SALT LAKE CITY — Silly as it is to forego an opportunity to grab a free slice of national publicity, the Big 12 decision to skip releasing an official preseason football ranking does not prevent a slew of other forthcoming polls.
Each conference typically announces a preseason poll in conjunction with the summer media days, which the Big 12 will have Tuesday and Wednesday at the Dallas Cowboys training facility in Frisco, Texas. Meaningless as they are, the prediction usually draws attention in the immediacy and is referenced throughout the season.
But Big 12 athletic directors and coaches have decided to squash the fun talking point. It might be related to last year's poll that ranked eventual champion Arizona State as the conference's worst team.
What will media days be like without coaches from the top two or three favorites adamantly refusing to give the poll any credibility? On the flip side, the bottom teams no longer can claim blatant disrespect.
Whatever the reasons to deny the fun, expect a plethora of Big 12 media outlets to release their own polls. And yes, you're going to read one of those in the following paragraphs.
In today's climate, when it comes to summer predictions, follow the money trail. For better or worse, it's reality.
1. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders may not win the regular-season title, but they will be a perennial contender years to come. Never forget, cash almost always has the loudest voice.
Texas Tech reportedly spent more than $10 million to lure talent out of the transfer portal. For future reference, high school five-star offensive lineman Felix Ojo committed to Joey McGuire's program on a reported three-year, $5.1 million deal.
2. Kansas State
Former Utah State coach and current offensive coordinator Matt Wells has dynamic quarterback Avery Johnson to run the show, but the Wildcats lost leading rusher DJ Giddens to the NFL.
3. Arizona State
The Sun Devils have been down this road before, coming off a great season but most times they failed to back it up. Quarterback Sam Leavitt now gets the chance to prove this team was more than sensational running back Cam Skattebo, who is with the New York Giants.
4. Iowa State
Quarterback Rocco Becht enters his prime as a three-year starting quarterback. He led the Cyclones on four game-winning drives on their final possession last season.
5. Baylor
Finally, in his third year in the program, quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the undisputed starter. He was a significant reason why Bears ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak.
6. BYU
Even without quarterback Jake Retzlaff, the Cougars have plenty of reasons for optimism to build off last season's surprising 11-2 record. Perhaps the most important returner is defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who turned down a head coaching job to remain on Kalani Sitake's staff.
7. Utah
Doubt Kyle Whittingham at your own peril, especially coming off a lousy season. The program's staples of a good defense and running game are again there, and now the quarterback situation is vastly improved.
8. TCU
Returning quarterback Josh Hoover ranked second in the Big 12 last season with nearly 4,000 passing yards. The Horned Frogs have to find a way to run the ball and stop the run.
9. Kansas
Four of the Jayhawks' seven losses last season were by one score. The last three wins came against three of the four teams (Iowa State, BYU, Colorado) that tied for the first place in the regular season.
10. Colorado
The true test of the program now comes for Deion Sanders, who lost his quarterback son Shedeur and all-everything Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter likely will get first shot at quarterback, with five-star Julian Lewis on deck.
11. Houston
This is a wildcard pick for a team that won only four games last season.
12. Cincinnati
A 5-2 start that gave way to a season-ending five-game losing streak leaves plenty of doubt.
13. UCF
Coach Scott Frost returns to a place he probably should have never left.
14. West Virginia
Whatever happens, good or bad, always keep a camera locked on new coach Rich Rodriguez.
15. Arizona
Coming off a huge disappointment, coach Brent Brennan may be fighting to stay in Tucson.
16. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys will look for their first conference win since 2023.
