The latest AP Top 25 poll dropped, and for Big 12 fans, the news was good: two more teams joined the rankings this week, elevating the conference in the national conversation. Texas Tech continues to lead the way for the Big 12 at No. 12. Iowa State follows at No. 14. And making their Top 25 debut are TCU at No. 24 and BYU at No. 25.
The Red Raiders’ rise to No. 12 reflects a convincing win at Utah that turned heads. Their offense looked sharp, and the level of performance against a conference opponent helped validate the preseason buzz about their potential. Iowa State, meanwhile, held steady in the rankings, earning its spot despite a bye week.
TCU and BYU making the Top 25 brings the count of Big 12-ranked teams to four. For TCU, the win over SMU pushed it into the poll, a reminder of the rivalry’s weight and the Horned Frogs’ ability to show up in big moments. BYU’s entry follows its road win over East Carolina, keeping the Cougars undefeated and showing the strength of the nonconference slate.
What’s notable is not just that the Big 12 has multiple teams in the AP rankings, but that they are beginning to close the gap with traditionally dominant conferences. While the SEC remains on top, and the Big Ten still holds strong, the Big 12’s push into the Top 25 shows it is not far behind in terms of perception and performance.
If Texas Tech, Iowa State, TCU, and BYU can sustain this success, the conference may well be in line for more influence over playoff buzz, rankings polls, and recruiting momentum. For now, the story is simple: the Big 12 has added depth and credibility this week—and both TCU and BYU now have national proof in the AP Poll to back it up.
