RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNo Power Four college football conference has had its program hierarchy wildly change in the 21st century more than the Big 12.
In the early 2010s realignment, it lost traiditional power in Nebraska and in the recent wave, the biggest brands in Texas and Oklahoma bolted for the SEC . That might make you think there isn't much left in the conference, but don't be mistaken: there is plenty of rich history and maintained success with several programs.
Sure, there are only three combined national champions among the 16 teams in the poll era, but that isn't the only way to measure status in the sport. There have been consistent players in the national picture, making names for themselves before they joined the Big 12 and continuing to build it in the power conference.
1. Utah
Utah has become a staple for college football success, rising from the Mountain West as a Bowl Championship Series buster to fitting in seamlessly among the Power Four ranks. It's been a remarkable run for Utah with just five losing seasons in this century thanks to the decades-long tenure of Kyle Whittingham. It's identity of a tough-nosed program has bullied its way into the upper ranks of the sport, along having one of the most feared home environments in Rice-Eccles Stadium, where few teams leave unscathed (Utah's 77.1% home winning percentage since 2003 is best in conference).
2. BYU
Another program that rose up the ranks and has proven its worthiness among the highest tier of football. BYU has a storied history with a Heisman Trophy winner and a national championship, with LaVell Edwards making sure everyone recognizes that "Y" logo and blue jersey. It was also "QBU" for a good stretch with signal-callers like Jim McMahon, Steve Young and Ty Detmer. The Cougars also have one of the best resources in the conference, a sign it will be a longtime contender in the Big 12.
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3. Kansas State
You wouldn't expect a program with an all-time losing record (585–680–42) to be this high, but it just speaks to the solid run Kansas State has been on since Bill Snyder took over in 1989. Since then, the Wildcats are 286-171-1 with three Big 12 titles, including a stretch where it was ranked for 108 consecutive weeks from 1995 to 2001. Regardless of who has been in the league, Kansas State has always been a constant player in the conference.
4. TCU
Even with the smallest enrollment in the conference, TCU has been making a great amount of noise on the football field. With titles in the 1930s for some tradition, it's had a resurgence the past three decades, winning the crown in every conference it's been in. Since 2003, it's 203 wins and 69.8% win percentage is best among Big 12 teams, and in the 26 seasons since 2000, it's won double-digit games in half of them. That's led to four BCS/New Year's Six bowls since 2009, including the legendary perfect season in 2010 while also the only current member to play in a national championship game. If a playoff were around earlier, TCU could have been playing for more titles. The frog indeed has history, and should be feared.
5. Arizona State
The best team in the conference in terms of all-time winning percentage resides in the desert, with Arizona State's 59.7% tops in the league. Arizona State's tradition is rather underrated, producing some legendary names like Pat Tillman, Terrell Suggs and Jake Plummer. Frank Kush had a spectacular run in the 1960s and 70s, including two perfect seasons, but there hasn't been a great amount of success in the past few decades outside of the 1994 Rose Bowl team. However, the Sun Devils made the playoff in 2024 and seem to be poised for consistency under Kenny Dillingham.
6. Texas Tech
A program quickly climbing up the charts is Texas Tech. It spent plenty of time getting battered and bruised in the Southwest conference and early days of the Big 12, but Mike Leach brought relevance as a fun, gun-slinging team, an image that still remains today. Producing stars like Patrick Mahomes, the Red Raiders now have one of the highest ceilings of any team thanks to its tremendous support backed by Cody Campbell, which propelled them to its first Big 12 title and playoff appearance last season. Also, the tortillas are an excellent tradition.
7. Colorado
Home to one of the best traditions with the Ralphie Run, it wasn't long ago when Colorado had a big presence in the football landscape. Bill McCartney was instrumental in the rise, including the 1990 national championship, the most recent title won by any current Big 12 team. The Buffaloes also are the only one in the league with multiple Heisman Trophy winners − Rashaan Salaam (1994) and Travis Hunter (2024). It hasn't been all that great recently with a 85-155 record since 2006 − a power conference-worst 35.4% win percentage − but the Buffaloes will always be relevant with Deion Sanders in charge.
8. Oklahoma State
Don't forget the state university in Oklahoma, with the Cowboys more than holding their own on the gridiron. The success have come in waves, including a 1945 national championship and one of the greatest individual seasons in the sport when Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy in 1988. While it ended unceremoniously, Mike Gundy instilled a winning-culture into the Cowboys with eight double-digit win seasons since 2005. When things are going right, it can get rocking in Boone Pickens Stadium.
9. West Virginia
The Big 12 team with the most all-time wins with 790 victories. It wasn't until the 1950s when West Virginia started making noise, and the peak of the program came when it was running the Big East with seven conference titles, near the national title picture with one of the most electric duos with Pat White and Steve Slaton, and later with Tavon Austin. However, the Big 12 hasn't been all too successful ...
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