Big 12 post-spring rankings: Who benefits most from Texas Tech uncertainty?

2. BYU (12-2)

BYU stands poised to take advantage of any slide from the Red Raiders. While finding new production at wide receiver to support sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier will remain a key task heading into the summer and fall camp, the Cougars might’ve found a new top target in Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, who had a strong spring.

3. Houston (10-3)

Third-year coach Willie Fritz has built up a terrific backfield that includes Oregon transfer Makhi Hughes, Re’Shaun Sanford II and DJ Butler. Another player who could impact the running game is true freshman quarterback Keisean Henderson, a five-star signee who may be used in certain packages behind starter Conner Weigman.

4. Utah (11-2)

There were some major changes underway this spring, which saw new coach Morgan Scalley break in a nearly brand-new coaching staff and evaluate over a dozen transfers. But while things will be different in the post-Kyle Whittingham era, the Utes have some great building blocks on offense in quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker. What will determine where Utah lands in the Big 12 standings is whether the defense remains stout while losing a big chunk of production in the trenches.

5. TCU (9-4)

TCU is undergoing a fascinating shift on offense to a more run-centered scheme under former Connecticut coordinator Gordon Sammis. The Horned Frogs have the pieces up front and in the backfield to ease this transition and get back on firmer footing after a somewhat uneven past three seasons. Jaden Craig, the all-time passing leader at Harvard, is expected to be the new quarterback.

6. Arizona State (8-5)

Kentucky quarterback transfer Cutter Boley is expected to win the offseason competition with Mikey Keene. If so, he’ll throw to a receiver corps that lost Jordan Tyson to the first round of the NFL Draft but remains one of the league’s best thanks to the addition of former Colorado standout Omarion Miller. The defense will look to reload after several transfer additions.

7. Arizona (9-4)

Brent Brennan earned a new contract after leading the Wildcats to nine wins in his second season. Whether the Wildcats build on last year’s turnaround and challenge for the Big 12 crown hinges on a significant defensive overhaul and how the Wildcats handle a schedule that sends them to BYU and Texas Tech. Defensively, the biggest challenge will be rebuilding one of the best backfields in the nation.

8. Kansas (5-7)

The Jayhawks are in flux on offense with the loss of several starters, including quarterback Jalon Daniels. On the positive side, they bring back more experience on defense, though there’s work to be done up front and in the pass rush. One big addition is in new associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki, who is back in Lawrence after two seasons running the offense at Penn State.

9. Baylor (5-7)

The Dave Aranda era enters a make-or-break 2026 season with all eyes on transfer quarterback DJ Lagway, who has all the talent to shine under Baylor coordinator Jake Spavital after two up-and-down seasons at Florida. Former Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman brought along multiple pieces from the Wildcats’ secondary.

10. Kansas State (6-6)

This feels a bit like a rebuilding year for the Wildcats under new coach Collin Klein. There are some solid pieces in the offensive backfield and a friendly schedule that misses Texas Tech and BYU while drawing Utah, Arizona and Kansas at home. That should yield a bowl team and set up higher expectations heading into 2027.

11. Cincinnati (7-6)

Last year’s team made slight gains into bowl eligibility but was unable to capitalize on having Sorsby under center and lost its last five games. The focus heading into 2026 will be on the defense under new coordinator Nate Woody, who previously held the same role at Army. The Bearcats tied for 72nd nationally last season in giving up 5.6 yards per play.

12. UCF (5-7)

UCF brought in maybe the Power Four’s most intriguing quarterback transfer in former James Madison starter Alonza Barnett III, who had 3,395 yards of total offense for the Dukes in 2025. He’s one reason to be more optimistic about a unit that averaged a paltry 19.2 points per game in conference games last season.

13. West Virginia (4-8)

West Virginia’s going to be better in Rich Rodriguez’s second season. Whether that leads to a two-win jump into the postseason remains to be seen. The deciding factor will be whether Rodriguez and the Mountaineers can bring together a roster that features 69 newcomers, including former Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook. He led the nation with 1,659 rushing yards in 2025.

14. Oklahoma State (1-11)

Look for the Cowboys to sail past last year’s pitiful win total thanks to the boost on offense provided by new coach Eric Morris and North Texas quarterback transfer Drew Mestemaker. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Morris is able to squeeze out six wins in his debut after a disastrous season that resulted in one win and the firing of Mike Gundy.

15. Colorado (3-9)

After failing to capitalize on a nine-win finish two years ago, Colorado enters the 2026 season with another revamped roster and a reworked coaching staff. Even if there’s enough talent to reach bowl eligibility if things come together before September, the Buffaloes’ recent track record and lack of an answer at quarterback have dimmed expectations heading into coach Deion Sanders’ fourth season.

16. Iowa State (8-4)

Keep your program handy. Iowa State’s roster was decimated by attrition occurring in the wake of former coach Matt Campbell’s departure for Penn State. His replacement, Jimmy Rogers, has done an admirable job building back up the Cyclones’ numbers. But this remains a program in transition and it's hard to have optimism there won't be a drop in the standard set by Campbell.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big 12 football post-spring power rankings: Where all 16 teams stand