Big 12 Takeaways After Week 14: Championship Set, Bowl Hopes Fading, and Coaching Futures Taking Shape
With the final week of the regular season in the books, the Big 12 has delivered one last round of drama, dominance, and defining moments before championship weekend. Let’s dive into the biggest storylines from Week 14 as the conference gears up for its title clash and programs across the league start turning their eyes toward 2026.
1. Texas Tech vs. BYU: A Championship Clash with CFP Stakes
We’ve got ourselves a clear-cut Big 12 Championship Game: No. 5 Texas Tech vs.
No. 11 BYU, squaring off at AT&T Stadium this Saturday.
The stakes? A guaranteed spot in the College Football Playoff.
Texas Tech left no doubt about its place in the title game, steamrolling West Virginia 49-0 on the road. The Red Raiders have been relentless down the stretch, and they’re even campaigning for linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to get some Heisman love-dialing up two short-yardage runs for him in Saturday’s blowout. It’s rare air for a defensive player, but Tech is leaning all the way into his two-way versatility.
BYU, meanwhile, punched its ticket earlier but still made a statement by erasing a 14-0 deficit against UCF and rattling off 31 unanswered in a 41-21 win. Kalani Sitake’s squad is 11-1 and has shown it can take a punch and respond in a big way.
2. Can BYU Still Make the CFP with a Loss?
Here’s where things get murky. BYU will be a clear underdog in the title game-especially after taking a 29-7 loss to Texas Tech earlier in the season-but what happens if the Cougars lose a close one?
Their playoff résumé is solid, but not bulletproof. The win over a top-15 Utah team stands out, but it’s their only ranked victory. Compare that to teams like Alabama (wins over Georgia and Vanderbilt), Miami (Notre Dame and Pitt), or Texas (Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M), and BYU’s case starts to look a little thinner.
The committee will have a tough call on its hands. Do they reward a one-loss BYU team that ran the table outside of a rematch loss to a top-five opponent?
Or do they lean toward teams with more ranked wins, even if they have multiple losses? December 7th is shaping up to be a nail-biter.
3. Arizona Caps a Resurgent Year with Territorial Cup Win
Brent Brennan’s second season in Tucson ends on a high note. Arizona took care of business against Arizona State, winning 23-7 in the Territorial Cup and locking in a nine-win regular season. Not bad for a coach who came into the year on shaky ground.
The Wildcats quietly finished tied for fourth in the Big 12, trailing only Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah. With the program gaining momentum, Brennan’s rebuild is ahead of schedule.
4. Arizona State’s 8-4 Season Comes with Caveats
For a team that entered the year with high expectations, Arizona State’s 8-4 finish feels underwhelming. But context matters. The Sun Devils were hit hard by injuries-quarterback Sam Leavitt and wideout Jordyn Tyson among the key absences-and the defense was banged up all year.
Still, head coach Kenny Dillingham has reason to be optimistic. There’s a foundation in place, and with better health, ASU could be a real factor in 2026.
5. Utah Finishes 10-2, Whittingham Era Nearing a Milestone?
Utah closed out its regular season with a 31-21 win over Kansas, powered by a 97-yard pick-six from Elijah Davis and three touchdown passes from Devon Dampier-including a pair of fourth-quarter daggers.
That’s 10 wins for the Utes, again. It’s the eighth time Kyle Whittingham has hit double digits in a season. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has already been named the coach-in-waiting, which raises a big question: Is this the final chapter of Whittingham’s run?
6. Kansas Faces a Crossroads After Missing Another Bowl
A 5-7 finish means Kansas is out of the postseason picture for the second straight year. That’s a tough pill for a program that looked to be on the rise under Lance Leipold after bowl trips in his second and third seasons.
Now, with quarterback Jalon Daniels’ career officially over and a new era beginning in 2026, Leipold may be heading into a make-or-break year in Lawrence.
7. Cincinnati’s Collapse Leaves Questions for 2026
Cincinnati looked like a Big 12 title contender at 7-1 entering November. Then came the crash-four straight losses to close the season, capped by a 45-23 defeat at TCU.
It’s a disappointing finish for Scott Satterfield, but there’s a silver lining: quarterback Brendan Sorsby. He threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns this year and could return in 2026. Whether he opts for the NFL or another year in college will be a major storyline to watch.
8. TCU Steadies the Ship Under Sonny Dykes
After a magical debut season in 2022 and a step back in 2023, Sonny Dykes has TCU trending upward again. The Horned Frogs have now won 17 games over the past two seasons and just wrapped the regular season with a convincing win over Cincinnati.
Their only loss to a team with a worse record came against Kansas State in mid-October. That’s consistency-and it bodes well for 2026.
9. K-State Bowl Bound Again, but Bigger Goals Loom
Kansas State handled Colorado 24-14 to secure its fifth straight bowl appearance and 14th since 2010. But for Chris Klieman, the bar is higher.
With quarterback Avery Johnson and wideout Jayce Brown expected back, there’s a core to build around. Still, the Wildcats need to add depth and playmakers if they want to get back to the top of the conference.
10. Houston Closes Strong, Fritz Staying Put (For Now)
Houston finished the year with an eight-win campaign, topping Baylor 31-24 in the finale. Head coach Willie Fritz’s name didn’t surface much during the coaching carousel, which is great news for the Cougars.
Quarterback Conner Weigman had a solid season-21 touchdowns, nearly 2,500 yards-and should be back to lead the offense in 2026.
As for Baylor, the Bears finished 5-7 and have already committed to bringing back head coach Dave Aranda. But with instability in the athletic department, Aranda’s seat could heat up quickly if things don’t turn around next fall.
11. Iowa State’s Roller Coaster Ends with a High Note
The Cyclones capped a streaky season with a 20-13 win over Oklahoma State. Iowa State opened with five straight wins, dropped four, then closed with three more victories.
Head coach Matt Campbell now has five of Iowa State’s 13 all-time eight-win seasons. If the Cyclones win their bowl game, they’ll notch back-to-back nine-win campaigns for the first time in school history. That’s a big deal in Ames.
12. Oklahoma State Turns the Page with New Leadership
The Cowboys’ Big 12 losing streak hit 19 with the loss to Iowa State, but the program has already made its next move. Oklahoma State has hired North Texas head coach Eric Morris, an offensive-minded leader with a strong quarterback track record.
If quarterback Drew Mestemaker follows Morris to Stillwater, the Cowboys could be cooking with gas in 2026. Oklahoma State is betting on a high-powered offensive identity to spark a turnaround.
Final Word:
The Big 12 is heading into Championship Weekend with a playoff spot on the line and a handful of programs already retooling for next season. From Texas Tech’s dominance to BYU’s playoff hopes, and from coaching transitions to quarterback decisions, the conference is setting the stage for a fascinating offseason. Buckle up-December is just getting started.