In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s football program is gearing up for what could be a historic repeat. The Red Raiders, ranked 12th nationally, captured their first Big 12 championship last season and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. Coach Joey McGuire said the team’s goal is to achieve the rare feat of winning the conference title in consecutive years.
Roster moves and key players
Tech has refreshed its roster through the transfer portal, adding depth after a record‑setting 12‑win campaign that produced nine NFL draft selections. Quarterback Will Hammond, who recovered from an ACL tear, is slated to start after the offseason eligibility dispute involving transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby was resolved by the NCAA.
Conference rivals step up
Four other programs are positioning themselves to challenge Tech’s bid. No. 14 BYU returns after a 12‑win season, the best since 2001, with both of its losses coming at the hands of Texas Tech (29‑7 in Lubbock and 34‑7 in the title game). Coach Kalani Sitake highlighted the team’s desire to improve on last year’s success.
Utah, ranked 21st, retains 82% of its offensive production from an 11‑win squad, though it lost two offensive linemen to the NFL and saw longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham depart for Michigan after 22 seasons.
Houston, sitting at No. 23, built on a dramatic rise from four wins to ten under second‑year coach Willie Fritz. The Cougars count 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, the nation’s active leader with 73 touchdown passes, returns for a fourth season, joined by leading rusher Ismail Mahdi. Arizona State, the 2024 league champion, faces setbacks after injuries and the loss of quarterback Sam Leavitt to LSU.
Colorado’s Deion Sanders, recovering from bladder‑cancer surgery, feels rejuvenated entering his fourth season and has hired new coordinators after a 1‑8 conference record last year.
The Big 12 also welcomes 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.
Historical context and outlook
The conference’s pattern of different champions each year continues, with Oklahoma’s 14 titles ending after its move to the SEC two seasons ago. The Red Raiders aim to add their name to that list as the Big 12 prepares for its 31st season and the 25th championship game on Dec. 4.
Last season’s postseason highlighted the conference’s challenges at the national level. After a first‑round bye, Texas Tech fell 23‑0 to Oregon in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal, leaving the Big 12 with a 1‑8 record in College Football Playoff games. Coach McGuire emphasized the conference’s responsibility to perform better in future playoffs.
With the upcoming schedule, Texas Tech, BYU, Utah, Houston and other contenders will vie for the coveted title, keeping the Big 12’s reputation for competitive balance alive.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
