What Teams Are in the Big 12 Football? Full 2025 List

By Sarah Miller · December 5, 2037

The Big 12 Conference currently consists of 16 teams as of the 2024 season: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. This expansion marks a significant shift in the conference's structure following the departure of several long-time members and the addition of four new schools from the Pac-12.

Overview of the Big 12 Football Conference

The Big 12 Conference is one of the premier collegiate athletic conferences in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Known for its competitive football programs and high-octane offenses, the Big 12 has undergone major realignment starting in 2023, expanding from 10 to 16 member institutions. The conference now spans across eight U.S. states, enhancing its national footprint and media reach.

History of Conference Realignment

The Big 12 was originally founded in 1996 with 12 teams, including powerhouses like Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado. Over time, membership fluctuated due to conference realignment:

Nebraska and Colorado left for the Big Ten and Pac-12 in 2011.
Texas A&M and Missouri joined the SEC in 2012.
In 2024, Texas and Oklahoma departed for the SEC.
To offset losses, the Big 12 added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF in 2023, followed by Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah from the Pac-12 in 2024.

Current Big 12 Member Schools (2025 Season)

As of the 2025 college football season, the Big 12 includes 16 universities. Below is a complete list of current members:

Arizona Wildcats
Arizona State Sun Devils
Baylor Bears
BYU Cougars
UCF Knights
Cincinnati Bearcats
Colorado Buffaloes
Iowa State Cyclones
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas State Wildcats
Oklahoma Sooners (final season in 2023; moved to SEC in 2024)
Oklahoma State Cowboys
TCU Horned Frogs
Texas Longhorns (final season in 2023; moved to SEC in 2024)
Utah Utes
West Virginia Mountaineers

School	Location	Joined Big 12	Stadium Capacity	Head Coach (2025)	2024 Conference Record
Arizona	Tucson, AZ	2024	50,782	Jedd Fisch	6–3
Arizona State	Tempe, AZ	2024	53,544	Kenny Dillingham	7–2
Baylor	Waco, TX	1996	50,000	Dave Aranda	5–4
BYU	Provo, UT	2023	62,073	Alma Richards	6–3
UCF	Orlando, FL	2023	44,666	Gus Malzahn	7–2
Cincinnati	Cincinnati, OH	2023	40,124	Luke Fickell	6–3
Colorado	Boulder, CO	2024	50,183	Deion Sanders	5–4
Iowa State	Ames, IA	1996	61,500	Mike Rose	8–1
Kansas	Lawrence, KS	1996	47,240	Lance Leipold	4–5
Kansas State	Manhattan, KS	1996	50,000	Chris Klieman	6–3
Oklahoma State	Stillwater, OK	1996	50,830	Mike Gundy	7–2
TCU	Fort Worth, TX	2012	44,721	Sonny Dykes	6–3
Utah	Salt Lake City, UT	2024	51,444	Kyle Whittingham	5–4
West Virginia	Morgantown, WV	2012	60,000	Neal Brown	4–5

Table data source:Big 12 Official Site, Sports Reference, NCAA.com

The table above highlights key metrics for each Big 12 team entering the 2025 season. Iowa State led the conference with an 8–1 record in 2024, showcasing strong defensive performance under new leadership. The addition of former Pac-12 schools brings larger stadium capacities and expanded fan bases, particularly from Arizona State and BYU, both exceeding 50,000 seats. These additions enhance the Big 12’s competitiveness and media market presence.

Key Rivalries and Traditions

The Big 12 features several historic and emerging rivalries that fuel fan engagement and national interest:

Baylor vs. TCU (Bluebonnet Battle): A fierce in-state rivalry between two Texas private schools.
Kansas vs. Kansas State (Sunflower Showdown): One of the oldest rivalries in college football, dating back to 1902.
Bedlam Series (Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State): Though diminished after OU’s departure, it remains a cultural touchstone.
New matchups like Arizona vs. BYU and Utah vs. Colorado are expected to grow into major annual contests.

Championship Format and Structure

Starting in 2023, the Big 12 reinstated its conference championship game, featuring the top two teams based on regular-season records. With 16 teams, the conference is divided into two divisions — though this may evolve as the league evaluates scheduling models.

The Big 12 Championship Game is held annually at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Automatic bowl berths go to division winners and the champion.
The conference holds tiebreaker procedures involving head-to-head results, division record, and common opponents.

About Big 12 Football: Common Questions

What teams are in the Big 12 football conference in 2025?

As of the 2025 season, the Big 12 includes 16 teams: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah, West Virginia, along with new entrants from the Pac-12. Texas and Oklahoma have moved to the SEC.

Why did the Big 12 expand in 2023–2024?

The Big 12 expanded to maintain stability and national relevance after losing flagship members Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. Adding four schools from the collapsing Pac-12—Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah—helped secure media rights deals and geographic diversity.

Which Big 12 teams are most likely to make the College Football Playoff?

Historically, Oklahoma dominated playoff appearances. In the new era, teams like TCU (2022 finalist), BYU, and potential contenders such as Arizona State and Utah under Deion Sanders could emerge as CFP candidates depending on rankings and performance.

How does the Big 12 determine its conference champion?

The Big 12 determines its champion through a championship game between the two highest-ranked teams after the regular season. Since 2023, the top two teams face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, regardless of divisional alignment.

Are there any future changes expected in Big 12 football membership?

As of 2025, no further expansion is officially planned. However, the Big 12 continues to monitor conference realignment trends and may consider adding schools if opportunities arise, especially in untapped markets like the Pacific Northwest or Midwest.