Spring practices have wrapped up across the Big 12, and while depth charts are still taking shape, it's never too early to start dreaming about the 2026 season. With conference schedules finalized and rosters mostly set, all that's left is to wait for kickoff—and, of course, dive into some good old-fashioned speculation.

The Big 12 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable conferences in the nation once again. From power rankings to bowl projections, there's plenty to debate as we count down the days to Week 0. So let's lace up our cleats and take an early look at how every team might finish this fall.

UCF Knights
Scott Frost's return to the Bounce House has been a rollercoaster ride, and 2026 looks like more of the same. The Knights face a brutal conference schedule, with tough midseason matchups against Houston, BYU, and Oklahoma State. Add in a roster that lacks continuity compared to most Big 12 teams, and it's hard to see UCF turning things around quickly. There are winnable games late against Baylor and Kansas, but Frost will need more than a few portal pickups to steady the ship.

Kansas Jayhawks
For the first time in six years, Kansas won't have Jalon Daniels under center—and the succession plan looks shaky. Head coach Lance Leipold will likely turn to Cole Ballard or Rice transfer Chase Jenkins, neither of whom has the experience to compete in a top-heavy Big 12. There's a world where the Jayhawks sneak to five wins, but their ceiling feels limited in 2026.

Iowa State Cyclones
After a solid but underwhelming 2025, Iowa State got hit hard by the transfer portal. Losing their head coach, quarterback, and 23 other players to Penn State is a massive blow. New hire Jimmy Rogers is intriguing, and the Cyclones drew a softer conference schedule, so six wins isn't out of reach. But this program will need to rebuild its foundation before it can return to its peak.