The 2026 Big 12 Conference football season is the 31st season of the Big 12 Conference football taking place during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season.
The 2026 Big 12 Championship Game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 4, 2026. The two top teams will play for the conference's automatic berth into the 2026–27 College Football Playoff.
Preseason Recruiting classes + National rankings Team ESPN 24/7 On3 recruits Total signees Arizona39424620 Arizona State41403421 Baylor60666015 BYU20212421 Cincinnati56576125 Colorado61676818 Houston35373618 Iowa State67545627 Kansas52606218 Kansas State50504524 Oklahoma State71707020 TCU49464321 Texas Tech13181922 UCF59656416 Utah40273520 West Virginia23252049
Big 12 media days The 2026 Big 12 media days was held on July 7–8, 2026 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Big 12 Commissioner – Brett Yormark
SchoolDateHead Coach Players Arizona July 8 Brent Brennan Tristan Bounds Taye Brown Jay'vion Cole Noah Fifita Chris Hunter III Tre Smith Arizona State July 7 Kenny Dillingham Khamari Anderson Kyson Brown Zyrus Fiaseu C.J. Fite Jalen Klemm Lyrik Rawls Montana Warren Baylor July 7 Dave Aranda Michael Allen Kyler Jordan Matthew Klopsenstein DJ Lagway Kyland Reed Jamaal Whyce Jr. BYU July 7 Kalani Sitake Bear Bachmeier Isaiah Glasker Evan Johnson LJ Martin Bruce Mitchell Keanu Tanuvasa Cincinnati July 8 Scott Satterfield JC French Antwan Peek Jr. Evan Tengesdahl Taran Tyo Colorado July 7 Deion Sanders Zach Atkins Ben Finneseth Julian Lewis Naeten Mitchell Danny Scudero Cree Thomas Houston July 7 Willie Fritz McKenzie Agnello Jordan Allen Khalil Laufau Amare Thomas Kentrell Webb Conner Weigman Iowa State July 8 Jimmy Rogers David Coffey Aiden Flora Kyle Konrardy Jaylen Raynor Isaac Terrell Kansas July 8 Lance Leipold Calvin Clements Leroy Harris III Blake Herold Trey Lathan Cameron Pickett Kansas State July 8 Collin Klein Wesley Fair Joe Jackson Avery Johnson Rex Van Wyhe Oklahoma State July 7 Eric Morris Caleb Hawkins Jaleel Johnson Drew Mestemaker Ethan Wesloski TCU July 8 Sonny Dykes Jaden Craig Markis Deal Ansel Din-Mbuh Jamel Johnson Paul Oyewale Ben Taylor-Whitfield Texas Tech July 7 Joey McGuire Terrance Carter Jr. Coy Eakin A.J. Holmes Jr. Brice Pollock Ben Roberts Sheridan Wilson UCF July 7 Scott Frost Alonza Barnett III Jayden Bellamy Lewis Carter Preston Cushman Utah July 8 Morgan Scalley Devon Dampier Johnathan Hall Lance Holtzclaw Wayshawn Parker West Virginia July 8 Rich Rodriguez Jaden Bray Nick Krahe Geimere Latimer II
Preseason awards
