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| Will Hammond, Texas Tech |
1. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Following a 2025 season in which they went 8-1 in the league and won the Big 12 Title, Texas Tech was always going to be the team to beat heading into this fall. But after the Brendan Sorsby saga unfolded throughout the offseason, the program is taking on a true villain role as they embark on the 2026 campaign.
The Sorsby drama concluded with the $4 million quarterback and the Red Raiders officially parting ways, meaning it will be last year's backup, Will Hammond, as the projected starter. Hammond had some bright moments in relief of Behren Morton last season, but he has questions of his own. He missed the final six games of 2025 after tearing his ACL, and has been working his way back the entire offseason. The hope is that he'll be ready for the opener, but the Red Raiders will likely be cautious with him early on. Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis may be thrust into a larger role than expected when he came over from the Golden Hurricanes.
As the quarterback questions persist, Texas Tech will lean on their ground game. And that's good news, too, because this may be one of the nation's best running back rooms. Cam Dickey and J'Koby Williams combined for nearly 2,000 yards and total touchdowns last season, and they will now be joined by a healthy Quinten Joyner, who missed the entirety of 2025 with injury after transferring in from USC. Joyner ran for 478 yards the last time we saw him healthy, averaging 7.6 yards per carry for the Trojans.
The rest of the offense is similarly loaded. Although the receiver corps saw several players leave for the NFL, they added Pittsburgh transfer Kenny Johnson, and sure-handed senior Coy Eakin returns. The Red Raiders also still have high hopes for former five-star recruit Micah Hudson, who has had some flashes, but is still awaiting his true breakthrough moment. Tight end Terrence Carter, an All-Big 12 talent, is also still in Lubbock, and ready to support whoever is throwing passes.
The offensive line returns three starters, and has exceptional depth. Jordan Church comes in from Louisville and could slide into a starting guard spot, and the program is still hopeful Hunter Zambrano can regain his old form, as the former All-Missouri Valley linemen at Illinois State has had two straight injury-shortened seasons. Don't be surprised if Felix Ojo, the gem of the 2026 high school recruiting class, also finds a way to factor in immediately somewhere, too.
Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood engineered the nation's No. 3 defense in 2025. Then, he watched as Texas Tech sent a bunch of defenders to the pros, namely David Bailey, Romello Height, and reigning Butkus Award winner Jacob Rodriguez. Despite the turnover, Wood should have the Red Raiders stout on this side of the ball once more, as the program reloaded through the portal.
Senior nose tackle A.J. Holmes is a key holdover who will cause chaos in the heart of the Red Raider defensive line. Around him, Texas Tech spent big in the portal to replace the likes of Bailey and Height. San Diego State's Trey White and Miami-Ohio's Adam Trick are the top two names, with both expected to slide into starting roles.
The departure of Rodriguez is significant, as the do-it-all linebacker was the heart and soul of this unit in 2025. Nobody will completely replicate his production, but returnees Ben Roberts and John Curry will pair with Kansas State transfer Austin Romaine to create quite the strong position group. Romaine has 184 career tackles, and is looking for a resurgent 2026 after injury cost him a chunk of last fall.
There's more good news in the secondary, as headliner Brice Pollock leads a group that should be among the best in the Big 12. Pollock will have NFL attention all year long, but veterans Amier Boyd and Brendan Jordan will also play a crucial role in cleaning up on the back-end.
Bottom Line: Few programs have taken greater advantage of this new era of college football than Texas Tech, who has spent like a team that wants to win a National Title. The result has been a roster that is far and away the most talented in the Big 12, even after the Sorsby situation. The quarterback questions may linger into the fall, but the Red Raiders have the luxury of having time to figure it out. Aside from the Week Three date with Houston at home, they should roll through their early schedule before things heat up in mid-to-late October. Another 11-1 or even undefeated regular season doesn't seem out of the question given the Red Raiders miss BYU inside the conference, but the next step will be showing up in the College Football Playoff. A 23-0 blowout loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl showed the program still has work to do as they establish themselves as one of the sport's big boys in this new college football landscape.
