NEW Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU Slips, Iowa State Soars, Kansas State Down, Texas Tech Low, Baylor?

The 2025 Big 12 football season is widely considered to be one of the most unpredictable and stacked conferences in the nation, defined by its incredible parity and a lack of a single, dominant powerhouse. While it may not have a top-five juggernaut like the SEC or Big Ten, the depth of talent and the number of teams with a legitimate shot at the conference championship make it a must-watch league.    The Contender Cluster Instead of one or two favorites, the Big 12 has a large cluster of contenders. Preseason rankings and expert picks show a high level of confidence in several teams. For example, some experts place Arizona State and Utah in the top 20 nationally, giving the Big 12 two teams with a strong chance to make a run at the College Football Playoff. Other teams consistently mentioned in the mix include Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Iowa State. Even programs like Baylor, BYU, TCU, and Kansas are seen as having the potential to compete for the championship.      A New Era of Parity With the departure of Texas and Oklahoma, and the arrival of new teams from the Pac-12, the Big 12 has become a true free-for-all. The conference's new single-standings, non-divisional format ensures that the top two teams in the league will face off for the championship, making every conference game critical. The wide-open nature of the league is highlighted by the fact that the Big 12 has featured a new participant in its championship game in seven of the past eight seasons.   Key Factors Contributing to the Depth Quarterback Play: Many teams return experienced and talented quarterbacks, a key ingredient for success in a competitive conference. Names like Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Rocco Becht (Iowa State), and Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) give their teams a chance to win every week.  Transfer Portal Impact: Teams like Texas Tech have used the transfer portal and NIL to assemble what some are calling the most expensive roster in the country. This has allowed programs to rapidly improve their talent and close the gap on top contenders.  Listener SurveyWe’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcasts even better. Go tohttps://lockedonpodcasts.com/survey/ to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!UpsideSimply download the free Upside app in the App Store or Google Play and use the promo code FOOTBALL to get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your first fill up. Start earning cash at the pump, today!  Click Here: https://getupside.onelink.me/zlLr?af_xp=custom&pid=barrington&c=barrington_lockedon25&deep_link_value=promo&deep_link_sub1=lockedon25&af_dp=upsideapp%3A%2F%2FRugiet150,000 men have made the switch →https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGEUse code LOCKEDONNFL to get 15% off your order!SupplyHouseJoin the free TradeMaster program today and score serious perks like priority shipping, lower prices, and a dedicated support line. Visit https://www.supplyhouse.com/apply-for-trademasterto sign up for free and use promo code SHCOLLEGE5 for 5% off your first order. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.