BYU · Big 12BYU Enters 2026 With the Big 12’s Strongest Recent Résumé
The Cougars have won more conference games than anyone over the past three seasons and return key pieces on both sides of the ball. Texas Tech remains close behind, while Arizona State faces the league’s toughest schedule with major production losses.
AUG 26, 2026
BYU conference wins over the past three seasons.
Texas Tech conference wins over the past three seasons.
Arizona State’s returning production from last season.
01 · The NewsThe Big 12 Picture
The Big 12 enters the 2026 season with BYU and Texas Tech carrying the league’s strongest recent records. BYU has won 28 conference games over the past three seasons, followed by Texas Tech with 27, Iowa State with 26 and Kansas State with 24. The Cougars also bring back quarterback Bear Brockmeier, running back LJ Martin and safety Faletau Satuala after finishing second in the conference last season. Texas Tech enters as the defending Big 12 champion. Arizona returns quarterback Noah Fifita after he threw for 3,228 yards in 2025, while Arizona State must replace its quarterback, running back and leading receiver from last year. The Sun Devils also face the league’s toughest schedule, including road games at Texas A&M, Texas Tech and BYU.
02 · The StakesWhy the Race Could Turn
BYU has the recent wins and several important returning starters. Arizona has a proven quarterback and a defense that finished in the national top 20 last season. Texas Tech owns the latest championship. Those teams are working from different strengths, but Arizona State is dealing with a much thinner margin after returning only 51% of its total production and losing Sam Leavitt, Raleek Brown and Jordan Tyson. The schedule makes that roster turnover harder to hide. Baylor and Cincinnati face major changes as well. Baylor replaced 10 offensive starters, while Cincinnati added more than 40 newcomers and returns only one defensive starter.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineThe Number That Changes This
BYU’s position in the league may matter more than its championship-game loss. The Cougars have won more Big 12 games than any other team across the last three seasons, and their main quarterback, running back and safety are back. That gives BYU a steadier starting point than several teams receiving attention for bigger individual names. Arizona State, by contrast, is coming off a College Football Playoff season but now has to replace three central offensive players before facing the conference’s toughest schedule. Recent success and current continuity do not always belong to the same team. In this Big 12 race, they do for BYU.
“That does not erase Texas Tech’s championship or Arizona’s defensive and quarterback strength.”
The Wire Desk04 · The PersonnelWhere the League Stands
Arizona’s season begins with Noah Fifita, who ranked third in the Big 12 in passing yards and fifth in total offense last year. The Wildcats also return four defensive starters from a unit that finished in the national top 20 and helped create 31 turnovers, second in the FBS. Texas Tech will try to defend its conference title after finishing ahead of BYU in last season’s championship game. Iowa State and Kansas State remain part of the recent winning group, with 26 and 24 Big 12 victories over the past three seasons. Baylor is turning to former Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway after he started 19 games and passed for more than 4,100 yards in two seasons. Cincinnati’s new defensive coordinator, Nate Woody, inherits a unit replacing four of its top five tacklers.
05 · Honest ScaleWhat Happens Next
BYU has the clearest starting point in the conference because its recent record and returning core point in the same direction. That does not erase Texas Tech’s championship or Arizona’s defensive and quarterback strength. It does give the Cougars fewer basic questions to answer in September. The larger concern belongs to teams trying to recover ground while replacing major pieces. Arizona State has to do that against the hardest schedule. Baylor must build around Lagway after replacing most of its offense. Cincinnati has changed schemes while rebuilding both sides of the ball. The Big 12 may still run through the defending champion, but BYU is positioned to make the race about more than last year’s final game.
06 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can BYU’s returning core carry over?
Track how Brockmeier, Martin and Satuala perform early against conference opponents. Strong starts from those three would support BYU’s recent résumé with current evidence.
How does Arizona State handle the road schedule?
The road games at Texas A&M, Texas Tech and BYU will show whether the Sun Devils can absorb the losses at quarterback, running back and receiver.
Does Arizona’s defense create another short field?
Arizona forced 31 turnovers last season. Whether that unit remains disruptive will shape how much Fifita has to carry.