2. BYU Cougars
There's a lot returning from a BYU team that went 12-2 and played Texas Tech for a Big 12 Title last season, but perhaps no return is more important than that of head coach Kalani Sitake. Sitake was on the short list for the Penn State head coaching job and appeared destined to take it, before BYU countered with a hefty extension and increased NIL funding.
Sitake's return, mixed with so many key personnel pieces back, has the Cougars believing they can give Texas Tech a run for their money at the top of the league. To reach that next step, BYU needs quarterback Bear Bachmeier to continue his growth after a surprisingly strong first season as starter.
Bachmeier was not even the expected starter for BYU heading into last season, as incumbent Jake Retzlaff was returning for another year. That was until Retzlaff was suspended in June, and subsequently announced his decision to transfer to Tulane. The youthful Bachmeier then came on and totaled 3,500 yards of total offense and 26 touchdowns.
Joining Bachmeier will be tailback L.J. Martin, giving BYU quite the potent rush offense. Martin went for over 1,300 yards and 12 scores himself, and his ability to catch out of the backfield gives this Cougar offense another way to impose their will on opposing defenses. Those two will play an even greater role in 2026, as BYU is replacing its top three receivers from a season ago.
Juniors Jojo Phillips and Cody Hagen are names folks expect to emerge given their familiarity in the offense, but Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper is also a name to watch, as a huge 6'6" wide out on the perimeter. Transfer tight end Walker Lyons should also factor in, as the former USC transfer flashed significant upside with the Trojans. He comes to BYU with his brother, Ryder, who was one of the top signees of the Cougar 2026 recruiting class.
While Sitake stayed put, the same can not be said of defensive coordinator Jay Hill. He joined up with Kyle Whittingham at Michigan, leaving the Cougars to turn to Kelly Poppinga to run this defense. Poppinga has been on the staff for a long time, and he'll look to run essentially the same system Hill had in place.
Poppinga will benefit from having a bunch of starters returning, with nearly the entire front seven back. In fact, the only new starter is quite the significant one, linebacker Cade Uluave. Uluave was one of the most coveted defenders in the portal, and BYU flexed their muscles by landing the one-time Cal Golden Bear. He brings 26 starts to the table, fresh off a 2025 in which he notched 100 tackles and 12 TFL.
There's plenty of stability in the secondary, where three starters return. Senior corner Evan Johnson is among the most underrated defenders anywhere in the nation, a steady veteran who picked off five passes last year.
Bottom Line: You can understand why BYU paid Sitake big money to stay in Provo. Aside from 2023, when BYU went 5-7 as they struggled to adjust to the new-look Big 12, the Cougars have won eight or more games every season since 2019. The hope is that they can build on that success and both give Texas Tech a legitimate challenge for the Big 12 crown, and contend for the College Football Playoff. The pieces are certainly in place to do just that, especially if Bachmeier takes the steps forward as a passer many expect him to. A mid-season date with Notre Dame at home in the heart of their Big 12 schedule will be tricky, but also gives the Cougars a chance to secure the type of statement win that has eluded them for much of the Sitake years.
3. Houston Cougars
There may not be a better program builder in college football today than Willie Fritz, and he has Houston vying for a Big 12 Title in just his third season at the helm. It's been steady progression over the first two years - there was the understandable rough debut campaign, with the Cougars going 4-8. Then, Houston jumped off to 10-3 last season, with a Texas Bowl victory to cap it off.
The expectation is that the Cougars keep the momentum going in 2026, particularly with what they have returning. It starts at quarterback with Conner Weigman, who finally had his long awaited breakout after three injury-plagued seasons at Texas A&M. Weigman threw for 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air a year ago, and then added 700 yards and 11 scores with his legs. He should be among the best in the Big 12 this year.