All−American Teams PlayerTerrance Carter Jr.2nd Team3rd Team1st Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team Cam Cook2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team Caleb Hawkins2nd Team2nd TeamA. J. Holmes Jr.2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd TeamShadre Hurst1st Team3rd Team2nd TeamBruce Mitchell3rd TeamLJ Martin2nd Team3rd Team1st Team2nd TeamBrice Pollock2nd Team1st TeamBen Roberts3rd Team1st TeamAustin Romaine4th TeamDanny Scudero2nd TeamFaletau Satuala4th Team Evan Tengesdahl1st Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team1st TeamAmare Thomas3rd TeamCade Uluave4th TeamJ'Koby Williams2nd Team2nd Team2nd Team Palmer Williams2nd Team2nd Team1st Team2nd Team2nd Team2nd TeamWyatt Young3rd Team
Individual awards Source:
Lott TrophyTre SmithArizonaDLSr.Cade UluaveBYULBJamel JohnsonTCUSA. J. Holmes Jr.Texas TechDLBen RobertsLBDodd TrophyWillie FritzHoustonHC–Sonny DykesTCUMaxwell AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.DJ LagwayBaylorJr. Bear BachmeierBYUSo. LJ MartinRBSr.Julian LewisColoradoQBRS-Fr. Conner WeigmanHoustonSr. Avery JohnsonKansas StateJoe JacksonRB Caleb HawkinsOklahoma StateSo.Drew MestemakerQBJr.Cameron DickeyTexas TechRBAlonza Barnett IIIUCFQBSr.Devon DampierUtahWayshawn ParkerRBJr.Cam CookWest VirginiaSr.Outland TrophyTristan BoundsArizonaOTGr.C. J. Fite Arizona StateDTSr.Bruce MitchellBYUCRS-Sr.Keanu TanuvasaDTJoe CottonCincinnatiOTGr.Evan TengesdahlGSr.Shadre HurstHoustonGr.Khalil LaufauDTSr.John PastoreKansas StateOTAnsel Din-MbuhTCUDTBen Taylor-WhitfieldOTA. J. Holmes Jr.Texas TechDTHoward SampsonOTSheridan WilsonCBronko Nagurski Trophy Taye BrownArizonaLBC. J. Fite Arizona StateDTIsaiah GlaskerBYULBRS-Sr.Faletau SatualaSJr.Cade UluaveLBSr.Will JamesHoustonDBJamel JohnsonTCUSA. J. Holmes Jr.Texas TechDTBrice PollockDBBen RobertsLBJohn Mackey AwardWalker LyonsBYUTEJr.Patrick OvermyerHoustonSr.Carter MosesKansasRS-Sr.Garrett OakleyKansas StateSr.Terrance Carter Jr.Texas TechRimington Trophy Bruce Mitchell BYUCRS-Sr.Anthony Boswell HoustonJr.Sheridan WilsonTexas TechSr.Landen LivingstonWest VirginiaRS-Sr.Lou Groza Award Stone HarringtonTexas TechPSr.Paul Hornung Award Cameron PettawayIowa StateRBRS-So.Miles ColemanOklahoma StateWRJr.Kenny JohnsonTexas TechSr.J'Koby WilliamsRBJr.Jackson BenneeUtahSDJ EppsWest VirginiaWRRS-Sr.Wuerffel TrophyNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.Zyrus FiaseuArizona StateLBGr.Michael AllenBaylorSEvan TengesdahlCincinnatiGSr.Ben FinnesethColoradoDBGr.McKenzie AgnelloHoustonOLJaylen RaynorIowa StateQBSr.Calvin ClementsKansasOLRS-Jr.Joe JacksonKansas StateRBSr.Donovan GreenOklahoma StateTERS-Sr.Ansel Din-MbuhTCUDTSr.Ben RobertsTexas TechLBLance HoltzclawUtahDEGr.
