Big 12 Football Power Rankings: Arizona State, Texas Tech, Colorado Buffaloes Shifts

Despite losing several key players from last year's team, the Colorado Buffaloes have enough talent to compete with the likes of Arizona State, Utah, Kansas State and Iowa State in 2025. As the new season approaches, check out our Big 12 football power rankings.

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (77) looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Largely due to losing quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to the NFL, the Colorado Buffaloes are largely predicted to take a small step back in coach Deion Sanders' third season in Boulder.

As the new season approaches, most early power rankings have the Buffs as a lower-half squad in the 16-team Big 12 Conference, largely citing the challenge of replacing Shedeur and Hunter. However, "Coach Prime" holds confidence that his team has improved in the trenches and will find new ways to win in 2025.

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders leaves the stage after speaking with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Check out where Colorado stands in my preseason Big 12 football power rankings:

16. UCF Knights

With an uncertain quarterback situation and a first-year coach in Scott Frost, who returns to UCF following a difficult tenure at Nebraska, the Knights are poised for a difficult 2025 season.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers

Similar to Frost at UCF, West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown for his second stint leading the Mountaineers. Rodriguez is also overseeing a crowded quarterback room and has yet to name a starter.

14. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Oklahoma State won't go winless in conference play again, but the Cowboys haven't added enough talent this offseason to take a significant leap forward this fall.

13. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona's success will largely depend on coach Brent Brennan and quarterback Noah Fifita getting on the same page after a disastrous 2024 campaign. Losing star wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Montana Lemonious-Craig to the NFL hurts the Wildcats' hopes for a bounce-back year offensively, however.

12. Cincinnati Bearcats

There's a lot to like about quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who threw two touchdowns against the Buffs last fall, but the Bearcats may not have enough around him to win many games in 2025.

11. Houston Cougars

Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to throw the ball during the fourth quarter against the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Houston, which hosts Colorado in Week 3, remains strong defensively and should improve offensively with Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman likely to start at quarterback.

10. BYU Cougars

BYU was considered one of the Big 12's best teams entering 2025, but coach Kalani Sitake now has a difficult challenge in replacing quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who transferred to Tulane.

9. Kansas Jayhawks

After a slow start to last season, the Jayhawks caused chaos in the Big 12 with multiple wins over top teams. Simply put, Kansas must find consistency in 2025.

8. Utah Utes

Utah is poised for a bounce-back season with New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier leading the charge.

7. Colorado Buffaloes

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) hands the ball off to running back Titus Bautista (34) as defensive end Quency Wiggins (49) defends during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

If strong offensive and defensive play is the key to winning in the Big 12, Colorado should be just fine despite losing Shedeur Sanders and Hunter to the NFL. Plus, Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter has enjoyed a strong fall camp in his battle for CU's starting quarterback job.

6. TCU Horned Frogs

TCU quietly won nine games last season and with a returning quarterback in Josh Hoover, the Horned Frogs should remain strong.

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5. Baylor Bears

Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) passes against the LSU Tigers in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Much like TCU, Baylor had a quiet eight-win campaign last year but should make some noise this fall if quarterback Sawyer Robertson takes another step forward.

4. Iowa State Cyclones

Although the Cyclones lost a decent amount of talent from last season's team, expect coach Matt Campbell to lead Iowa State to another 10-win campaign.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders

With one of the best incoming transfer classes in the Big 12 and a returning quarterback in Behren Morton, expect Texas Tech to compete for a conference title this fall.

2. Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) scrambles against Rutgers during second half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field on Dec. 26, 2024, in Phoenix. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After underperforming last season, Kansas State appears ready to compete for a Big 12 title with quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards back in Manhattan.

1. Arizona State Sun Devils

Losing star running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL certainly hurts, but Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson comprise one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in college football.