Weigman is the undisputed starter at quarterback, but Houston did go out and sign the nation's No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2026, Keisean Henderson. The gunslinger originally from Spring, Texas, is clearly the future of the program. Don't be surprised if we see him on the field in some capacity, as Fritz looks to get his feet wet before he takes command of this offense next fall.
Joining Weigman will be a running back that Fritz knows well in Makhi Hughes. Hughes played for Fritz at Tulane, and was one of the best tailbacks in the country in 2024, going over 1,400 yards an 15 touchdowns. He transferred to Oregon prior to last season, but was never able to carve out a role in a loaded backfield and redshirted midseason. He will benefit from familiarity in this system, and should have a resurgent season.
The pass-catching group has its headliner back in All-Big 12 talent Amare Thomas, but identifying who else can make plays on the outside will be an important storyline to watch. Ultra-versatile Dean Connors was a security blanket out of the backfield but he's now gone, and tight end Tanner Koziol is now a Jacksonville Jaguar. Transfer Trent Walker, who comes from Oregon State, is a name many expect to step up and become a go-to for Weigman.
As important as Weigman's breakout was for Houston's success in 2025, it was the vast improvement on defense that was the primary fuel behind the six-win improvement. Coordinator Austin Armstrong turned this group from one of the worst in the Big 12 to a solid unit, although there is still room for improvement. The Cougars surrendered 22.8 PPG last fall, which ranked them 47th nationally.
The defensive line saw notable attrition over the offseason, but the rush defense should still remain stingy given what returns at linebacker. Senior Brandon Mack has been a key building block for Fritz and company and projects as their likely top pass rusher this fall. He'll be joined by veteran Sione Fotu, who started 12 games a year ago.
This has a chance to be one of the best secondaries in the Big 12, with ample returning experience and incoming help. Junior corner Will James has All-Big 12 talent, and will have to play an even larger role now that Latrell McCutchin has moved on. Behind him will be steady safeties Jordan Allen and Kentrell Webb, with Webb as Houston's top returning tackler. The Cougar staff is also high on true freshman Paris Melvin Jr., who would have been the top player in the Class of 2026 had Henderson not arrived.
Bottom Line: Houston was well ahead of schedule last season, but Year Three always projected as the breakout year for Fritz and this staff. All signs point to this team being a legitimate Big 12 Title contender, given the return of Weigman, the talent elsewhere on offense, and all the experience back on the defensive side of the ball. The schedule will be tricky - Houston's road slate includes Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Utah, but their most winnable league games all come at home. A 9-3 record feels highly unlikely, and if the Cougars can find a way to win one of those road games, they set themselves up as an intriguing College Football Playoff contender.
4. Arizona Wildcats
Brent Brennan's first two seasons at Arizona have gone completely the opposite of the way that was expected. His debut campaign, 2024, looked to be a continuation of the success Jedd Fisch had before he bolted to Washington. Then, Arizona put together a 4-8 stinker. Last season, the Wildcats had lowered expectations and were simply trying to just return to the postseason. Instead, they were quite the surprise, winning nine games and going 6-3 inside the Big 12.
2026 should be more a normal season in Tucson. Brennan is entering his third year at the helm, with his staff in place and more stability personnel-wise. It also helps that he knows exactly what he's getting from veteran QB Noah Fifita.
Fifita benefitted greatly from the hire of Seth Doege as offensive coordinator, as he threw for 3,228 yards and a program record 29 touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, he cut down on his turnovers, cutting them in half from 2024. His evolution from a gunslinger to one of the most stable quarterbacks in the league greatly elevates Arizona's floor.
Arizona looked like they were going to turn to last season's backup, Kedrick Reescano, at tailback until late breaking news gave them quite the August present. Star back Ismail Mahdi is returning for another year following the recent injunction in Colorado that ruled that the NCAA’s new five-in-five rule allows some Class of 2022 athletes to compete this year. Mahdi ran for 859 yards last fall, and should form a scary duo with Reescano.
