The Big 12 Conference enters the 2026 college football season with its sights set on the national championship and another competitive race for the conference title.
Originally founded in 1994, the Big 12 was formed through the merger of the Big Eight Conference and four Texas schools from the Southwest Conference before officially beginning competition in 1996. Since then, the league has undergone significant expansion and realignment, growing into one of the nation's premier conferences in college athletics.
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This 2026 season marks conference’s the 30th anniversary, featuring a deep lineup of championship contenders, returning stars, and new head coaches looking to make an immediate impact as teams compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Here's five things to know about the Big 12 Conference heading into the 2026 football season.
What Teams Play Football in the Big 12 Conference?
- Arizona State
- University of Arizona
- Brigham Young University
- Baylor University
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Houston
- Iowa State
- University of Kansas
- Kansas State University
- Oklahoma State University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas Tech University
- University of Utah
- West Virginia University
Who Are The New Coaches In The Big 12 Programs?
- Morgan Scalley - University of Utah
- Collin Klein - Kansas State University
Who Were The 2025 Big 12 Award Winners?
- Coach of the Year: Kalani Sitake, BYU
- Offensive Player of the Year: LJ Martin, BYU
- Defensive Player of the Year: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
- Offensive Lineman of the Year: Spencer Fano, Utah
- Defensive Lineman of the Year: David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Offensive Rookie of the Year: Bear Bachmeier, BYU
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: Wendell Gregory, Oklahoma State
Who Has Won The Heisman Trophy In The Big 12?
- Ricky Williams, Texas (1998)*
- Eric Crouch, Nebraska (2001)*
- Jason White, Oklahoma (2003)*
- Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (2008)*
- Robert Griffin III, Baylor (2011)
- Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (2017)*
- Kyler Murray, Oklahoma (2018)*
*These schools were members of the Big 12 when their players won the Heisman Trophy but have since left the conference.
Who Is Favorite To Win the Big 12 Conference?
For the 2026 season, there are several teams who are favorites. The Texas Tech Raiders Texas Tech won the championship last season beating the BYU cougars by a score of 34-7. That victory was the Raiders first conference championship since 1955, their first-ever Big 12 title.
Speaking of the BYU Cougars, they are also favorites to win the championship as they were runner-ups to the Raiders in the championship final last season. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier had a strong season as a starter, so he is one to keep an eye out for on how he leads the Cougars this fall.
Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?
- Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
- Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
- Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
- Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14
When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I College Football Playoffs Start?
The first round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Playoffs will be Dec.18.
The format features a 12-team bracket consisting of four rounds: the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the national championship game. The five highest-ranked conference champions automatically earn bids, while the remaining seven spots are awarded to the highest-ranked at-large teams. The field is then seeded by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, with the top four seeds receiving first-round byes. The tournament progresses through each round until a national champion is crowned.
The 2026 Division I Football Championship title game will be played Jan. 25, 2027 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be the venue's first time hosting the event.
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