With spring practice in the rear-view mirror, it means we are one step closer to kickoff. But it also means that everyone from coast to coast is releasing their own top 25 rankings.
Most of you know how I feel about top 25 rankings outside of the college football playoff rankings; they are pointless, but they do serve as a baseline for the playoff committee. Whether you agree with that or not, the AP Top 25 poll does influence how some voters separate some of these teams.
Recently, our own Bryan Clinton released his post-spring Big 12 football power rankings for 2025. However, there was a top 25 list that caught my attention from USA Today.
While I am not going to run down every single team on the list, I do want to focus on where they have several Big 12 teams ranked and share my thoughts on each.
KANSAS STATE – NO. 12
I wasn’t surprised to see Kansas State as their favorite in the Big 12 Conference. Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards are not just one of the best offensive duos in the conference, but maybe the entire country. Plus, they bring back some key talent at the receiver, and their defense should still be solid. If Johnson can shake off some of those mistakes from last season, the sky is the limit for their offense and the season.
BYU – NO. 17
I am not really sure what to make of BYU at this moment. Jake Retzlaff is back for his second full season starting at quarterback after a below-average year in 2024. This team leaned heavily on its defense last season, and that may be the same story going into 2025. Unlike others, I am not 100% bought into the Cougars’ offense taking a big step forward.
IOWA STATE – NO. 20
As much as I like quarterback Rocco Becht, there is some concern about replacing a ton of production from last year’s team. The Cyclones’ top two receivers are now in the NFL, and there are still plenty of question marks on offense. Defensively, Iowa State always finds a way to play well under Jon Heacock, and that likely will not change in 2025.
ARIZONA STATE – NO. 21
I can’t speak for everyone, but this was about as shocking as it gets for me. The defending Big 12 champs ranked behind three other Big 12 teams? I don’t think I can get behind that. I know Cam Skattebo is gone, but quarterback Sam Leavitt was a guy who got better and better as the season went on. He went from a game manager to a difference maker by the end of the year. Plus, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson comes back, and the Sun Devils’ defense is good enough to compete for a Big 12 title.
TCU – NO. 24
Some people may raise their eyebrows when they see TCU in the top 25, but I don’t have an issue with this pick at all. I am a huge believer in quarterback Josh Hoover, who I think could be a sneaky pick for Big 12 player of the year. Not to mention, TCU did a good job of filling in some holes on offense.
The defense needs to get better but they did show improvement when they won six out of their last seven games of the season in 2024. Don’t sleep on this 2025 TCU team.
BAYLOR – LEFT OUT
As great as seeing five Big 12 teams in their top 25 was, I felt Baylor deserved some respect. Sawyer Robertson is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, and Bryson Washington was one of the best running backs in the Big 12 last season. Combine that with an improved defense, and I think you can make a strong case for them to be a Big 12 title contender. Â