Mahdi and Reescano will work behind an O-Line that also received an offseason boost when Tristan Bounds was given a medical redshirt, allowing him to return for 2026. The 6'8" behemoth will establish Arizona's right side of the line, but the rest of the unit will be breaking in some new faces.
The receiver corps is perhaps the greatest question mark on offense, but the cupboard is far from bare. Junior Tre Spivey III is a veteran who should become the alpha in the room, with Chris Hunter and Giovanni Richardson also returning. Cole Rusk, now on the fourth school of his college career, looks in line to start at tight end after coming over from Illinois.
Danny Gonzales was elevated from LB coach to defensive coordinator prior to the 2025 campaign, and it made a massive difference. The Wildcats finished with a Top 25 defense, including one of the best pass defenses in the nation. For his work, Gonzales was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top coordinator.
Replicating that success in the back-end is going to be tough given just how much left over the offseason. Arizona will need to rely heavily on junior safety Gavin Hunter, one of the few in this position group who saw significant action in 2025. Nebraska transfer Malcom Hartzog Jr. was a nice get at the other safety spot, but cornerback is a real concern.
Fortunately, the front seven could help this defense remain one of the best in the conference. The linebacker corps is one of the best in the Big 12, perhaps the best. Taye Brown and Chase Kennedy were already an established duo, but veteran Max Harris was also granted a fifth year due to the recent injunction. A reigning All-Big 12 honorable mention, Harris is a massive addition so late in the offseason.
The Wildcat defensive line will be led by senior Tre Smith, who also received a medical redshirt and will be playing his sixth year of college football this season. Dominic Lolesio is a popular candidate to emerge on the edge opposite of Smith, as he started all 13 games in 2025 and has been receiving plenty of hype this offseason.
Bottom Line: Brennan's response after such a rough debut campaign has to have Arizona fans excited about the rest of his tenure will look like. He hit on both of his coordinator hires and tailored this offense to better suit Fifita's skillset. 2026 is shaping up to be a year in which the momentum continues, and the addition of Mahdi and Harris is a massive boost at the perfect time in the calendar. Much like Houston, Arizona's road schedule works against them, but the matchup with BYU in Provo on September 12 looms especially large. The Cougars held off the Wildcats this past fall but given they are breaking in a new defensive coordinator, this could be another down-to-the-wire contest. An Arizona upset could set them up as a Big 12 frontrunner the rest of the way with the way the schedule shakes out.
5. Utah Utes
For the first time since 2004, when Kyle Whittingham took over for Urban Meyer, the Utah Utes are breaking in a new head man. It will be a coach already in the room, as long-time defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is making the transition. He's a Ute through and through, a Salt Lake City native who played at Utah from 2001-2004 and has been on staff since 2007.
It was obvious Utah brass felt Scalley was the right fit long-term, as the 46-year old has a lot of years ahead of him. But it also appears obvious Whittingham's "retirement" was more than likely him being forced out, as he landed at Michigan. Whittingham not only poached offensive coordinator Jason Beck from the Ute staff, but also brought arguably their best player with him, defensive end John Henry Daley.
Despite the turnover, Scalley will benefit from stability at QB, as Devon Dampier is back for another season. Dampier totaled over 3,000 yards of offense and 34 touchdowns after following Beck from New Mexico, and he'll benefit from another year playing conference ball. Backup Byrd Ficklin also returns to the room after running for 513 yards in both mop up duty and specially designed run packages, a role he will reprise in 2026.
The other skill position talent should alleviate some of the pressure off Dampier, including holdover running back Wayshawn Parker and a receiver corps with significant upside. Larry Simmons is the top returnee at receiver, but it's likely Utah State transfer Braden Pegan becomes the go-to after starring for new OC Kevin McGiven and the Aggies a year ago. Creed Whittemore and Tobias Merriweather are former big-name transfers also still awaiting their breakout moment.
