The 2025 Big 12 season is shaping up to be another exhilarating chapter in what continues to be college football's most unpredictable power conference. With a 16‑team lineup—expanded by the arrivals of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah back in 2024, the Big 12 will have the privilege of kicking off the college football season on August 23rd when Iowa State and Kansas State gather in Ireland for the Annual Farmageddon Matchup and likely provide several plot twists along the way through the conference championship at AT&T Stadium on December 6th.
Last year’s champion, Arizona State, returns under Kenny Dillingham’s leadership, bolstered by the return of quarterback Sam Leavitt, whose dynamic arm and playmaking skills led the Sun Devils to an impressive regular season and gritty CFP Appearance that ended in a heartbreaking loss to Texas. But they’ll face stiff resistance along the path to repeat as conference champions: Kansas State’s steady, veteran-laden squad under Chris Klieman (led by QB Avery Johnson) is tipped as the early favorite alongside teams like Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Utah whom all show the upside necessary to possibly hoist the Big 12 Trophy when it’s all said and done.
What makes this conference especially compelling is the balance: virtually every team is within striking distance thanks to transfer portal influxes and strong recruiting classes. For example, Arizona State was a team that picked to finish in the bottom four of the conference and they would go on to dominate in the Big 12 Title Game against Iowa State. So even though certain teams such as UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, Oklahoma State, Colorado, and West Virginia are all in the bottom half of the Fanduel Odds to win this conference… all of those teams can legitimately go on a run should those teams reach their full potential and maybe catch a lucky break or two along the way.
But the national perception of the Big 12 this season will be shaped by how prepared these teams are in August and September. Several Big 12 teams will face tough non-conference challenges that could define their trajectory this upcoming season. This includes High-profile matchups such as Cincinnati at Nebraska, Oklahoma State at Oregon, Baylor at Auburn, and Baylor at SMU—games that will either boost credentials or expose early-season weaknesses.
In a league where parity reigns and multiple teams present themselves as clear favorites, every game matters—and every upset reshapes the landscape. The 2025 Big 12 promises intense competition, national relevance, and a thrilling run toward AT&T Stadium in December.
As for an deeper breakdown of top contenders and possible sleepers in this conference? Let’s go ahead and check out where I believe each team stacks up coming into this season:
16) Arizona
After a disappointing first season, the pressure is already starting to mount for Brent Brennan. They will have Noah Fifita back, but if they want surpass expectations this year… they’ll need to find viable options to replace first round pick Tet McMillan. In addition, both lines of scrimmage still remain major question marks.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 69
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Oklahoma State
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 3-9
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
15) UCF
Scott Frost failed at his Alma Mater, but being back in Orlando might be exactly what he needs. However, the 2025 UCF Team has several question marks with just four returning starters and a 3-way Quarterback Battle.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 68
- Potential Toss-Up Games: North Carolina, West Virginia, Houston, Oklahoma State
- Record Prediction: 5-7
- Best Case Scenario: 6-6
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
14) Oklahoma State
Can Mike Gundy get his program back on track after last year’s train wreck? With new coordinators and a overhauled roster from the transfer portal, there’s reason to believe that Oklahoma State will be an improved team in 2025.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 66
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Arizona, Houston, Cincinnati, AT UCF
- Record Prediction: 4-8
- Best Case Scenario: 6-6
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
13) West Virginia
Take 2 of Rich Rodriquez has officially begun! However, don’t expect much out of West Virginia this year with the roster going through a transition year plus a difficult schedule for Big 12 Standards.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 59
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Pitt, AT UCF, Colorado
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 5-7
- Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
12) Cincinnati
Scott Satterfield needs to make a bowl game in Year 3 of his tenure but I don’t know if it happens. Yes, he does have Brendan Sorsby coming back. However, key gaps at Receiver, Defensive Back, and possibly the offensive line can very well hold this team back in 2025.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 57
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Oklahoma State
- Record Prediction: 4-8
- Best Case Scenario: 5-7
- Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
11) Houston
Houston could prove to be one of the most improved teams in all of college football. This was a team that quietly had one of the better defenses in the conference as they gave up less than 23 points per game. Now with Texas A&M Transfer Conner Weigman entering the fold to help overhaul the offense? Look out!
