In the world of college football, predictions and prognostications are often as fleeting as the wind. But when it comes to the Big 12, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a particularly intriguing one, with a new poll revealing the writers' picks for the league's top teams. Among the 16 teams, Texas Tech emerged as the clear favorite, securing 14 first-place votes and a total of 254 points. This result comes as a surprise to some, especially after the quarterback situation at Texas Tech was called into question following the Brendan Sorsby lawsuit. BYU, with its more stable quarterback position, finished in a strong second place, receiving the other two first-place votes and accumulating 239 points. The Cougars' performance in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where they narrowly missed the College Football Playoff, has sparked speculation about their potential impact on the playoff selection process. However, BYU coach Kalani Sitake remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of staying humble and focused on the task at hand rather than campaigning for playoff inclusion.
The poll, conducted by beat writers from each of the Big 12's 16 schools, utilized a unique scoring system where first-place votes were worth 16 points, second-place votes were worth 15 points, and so on. This system adds an extra layer of complexity to the rankings, with each vote carrying a significant weight. The results provide an interesting insight into the writers' perceptions and expectations for the upcoming season. As Sitake wisely notes, preseason polls have a history of being inaccurate, and the Big 12's decision to discontinue the official media poll in 2025 further underscores the challenge of predicting conference standings.
The poll's top five teams, including Arizona and Houston, are set to face off in Week 2, with BYU hosting Arizona in a highly anticipated Big 12 opener in Provo. This early-season showdown promises to be a pivotal moment for the conference, with potential implications for the playoff race. As the season unfolds, the writers' poll will undoubtedly serve as a barometer of the teams' performance and a source of excitement for fans and analysts alike. The Big 12's 2026 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with the potential for upsets, surprises, and the emergence of new contenders.
