The departures of 10-time regular-season champion Texas and 2024 regular-season winner Oklahoma left a void in the Big 12 baseball power structure. This year's winner ought to be worthy, though.Oklahoma State earned the favorite's status in the preseason Big 12 coaches' poll, just ahead of Arizona, which won the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles in 2024. Since 2014, TCU has won or shared the Big 12 title four times, Texas Tech three times and Oklahoma State twice.Preseason Big 12 player of the year Nolan Schubart leads a loaded OSU lineup, but the Cowboys must rebuild a pitching staff that lost Brian Holiday, Sam Garcia and Carson Benge.The season starts on Valentine's Day. Here is the preseason edition of the Big 12 baseball power rankings.1. Oklahoma StateLast year's records: 42-19, 19-9 in the Big 12Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.The Cowboys always contend, but they've been eliminated from the NCAA tournament on their home field three years in a row. That's the motivation.2. ArizonaLast year: 36-23, 20-10 in the Pac-12The debuting Wildcats pose an immediate threat, returning a strong lineup led by offensive dynamos Mason White and Brendan Summerhill.3. West VirginiaLast year: 36-24, 19-11 in the Big 12New coach Steve Sabins takes over for the retired Randy Mazey after regional and super-regional appearances the past two years. MLB teams drafted four WVU pitchers, but the lineup's plenty capable.4. TCULast year: 33-21, 14-16 in the Big 12Horned Frogs went from a 44-win College World Series team in 2023 to Big 12's most disappointing squad.5. Texas TechLast year: 33-26, 12-17 in the Big 12Last year's 10th-place finish was Tech's worst in 12 years under Tim Tadlock.More:Tim Tadlock sought RPI boost in building Texas Tech baseball schedule6. CincinnatiLast year: 32-25, 17-13 in the Big 12The Big 12's surprise newcomer of 2024 finished fifth after being picked last in the preseason coaches poll.More:Cincinnati Bearcats baseball begins 2nd Big 12 campaign under Jordan Bischel7. Arizona StateLast year: 32-26, 17-13 in the Pac-12One of college baseball's most tradition-rich programs has struggled to get talent in the NIL era. Will ASU's public pledge to fund 34 scholarships next year get the Sun Devils back on track?More:Coach Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State baseball have high hopes in first Big 12 season8. Central FloridaLast year: 37-21, 14-15 in the Big 12Rich Wallace rejuvenated the Knights in his first year coaching his alma mater with UCF's most wins and first NCAA regional appearance since 2017.9. KansasLast year: 31-23, 15-15 in the Big 12Third-year coach Dan Fitzgerald is executing a plan — pitching, portal and player development — that yielded a solid team last year.10. Kansas StateLast year: 35-26, 15-15 in the Big 12Wildcats snapped an 11-year NCAA tournament drought last season, but among their five draftees were pitching ace Tyson Neighbors and potent hitters Kaelen Culpepper and Brady Day.11. UtahLast year: 33-22, 16-14 in the Pac-12Enthusiasm's building based on the Utes' third winning season in 22 years and an on-campus, $35 million stadium-and-facilities project to open in 2026.12. BaylorLast year: 22-31, 10-20 in the Big 12The Bears are counting on experience. It's a lot of the same players who finished 11th last year.13. Brigham YoungLast year: 21-31, 7-23 in the Big 12Cougars lost six Big 12 games by one run and three by two runs last season.14. HoustonLast year: 26-28, 7-21 in the Big 12First baseman Cade Climie from NJCAA champion Blinn College is the Big 12 preseason newcomer of the year, but he needs a lot of help on a team that lost 21 of its last 24 conference games.

The departures of 10-time regular-season champion Texas and 2024 regular-season winner Oklahoma left a void in the Big 12 baseball power structure. This year’s winner ought to be worthy, though. Last year: 22-31, 10-20 in the Big 12New coach Steve Sabins takes over for the retired Randy Mazey after regional and super-regional appearances the past […]

The departures of 10-time regular-season champion Texas and 2024 regular-season winner Oklahoma left a void in the Big 12 baseball power structure. This year’s winner ought to be worthy, though.

