Most Improved Big 12 Teams in 2026: Cowboys Look For Massive Turnaround

The biggest question regarding the most improved Big 12 teams this season is simple: can a complete roster change work in the new era of college football?

If so, Oklahoma State could become the blueprint for all future coaching changes. The Cowboys have just one win in their past 19 games, and they’ve lost 19 straight games in the Big 12. Mike Gundy was shown the door, and Eric Morris now tries to bring the Cowboys into the NIL era.

Oklahoma State isn’t the only school thinking of a turnaround. The Big 12 has been one of the more volatile leagues in the nation ever since the pandemic. Over the past five years, nine different teams have played in the Big 12 title game. The one repeat team in that stretch? Oklahoma State.

That’s life in the Big 12: a school can go from playing for a league title to scraping bottom of the standings. And that’s why any school can realistically find itself among the most improved Big 12 teams. These teams have the best chance to be there.

UCF Knights (5-7 Last Season)

Scott Frost has to be feeling some pressure. In seven full seasons as a head coach, he has one season above .500. Granted, it was an undefeated season with his current employer, so that’s bought him some goodwill. But the fact remains that he needs to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder.

The Knights should be better this year, as long as they hang on to the football. UCF was minus-9 in turnovers last year in Big 12 play, and the Knights went 2-7 because of that. They now have an experienced quarterback and veteran linebackers and defensive backs to force turnovers of their own.

The schedule also helps. UCF doesn’t play Texas Tech, Kansas State or Utah, and the Knights host BYU. Frost should be able to end his year in a bowl game, which would make three in four years at UCF.

Kansas State Wildcats (6-6 Last Season)

A trip to Europe can mess with a team’s mentality. K-State proved that last year when it went to Ireland and lost to Iowa State to start the year. The Wildcats were never the same, losing five games by a total of 17 points. Only Texas Tech beat K-State by more than one score, but inconsistency plagued the Wildcats all year.

This year, Kansas State only leaves Manhattan once until Oct. 24. The Wildcats get five of six at home and have Avery Johnson under center again. There’s also plenty of experience on the defensive side, which was K-State’s strength last year.

One big concern exists: Chris Kleiman decided to retire. If Collin Klein can handle the job, the Wildcats will compete for a Big 12 title. If not, they’ll take a step back.

Baylor Bears (5-7 Last Season)

When your linebackers all get injured, you’re not going to stop anybody. Health alone will have Baylor as one of the most improved Big 12 teams, as the Bears’ defense suffered from a lack of bodies. Baylor’s three best starting linebackers in August were all done for the year by the second Big 12 game of the season last year.

Somehow, the Bears managed to get five wins, but it wasn’t anything the defense did. This season, Baylor should have its unit back together, and it added a solid quarterback in DJ Lagway.

There’s also pressure on coach Dave Aranda. He’s made a bowl just twice in four years, and Baylor’s expectations exceed that now. He should be ready to get the most from his team.

Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-11 Last Season)

About the only resemblance the Cowboys have to last year’s team is the uniforms. Eric Morris has changed everything; now it’s a question of whether it will work.

Quarterback alone should change things in Stillwater. Drew Mestemaker led the nation in passing last year, playing with North Texas. He threw for 34 touchdowns in 2025; Oklahoma State’s entire offense scored 15.

Granted, there’s a difference between the American and the Big 12, but Oklahoma State also lost to Tulsa last year. The Golden Hurricane finished 1-7 in the same league that Mestemaker and Morris took second place in, so that speaks to how awful Oklahoma State was last year. If the new Cowboys bring over even a shred of what they showed at North Texas, they will be improved.