Big 12 Conference Makes Historic Return with Two Teams in AP Top 10

The Big 12 conference has reached a notable achievement in college football, with two of its member institutions securing positions in the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since October 29, 2023. This development signals a potential resurgence for the conference as the 2025 season progresses toward its conclusion and the College Football Playoff selection process begins.

Conference Breakthrough

The Big 12's representation in the elite tier of college football has been restored with BYU holding the No. 8 position and Texas Tech securing the No. 9 spot. According to The Associated Press report, this marks the first time in exactly two years that the conference has placed two teams simultaneously in the top 10. The Cougars achieved their highest ranking of the season despite having an idle week, while the Red Raiders re-entered the top 10 after a three-week absence following their victory at Kansas State.

National Landscape

The broader college football landscape saw stability at the very top, with Ohio State maintaining its No. 1 position for the tenth consecutive week. Indiana held firm at No. 2 for the third straight week, followed by Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Ole Miss completing the unchanged top seven. The distribution of first-place votes remained consistent with previous weeks, with Ohio State receiving 54 votes, Indiana 11, and Texas A&M one.

Upcoming Conference Showdown

The timing of this achievement adds significant intrigue to the Big 12 schedule, as BYU and Texas Tech are scheduled to face each other this coming weekend. This matchup now carries substantial implications for both the conference championship race and potential College Football Playoff consideration. The game will provide a direct comparison between the two programs that have propelled the Big 12 back into national prominence.

Playoff Implications

This poll release represents the final AP ranking before the College Football Playoff committee unveils its first set of rankings, which will officially kick off the run-up to the CFP bracket release on December 7. The improved standing of Big 12 teams comes at a crucial moment, potentially influencing the committee's perception of the conference's strength and the resume of its top contenders.

The return of multiple Big 12 teams to the top 10 represents more than just a statistical milestone—it signifies the conference's renewed competitiveness at the national level. As the season enters its final weeks, the performance of BYU and Texas Tech will be closely watched, not only for their conference implications but for their potential to challenge the established hierarchy of college football's elite programs.