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 56
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Colorado, AT Oregon State, AT Oklahoma State, AT UCF
- Record Prediction: 6-6
- Best Case Scenario: 8-4
- Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
10) Colorado
Competing for the Big 12 Championship again after losing both Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is going to be extremely challenging. However, Liberty Transfer Kaidon Salter and blue-chip freshmen Julian Lewis should give Coach Prime a quality option at Quarterback.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 53
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Houston, BYU, Iowa State, AT West Virginia
- Record Prediction: 3-9
- Best Case Scenario: 7-5
- Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
9) Kansas
Last Year was definitely a disappointment for the Jayhawks, but if Jalon Daniels can remain healthy for the whole season… there’s a chance that Lance Leipold’s squad can have a strong bounce back season!
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 43
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Utah
- Record Prediction: 7-5
- Best Case Scenario: 8-4
- Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
8) BYU
I have no idea what to expect from the Quarterback position now that Jake Retzlaff has left the program. Not only that, but Kalani Sitake also needs to figure out how to rebuild both lines of scrimmage as well. The Good news is that Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly have both returned to provide a dynamic linebacker unit.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 37
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Colorado, Utah, TCU
- Record Prediction: 10-2
- Best Case Scenario: 10-2
- Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
7) TCU
Josh Hoover leads the way for an extremely dangerous offensive unit. Meanwhile, there’s also some optimism surrounding the defensive side of the ball with Defensive Coordinator Andy Avalos entering his second season.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 36
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT North Carolina, SMU, Baylor, Iowa State, AT BYU
- Record Prediction: 8-4
- Best Case Scenario: 10-2
- Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
6) Iowa State
Coming off a school record for most wins in a season, there’s a lot to like about Iowa State this fall! Matt Campbell returns a solid core of players that competed for the Big 12 Title last year. Most notable, he’ll have Rocco Becht and Domonique Orange leading the way for another successful season in Ames.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 35
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Iowa, AT Colorado, Arizona State, AT TCU
- Record Prediction: 9-3
- Best Case Scenario: 11-1
- Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
5) Utah
Utah is poised to be one of the most improved teams in 2025. Coach Kyle Whittingham’s squad remains strong defensively, while the offense received a much-needed lift with the additions of coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier from New Mexico.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 29
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Texas Tech, Arizona State, AT BYU, Kansas State, AT Kansas
- Record Prediction: 8-4
- Best Case Scenario: 11-1
- Worst Case Scenario: 6-6
4) Baylor
The Bears finished last season on a incredibly high note plus they have a home schedule that can position the team to compete for the Big 12 Title this season. Sawyer Robertson is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but how successful 2025 goes depends on the defensive side of the ball.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 28
- Potential Toss-Up Games: Auburn, Arizona State, Kansas State, AT TCU
- Record Prediction: 8-4
- Best Case Scenario: 11-1
- Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
3) Texas Tech
Will the significant allocation of resources towards Transfer Portal upgrades finally provide results? Bringing in Shiel Wood from Houston should help a defense that struggled over the course of last year. However, the schedule gods were not kind to Texas Tech with the Road Game Slate.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 22
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Utah
- Record Prediction: 9-3
- Best Case Scenario: 10-2
- Worst Case Scenario: 9-3
2) Kansas State
This can blow up in my face knowing how the Big 12 operates, but Chris Klieman’s Team is expected to be one of the favorites to win the conference. Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards are back to make up one of the most dynamic backfield in the conference. Plus, a strong defensive line should help the secondary create chemistry as the season progresses.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 18
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Baylor, AT Utah
- Record Prediction: 12-0
- Best Case Scenario: 12-0
- Worst Case Scenario: 10-2
1) Arizona State
Arizona State was the biggest surprise in the Big 12 last year, but Kenny Dillingham has a team that will prove that last year also wasn’t a fluke either. Led by Sam Leavitt and an underrated defense, this team will have aspirations to make a deeper run in the College Football Playoffs.
- National Preseason Power Ranking: 15
- Potential Toss-Up Games: AT Baylor, AT Utah, AT Iowa State
- Record Prediction: 12-0
- Best Case Scenario: 12-0
- Worst Case Scenario: 9-3