Jim Thorpe AwardFaletau SatualaBYUSJr.Jamel JohnsonTCUSr.Brice PollockTexas TechDBButkus AwardTaye BrownArizonaLBOwen LongArizona StateJr.Cade UluaveBYUSr.Jonathan ThompsonCincinnatiGr.Gideon LampronColoradoLiona LefauSr.Trey LathanKansasRS-Sr.Ethan WesloskiOklahoma StateJohn CurryTexas TechSr.Ben RobertsGr.Austin RomaineSr.Jeremy CulbreathUCFRS-Sr.Ray Guy AwardPalmer WilliamsBaylorPSr.John Hoyet ChanceTCURS-So.Bryan HansenWest VirginiaRS-Sr.Walter Camp AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.LJ MartinBYURBCaleb HawkinsOklahoma StateSo.Cameron DickeyTexas TechJr.Devon DampierUtahQBSr.Cam CookWest VirginiaRB Doak Walker AwardKedrick ReescanoArizona Richard YoungColoradoMakhi HughesHoustonCaleb HawkinsOklahoma StateSo.Cameron DickeyTexas TechJr.Duke WatsonUCFCam CookWest VirginiaSr.Biletnikoff AwardOmarion MillerArizona StateWRKam PerryColoradoGr.Danny ScuderoSr.Amare ThomasHoustonTrent WalkerGr.Nik McMillanKansasRS-Sr.Wyatt YoungOklahoma StateJr.Terrance Carter Jr.Texas TechTESr.Jordan DwyerTCUWRGr.Braden PeganUtahSr.Davey O'Brien AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBBear BachmeierBYUSo.Conner WeigmanHoustonSr.Drew MestemakerOklahoma StateJr.Alonza Barnett IIIUCFSr.Devon DampierUtahBednarik AwardTaye BrownArizonaLB Travion BarnesBaylorIsaiah GlaskerBYUCade UluaveFaletau SatualaSJr.Johnathan ThompsonCincinnatiLBSr.Gideon LampronColoradoWill JamesHoustonCBJr.Isaac TerrellIowa StateDESr.Trey LathanKansasSWendell GregoryKansas StateDESo.Jemel JohnsonTCUSSr.A. J. Holmes Jr.Texas TechDTBrice PollockCBBen RobertsLBLewis CarterUCFJohnathan HallUtah
Manning AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.Bear BachmeierBYUSo.JC FrenchCincinnatiSr.Connor WeigmanHoustonJaylen RaynorIowa StateDrew MestemakerOklahoma StateSo.Alonza Barnett IIIUCFSr.Devon DampierUtahRotary Lombardi AwardCade UluaveBYULB Evan TengesdahlCincinnatiGShadre HurstHoustonGr.Terrance Carter Jr.Texas TechTESr.A. J. Holmes Jr.DLBen RobertsLBComeback Player of the Year AwardMalcolm HartzogArizonaSGr.Tre SmithDEDeKalon TaylorColoradoRBJayden CofieldTexas TechDLSr.Will HammondQBJr.Quinten JoynerRBSr.Hunter AndrewsUtahTE/RBJr.Jaden BrayWest VirginiaWRRS-Sr.Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.Mays PeseDLSo.Rhino Tapa'atoutaiOLSr.Tana Alo-TupuolaArizona StateJr.Tausili AkanaBYUDERS-Jr.Raider DamuniSSr.Paki FinauOLRS-So.Jaron PulaWRFr.Faletau SatualaSJr.Keanu TanuvasaDTRS-Sr.Cade UluaveLBSr.Liona LefauColoradoVili TaufatofuaDLGr.Sione FotuHoustonLBSr.Khalil LaufauDLKarson KaufusiUtahDTSo.Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardNoah FifitaArizonaQBSr.DJ LagwayBaylorJr.Conner WeigmanHoustonSr.Avery JohnsonKansas StateDrew MestemakerOklahoma StateJr.Devon DampierUtahSr.Earl Campbell Tyler Rose AwardKedrick ReescanoArizonaRBSr.LJ MartinBYUQuentin GibsonColoradoWRSo.Joseph WilliamsJr.Shadre HurstHoustonGGr.Patrick OvermyerTESr.Amare ThomasWRConner WeigmanQBCody JacksonIowa StateWRRS-Sr.Jeremy PayneTCURBJr.Terrance Carter Jr.Texas TechTESr.Cameron DickeyRBJr.Will HammondQBJ'Koby WilliamsRBSheridan WilsonCSr.Landen ChambersUCFRBRS-Jr.Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year AwardJulian LewisColoradoQBRS-Fr.Keisean HendersonHoustonFr.Felix OjoTexas TechOLKelvin ObotUtah
Preseason All-Big 12 teams 2026 Preseason All-Big 12
Source:
Offensive Player of the Year: LJ Martin, RB, BYU, Sr. Defensive Player of the Year: A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech, Sr. Newcomer of the Year: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State, RS-So.
