If you’re looking for a Big 12 champion not named Texas Tech or BYU, consider the Houston Cougars
As Big 12 Media Days wrap up Wednesday afternoon, there’s no doubt who the conference favorites are.
Most members of the media agree that this year’s version of the Big 12 appears to be a two-horse race, or rather, a Red Raider and Cougar race.
That’s right, the two conference favorites in 2026 are none other than Texas Tech and BYU.
COLLEGE QUARTERBACK WHO BETTED ON HIS TEAM ALLOWED TO PLAY THROUGH LANDMARK, NCAA FILES IN COURT.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire catches a touchdown during the NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
The Red Raiders have had their fair share of controversy during the offseason due to the gambling saga of Brendan Sorsby, but they still have the longest, most talented roster in the Big 12 and are expected to take the title with brute force.
Joining them in the circle of favorites is BYU, a team that fell short of the College Football Playoff and played for the Big 12 title last year, falling to the aforementioned Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
Some of you may not be too fond of picking heavy favorites to win the conference, so what if I told you that there is another team a little lower on the list that may have a chance to unseat the reigning champions?
I’m talking about none other than the Houston Cougars, a rising program that may be flying criminally under the radar in 2026.
The Cougs are entering the third year of the Willie Fritz era, and that’s usually when most coaches hit their stride (Fritz included).
A general view of a Houston Cougars helmet during the team’s practice session for the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 2, 2023 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Fritz is coming off a 10-win season in 2025 and had the Cougars ranked in the final AP Poll for the first time since the end of the 2021 season.
JOEY MCGUIRE CALLS STEVE SARKISIAN’S BLUFF, SETS TEXAS TO PLAY TEXAS TECH IN WEEK 1
Houston has both of its coordinators returning in 2026, including junior defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, who served last season and finished with a defense ranked in the top-50 in scoring (22.9 ppg) and top-40 in average yards per rush allowed (3.7 ypa).
The schedule is manageable, even by Big 12 standards, as the Cougars avoid playing BYU, Arizona, and Arizona State this coming season, and have a very forgiving backcourt.
Most importantly, Houston gets Texas Tech in September to open conference play, meaning there’s a chance they can catch the Red Raiders early before their team plays or have a chance to figure out their quarterback situation.
If the Cougars can pull off an upset, they will be in driver’s seat for the rest of the season in conference play.
Speaking of gelling, Houston ranks second in the Big 12 in returning production, and ranks in the top ten in the country in returning offensive production, so this should be a well-oiled machine from the jump.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Willie Fritz of the Houston Cougars reacts during the first half against the Louisiana State Tigers during the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
While Houston’s transfer portal isn’t anything to write home about overall, I did like Oregon running back Makhi Hughes.
He didn’t produce a ton of production last season, but his 2024 season at Tulane was incredibly impressive, putting up over 1,400 yards on the ground and finding the end zone 17 times.
Defeating the conference Goliath in Lubbock won’t be easy, but I really like the makeup of this team.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Returning coordinators, veteran leadership, and an amnesty program could be the storm needed to send Houston to the big dance in December.
Buy stock in the Cougars now, because the price is only going to go up from here.