Not one, but two, Ute offensive linemen saw their names called in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But the losses of Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano aren't the only ones, as Utah will essentially be breaking in a brand new O-Line in its entirety. Kelvin Obot, the gem of this year's recruiting class, looks like he may end up being the Day One left tackle.
Defense is Scalley's specialty, and Utah has gained a reputation as one of the most physical, fundamentally sound defenses in the country. Things will look similar to what they've looked like for years, although linebacker coach Colton Swann takes over for Scalley as defensive coordinator.
The loss of Daley cannot be ignored on the defensive line. He had 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last fall, and looks in line to be a high NFL Draft selection. It's unclear if the Utes have enough pass rushing to replicate that production, although the addition of North Texas transfer Ethan Day will certainly help.
There's some returning talent in the back-seven, namely linebacker Johnathan Hall and corner Elijah Davis, but there will be some growing pains as new pieces acclimate. I do have concerns about how a linebacker corps that already wasn't up to Utah's standards last fall plays, even with Hall. It was strange to see so many missed tackles in 2025, as the Utes finished with the country's 108th ranked rush defense.
Bottom Line: The Scalley hire was all about continuity and positioning Utah for success in the long-term, but it created some rare drama in Salt Lake City for the short-term. Dampier and Utah's track record is going to be doing a lot of heavy lifting here if you believe the Utes will seriously contend for a Big 12 Title, because the changes on staff and personnel-wise are significant. There's just seven returning starters, and that includes the kicker and punter. It does feel like matching 11 wins from last season will be a tall ask, although Utah does benefit from missing Texas Tech in the regular season. The most likely scenario is this team is once again a tough out, but finds themselves more around the 8-9 win range as Scalley puts his touches on the program.
6. Kansas State Wildcats
Chris Klieman had plenty of success at Kansas State, but it was clear last season that the former North Dakota State head man didn't have his heart in it anymore in Manhattan. The Wildcats were a preseason Top 25 team who needed wins in two of their last three games, both of which came against Big 12 bottom-feeders, just to finish .500. They didn't participate in a bowl game, and Kleiman promptly resigned.
The move ushers in a new era at K-State, one that Wildcat fans have to be ecstatic about. That's because they welcome home a Manhattan legend, Collin Klein, as head coach. Klein was 22-6 as starter for the Wildcats and was a 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist. He has worked his way up the coaching ladder quickly, spending the last two seasons at Texas A&M as their offensive coordinator.
Kansas State is hoping the Klein hire can finally unlock the full potential of quarterback Avery Johnson. The veteran has been solid, but has still left a bit to be desired over the last two seasons as full-time starter. We know he can create with his legs, and we should expect to see plenty of QB runs given Klein's own playing style. But he needs to take the next step as a passer if this Wildcats team wants to push towards the top of this conference.
The rest of the offense around Johnson is promising, as the Wildcats bring back their top rusher and top receiver from last fall in Joe Jackson and Jaron Tibbs. There's some depth at both spots, too, as K-State added some interesting pieces in the portal. Izaiah Williams followed Klein from A&M and has a chance to emerge on the perimeter, which will be crucial given the departure of veteran Jayce Brown.
We got so used to great offensive line play under Kleiman, but this unit is in store for a rebuilding campaign. Just one starter, senior tackle John Pastore, is returning, albeit at perhaps the most important position on the line in left tackle. Gus Hawkins is also a Wildcat who has seen a lot of action at the other tackle spot, but the interior of the unit has real concerns.
Jordan Peterson also followed Klein from College Station, and he will be tasked with turning around a defense that was mediocre at best across the board in 2025. The play down the stretch was especially indicative of a team that just didn't have the juice we expected of them, with 43 allowed to Texas Tech and 51 on the road at Utah.
