Texas Tech and BYU Headline 2026 Big 12 Preseason Polls as Media and Coaches Split on Favorite

The 2026 Big 12 preseason picture is officially set, and it features a fascinating split decision at the top of the conference hierarchy. In the unofficial Big 12 preseason media poll organized by the Tulsa World and released Monday, the defending champion Texas Tech Red Raiders were picked to repeat. The poll, which aggregates the predictions of beat writers from all 16 member institutions, serves as the primary barometer for the league's expectations heading into the fall. The results underscore a deep respect for the established powerhouse, even as the conference landscape continues to shift.[1]

Texas Tech garnered 14 of the 16 first-place votes from the assembled journalists, amassing 254 total points to secure the number one overall spot. They narrowly edged out the BYU Cougars, who received the remaining two first-place votes and finished with 239 points. The media's overwhelming support for the Red Raiders suggests a strong belief in the program's underlying foundation and championship pedigree, signaling that reporters view Texas Tech as the team to beat until proven otherwise on the gridiron.[1]

However, a separate survey of the league's actual decision-makers revealed a completely different expectation for the upcoming season. A poll of the Big 12's head coaches, conducted by On3 during the conference's media days, selected BYU—not Texas Tech—as the preseason favorite to win the league. An overwhelming 13 of the 16 coaches picked the Cougars to at least reach the Big 12 Championship Game, highlighting a stark divergence between how the media and the coaching fraternity evaluate the top tier of the conference.

This striking divergence highlights the profound uncertainty surrounding Texas Tech's tumultuous offseason. The Red Raiders are currently navigating the complex fallout from the sudden departure of starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who left the program amid an NCAA gambling investigation. Compounding the issue, promising backup Will Hammond recently suffered a severe ACL injury, leaving the defending champions with a massive void at the sport's most critical position just weeks before training camp begins. For the coaches, this instability at quarterback makes Texas Tech a highly volatile prediction.[4]

Despite those significant hurdles under center, the media remains steadfastly confident in head coach Joey McGuire's overall roster construction. The Red Raiders are still widely considered to possess one of the most talented, deep, and physically imposing rosters in all of college football. Beat writers are operating under the assumption that Texas Tech's elite defense and dynamic skill position players will provide enough of a safety net to carry whichever untested quarterback ultimately takes the reins this fall.[2]

BYU, on the other hand, presents a reassuring picture of stability to the league's coaches. After a stellar 12-win season in 2025 that ended in a hard-fought Big 12 Championship Game loss to Texas Tech, Kalani Sitake's squad returns key foundational pieces on both sides of the ball. In an era defined by the transfer portal and constant roster turnover, the Cougars have managed to retain their core identity, making them a highly attractive pick for coaches who value continuity and proven production.

The Cougars' offensive attack is spearheaded by returning starting quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who dazzled evaluators by throwing for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns during his true freshman campaign. He is joined in the backfield by standout running back LJ Martin, who racked up 1,343 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. This potent, established duo gives BYU a distinct offensive advantage over their conference rivals, providing the exact kind of reliability that coaches look for when projecting a championship contender.

Beyond the heavyweight battle between Texas Tech and BYU, the media poll highlighted a rapidly surging Houston program. The Cougars were picked to finish tied for third with the Arizona Wildcats, with both programs receiving 207 points from the voting bloc. For Houston, this marks their highest preseason projection since officially joining the Big 12 in 2023, signaling that the program has successfully transitioned from a transitioning conference newcomer to a legitimate, top-tier threat capable of competing for a College Football Playoff berth.[1]

Houston is coming off a stellar 10-3 campaign in Willie Fritz's second year at the helm. Fritz has quickly instilled a winning culture and a physical brand of football that has clearly resonated with the media members who cover the league daily. The writers' high confidence in the Cougars reflects the program's rapid ascent and suggests that Houston possesses the necessary depth, discipline, and coaching acumen to navigate the grueling nine-game Big 12 schedule and challenge the established powers at the top of the standings.[1]

The Utah Utes rounded out the top five in the media poll with 198 points. The Utes boast a dynamic, explosive backfield duo that is widely expected to give opposing defenses fits throughout the season. However, they also face the inherent questions and potential growing pains that come with operating under a first-year head coach. Despite the significant leadership transition, Utah's strong recruiting base and historical reputation for physical toughness keep them firmly entrenched in the upper echelon of the conference's preseason expectations.[1]

The remainder of the top ten includes perennial contenders like TCU, Arizona State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. This dense clustering of talented, well-coached teams underscores the deep parity and sheer unpredictability that defines the 16-team league heading into the fall. With so many programs fielding capable rosters and experienced quarterbacks, the margin for error in the Big 12 is razor-thin, ensuring that virtually every conference matchup will carry massive implications for the College Football Playoff race.[1]

With the Big 12 having officially abolished its conference-sanctioned preseason poll prior to the 2025 season, these independent surveys from the Tulsa World and On3 serve as the primary barometer for public and internal expectations. As training camps open across the country, the stark divide between the media's unwavering faith in Texas Tech and the coaches' firm belief in BYU sets the stage for a chaotic, highly competitive season. The ultimate Big 12 champion will have to survive a grueling weekly gauntlet of elite competition to claim the crown.[1]