Preseason Big 12 Rankings: Sun Devils Soar as Locked On Hosts Reveal Surprising Picks 🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈

The Big 12 is buzzing with excitement as the @LockedOnNetwork hosts have officially revealed their preseason conference rankings. In a surprise twist that is already stirring debate across the college football landscape, the Arizona State Sun Devils have emerged as the top pick, securing the No. 1 spot in the preseason rankings. While they aren’t the traditional powerhouse fans might expect to see atop the Big 12, the Sun Devils are riding a wave of momentum — and a revamped roster that’s raising eyebrows across the nation.

It’s Arizona State’s first year competing in the Big 12 following the Pac-12’s dissolution, and they are wasting no time making a statement. Head coach Kenny Dillingham has energized the program, and the Locked On hosts are clearly buying into the hype. A mix of experienced returning players and high-profile transfers has given Arizona State what many believe to be one of the most balanced squads in the conference.

But ASU wasn’t the only team to receive first-place votes in the Locked On preseason poll.

Kansas State — a consistent force under head coach Chris Klieman — earned strong consideration, with several hosts backing the Wildcats as the top contender. K-State returns a core group of starters from last year’s squad that nearly played spoiler in the Big 12 title race. Their physical style of play, coupled with a reloaded defense, makes them a dangerous team heading into the fall.

Texas Tech also received notable support, signaling the rise of the Red Raiders as a legitimate Big 12 dark horse. Head coach Joey McGuire has cultivated a tough, competitive culture in Lubbock, and the team’s aggressive defense and high-tempo offense have the potential to knock off anyone on their schedule. The Locked On Network consensus placed them squarely in the top tier of teams to watch.

And perhaps the most surprising development of all: Houston snagged a few first-place votes of its own.

The Cougars, another recent Big 12 addition, have turned heads with a strong offseason that included major upgrades on both sides of the ball. Head coach Willie Fritz, newly installed after his successful run at Tulane, is quickly reshaping the Houston program. While many analysts pegged the Cougars as a mid-to-lower tier team in the expanded Big 12, the Locked On crew sees real potential for a breakout season.

Missing from the top tier were usual suspects like Oklahoma State and TCU, both of whom were ranked in the middle of the pack. UCF, BYU, and Cincinnati rounded out the lower end of the preseason rankings, with questions surrounding quarterback play and roster depth continuing to cloud their outlook.

With the Big 12 entering a new era of expansion and fierce parity, the Locked On Network’s preseason poll is proof that there’s no true consensus. The Sun Devils may be No. 1 for now, but in a conference where several teams are separated by razor-thin margins, expect fireworks all season long.

One thing’s clear — the Big 12 race is wide open, and every Saturday will matter.