It will be a whole lot of transfers for the Wildcats this fall, particularly in the front seven. Wendell Gregory was arguably their top get on the D-Line, coming over from Oklahoma State, while Elijah Hill looks like the starter on the opposite side. Hill was a force at Kennesaw State last year, with nine sacks, but whether he can make the jump to power conference ball remains to be seen.
Cornerback Zashon Rich is the only returning starter from last year's defense, so he will play an extremely valuable role. He has All-Big 12 talent, with 57 tackles and 11 pass deflections last fall to his credit, but will need to step up as a leader. Surrounding him will be a lot of players with talent, but unproven production, including Kaleb Patterson from Illinois and Adrian Madox out of Georgia.
Bottom Line: If there's a team on the second tier of this league you should buy stock in to perhaps take a run at a Big 12 Title, it would have to be Kansas State. Klein is the right coach at the right time, and this team was probably far better than a 6-6 mark last season may indicate. The offense has a chance to be genuinely good, and there's still hope that Johnson can hit another gear with an offensive mind like Klein. The other side of the ball is more of a mixed bag given all the newcomers, but that group will have time to acclimate. Most importantly, the schedule sets up nicely - the Wildcats should go 3-0 in the non-conference portion, and they miss Texas Tech and BYU both. Eight wins seems like a reasonable goal, with the potential for far more if things come together quickly.
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys
No more Mike Gundy in Stillwater - it's officially Eric Morris time. The Cowboys went out and made a splashy hire by luring away the 40-year head man away from North Texas, fresh off a season in which he went 11-2 with the Mean Green. Landing Morris was big enough for this Oklahoma State program, but it's all the pieces that came along with him that has fans dreaming of an Indiana-like turnaround.
Over the course of one season with Morris, new quarterback Drew Mestemaker went from a former walk-on to one of the most prolific signal-callers in FBS ball. He threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns, and now follows his coach to Stillwater. Mestemaker is the most talented QB Oklahoma State has had in some time, perhaps since Brandon Weeden was slinging the ball around in the early 2010s.
It's not just Mestemaker coming with Morris from North Texas. Also arriving is superstar tailback Caleb Hawkins, and Mestemaker's top two targets, Caleb Young and Miles Coleman. Hawkins ran for over 1,400 yards and 25 touchdowns last season and will force defenses into the box, likely opening things up over the top for Mestemaker and company. Young and Coleman will be the go-to options, but Oklahoma State also added Justin Bowick from Illinois and took a chance on upside at tight end with Donovan Green. Now on his third school, Green caught 22 passes for 233 yards with Texas A&M in 2024.
The offensive playmakers will have to make do with an O-Line that is almost sure to have serious growing pains. All five starters departed, so the staff is patching together this unit with a bunch of transfers. Tyler Mercer, who comes over from Kansas, will play a key role at center.
Oklahoma State is going to be fun on offense, but are they going to be able to stop anyone on the other side of the ball? Another North Texas import will be tasked with that goal, as defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity followed Morris to his new Big 12 home.
Hoping for a quick turnaround, the Cowboys took a lot of chances in the portal. They brought as many Mean Green defenders with them as they could, but also invested in defenders with big-name pedigree coming out of high school who have not completely worked out in college. That includes James Williams from Florida State, Jerry Lawson from Louisville, and Enai White from Penn State up front.
Linebacker Ethan Wesloski lead North Texas in tackles last season and will be counted on heavily for Oklahoma State in 2026. He's likely to be paired with a fellow transfer in this 4-2-5 look, with UCLA transplant Isaiah Chisom a likely candidate.
The secondary has the most returning production of any group on defense, but that's not saying a ton. Corner LaDainian Fields was an important piece to lock down, as he was a bright spot last fall and seems like he'll continue his development. Quinton Hammonds is another name to watch, yet another former North Texas player who could play either corner or safety this fall.
