Heading into the 2025 college football season, the Big 12 Conference canceled its preseason media poll that predicts how each team will rank by the end of the season.
An unofficial Big 12 media poll released its ranking Thursday, with the Kansas State Wildcats leading the way. Arizona State, Baylor, Texas Tech, and Iowa State rounded out the top five.
Last season, Arizona State shocked the nation, winning the Big 12 title in the program’s first season competing in the conference.
In the 2024 media poll, ASU was picked to finish 16th in the conference. The year prior, West Virginia was predicted to place last but finished fourth in the Big 12.
With quarterback Avery Johnson returning to lead the Wildcats, expectations are high in Manhattan. Last season, Johnson tossed 25 touchdowns and 2,712 passing yards and helped the team reach its fourth-straight winning season.
The Sun Devils are expected to be in contention to repeat as Big 12 champions. Despite Cam Skattebo’s exit for the NFL Draft, ASU returns several talents, including quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
As a redshirt freshman, Leavitt was one of the most accurate players in the country, throwing for 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He developed a strong connection with Tyson, who posted 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was on the hot seat before last season, but after an 8-5 finish, he secured his job in Waco.
The Bears were selected to finish third in the unofficial poll, considering the program will field several talents, including Bryson Washington, Josh Cameron, and Keaton Thomas.
Texas Tech made several key additions to its roster, including linebacker David Bailey, who transferred from Stanford this spring. The Red Raiders were one of the worst defenses in the Big 12 last season.
Iowa State returns 14 starters from last season, led by quarterback Rocco Becht. The Cyclones had a historic run in 2024, going 11-3.
TCU was the last team to make the top five and with Josh Hoover returning at quarterback, head coach Sonny Dykes will have a chance to lead the Horned Frogs to their second-straight bowl game.
UCF and West Virginia both made coaching changes this offseason and are predicted to finish as one of the worst teams in the conference.
Scott Frost returned to the Knights after leading the team to its best season in 2016-17, finishing with a perfect 13-0 record. Rich Rodriguez was brought back to Morgantown after coaching the Mountaineers for seven seasons from 2001-07.
He was a four-time Big East Coach of the Year and takes over a program that went 6-7 in 2024. The Big 12 has not seen a repeat since 2020.
