The Big 12 keeps living up to its reputation as the wildest race in college football, but the top of the league still starts with one familiar name. Texas Tech is the clear favorite at -105, and after rolling to an 11-1 regular season and beating BYU again in the conference championship game, it’s not hard to see why.
Last season, the Red Raiders didn’t stumble into the title. They looked like the most complete team in the league, and maybe even the most dangerous defense in the country. That kind of profile is exactly why they sit alone at the top of the odds board again in 2026.
Still, there are a few teams worth a closer look if you’re hunting for value beyond Lubbock.
BYU comes next at +550, and there’s a real argument that the Cougars aren’t far off from Texas Tech on paper. Bear Bachmeier is back at quarterback, and he’s paired with star running back LJ Martin to form a dangerous offensive combo.
Bachmeier threw for more than 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, then added over 500 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. Martin, meanwhile, piled up 1,300 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Cougars have some questions at receiver, but they do have capable tight ends, a strong offensive line, and plenty of veterans returning on defense. That mix makes BYU an easy team to circle as a serious contender to get back to Jerry World.
Utah sits at +850, and the case for the Utes is pretty straightforward too. They may have a new head coach, but the transition should be smoother than most because Moran Scalley was already on staff before getting promoted.
Devon Dampier is back under center after a strong 2025, when he threw 24 touchdown passes, five interceptions, and completed 63.5% of his throws. He also ran for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Getting Wayshawn Parker back at running back matters as well. The offensive line and receiver room need answers, but Utah has a way of rebuilding up front, and the defense should keep them in games.
Their schedule also looks friendly, with nearly every major matchup at home.
If you want a team a little further down the board, Houston at +1500 stands out as one of the best values. Willie Fritz took the Cougars from four wins to ten in his second season, and there’s a chance they keep climbing in 2026.
Connor Weigman is back after throwing for more than 2,700 yards and rushing for 700 more, and the addition of receiver Amare Thomas gives the offense another playmaker. Defensively, Houston returns six key starters and added more help, so there’s reason to think that side of the ball could be even better.
The schedule won’t make things easy, but if the Cougars survive the early stretch, they could make some noise.
For a bigger swing, Oklahoma State at +2700 is worth a look. Eric Morris is overhauling the roster in his first year, and he brought plenty of players from North Texas with him, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who put up huge numbers in Denton.
The offense should score, but the defense is the big unknown. That’s a risky formula in the Big 12, where you can’t count on winning shootouts every week.
Even so, if the Cowboys can simply be competent on defense, they could surprise people. At that price, they’re at least interesting.
The odds board gets longer from there - Kansas State at +1600, TCU at +1700, Arizona State and Arizona at +2200, Baylor at +4000, West Virginia, UCF and Kansas at +4500, Cincinnati at +8000, and Colorado and Iowa State at +10000 - but the real betting conversation starts with Texas Tech, then moves quickly to the handful of teams with a path to push them.
In Other News...
BYU Recruiting Momentum Is Starting To Look Very Real
The early returns from BYUs 2026 recruiting class have started to look like more than a neat talking point. Jeff Hansen of CougarSportsInsider.com and 247Sports went so far as to call it the best class in program history, and the buzz is being fueled by true freshmen Legend Glasker and Kennan Pula, who have already made enough of an impression to validate some of the hype. For a program that has spent years trying to stack talent in a way that shows up quickly on the field, that kind of immediate impact matters.
Hansen also pointed to several other names in the class who could help keep the momentum going, including Tytan DeJong, Uhila Wolfgramm and Jag Ioane. The encouraging part for BYU is not just that the recruits look skilled on paper, but that there is a growing sense they can be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. Add in Hansens breakdown of the Cougars schedule and the tougher games ahead, and the bigger question becomes how much this young talent can accelerate the program before the grind of the season really starts to test it. [Read more 🡒]
BYU And Utah Are Already Battling Over A Top California QB
The early jockeying for elite quarterbacks is already underway, and Clovis West passer Jamar Howard has put BYU and Utah in the middle of it. The California signal-caller has trimmed his list to 12 schools, and both programs are still in the mix as he works through a recruitment that also features several Big 12 and Pac-12 programs.
Howard already carries national attention as the No. 28 quarterback in the 2028 class, and his junior production has only added to the buzz. For BYU, the appeal goes beyond geography and into familiar coaching relationships that can matter in a race like this, while Utah is clearly positioned to push hard as the competition for one of the Wests better young quarterbacks begins to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
BYU May Have Found Its Early Answer At Wide Receiver
BYUs receiver room has been looking for a fresh jolt, and Kyler Kasper could be part of the answer when the Cougars turn to the 2026 season. The former Oregon transfer is expected to step in right away, bringing a blend of size and upside that makes him one of the more intriguing additions on the roster. His path has not been smooth, though, with foot injuries interrupting his time at Oregon and making health a central part of his story.
Now, Kasper says he is in a much better place physically and has already started building the kind of connection BYU needs from a quarterback-wide receiver pairing. He has been spending time with Bear Bachmeier working on timing and those high-point throws that can swing games in the red zone, a sign the Cougars are trying to make sure the new piece fits quickly. For a team looking for reliable options out wide, the question is no longer whether Kasper can help, but how soon that chemistry turns into production. [Read more 🡒]