Big 12 Summer Media Days 2026: Rankings, Rivals, and Momentum

No Official Preseason Poll

The conference wrapped up its summer football media days in Frisco, Texas, one of the final official events before teams begin fall practice at the end of July. For the second straight year the Big 12 skipped a preseason poll of reporters’ predictions. Without an official league poll, the chatter is now driven by individual surveys and analyst takes rather than a coordinated ranking.

Azure‑based observers note that the absence of a poll removes a potential source of pride for some programs and friction for others. The lack of a formal exercise means fans and media rely on personal ballots, each carrying its own bias and perspective.

Barry Tramel’s Bold Big 12 Order

Longtime Oklahoma‑based columnist Barry Tramel published a predicted finish for the 2026 season, placing BYU at No. 1 and Texas Tech at No. 2. He pointed to Kalani Sitake’s growing confidence, the development of quarterback Bear Bachmeier after a rookie learning curve, and the unsettled situation at Texas Tech’s quarterback spot as key factors.

Tramel also cited Utah and Arizona as the next strongest challengers, warning that Houston could pose trouble for the bottom half of the table. His order reflects a view that the race will be dominated by a handful of elite programs.

What the Votes Mean for BYU

Jay Drew, a regular contributor, said the Cougars will almost certainly appear in the preseason AP Top 25 when rankings are released in mid‑August. Last year BYU entered the coaches poll at No. 23 and later climbed into the top 10 before a loss to Texas Tech.

Drew highlighted that BYU is being picked second in nearly every informal poll, trailing only Texas Tech, though some argue BYU should be ranked first because of Tech’s quarterback uncertainty. He also noted that Texas Tech’s Will Hammond is seen as a capable replacement, and the Red Raiders have a schedule many consider the softest in the conference.

According to Drew, if Texas Tech fails to win the Big 12 championship, it likely won’t reach the College Football Playoff because it would lack any impressive victories. He also named Utah, Arizona, Houston, and even TCU as potential challengers, pointing out that TCU hosts BYU on October 3 and the Cougars have struggled in Fort Worth.

Dick Harmon’s Take on Rankings

Dick Harmon argues that preseason rankings are essentially worthless except for how they set up the early AP Top 25 and the first CFP evaluations. He believes the initial numbers give certain programs a head‑start that can be leveraged as they accumulate wins.

Harmon expects BYU to be ranked for a second consecutive season, noting that a win over Arizona—followed by victories against Notre Dame and Utah—could open doors the Cougars have not yet walked through. He also praised Texas Tech’s roster depth and transfer‑portal haul, calling their schedule “almost a cakewalk.”

He added that it may be beneficial for BYU’s staff and players to view themselves as underdogs, a mindset that often fuels harder work and a chip on the shoulder. Kalani Sitake’s line—“If they don’t know, they’re going to find out”—captures that philosophy.

Other Big 12 Buzz

Two Big 12 alums, Egor Dëmin and AJ Dybantsa, are attracting attention in NBA summer league action, while Kevin Young’s staff secured a 6‑foot‑6 victory from Lithuania’s Dobydas Buika.

Former NBA executive Danny Ainge will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, joining Stan Watts and Kresmir Cosic.

BYU landed its first jersey‑patch sponsor with tech giant Entrata. Although exact figures are undisclosed, a comparable UNLV deal of $11 million over five years suggests the Cougars could earn at least $2 million annually.

What to Watch Next

The upcoming game on September 5 at 6 p.m. will see Utah Tech visit Provo for a football showdown. Fans can expect early season momentum to become clearer as the Big 12 teams settle into their practice schedules and release preseason rosters.