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Abilene Today
By the People, for the People
Ranking Every Big 12 Team Heading Into Spring Practice
With so many big changes and transfers, where do all the Big 12 teams rank going into 2026 spring practices?
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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After the transfer portal slowed down, and now most of the teams are in place, the article ranks all of the Big 12 teams heading into the 2026 spring practices. There are four new head coaches out of the 16, and across the board are wholesale changes with transfers and big playmakers stepping in. The rankings take into account the talent and returning starters, as well as how the teams have fared through the transfer portal.
Why it matters
The Big 12 is one of the most competitive conferences in college football, and these rankings provide an early look at how the teams stack up heading into the spring practice season. With so much roster turnover, it's important to understand which teams have reloaded effectively and which ones have more work to do. These rankings will help shape the early narrative and expectations for the 2026 Big 12 season.
The details
The rankings take into account a variety of factors, including the quality of the team's transfers, the returning starters, and the overall state of the program. Some teams like Colorado and Oklahoma State have brought in a lot of new talent through the portal, while others like Iowa State and TCU have seen significant departures. The article breaks down what each team needs to work on, whether it's shoring up the defense, improving the offensive line, or finding a new starting quarterback.
- The rankings are based on the state of the teams heading into the 2026 spring practices.
The players
Deion Sanders
The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, who is tasked with turning around the program after a 3-9 season in 2025.
Eric Morris
The new offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, who is tasked with reviving the Cowboys' offense after a 1-11 season in 2025.
Matt Campbell
The former head coach of Iowa State, who departed for Penn State, leaving the Cyclones in a rebuilding mode.
Rich Rodriguez
The head coach of West Virginia, who is looking to build on the progress made in his first season and make the Mountaineers more explosive on offense.
Kenny Dillingham
The new head coach of Arizona State, who has a lot of work to do to overhaul the Sun Devils' roster through the transfer portal.
The takeaway
The Big 12 is poised for another highly competitive season in 2026, with several teams making major roster changes through the transfer portal. While some programs like Texas Tech and BYU appear to be in strong position, others like Colorado and Iowa State have a lot of work to do to rebuild their rosters and get back to contending. The spring practices will be crucial for these teams to start gelling and finding their identities before the season kicks off.
