The Big 12 Conference has been struggling to keep up with its Power Five counterparts in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era, and ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) rankings provide a stark reminder of this disparity. While the SEC and Big Ten have dominated the national championship scene, the Big 12 has yet to produce a national champion since the CFP's inception in 2014. This disparity is further highlighted by ESPN's FPI rankings, which project the likelihood of each team making the CFP.
In the 2025 season, the Big 12's top teams, Texas Tech and BYU, have only a 45.9% and 16.5% chance of making the CFP, respectively. This is in stark contrast to the SEC, which has 12 schools with better than a 10% chance of making the CFP, and the Big Ten, which has seven. The ACC, meanwhile, has four teams with better than a 10% chance. This disparity is not just limited to the CFP; the Big 12 has only two teams in the FPI's top 25 rankings, compared to the SEC's 12 and the Big Ten's seven.
What's more, the Big 12's parity is evident in the FPI rankings, with nine teams between spots No. 31 and No. 46. This is in contrast to the SEC, which has all its members in the top 50. The Big Ten is the most top-heavy power league, with seven teams in the FPI's rankings from No. 60 to No. 71, after 10 made the top 39.
The Big 12's struggles are not just limited to the CFP and FPI rankings. During the 2026 regular season, Big 12 schools will have 13 opportunities to face other power conference programs. This raises the question: Can the Big 12 improve its perception and odds of making national noise come playoff time?
Personally, I think the Big 12's struggles are a result of a lack of consistent excellence across the conference. While the SEC and Big Ten have produced multiple national champions, the Big 12 has yet to do so. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for parity within the conference. With nine teams between spots No. 31 and No. 46, the Big 12 has the potential to be a competitive league, but it needs to find a way to consistently produce top-tier teams.
In my opinion, the Big 12 needs to focus on developing a stronger foundation for its programs. This could involve investing in coaching, facilities, and recruiting to ensure that all teams have the resources they need to compete at the highest level. Additionally, the conference could consider implementing a more structured approach to scheduling and conference play to ensure that teams are consistently challenged and prepared for the CFP.
From my perspective, the Big 12 has the potential to be a formidable conference, but it needs to take steps to address its current challenges. One thing that immediately stands out is the need for a more level playing field. The SEC and Big Ten have a clear advantage in terms of resources and history, but the Big 12 can still find ways to compete and improve its perception.
What many people don't realize is that the Big 12 has a rich history and a strong fan base. The conference has produced some of the most iconic players and coaches in college football, and it has a strong tradition of excellence. If the Big 12 can find a way to consistently produce top-tier teams, it could become a force to be reckoned with in the CFP.
If you take a step back and think about it, the Big 12's struggles are not just a reflection of the conference's current state, but also a call to action. The conference has the potential to be a powerhouse, but it needs to take steps to address its challenges and find a way to consistently produce top-tier teams. This raises a deeper question: What does it take to build a conference that can compete with the best in the nation?
