Full Breakdown
Texas Tech Topped Unofficial Big 12 Preseason Poll; BYU Ranked Second
7/13/2026, 9:26:02 PM
Unofficial Writers’ Poll Replaces Official Ranking
The Big 12 eliminated its league-conducted preseason media poll after the 2024 poll proved wildly inaccurate. In its place, beat writers—one from each of the conference’s 16 schools—met in Frisco, Texas, and compiled an unofficial ranking using a 16-point-for-first-place system. The poll was organized by *Tulsa World* and released on July 13, 2026.
Poll Results and Points Breakdown
| Rank | Team | First-place votes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Tech | 14 | 254 |
| 2 | BYU | 2 | 239 |
| 3 (tie) | Arizona | 0 | 207 |
| 3 (tie) | Houston | 0 | 207 |
| 5 | Utah | 0 | 198 |
| 6 | Texas Christian | 0 | 166 |
| 7 | Arizona State | 0 | 161 |
| 8 | Kansas State | 0 | 158 |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | 0 | 124 |
| 10 | Baylor | 0 | 88 |
| 11 | Cincinnati | 0 | 85 |
| 12 | Kansas | 0 | 79 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 0 | 76 |
| 14 | Central Florida | 0 | 68 |
| 15 | Colorado | 0 | 40 |
| 16 | Iowa State | 0 | 26 |
The voter list included Eric Bailey (*Tulsa World*), Jason Batacao (*The Salt Lake Tribune*), Mike Casazza (EerSports), and representatives from each member school’s media outlet.
Background: Why the Official Poll Was Dropped
The league’s 2024 preseason poll placed BYU 13th and Arizona State 16th, yet those two teams tied for the regular-season championship. “They are wrong every time, so they stopped making predictions as a league,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said at the 2025 media days, noting the league “doesn’t do it anymore.” The mis-forecast prompted the conference to cease publishing an official poll beginning in 2025.
Coaches’ Perspectives on Rankings and Playoff Access
Sitake emphasized that his program does not “campaign” for College Football Playoff (CFP) inclusion, adding, “I don’t make all the decisions when it comes to how many teams get to (be in) the playoffs, and I’m not in the business of campaigning for that either.” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire highlighted the program’s rising expectations, saying the team is “backing it up with the players that we have in the building.” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark stressed that the conference must “win a game” to “credentialize this conference as one of the best football conferences in America.”
Criticism and Calls for Broader Playoff Inclusion
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield argued for more CFP slots, stating, “If we get more teams in there, you’re going to have more access… I think we should have more teams in it.” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham echoed the sentiment, noting that “winning gets you to the CFP… we’ve got to create a good enough product that can get people to the CFP and let them advance.” Those comments reflect ongoing skepticism from outside the league, particularly from the SEC and the CFP selection committee, about the Big 12’s ability to secure multiple playoff berths.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They are wrong every time, so they stopped making predictions as a league,” — Kalani Sitake, BYU football coach
- “I don’t make all the decisions when it comes to how many teams get to (be in) the playoffs, and I’m not in the business of campaigning for that either.” — Kalani Sitake
- “I think we need to win a game. We need to credentialize this conference as one of the best football conferences in America, and I think the way you do that is win when it matters most,” — Brett Yormark, Big 12 commissioner
- “The expectation has definitely changed in our building over the last few years. I love that. I love that expectation and we’re backing it up with the players that we have in the building,” — Joey McGuire, Texas Tech head coach
- “If we get more teams in there, you’re going to have more access, I’m a firm believer of that. I think we should have more teams in it. We had some very worthy teams last year in this league,” — Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati head coach
- “Winning gets you to the CFP, so if there were a gap, that would obviously help you get there easier,” — Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State head coach
Implications for the 2026 Season
The writers’ poll crowns Texas Tech as the preseason favorite, reflecting its depth of talent and the confidence of its coaching staff. BYU’s second-place finish underscores a “settled” quarterback situation, while the tight clustering of points from Arizona, Houston, and Utah signals a highly competitive middle tier. If the conference can translate preseason expectations into on-field victories, it may finally secure multiple CFP berths—a goal echoed by both league officials and external critics.