+ All-Big 12 Offense Position Player Class TeamQB Noah Fifita R-Sr.Arizona RB Cam Cook Sr.West Virginia L.J. Martin BYU Kayden Luke Jr.West Virginia WR Omarion Miller Sr.Arizona State Amare Thomas Houston Wyatt Young Jr.Oklahoma State TE/FLEX Terrance Carter Jr. Sr.Texas Tech OL Joe Cotton R-Sr.Cincinnati Shadre Hurst Sr.Houston Bruce Mitchell R-Sr.BYU John Pastore Sr.Kansas State Evan Tengesdahl R-Jr.Cincinnati PK Stone Harrington Sr.Texas Tech KR/PR Mana Carvalho So.Utah
+ All-Big 12 Defense Position Player Class Team DL C.J. FiteSr.Arizona State Wendell GregorySo.Kansas State A.J. Holmes Jr.Sr.Texas Tech Keanu Tanuvasa R-Sr.BYU Adam Trick Sr. Texas Tech LB Ben Carter Austin Romaine Cade UluaveBYU DB Will James Jr. Houston Evan Johnson R-Sr.BYU Jamel JohnsonSr.TCU Brice PollockTexas Tech Faletau SatualaJr.BYU P Palmer Williams Sr.Baylor
Head coaches
Coaching changes There were four coaching changes before the 2026 season. On November 25, 2025, Eric Morris was hired out of North Texas as the 25th head coach at Oklahoma State to replace Mike Gundy who was fired. On December 4, 2025 Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein was named the 36th head coach at Kansas State to replace Chris Klieman who retired. On December 5, 2025, Jimmy Rogers was named the 34th head football coach at Iowa State following former coach Matt Campbell who accepted the head coaching position at Penn State. On December 13, 2025, Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley was promoted to head coach following Kyle Whittingham stepping down and then later accepting the head coaching position at Michigan.
Coaches Note: All stats current through the completion of the 2025 season
Team Head coach Year at school Overall record Record at school Big 12 record Conference ChampionshipsArizona Brent Brennan 3 47–60 13–12 8–10 0Arizona State Kenny Dillingham 4 22–17 22–17 13–5 1Baylor Dave Aranda 7 36–37 36–37 24–30 1BYU Kalani Sitake 11 84–45 84–45 17–10 0Cincinnati Scott Satterfield 4 91–70 15–22 9–18 0Colorado Deion Sanders 4 43–27 16–21 8–10 0Houston Willie Fritz 3 222–127 14–11 9–9 0Iowa State Jimmy Rogers 1 33–9 0–0 0–0 0Kansas Lance Leipold 6 173–74 27–35 16–29 0Kansas State Collin Klein 1 0–0 0–0 0–0 1Oklahoma State Eric Morris 1 46–34 0–0 0–0 0TCU Sonny Dykes 5 107–80 36–17 23–13 0Texas Tech Joey McGuire 5 35–18 35–18 24–12 1UCF Scott Frost 4 40–45 24–14 2–7 0Utah Morgan Scalley 1 0–0 0–0 0–0 0 West Virginia Rich Rodriguez 9 194–136–2 64–34 2–7 0 Notes:
Schedule Index to colors and formattingBig 12 member wonBig 12 member lostBig 12 teams in bold All times Central time.
† denotes Homecoming game
Rankings reflect those of the AP poll for weeks 0 through 9. Rankings from Week 10 until the end of the Season reflect those of the College Football Playoff Rankings.
Regular season Source:
Week Zero
Week One
Date Bye Week September 5 TCU
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Date Bye Week September 26 Arizona State No. 9 BYU Kansas
Week Five
Date Bye Week October 3 Kansas State No. 19 Oklahoma State No. 13 Utah
Week Six
Date Bye Week October 10 Baylor Cincinnati Colorado TCU No. 11 Texas Tech
Week Seven
Date Bye Week October 17 Arizona Iowa State UCF
Week Eight
Week Nine
Date Bye Week October 31 Houston West Virginia
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve
Week Thirteen
Championship Game
Postseason Bowl games
Legend Big 12 win Big 12 loss