FRISCO, Texas — The road to the 2026 college football season officially began Tuesday as the first eight programs took center stage at Big 12 Football Media Days inside Ford Center at The Star.
Representatives from Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and UCF met with local and national media, offering an early look at the expectations, challenges and optimism surrounding their programs entering the fall.
D210SPORTS reporters Candice and Laci were on site throughout the day, speaking with coaches and players while capturing the atmosphere from one of college football’s premier preseason events.
The opening day featured a mix of established contenders and programs looking to take the next step in a conference that continues to grow in both national attention and competitiveness. Coaches discussed roster development, quarterback play, recruiting and the evolving landscape of college athletics, while players reflected on offseason preparation and the goals they’ve set for the upcoming season.
One of the biggest draws of the day was Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, whose appearance once again generated significant interest from media members across the country. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark also addressed the conference’s future, touching on issues ranging from conference growth and student-athlete welfare to the league’s continued push to elevate its national profile.
Texas Tech entered Media Days with plenty of momentum after being selected as the preseason favorite in the Big 12 coaches’ poll, while Arizona State, BYU, Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma State, Colorado and UCF all expressed confidence that they have the pieces to compete for a conference championship this season.
Beyond the interviews and press conferences, Day 1 provided an opportunity for media members to evaluate the personalities and leadership of each program before preseason camp begins later this month. The conversations consistently centered on experience, culture and the importance of navigating one of the nation’s deepest conferences.
The second and final day of Big 12 Football Media Days will feature Arizona, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, TCU, Utah and West Virginia, completing the conference’s annual preseason showcase in Frisco.
D210SPORTS will continue its on-site coverage from The Star with exclusive interviews, player reactions, coach press conferences and behind-the-scenes content throughout the event.
