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Back when the Big 12 softball schedule was released last fall, everyone expected Texas Tech’s series at Arizona to be a big one.
NiJaree Canady vs. Devyn Netz.
Upstart program vs. old guard.
But as significant as we thought Red Raiders vs. Wildcats would be, it’s even bigger — Texas Tech could clinch at least a share of the Big 12 championship on Arizona soil.
Yes, if the Red Raiders sweep the series, they would be able to do no worse than tie for the title and would only have to win one of their final six conference games to claim the championship outright.
Of course, if the Wildcats sweep, there’d be a chance for the two programs to share the crown. Truthfully, the way that Texas Tech and Arizona have dominated the top two spots of the Big 12 softball power rankings this season, a shared title might be fitting.
Though it’s unlikely either team wants that.
So expect high-level softball this weekend in Tucson. The TV networks sure do. While the first game of the series on Thursday is set to be on ESPN+, the second game on Friday will be on FS1 and the third game on Saturday was recently moved from ESPNU to ESPN2.
ESPN also moved the Saturday start time to primetime, 6:30 p.m. CST.
Let’s get to this week’s Big 12 power rankings:
More: Who is college softball's most intriguing person for 2025? Here's our top-25 ranking
Record: 34-9, 14-1 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 1
The Big 12 schedule hasn’t tested Texas Tech much since its opening series against Oklahoma State. But the Red Raiders have done what top teams should do, winning 12 Big 12 games in a row, most recently sweeping Houston.
Record: 36-7, 13-5 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 2
The Wildcats needed a sweep to keep pace with Texas Tech, and they scored an impressive one at Kansas, winning the three games by a combined score of 28-4.
Record: 20-18, 9-6 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 6
A big season for the Cyclones only got bigger this past weekend with a series win at OSU. They didn’t just win two games; they beat Cowgirl ace Ruby Meylan in both victories.
Record: 24-14, 6-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 3
The Cowgirls have lost five of six, including two at home against Iowa State this past weekend. Those losses may well cost OSU the chance to host an NCAA regional.
More: Super 16 college softball rankings: How Texas A&M maneuvered its way past rival Texas
Record: 31-14, 11-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Sun Devils might just be hitting their stride. They’ve won seven of their last eight, including a sweep of Utah in Salt Lake City. Right-hander Kenzie Brown’s 1.20 earned run average is second only to Canady in the Big 12.
Record: 25-18-1, 6-9 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 8
The Golden Knights picked up a huge series win at BYU. Despite an up-and-down season, UCF has an adjusted RPI of 32. It is solidly in the NCAA Tournament and looking to improve its seeding.
Record: 25-12, 8-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 5
The Cougars dropped a home series against UCF, only salvaging a win in the third game. A series win on home turf would’ve done wonders for their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Record: 21-21, 7-8 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 7
The Bears were on their Big 12 bye week and picked up a win against Texas-San Antonio and two wins against Abilene Christian.
Record: 12-30, 4-11 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Utes’ struggles continue. They were swept at home by Arizona State.
Record: 17-20, 4-11 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 10
The Jayhawks kept things close in their opening game against Arizona, losing only 2-0. But the Wildcats walloped them 15-3 and 11-1 in the last two games of the series.
Record: 20-19, 3-13 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 11
The Cougars had a weekend much like the Jayhawks, hanging tough in the series opening against Texas Tech. Then the Red Raiders dominated the last two games of the series.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 softball power rankings: Texas Tech-Arizona series title impact
Continue reading...
NiJaree Canady vs. Devyn Netz.
Upstart program vs. old guard.
But as significant as we thought Red Raiders vs. Wildcats would be, it’s even bigger — Texas Tech could clinch at least a share of the Big 12 championship on Arizona soil.
Yes, if the Red Raiders sweep the series, they would be able to do no worse than tie for the title and would only have to win one of their final six conference games to claim the championship outright.
Of course, if the Wildcats sweep, there’d be a chance for the two programs to share the crown. Truthfully, the way that Texas Tech and Arizona have dominated the top two spots of the Big 12 softball power rankings this season, a shared title might be fitting.
Though it’s unlikely either team wants that.
So expect high-level softball this weekend in Tucson. The TV networks sure do. While the first game of the series on Thursday is set to be on ESPN+, the second game on Friday will be on FS1 and the third game on Saturday was recently moved from ESPNU to ESPN2.
ESPN also moved the Saturday start time to primetime, 6:30 p.m. CST.
Let’s get to this week’s Big 12 power rankings:
More: Who is college softball's most intriguing person for 2025? Here's our top-25 ranking
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1. Texas Tech
Record: 34-9, 14-1 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 1
The Big 12 schedule hasn’t tested Texas Tech much since its opening series against Oklahoma State. But the Red Raiders have done what top teams should do, winning 12 Big 12 games in a row, most recently sweeping Houston.
2. Arizona
Record: 36-7, 13-5 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 2
The Wildcats needed a sweep to keep pace with Texas Tech, and they scored an impressive one at Kansas, winning the three games by a combined score of 28-4.
3. Iowa State
Record: 20-18, 9-6 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 6
A big season for the Cyclones only got bigger this past weekend with a series win at OSU. They didn’t just win two games; they beat Cowgirl ace Ruby Meylan in both victories.
4. Oklahoma State
Record: 24-14, 6-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 3
The Cowgirls have lost five of six, including two at home against Iowa State this past weekend. Those losses may well cost OSU the chance to host an NCAA regional.
More: Super 16 college softball rankings: How Texas A&M maneuvered its way past rival Texas
5. Arizona State
Record: 31-14, 11-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 4
The Sun Devils might just be hitting their stride. They’ve won seven of their last eight, including a sweep of Utah in Salt Lake City. Right-hander Kenzie Brown’s 1.20 earned run average is second only to Canady in the Big 12.
6. UCF
Record: 25-18-1, 6-9 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 8
The Golden Knights picked up a huge series win at BYU. Despite an up-and-down season, UCF has an adjusted RPI of 32. It is solidly in the NCAA Tournament and looking to improve its seeding.
7. BYU
Record: 25-12, 8-7 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 5
The Cougars dropped a home series against UCF, only salvaging a win in the third game. A series win on home turf would’ve done wonders for their NCAA Tournament hopes.
8. Baylor
Record: 21-21, 7-8 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 7
The Bears were on their Big 12 bye week and picked up a win against Texas-San Antonio and two wins against Abilene Christian.
9. Utah
Record: 12-30, 4-11 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 9
The Utes’ struggles continue. They were swept at home by Arizona State.
10. Kansas
Record: 17-20, 4-11 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 10
The Jayhawks kept things close in their opening game against Arizona, losing only 2-0. But the Wildcats walloped them 15-3 and 11-1 in the last two games of the series.
11. Houston
Record: 20-19, 3-13 Big 12
Last week’s ranking: 11
The Cougars had a weekend much like the Jayhawks, hanging tough in the series opening against Texas Tech. Then the Red Raiders dominated the last two games of the series.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 softball power rankings: Texas Tech-Arizona series title impact
Continue reading...
