WHAT: With Bear Bachmeier Starting, ESPN Puts BYU, Kansas State in Big 12 Championship, Texas Tech?

Based on the On3 article, here is a more detailed summary of ESPN's updated Big 12 Football rankings for the 2025 season.The article, released just before the start of Week 0, outlines ESPN's latest projections for the Big 12 conference, which are based on the Football Power Index (FPI). The rankings have set the stage for the upcoming season, which kicks off with a key conference matchup between Kansas State and Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.At the top of the list is Kansas State, holding the number one spot. The article highlights their strong position, noting the return of key offensive players, including quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards. This continuity on offense is a major reason for their high ranking and the expectation that they will be a dominant force in the conference.BYU, coming off an impressive 11-2 season, is ranked second. Despite facing a new season with a new quarterback, the Cougars are expected to build on their previous success. This high ranking suggests that ESPN's FPI sees the program's overall strength as a significant factor, outweighing the uncertainty at the quarterback position.The reigning Big 12 champions, Arizona State, are ranked third. The team's strong performance in the previous season and their continued momentum have earned them a top spot, indicating that the FPI model projects them to maintain a similar level of success and compete for another conference title.Further down the list, other teams with promising outlooks are mentioned. Kansas, for instance, is hoping to have a much-improved season. Their chances are bolstered by the return of quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is expected to lead the team to a more successful campaign. Baylor is another team to watch, as they are expected to continue their positive trajectory under the leadership of head coach Dave Aranda. The article suggests that the coaching and program stability are key factors in their expected performance.The rankings also shine a light on other contenders within the conference, including Iowa State, Texas Tech, and TCU. While not in the top tier, these teams are considered notable and are expected to be competitive. The article provides a glimpse into the depth of the Big 12, showcasing that while there are clear favorites, many teams have the potential to make a run in the conference. The full list of rankings, from one to sixteen, underscores the competitive landscape of the Big 12 and the challenges each team will face throughout the season.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Rugiet150,000 men have made the switch →https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGEUse code LOCKEDONNFL to get 15% off your order!DripDropRight now, DripDropis offering Locked On listeners 20% off your first order. Just head to https://dripdrop.com and use promocode LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. Stock up now before the heat hits hard.PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONMLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.PrizePicks — Run Your Game.Click Link Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONCOLLEGEOpenPhoneStreamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonmlbGametimeToday'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.