Bottom Line: It's understandable why Oklahoma State fans are excited about the possibilities for this fall. The trio of Mestemaker, Hawkins, and Young alone moves the needle in a major way, and the Cowboys also made some underrated portal additions elsewhere. This team is going to be super fun - but they're also leaning on a huge collection of players who didn't play a single snap against power conference ball last year. There is going to be a major adjustment period, and there's not a ton of time to figure this all out, as the Cowboys welcome a National Title favorite to Stillwater in mid-September against the Oregon Ducks. Simply reaching a bowl game after last season's 1-11 debacle would be a major success for Morris and company in Year One. This team not only has the talent to do that but a favorable enough schedule, with a home slate that will get them there, featuring Murray State, UCF, Colorado, and Kansas.
8. TCU Horned Frogs
The last two seasons in Fort Worth have felt like a return to normalcy for fifth-year head coach Sonny Dykes. His magical debut season, which saw TCU play for a National Championship, was quickly followed up by a massively disappointing 5-7 campaign. But with two straight seasons at 9-4, that seems to be about where this program expects to be under Dykes, and what they'll hope to replicate in 2026.
However, doing so this fall will require the Horned Frogs to identify a new quarterback and face of the offense. Longtime starter Josh Hoover transferred to Indiana, seizing the opportunity to become the successor to Fernando Mendoza in Bloomington. His departure leads Dykes to start anew at the game's most important position.
The candidates TCU is deciding between are Harvard transfer Jaden Craig and redshirt freshman Adam Schobel. Craig's experience gives him a clear edge, as he started for the Crimson the last three years. He'll play in a very QB-friendly offense, but may need time to adjust to the FBS level. Expect him to look more like Max Duggan than Hoover, given his dual-threat ability.
New offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis is hoping the rest of the pieces materialize around Craig. Running back Jeremy Payne finished 2025 strong and could be a breakout candidate, but is still a bit of a question mark entering this fall. At wide receiver, Jordan Dwyer is the only proven piece, but the Horned Frogs are hopeful the young guys grow up quickly. Sophomore Ed Small and redshirt freshman Terry Shelton expect to be the difference-makers.
Any hopes of the Horned Frogs moving up the Big 12 totem pole requires an improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Andy Avalos is highly accomplished, but this defense allowed 25.3 PPG last fall, and was among the worst pass defenses in the nation.
The good news is that the front seven is quite strong, with ample experience. The interior duo of Markis Deal and Ansel Din-Mbuh should give this team a fighting chance against any Big 12 line TCU plays. Linebacker is more of a concern, where the Horned Frogs are hopeful some young pieces emerge.
There's hope the secondary takes a leap, as corner Vernon Glover Jr. and safety Jamel Johnson are returning. Johnson is the top player on this defense, who can play just about every position in the secondary. If he's able to get the rest of this group to play to their potential, there's reason to believe the entire defense will be improved.
Bottom Line: Sonny Dykes has found the right formula to compete in this new-look Big 12 landscape, and the Horned Frogs will be a tough out once again. However, the Hoover departure is significant - even if Craig acclimates quickly, it does feel like there's a pretty clear downgrade at the game's most important position. This team should still point up points, but it does feel like their ceiling is rather limited, especially compared to some of the other teams in this conference. The schedule does no favors, with easily the toughest November of any team in this league. Arizona and Texas are on the road, and the Horned Frogs welcome Kansas State and Utah, a month they could very well go 0-4.
