Post-spring football projections indicate that BYU, Houston, Arizona, and Arizona State are strong contenders in the Big 12 for 2026. The conference maintains its bowl tie-ins for the upcoming season despite changes in team affiliations.
Key points
Spring football has concluded for the Big 12 teams.
BYU, Houston, Arizona, and Arizona State are top contenders.
The Big 12 has six bowl game tie-ins for the 2026 season.
Former Pac-12 schools will play in Pac-12-affiliated bowl games.
Bowl tie-ins for the Big 12 will remain the same as in 2025.
BYUHoustonArizonaArizona State
We are only into the second week of May, but spring football is over, and the anticipation for football is never greater than when we don't have it.
Thanks to Brad Crawford of CBS Sports and On3's Brett McMurphy, we have some post-spring bowl projections to explore after all the dust settled following spring practices.
The Big 12 is once again expected to have competition at the top with BYU, Houston, Arizona and Arizona State all looking like contenders to dethrone Texas Tech as Big 12 champions.
Forty-one bowl games will cover this season's postseason slate, including six within the College Football Playoff. The Big 12 has tie-ins to six different bowl games, and former Pac-12 schools (Colorado, Utah, Arizona State and Arizona) will still play in Pac-12-affiliated bowl games. Teams were scheduled to begin competing in Big 12 bowl games in 2026, but earlier this spring, Bowl Season announced that the conference's bowl tie-ins for next season will remain the same as in 2025.
Without further ado, let's dive into Crawford's and McMurphy's bowl projections (subscription required), a little over three months before the 2026 season kicks off.
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Q&A
What are the Big 12 bowl projections for 2026?
The 2026 bowl projections for the Big 12 include strong contenders like BYU, Houston, Arizona, and Arizona State.
Which teams are expected to compete for the Big 12 championship in 2026?
BYU, Houston, Arizona, and Arizona State are expected to compete for the Big 12 championship in 2026.
How many bowl games does the Big 12 have tie-ins with for 2026?
The Big 12 has tie-ins to six different bowl games for the 2026 season.
Will former Pac-12 schools play in Pac-12-affiliated bowl games in 2026?
Yes, former Pac-12 schools like Colorado, Utah, Arizona State, and Arizona will still play in Pac-12-affiliated bowl games in 2026.
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On3 projection: No. 9 seed in CFP vs. No. 8 Texas A&M
CBS Sports projection: No. 7 seed in CFP vs. No. 10 SMU
Texas Tech once again gets slotted into the College Football Playoff and, in both cases, is the only Big 12 team to make the 12-team field.
UCF Knights
Sep 6, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost looks on during the second half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Acrisure Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost looks on during the second half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Acrisure Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Cure Bowl vs. USF
CBS Sports projection: No projection
UCF gets an in-state and hometown bowl game prediction from McMurphy. Not to mention a matchup against South Florida, which would provide some sparks.
Baylor Bears
Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda reacts during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda reacts during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Frisco Bowl vs. UTSA
CBS Sports projection: No projection
Another in-state bowl against an in-state school for a Big 12 school. Baylor and UTSA meeting in Frisco would be a solid mid-tier matchup.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham looks up at the scoreboard during a game against NAU at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham looks up at the scoreboard during a game against NAU at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025.
On3 projection: Hawaii Bowl vs. Hawaii
CBS Sports projection: Holiday Bowl vs. Virginia Tech
Two solid bowl games for an ASU team that will try to get back on the right track after a down season.
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold applauds on the sidelines during the first half of the game against West Virginia Mountaineers at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025.
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold applauds on the sidelines during the first half of the game against West Virginia Mountaineers at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025.
On3 projection: Rate Bowl vs. Wisconsin
CBS Sports projection: No projection
Kansas will break in a new starting quarterback this year, with Jalon Daniels departing for the NFL. It will be fascinating to see how far the Jayhawks can go in 2026.
Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz reacts during the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz reacts during the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Louisville
CBS Sports projection: Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Louisville
A fantastic matchup for Houston, which projects to be one of the better teams in the Big 12.
BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars football head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates after an interception as winning 41-27 over Iowa State during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
BYU Cougars football head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates after an interception as winning 41-27 over Iowa State during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
On3 projection: Texas Bowl vs. Auburn
CBS Sports projection: Alamo Bowl vs. Washington
Two great matchups for the Cougars, but they will likely view it as a disappointment, with the program hoping to make the CFP.
Oklahoma State
Head coach Eric Morris walks the field during Oklahoma State football practice in Stillwater, Okla., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Head coach Eric Morris walks the field during Oklahoma State football practice in Stillwater, Okla., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
On3 projection: Birmingham Bowl vs. Missouri
CBS Sports projection: Liberty Bowl vs. Florida
Oklahoma State has not made a bowl game in a couple of seasons and enters 2026 without Mike Gundy on the sidelines for the first time in more than a decade. Eric Morris should change that immediately in Year 1.
TCU Horned Frogs
Sep 20, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes reacts to a penalty during the first half against the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes reacts to a penalty during the first half against the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Independence Bowl vs. UCLA
CBS Sports projection: Sun Bowl vs. Utah State
TCU earns a bowl berth by both outlets, with two intriguing matchups and opponents.
Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands the ball to running back Joe Jackson (4) during the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands the ball to running back Joe Jackson (4) during the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Alamo Bowl vs. Utah
CBS Sports projection: Rate Bowl vs. Wisconsin
Kansas State is looking to bounce back after a rough season and will do so with a new head coach after Chris Kleinman stepped down.
Utah Utes
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Alamo Bowl vs. Kansas State
CBS Sports projection: Texas Bowl vs. South Carolina
Utah will feel the loss of head coach Kyle Whittingham, but with Devon Dampier leading the offense, the Utes should still be a top-5 team in the Big 12.
Arizona Wildcats
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan reacts after a touchdown by wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan reacts after a touchdown by wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
On3 projection: Sun Bowl vs. Virginia Tech
CBS Sports projection: Independence Bowl vs. Army
I would sign up for both of these matchups in a heartbeat. James Franklin's new squad versus an Arizona squad that should be solid in Noah Fifita's final year.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield speaks to the referees in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2025.
Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield speaks to the referees in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2025.
On3 projection: Liberty Bowl vs. South Carolina
CBS Sports projection: First Responder Bowl vs. North Carolina
Cincinnati is slowly becoming a more legitimate Power Four program, and the next step would be making a bowl game.