Last year: 22-31, 10-20 in the Big 12New coach Steve Sabins takes over for the retired Randy Mazey after regional and super-regional appearances the past two years. MLB teams drafted four WVU pitchers, but the lineup’s plenty capable.

Oklahoma State earned the favorite’s status in the preseason Big 12 coaches’ poll, just ahead of Arizona, which won the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles in 2024. Since 2014, TCU has won or shared the Big 12 title four times, Texas Tech three times and Oklahoma State twice.

1. Oklahoma State

Rich Wallace rejuvenated the Knights in his first year coaching his alma mater with UCF’s most wins and first NCAA regional appearance since 2017.The Cowboys always contend, but they’ve been eliminated from the NCAA tournament on their home field three years in a row. That’s the motivation.Last year: 32-26, 17-13 in the Pac-12

May 31, 2024; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State outfielder Nolan Schubart (10) celebrates with utility Zach Ehrhard (4) and infielder Lane Forsythe (6) at home plate during a regional NCAA Baseball game at O'Brate Stadium against Niagara. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Alcala-For The Oklahoman

2. Arizona

More:Tim Tadlock sought RPI boost in building Texas Tech baseball scheduleLast year: 33-26, 12-17 in the Big 12

Arizona shortstop Mason White (24) playing in the second base hole lines up a grounder from Dallas Baptist's Nathan Humphreys (8) for the final out on a fielder's choice in the third inning of an elimination game of their NCAA Regional, June 1, 2024, Tucson, Ariz.

3. West Virginia

Last year: 21-31, 7-23 in the Big 12More:Cincinnati Bearcats baseball begins 2nd Big 12 campaign under Jordan Bischel

4. TCU

Last year: 26-28, 7-21 in the Big 12

Third-year coach Dan Fitzgerald is executing a plan — pitching, portal and player development — that yielded a solid team last year.

5. Texas Tech

Last year’s records: 42-19, 19-9 in the Big 12The Big 12’s surprise newcomer of 2024 finished fifth after being picked last in the preseason coaches poll.

Last year: 36-24, 19-11 in the Big 12

6. Cincinnati

Enthusiasm’s building based on the Utes‘ third winning season in 22 years and an on-campus, million stadium-and-facilities project to open in 2026.Last year: 32-25, 17-13 in the Big 12

More:Coach Willie Bloomquist, Arizona State baseball have high hopes in first Big 12 season

7. Arizona State

The Bears are counting on experience. It’s a lot of the same players who finished 11th last year.Last year: 35-26, 15-15 in the Big 12Wildcats snapped an 11-year NCAA tournament drought last season, but among their five draftees were pitching ace Tyson Neighbors and potent hitters Kaelen Culpepper and Brady Day.

8. Central Florida

Last year: 31-23, 15-15 in the Big 12Last year: 36-23, 20-10 in the Pac-12

9. Kansas

Cougars lost six Big 12 games by one run and three by two runs last season.

Last year: 33-22, 16-14 in the Pac-12

10. Kansas State

One of college baseball’s most tradition-rich programs has struggled to get talent in the NIL era. Will ASU’s public pledge to fund 34 scholarships next year get the Sun Devils back on track?Last year: 33-21, 14-16 in the Big 12

11. Utah

Last year’s 10th-place finish was Tech’s worst in 12 years under Tim Tadlock.The season starts on Valentine’s Day. Here is the preseason edition of the Big 12 baseball power rankings.

12. Baylor

Last year: 37-21, 14-15 in the Big 12Horned Frogs went from a 44-win College World Series team in 2023 to Big 12’s most disappointing squad.

13. Brigham Young

Preseason Big 12 player of the year Nolan Schubart leads a loaded OSU lineup, but the Cowboys must rebuild a pitching staff that lost Brian Holiday, Sam Garcia and Carson Benge.The debuting Wildcats pose an immediate threat, returning a strong lineup led by offensive dynamos Mason White and Brendan Summerhill.

14. Houston

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.First baseman Cade Climie from NJCAA champion Blinn College is the Big 12 preseason newcomer of the year, but he needs a lot of help on a team that lost 21 of its last 24 conference games.