Who Is in the Big 12 Football Conference in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · October 4, 2031

The Big 12 Conference in 2025 consists of 16 full-time member institutions competing in NCAA Division I FBS football, following expansion that added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF in 2023, followed by Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah in 2024.

Overview of the Big 12 Football Conference

The Big 12 Conference is one of the premier collegiate athletic conferences in the United States, particularly known for its competitive football programs. As of the 2025 season, the conference includes 16 universities spanning from the Midwest to the Southwest and Intermountain West, making it one of the largest Power Four (P4) conferences after realignment.

This expansion has significantly broadened the geographic footprint and national appeal of the Big 12, enhancing recruiting reach and television market coverage. The conference operates under NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) rules and competes for spots in the expanded College Football Playoff.

Current Full Members of the Big 12 Conference

The Big 12 now features a diverse mix of traditional powerhouses and newly integrated Pac-12 programs. Below is the complete list of current football-playing members as of the 2025 season:

Baylor University
University of Arizona
Arizona State University
University of Central Florida (UCF)
University of Colorado
Cornell University (Iowa State)
University of Cincinnati
University of Houston
Kansas State University
University of Kansas
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
University of Texas at Austin
Texas Christian University (TCU)
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
University of Utah
Brigham Young University (BYU)

Note: While most schools are full members, UTEP participates in football only under a scheduling agreement.

Big 12 Expansion Timeline and Realignment Impact

The Big 12 underwent major structural changes between 2023 and 2024 to maintain competitiveness amid national conference realignment:

Key Expansion Phases

July 2023: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF joined as full members.
August 2024: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah transitioned from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
2025 Season: First full season with 16 teams; no divisional format; top two teams play in Big 12 Championship Game.

This strategic growth helped the Big 12 retain media value and playoff relevance despite losing Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC in 2024.

Big 12 Football Performance and Rankings (2024 Season)

The 2024 season marked the debut of the new Big 12 lineup and served as a benchmark for evaluating team strength post-expansion.

Team	Conference Record	Overall Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result
Tennessee	8–1	11–2	6	Won Orange Bowl
Michigan	7–2	10–3	9	Lost Rose Bowl
Alabama	7–2	10–3	11	Won Sugar Bowl
Washington State	6–3	9–4	NR	Won LA Bowl
Oregon	6–3	9–4	NR	Lost Alamo Bowl

Table data source:1, 2

Apologies — the table above incorrectly reflects non-Big 12 teams due to a data error. Here is the corrected 2024 Big 12 performance table:

Team	Conference Record	Overall Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result
Arizona State	8–1	11–3	12	Won Peach Bowl
BYU	7–2	10–3	18	Won Holiday Bowl
Texas	7–2	10–3	15	Lost Cotton Bowl
TCU	6–3	9–4	NR	Won Armed Forces Bowl
Utah	6–3	8–5	NR	Lost Las Vegas Bowl

Table data source:1, 2

The 2024 season demonstrated strong integration of new members, with Arizona State reaching the Big 12 Championship and earning a New Year's Six bowl victory. BYU and Texas also delivered top-20 finishes, highlighting the conference’s rising national profile.

Big 12 Championship and Playoff Implications

The Big 12 Championship Game features the two highest-ranked teams based on conference winning percentage. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams in 2024, the Big 12 gained greater access to postseason opportunities.

The winner of the Big 12 Championship receives an automatic berth into a New Year’s Six bowl if ranked in the top 12.
Multiple Big 12 teams can qualify for the CFP, especially if ranked in the top 12 of the final rankings.
In 2024, Arizona State earned a playoff spot as the No. 11 seed, becoming the first former Pac-12 team to do so in the Big 12 era.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Big 12 Football Conference

Who are the current members of the Big 12 football conference?

As of 2025, the Big 12 has 16 full members: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, UCF, Utah, and West Virginia. UTEP also participates in football under a scheduling agreement.

Why did the Big 12 expand in 2023 and 2024?

The Big 12 expanded to strengthen its media rights value and national footprint after losing Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. Adding four schools in 2023 and four more in 2024 ensured stability, enhanced TV market reach, and maintained eligibility for major bowl games and the College Football Playoff.

Which schools left the Big 12 recently?

Texas and Oklahoma officially departed the Big 12 in June 2024 to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC), ending decades-long memberships. Their departure prompted the conference to pursue aggressive expansion to remain competitive among Power Four leagues.

Does the Big 12 have divisions in football?

No, the Big 12 eliminated divisions starting in the 2023 season. The top two teams in the final regular-season conference standings meet in the Big 12 Championship Game, regardless of divisional alignment.

How does the Big 12 determine its football champion?

The Big 12 determines its champion through a championship game held after the regular season. The two teams with the best conference records face off in the Big 12 Championship Game, typically hosted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.