Another week, another slight. Despite strong performances from multiple teams across the Big 12 this season, the conference continues to get overlooked in the national spotlight. The latest AP Top 25 poll features just four Big 12 teams — with only one cracking the top 10. That lone representative? Texas Tech, currently sitting at No. 9.
For a league that has shown impressive depth and competitiveness this season, the rankings feel more like a snub than a fair evaluation. When stacked up against the Big Ten and SEC, both of which dominate the top 15, the Big 12’s representation is surprisingly thin — and it’s raising eyebrows.
Texas Tech Deserves Better
Texas Tech has built one of the most impressive resumes in college football this season. Not only are they undefeated, but they’ve dominated every opponent they’ve faced — winning each game by 24 points or more. That dominance has extended into conference play, with convincing wins over quality programs like Utah and Houston.
The Red Raiders are showing physicality in the trenches, precision through the air, and discipline on both sides of the ball. These are traits usually associated with the top programs in the country. And yet, despite a résumé that rivals or even surpasses several teams ranked above them, Texas Tech still finds itself stuck at No. 9.
If the College Football Playoff were selected today, the Big 12 would likely have just one team in the conversation. Meanwhile, the ACC, despite having weaker overall depth this season, continues to receive favorable poll treatment. That kind of bias could have lasting consequences.
A New-Look Big 12 Deserves New Respect
This isn’t the same Big 12 of years past. With Texas and Oklahoma now out of the picture, a new crop of contenders has emerged. The league may lack the household brand names of the SEC or Big Ten, but make no mistake — there is talent, toughness, and depth in this conference. Other teams being ranked include: BYU, Iowa State, and Arizona State. All high quality teams with balanced rosters from top to bottom not getting enough respect. This has been a common theme for years now.
Programs like Utah, TCU, and Cincinnati all playing quality football and hovering just outside the Top 25 rankings. You can argue that these teams should be ranked based off of their previous play but the AP poll begged to differ. The fact that several of them are receiving votes but can't crack the rankings speaks volumes about how the conference is being perceived nationally.
It’s clear that the Big 12 is being viewed through an outdated lens — one that doesn’t reflect the level of football being played week in and week out. Until that changes, the path to the Playoff for Big 12 teams will remain unnecessarily narrow.
How This Affects Oklahoma State's Road Back
For Oklahoma State, the national perception of the Big 12 is more than just a talking point — it’s a long-term obstacle. As the Cowboys look to climb their way back to national relevance, they’re doing so from within a conference that isn’t getting the respect it deserves.
Even with a strong season, OSU could find itself fighting for recognition in a crowded field, where one-loss SEC or Big Ten teams are still ranked above undefeated Big 12 programs. That matters when it comes to playoff consideration, bowl placement, and recruiting battles.
The new head coach and the Cowboys will need more than just wins — they’ll need dominant wins, signature victories, and consistent national attention to rise above the noise. In a world where perception often becomes reality, the lack of Big 12 respect could mean the difference between a New Year’s Six bowl and being left out of the conversation entirely.
The Bigger Picture
The College Football Playoff is expanding, but so are the hurdles for conferences outside the media darlings of the Big Ten and SEC. If the Big 12 continues to get boxed out of the upper tier of the AP poll, programs like Oklahoma State constantly face an uphill battle for national recognition.
It’s time for voters and analysts to give credit where it’s due. The Big 12 may not have the blueblood names anymore, but the football being played speaks for itself. The league is going through a massive change of disparity with the competition being narrower than ever before. Texas Tech’s dominance should be a wake-up call. And for teams like Oklahoma State, it’s a reminder that even greatness may not be enough — not without a shift in how the conference is viewed.
This isn’t the same old Big 12 and it’s about time the rest of the country noticed.