain quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin, along with running back Wayshawn Parker.
Houston, under second‑year coach Willie Fritz, climbed from four wins to ten and will rely on dual‑threat quarterback Conner Weigman, who amassed 3,405 total yards and 36 touchdowns last season.
Other conference storylines
Arizona’s quarterback Noah Fifita, a national leader with 73 touchdown passes, returns for a fourth season, while running back Ismail Mahdi also comes back, giving the Wildcats a solid foundation after a 9‑4 finish.
Arizona State, the 2024 league debut champion, lost key players including quarterback Sam Leavitt (now at LSU) and first‑round NFL pick receiver Jordyn Tyson, making a repeat challenging.
Colorado’s Deion Sanders, recovering from bladder‑cancer surgery, entered his fourth season with new coordinators after a 1‑8 conference record last year.
Coaching changes across the league
The Big 12 introduced four new head coaches: Collin Klein at Kansas State, Morgan Scalley at Utah, Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State, and Eric Morris at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State’s roster features 88 newcomers, including 21 transfers from North Texas, such as quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who led the nation in passing yards as a freshman.
Oklahoma State also faces a transition after longtime coach Mike Gundy’s departure, ending a streak of 19 consecutive conference losses dating back to a 49‑21 defeat by Texas in the 2023 championship game.
Big 12’s playoff aspirations
Last season, Texas Tech’s 23‑0 loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal highlighted the conference’s struggle in the College Football Playoff, where the Big 12 remains 1‑8 all‑time. McGuire stressed the importance of winning playoff games to change that narrative.
The league’s last repeat champion, Oklahoma, left for the SEC two years ago after a record 14 conference titles. The upcoming season marks the 31st for the Big 12, with its 25th championship game scheduled for Dec. 4.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
