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UCF was picked to finish 14th in an unofficial preseason Big 12 football poll organized by the Tulsa World and featuring votes by 16 reporters, each covering a different team.
The Knights received 68 votes, ahead of Colorado (40 points) at No. 15 and behind West Virginia (76) at No. 13.
The Big 12 did away with its preseason poll, which was determined by votes from the league’s coaches, several seasons ago.
Texas Tech, with 14 first-place votes, was the choice to repeat as conference champion. BYU was the only other school to receive two first-place votes. The Cougars, who were the runner-ups in the conference title game, were picked to finish second behind the Red Raiders.
Arizona and Houston were tied for third in the poll with 207 points apiece, followed by Utah (198), TCU (166), Arizona State (161) and Kansas State (158).
UCF is in its second season with head coach Scott Frost since returning to the program after a seven-year absence. The Knights, who finished 5-7, were picked to finish dead last in last season’s preseason poll.
Here’s the order of finish, with first-place votes and total points:
1. Texas Tech (14) 254
2. Brigham Young (2) 239
3. Arizona 207
3. Houston 207
5. Utah 198
6. Texas Christian 166
7. Arizona State 161
8. Kansas State 158
9. Oklahoma State 124
10. Baylor 88
11. Cincinnati 85
12. Kansas 79
13. West Virginia 76
14. UCF 68
15. Colorado 40
16. Iowa State 26
Voters: Eric Bailey, Tulsa World; Jason Batacao, Salt Lake Tribune; Mike Casazza, Eer Sports (247); Jay Drew, Deseret News; Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle; Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic; Henry Greenstein, Lawrence Journal World; Ben Hutchens, Quad Cities Times; Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Matthew Murschel, Orlando Sentinel; Leo Rivera, Buffstampede.com; Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star/Wichita Eagle; Jason Scheer, Wildcatauthority.com; Zach Smith, Waco Tribune-Herald; Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer; Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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The Knights received 68 votes, ahead of Colorado (40 points) at No. 15 and behind West Virginia (76) at No. 13.
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The Big 12 did away with its preseason poll, which was determined by votes from the league’s coaches, several seasons ago.
Texas Tech, with 14 first-place votes, was the choice to repeat as conference champion. BYU was the only other school to receive two first-place votes. The Cougars, who were the runner-ups in the conference title game, were picked to finish second behind the Red Raiders.
Arizona and Houston were tied for third in the poll with 207 points apiece, followed by Utah (198), TCU (166), Arizona State (161) and Kansas State (158).
UCF is in its second season with head coach Scott Frost since returning to the program after a seven-year absence. The Knights, who finished 5-7, were picked to finish dead last in last season’s preseason poll.
2026 PRESEASON BIG 12 MEDIA POLL
Here’s the order of finish, with first-place votes and total points:
1. Texas Tech (14) 254
2. Brigham Young (2) 239
3. Arizona 207
3. Houston 207
5. Utah 198
6. Texas Christian 166
7. Arizona State 161
8. Kansas State 158
9. Oklahoma State 124
10. Baylor 88
11. Cincinnati 85
12. Kansas 79
13. West Virginia 76
14. UCF 68
15. Colorado 40
16. Iowa State 26
Voters: Eric Bailey, Tulsa World; Jason Batacao, Salt Lake Tribune; Mike Casazza, Eer Sports (247); Jay Drew, Deseret News; Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle; Michelle Gardner, Arizona Republic; Henry Greenstein, Lawrence Journal World; Ben Hutchens, Quad Cities Times; Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Matthew Murschel, Orlando Sentinel; Leo Rivera, Buffstampede.com; Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star/Wichita Eagle; Jason Scheer, Wildcatauthority.com; Zach Smith, Waco Tribune-Herald; Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer; Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Continue reading...
