Just when it looked like Texas Tech had claimed its place at the top of the Big 12, Arizona State reminded everyone that nothing comes easy in this conference anymore. Despite being big underdogs and surrounded by uncertainty heading into the week, the Sun Devils went toe-to-toe with the Big 12 championship favorites and current top 10 team to pull off the upset in what turned out to be one of the most telling games of the season.
Injuries loomed large coming in. Arizona State’s starting quarterback Sam Leavitt was questionable all week after missing the previous game, while Texas Tech’s Behren Morton was also a game-time decision. Leavitt ultimately suited up and delivered one of his best performances of the season — a gutsy, efficient showing against a Texas Tech defense that’s been rock solid all year. On the other side, Texas Tech had to roll with true freshman Will Hammond in Morton’s absence. He showed flashes, but it wasn’t enough to put away a determined Arizona State team.
The Big 12 Is Still Anyone’s Race
This game wasn’t just a thriller — it was a snapshot of the current Big 12 landscape. A league once dominated by a small group of powerhouses is now wide open. The bottom six teams in last year’s standings included Oklahoma State, UCF, Arizona, Houston, Cincinnati, and Utah. Today, five of those six have winning records and look very much in the hunt.
Arizona’s turnaround has been especially notable, continuing to build on last season’s momentum. UCF has retooled and started strong. Houston and Cincinnati are showing signs of life after rough transitions to the Power Four level. And Utah, after an uncharacteristically quiet 2024, has bounced back into contention. Even with all the preseason and early season hype around Texas Tech, no team is running away with this thing.
The conference’s depth is deeper than it’s ever been. Each week is a dogfight, and past records mean almost nothing with how fluid rosters are now thanks to the transfer portal and NIL.
Oklahoma State’s Path Forward Isn’t As Far Off As It Seems
While Oklahoma State remains the odd one out among last year’s bottom six, it wasn’t long ago the Cowboys were considered a top-tier Big 12 program. Just two to three years ago, they were in serious playoff conversations. The program has dipped — but in this modern era of college football, turnarounds happen faster than ever.
The key for Oklahoma State is identifying the right head coach who can build a cohesive staff, adapt quickly to the modern game, and utilize NIL and the portal effectively. The Big 12 and college football rather is no longer about long rebuilds: it's about short windows, momentum, and getting the most out of each recruiting and transfer class.
With the right leadership and buy-in from the administration and boosters, Oklahoma State could absolutely be right back in the thick of the race as early as next season. The conference has shown that one year can make all the difference.
Big 12 Parity Isn’t a Fluke — It’s the New Reality
The Arizona State–Texas Tech clash might’ve been just one game on the schedule, but it reflected something much larger: the era of Big 12 unpredictability is here to stay. Every team is capable. Every Saturday matters. And anyone counting out a team based on last year’s standings does so at their own risk.
Texas Tech may still be the frontrunner, but this game proved there are no guarantees. And in this version of the Big 12, that’s exactly what makes it so fun.