Mother Nature might not be the best indicator of what time of the year it is for much of the country right now. But there is Spring air circulating around football facilities all over the country. After the 2025 season, plenty of Big 12 teams will find themselves in new positions. Some find themselves desperate for answers. Last Word took a good look at the 16-team conference and came up with the Big 12 Spring football question each program needs an answer to.
One Big 12 Spring Football Question For Each Team
Arizona
“Have They Reached Their Ceiling With Fifita Already?”
Head coach Brent Brennan delivered a terrific year-two turnaround last season, leading the team to 9 regular-season wins in 2025. Quarterback Noah Fifita has thrived in the Air Raid under offensive coordinator Seth Doege. Most of the defense returns and has added key pieces to the portal. Will it be enough for the Wildcats to earn the title of “Big 12 contender?”
Arizona State
“How Well As Dillingham Built The Roster?”
Kenny Dillingham’s teams over the last two years have had major NFL talent driving the Sun Devils. Between Cam Skattebo, Jordyn Tyson, and pro-prospect Sam Leavitt, Arizona State has had “a dude” to lean on. As expected, Dillingham was busy in the portal trying to fill talent gaps. But without having a clear offensive weapon (or a settled quarterback room), will the shine on Dillingham start to set like the Tempe sun?
Baylor
“How Is Aranda Getting Off The Hot Seat?
It is hard to remember that Dave Aranda has won the Big 12 at Baylor. After last season’s collapse, he now has his fourth losing season in the last six. When it came to asking the one Big 12 Spring football question for Baylor, it was a no-brainer to look at the temperature of Aranda’s seat. The only major piece in the portal to arrive is quarterback DJ Lagway. But the moves this offseason have hardly inspired confidence going into 2026.
BYU
“What Do the Cougars Need To Do To Earn Some Respect?
BYU has played in a P4 conference for three seasons now. In the last two seasons, they have a combined record of 23-4. They will again have one of the best defenses in the Big 12. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin will get to take all the number-one reps together. Cookie money kept Kalani Sitake in Provo. It will likely take a win over Notre Dame on October 17th before the Cougars get their much-deserved respect.
Colorado
“Who Needs A Special Teams Coach?”
The college football world got to see how Deion Sanders operated without having a son on the roster for the first time in his coaching career. The results were not great. But they have a quarterback to operate around. Questions remain about the offensive line. However, will the lack of a dedicated Special Teams coach prove to cost the Buffs one or two games this season? For a team that still has major questions on the roster, lacking a dedicated coach for an entire phase of the game seems short-sighted.
Cincinnati
“Is This A Make-Or-Break Season For Satterfield?”
At one point last year, the Bearcats were 7-1. Head Coach Scott Satterfield had finally appeared to turn the corner with this team. However, they would close the season on a five-game losing streak. Now, their best offensive and defensive players are gone. How long will the Bearcats tolerate middle-of-the-road results? A bright spot for Cincinnati is that they play only five games outside the city this season.
Houston
“How Big Of A Jump Can Fritz Make In Year 3?”
There might not have been a quieter 10-win team last year than Houston. Head coach Willie Fritz has all the major pieces back from the 2025 season. All signs point to this team being able to compete for a conference title. This Big 12 Spring football question will get answered quickly as they travel to Lubbock in week three to take on the defending champions.
Iowa State
“What Can Be Done To Maintain Campbell-level success?”
The bar must be low for Cyclone fans going into 2026. They saw 55 players leave the program when the program’s best coach in history left for Happy Valley. New head coach Jimmy Rogers has done what he can to backfill to field a competent team. But this year could have plenty of growing pains if this program wants to maintain respectability in the Big 12.
Kansas
“Who is playing Quarterback?”
The 2026 Jayhawks will be missing some cornerstone pieces that have been with the program seemingly forever, headlined by quarterback Jalon Daniels. So, in addition to the number of new faces this program will need to lean on, there is a true quarterback battle. Cole Ballard is the early favorite, but there isn’t any separation between him, transfer Chase Jenkins, and Isaiah Marshall.
Kansas State
“Can Optimus Klein Unlock Johnson?”
Collin Klein’s defense is going to be a struggling unit in 2026 with so much of their top-end talent leaving. But his first priority is having quarterback Avery Johnson reach his ceiling. Johnson did improve down the stretch last season. However, he still hasn’t taken the jump in the passing game that many have expected him to. If the Wildcats are going to be competitive this season, it’s going to fall on the arm and legs of Johnson.
Oklahoma State
“Can Morris Get Pokes Bowling In Year One?”
Last Word feels confident in declaring that 2025 was rock bottom for the Oklahoma State program. So, the only place to go for new head coach Eric Morris is up. He is bringing a quarterback/running back duo that is already in the conversation for the best one-two punch in the conference. They shored up the trench play through the portal. Getting Oregon to come to Stillwater in week two is the last thing any rebuilding program wants to see. But there is a real reason to believe this team can start 4-1.
TCU
“What should success look like?”
All the Horned Frogs have done is win 18 games in the last two seasons. Yet, there is a very bitter taste in the mouths of much of the fan base. The 2022 season is now a black cloud that hovers over Sonny Dykes. Even with the departure of quarterback Josh Hoover, there is still a decent amount of talent on this roster. Last Word would argue that success for this program should frequently (at least once every 3 years) be competing for a Big 12 title. Will Dykes finally be able to weather 2022’s accomplishments with double-digit wins in 2026?
Texas Tech
“What Will It Take To Repeat?”
Joey McGuire, coming off the best season in program history, is replacing one of the best defenses in Big 12 history. But linebackers John Curry and Ben Roberts, as well as first-team All-Big 12 cornerback Brice Pollock, return. The biggest difference this team has now is the addition of a true dual-threat quarterback, Brendan Sorsby. The Cincinnati transfer will not lack weapons in the backfield or out wide to distribute the ball to. If the Red Raiders get out of Spring healthy, they will be the favorites heading into 2026.
UCF
“How Will Verse Two Be Different?”
The last three Big 12 Spring football questions will all look very similar, focusing on head coaches early in their tenures. Scott Frost’s first year back in Orlando was…fine. Expectations were not that high, and they almost found themselves in a bowl game down the stretch of the season. The combination of players leaving and joining the program has not suggested a major jump in terms of wins for 2026. But Knight fans will undoubtedly hope year two, version two, will look a lot like 2017.
Utah
“Will The Succession Plan Work In Year One?”
Even with having two seasons to prepare for Morgan Scalley to take over for Kyle Whittingham, the timing of Whittingham’s departure (and his comments) came across as if not everyone was willing to turn the page. The biggest challenge facing Scalley in year one is essentially an entire offensive line that included two first-round-caliber future NFL players. A week two visit from Arkansas could be a good litmus test to determine how the 2026 season will play out.
West Virginia
“How Will Verse Two Be Different?”
Rich Rodriguez’s return gave the fan base ultimate bragging rights over their hated rivals. But that was about it as 2025 ended with a 4-8 record. What this team will look like in 2026 is anyone’s guess, as the Mountaineers brought in 69 new players through the portal. The lone bright spot last year, quarterback Scotty Fox Jr., still needs to show major development, as Rodriguez brought in quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. from Oklahoma. Rich Rod’s first stint with West Virginia saw a six-win improvement in his second year. Getting to six wins this year would at least be a sign of growth.
Main Photo: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