Teams 9-16 in Part 2
All-Big 12 Teams
First Team
QB Noah Fifita, Arizona
RB L.J. Martin, BYU
RB Cam Cook, West Virginia
WR Amare Thomas, Houston
WR Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State
TE Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
OL John Pastore, Kansas State
OL Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
OL Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech
OL Taran Tyo, Cincinnati
OL Howard Sampson, Texas Tech
DL Wendell Gregory, Kansas State
DL A.J. Holmes, Texas Tech
DL C.J. Fite, Arizona State
DL Trey White, Texas Tech
LB Brandon Mack II, Houston
LB Cade Uluave, BYU
LB Austin Romaine, Texas Tech
CB Brice Pollock, Texas Tech
CB Evan Johnson, BYU
S Jamel Johnson, TCU
S Jacob Redding, Baylor
Second Team
QB Devon Dampier, Utah
RB Cam Dickey, Texas Tech
RB Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
WR Danny Scudero, Colorado
WR Omarion Miller, Arizona State
TE Dylan Wade, UCF
OL Shadre Hurst, Houston
OL Hunter Zambrano, Texas Tech
OL Bruce Mitchell, BYU
OL Alexander Doost, Arizona
OL Kelvin Obot, Utah
DL Bodie Schoonover, BYU
DL Mateen Ibirogba, Texas Tech
DL Markis Deal, TCU
DL Tre Smith, Arizona
LB Isaiah Glasker, BYU
LB Max Harris, Arizona
LB Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
CB LaDainian Fields, Oklahoma State
CB Elijah Davis, Utah
S Kentrell Allen, Houston
S Brendan Jordan, Texas Tech
The Five Most Important Games
1. Houston Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders (September 18) -- This early-season conference action will set the tenor for the rest of the year in the Big 12. A Texas Tech victory will likely show they've answered their questions at quarterback and remain the team to beat in the conference. On the flip side, a Houston win would establish them as the new favorite in the conference and a team ready to compete for a Playoff spot. Will Hammond's status for the Red Raiders will be the storyline to watch - they'll likely be cautious in bringing him back given their first two opponents, but it does feel like Tech needs him if they are to come away victorious here.
2. BYU Cougars @ Utah Utes (November 7) -- The "Holy War" is already one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college football, and there are real stakes this fall. Both teams are hoping to take the jump and overtake Texas Tech for the Big 12 crown, and both could further bolster a Playoff resume with a win. The Utes also have an extra bit motivation given they've lost the last three in this series after a dominant run from 2010-2019. This just feels like it's going to be a chilly, physical battle in early November that comes down to the final possession.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ BYU Cougars (October 17) -- If the Big 12 puts two teams in the Playoff this year, it will likely be Texas Tech plus a combination of one of the trio of BYU, Houston, or Utah. Welcoming Notre Dame to town in mid-October is a chance for the Cougars to prove themselves on a national stage against a team considered a National Title favorite. Even if they don't win, simply giving the Irish a fight could be enough to prove to the selection committee this is a team ready to be a part of the 12-team field.
4. Arizona Wildcats @ BYU Cougars (September 12) -- As important as the Houston-Texas Tech is a week later, this matchup between Arizona and BYU will also bring significant implications. It's the first real test for the Cougars as the embark on a treacherous schedule, while Arizona looks to get the type of early win that can help them build on 2025's nine wins. Interestingly enough, a win here from the Wildcats on the road and there is a very good chance they start off 7-0 before a Halloween date with Texas Tech.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Oklahoma State Cowboys (November 14) -- If Oklahoma State ends up living up the hype in Year One of the Eric Morris era, there's a very good chance this will be the toughest test of the year for the Red Raiders, given it's in Stillwater. The Cowboys will benefit from the fact this is so late in the season, giving them enough time for the former North Texas transfers to gel with all the other new pieces. However, it's also at the tail end of a month-long stretch where they go on the road three times, at Houston, Kansas State, and Iowa State. We'll see if the Cowboys still have enough juice to give the Red Raiders a game in Boone Pickens Stadium.
Superlatives
Offensive Player of the Year: Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
Defensive Player of the Year: Brice Pollock, CB, Texas Tech
Coach of the Year: Collin Klein, Kansas State
Freshman of the Year: Kelvin Obot, OT, Utah
Transfer of the Year: Cam Cook, RB, West Virginia
Big 12 Championship Game: Texas Tech over BYU
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