Big 12 football power rankings for 2025 entering the summer

College football isn’t known for its competitive balance, but when looking at the top of the Big 12, what comes out is a conference of relative equals in the mix for the title in 2025.

Arizona State is the defending Big 12 champion, and it’s possible we see it repeat this season, but there are a good half-dozen other teams that could easily dethrone the Sun Devils.

Texas Tech stands out among those would-be contenders after securing a loaded transfer class that we ranked as the No. 1 haul in the country this offseason following a statement spending spree that could be a game-changer for the program.

What is the Big 12 dealing with entering the 2025 season? Let’s take an early preview of the conference’s football power rankings coming out of spring practice and the transfer portal looking ahead to the summer.

Big 12 Football Power Rankings for 2025

16. Oklahoma State

All eyes are on Mike Gundy to right the ship after not winning a single Big 12 game a year ago, especially with lead back Ollie Gordon out of the picture, among several other contributors, and a big question at the quarterback position that still needs to be answered.

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15. UCF

Scott Frost returns to the Knights after his failed tenure at Nebraska, and he faces an uphill battle inheriting a roster that loses wideout Kobe Hudson and tailback DJ Harvey, just two pieces in a puzzle that loses most of its production from last season.

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14. Arizona

Brent Brennan saw too many of his players leave the program through the portal this offseason to predict any sustained success into this fall, and while the offense lost star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, it should be able to build something around returning quarterback Noah Fifita.

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13. Cincinnati

Scott Satterfield is facing some pressure to get things right, but he has a few important ingredients on his side, including quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who had over 3,000 yards passing a year ago, but the Bearcats have just 4 returning starters on defense and an offensive line in need of replacements.

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12. West Virginia

Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown for a second go-round, but there isn’t much left in the cupboard to build any immediate contender thanks to the departure of a few dozen transfers. Just three starters are back, and none of them are on the offensive line.

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11. Houston

A half-dozen returning starters on the defensive side of the ball plus the acquisition of Texas A&M transfer quarterback Conner Weigman in tandem with offensive-minded head coach Willie Fritz make the Cougars a team to watch as a potential surprise to get into the top half of the Big 12 standings.

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10. Colorado

We’re about to see if Deion Sanders’ success last year was really just Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, or whether Coach Prime can build a program without those high-profile stars. Dual-threat quarterback Kaidon Salter is a playmaker in his own right, and incoming freshman Julian Lewis, who Prime flipped from USC, is waiting in the wings.

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9. Utah

Expect the Utes to once again field one of the more physical and most disciplined defenses in the Big 12, but their conference title hopes will also hinge on how well Kyle Whittingham can install offensive coordinator Jason Beck and transfer quarterback Devon Dampier, a pairing that was very productive at New Mexico last fall.

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8. Kansas

KU started 1-5 last year but went 4-2 the rest of the way, and now get Jalon Daniels back under center, but the Jayhawks’ chances depend on Lance Leipold reworking a defense that is expected to bring back just three starters from last season, and lead back Devin Neal is no longer on the field.

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7. Iowa State

There’s a tougher schedule for the Cyclones this year, but all the hardest games come at home, and the offense will be led again by veteran quarterback Rocco Becht.

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6. TCU

Josh Hoover is one of nine returning starters for the Horned Frogs this season. He threw 27 touchdowns a year ago, but that production will only count for anything meaningful if Sonny Dykes can get more from his running backs, and coordinator Andy Avalos from this defense.

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5. Baylor

Dave Aranda’s team started just 2-4 a year ago, but won its final six regular season games and now returns Sawyer Robertson at the quarterback position, who posted over 2,600 yards passing in ‘24. Running back Bryson Washington had over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs while posting almost 6 ypc.

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4. Texas Tech

Maybe no other transfer class is more talented top to bottom than what the Red Raiders brought in this offseason, a group that, in tandem with quarterback Behren Morton, should be enough for this team to finish near the top of the conference.

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3. BYU

The most productive defense in the Big 12 both in scoring and total production will look different, but should have improved given the quality of its incoming transfer class, while quarterback Jake Retzlaff returns alongside an experienced offensive rotation that includes receiver Chase Roberts.

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2. Arizona State

The loss of tailback Cam Skattebo is enough for us to knock the defending Big 12 champion Sun Devils out of the top spot, but there’s plenty of experience at other positions, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, and Army transfer tailback Kanye Udoh has totaled 1,600 rushing yards and 11 TDs in two years.

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1. Kansas State

Avery Johnson enters his second full year as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback with running back Dylan Edwards returning behind center to give this offense a promising 1-2 punch, but head coach Chris Klieman needs to patch some cracks in a defense that returns just over half its production.

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