Just when it seems like there’s a good pulse on what Big 12 softball might look like at the end of the regular season, the league throws some curveballs and it results in some massive shakeup in our Power Rankings.
Big 12 play begins this weekend, and the league looks quite a bit different than we thought it might at the beginning of the season.
Prior to the first pitch of the season, the Big 12 Softball Preseason Poll named Oklahoma State the team to beat, and Texas Tech as the next-best team to watch. Arizona was picked third, just six votes points better than Baylor, and didn’t have a single first-place vote.
Now, heading into the first week of Big 12 play, the Wildcats are undoubtedly a conference title contender, and at the moment, the betting favorite.
Here’s a look at the Big 12 Softball Power Rankings heading into the start of conference play.
1. Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: 2)
Record: (21-2)
Arizona has burst onto the national scene with one of the most consistent and explosive offenses in the country through the first month of the season, and there’s no reason to believe that’s going to change anytime soon. The Wildcats rank second nationally in batting average (.397), ninth in slugging (.638), ninth in home runs (33), fifth in scoring (8.87), and eighth in on-base percentage (.473). It should come as no surprise, but they lead the Big 12 in all of those categories.
Five Wildcats are batting .397 or higher, with Regan Shockey leading the way at .483, and the middle of the lineup is lining the ball up as well as anyone in the country. This group can score with the best of them, and wins over UCLA, San Diego State, Alabama, and Stanford are proof that there’s no fluke about it.
2. Oklahoma State Cowgirls (Last Week: 3)
Record: (14-4)
A couple of weeks ago, tons of Oklahoma State fans were wondering what in the world had happened to Cowgirl softball. The Pokes had played one of the toughest early-season schedules in the country, and at 4-4 through eight games, the questions were starting to mount. Kenny Gajewski’s teams have had knack for making marked improvements through the nonconference slate though, and this team has proven to fall right in line with that way of thinking.
Oklahoma State has won 10 games in a row and now has victories over No. 9 Florida State, No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 21 Alabama, and No. 19 Nebraska. Tia Warspon and Megan Delgadillo are leading the charge offensively, but it’s been Ruby Meylan who’s been the real star as of late.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 1)
Record: (18-6)
Texas Tech has been one of the most confusing teams in the country this season, as they look like a national championship contender in one game, and nothing of the sort in another. Yes, they have a literal ace up their sleeve with NiJaree Canady in the circle, but the hit-or-miss offense has cost them in key moments already this season. Losing games to teams like North Texas and Idaho State just can’t happen, but they were early in the season and might have a purpose to serve in the long run.
The performances that we’ve seen from Tech against Texas and Texas A&M show just how good this group can be, thanks to the best player in the country. But, if she’s going to take them to the mountaintop, her supporting cast will have to be more consistent down the stretch.
4. UCF Knights (Last Week: 6)
Record: (17-7-1)
A 4-1 home loss to Georgia Southern put a damper on what was otherwise a great week for UCF, but I’m choosing to look past that recent wart and see this team’s full body of work. A 3-0 win over a ranked Florida Atlantic team, plus wins over Missouri and Clemson on the year, gives me confidence that this team could sneak into the NCAA Tournament if things play out right for them.
Their strength is going to rely heavily on the arm of Kaitlyn Felton (0.58 ERA), who leads what might be one of the better pitching staffs in the conference. They’ll get a big test against Arizona this weekend, but could be a team to keep an eye on down the stretch.
5. BYU Cougars (Last Week: 5)
Record: (14-4)
BYU still feels like a bit of a mystery to the league, as they had such a long stretch of success before entering the Big 12, but found themselves struggling to keep up in their inaugural season. The Cougars are finding their offense right ahead of league play, scoring 31 runs over their last two games, and have an established ace already, with Kaysen Korth leading the league in ERA (0.28).
There are certainly tougher tests ahead for this group, but with a win over Washington and a 1-0 loss to a tough Duke team, the Cougars do appear to have what it takes to hold up against stiffer competition.
6. Houston Cougars (Last Week: 9)
Record: (14-5)
I have held on to what I saw from Houston last season throughout the first month of 2025, but after a couple of big wins over Boise State this past weekend, I’m giving the Coogs another chance. The offense has been explosive at times, and in a league that seems to be down on pitching depth, that’s a major plus.
Houston does have a serious issue in the circle though, and unless they find a way to get past that, they’ll have a hard time winning series. But, heading into Big 12 play, they’re at No. 6.
7. Arizona State Sun Devils (Last Week: 4)
Record: (15-6)
If it weren’t for a loss to Oregon State in extras on Sunday, the Sun Devils would be carrying a nine-game winning streak into Big 12 play. ASU has wins over Oregon and Washington on the season, but also carries lopsided losses against North Dakota, Belmont, and Miami (OH).
It’s hard to know what to make of this team through their first 20 or so games, but series against BYU, UCF, and Arizona over the next few weeks should give us a better idea.
8. Baylor Bears (Last Week: 7)
Record: (10-10)
2025 has not been kind to Baylor, and while Dariana Orme provides some hope for potentially turning things around in the back half of the season, she’s yet to look like her past self in a full outing. The thing that appears to be hurting this team the most is the loss of RyLee Crandall, who is now at Oklahoma State.
The pitching staff hasn’t been able to hold up against good competition, and the offense doesn’t have the firepower to dig itself out of five- or six-run holes. Baylor has the talent and experience to be a contender in this league, but they’ll need to figure out their issues in the circle if that’s going to happen.
9. Kansas Jayhawks (Last Week: 8)
Record: (10-7)
Kansas had the unfortunate task of going to Norman this past weekend, but do have some positive things to take home with them. Aside from their two games against Oklahoma, the Jayhawks went 3-0 and outscored their opponents 37-5 in those games.
The Jayhawks have been plagued by close losses so far this season, but do have star power with Olivia Bruno, plus promising starts from Presley Limbaugh and Aynslee Linduff. If they can get things clicking, KU could climb up the ladder a bit.
10. Iowa State Cyclones (Last Week: 10)
Record: (9-9)
Iowa State has already hit rock bottom this season. Following their 24-3 loss to Florida, the Cyclones dropped a game to Stephen F. Austin in extras and then suffered a blowout loss to Southeastern on Friday. However, the last three games have been much better, with three run-rule victories that ended in a combined score of 28-2.
No, they weren’t against the best competition, but a win is a win when you’re digging out of a hole. Perhaps it’s what ISU needs to break their slump.
11. Utah Utes (Last Week: 11)
Record (6-15)
Yes, Utah has had tough schedule this season. Losses to Cal, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, LSU, and UCLA are “acceptable,” considering the current state of things. Then, after wins over San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton, it felt like we finally might be getting some life out of the Utes.
A 6-4 loss to Weber State took that hope away rather quickly. Utah is nine games below .500 and has the weekend off from Big 12 play. Unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll be able to do enough to get over that number again this season.
