After investing more than $25 million in NIL, Texas Tech won its first Big 12 title in school history last season.
Heading into 2026, the Red Raiders have invested even more, boasting the most expensive roster in the Big 12 and one of the most expensive in the country.
So, is Texas Tech’s rise to the top of the conference the new norm?
Check out the latest odds to win the Big 12 at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Aug. 17.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
Big 12 Conference Championship Game Winner 2026
Texas Tech: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)
BYU: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Utah: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Kansas State: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Houston: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Arizona: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
TCU: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Arizona State: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Oklahoma State: +2900 (bet $10 to win $300 total)
Baylor: +4800 (bet $10 to win $490 total)
Kansas: +5200 (bet $10 to win $530 total)
West Virginia: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
UCF: +7400 (bet $10 to win $750 total)
Colorado: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Cincinnati: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Iowa State: +11000 (bet $10 to win $1,110 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Favorite: As mentioned earlier, Texas Tech’s major NIL investments paid off in a big way last season. The Red Raiders went 12-2, won the Big 12 and advanced to the Orange Bowl before falling to Oregon. However, there was some offseason turmoil over the past few months. Brendan Sorsby, who threw for 2,800 yards and 28 touchdowns with Cincinnati in 2025, was expected to be the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback. However, he parted ways with the university following a controversy involving sports gambling violations that left his college eligibility and status uncertain. Now, Will Hammond will step into the starting role for a team that returns 23 starters, including transfers, and added the No. 6 transfer portal class in the country. Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, the Red Raiders are the clear favorites to win the Big 12 once again.
Biggest Sleeper: After Texas Tech, the conference is pretty wide open. BYU sits as the second choice on the oddsboard after going 12-2 in 2025, with both losses coming against the Red Raiders. One team to keep an eye on, however, is Oklahoma State. After an abysmal 2025 season in which the Cowboys went 1-11, they hired Eric Morris as their next head coach. Morris comes over from North Texas, where he led the Mean Green to a 12-2 record last season, and he has completely revamped Oklahoma State’s roster. Most notably, he brings quarterback Drew Mestemaker with him after Mestemaker led the country with 4,279 passing yards last season. Morris also brought Caleb Hawkins and Wyatt Young to Stillwater. Hawkins rushed for 1,434 yards, fifth-most in the country, and led college football with 25 rushing touchdowns, while Young finished third nationally with 1,264 receiving yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. The Cowboys are primed to take a massive step forward in 2026 and could compete in a wide-open Big 12.
