One of the most challenging things about Big 12 softball in 2025 is knowing how the 11 teams are going to stack up once conference play begins.
Oklahoma won 11 of the last 12 regular season Big 12 titles, with Texas winning the final regular season crown in 2024. Both of those programs are in the SEC now, but the Big 12 also added three new programs, one of which is on the Mount Rushmore of all-time softball programs.
Still, there were so many unknowns coming into the season, making it impossible to predict how the league would look, and after two weeks of action, it’s fair to say that the water has only gotten murkier.
Let’s take a look at the Big 12 Softball Power Rankings for Week 3.
1. Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: 1)
Record: (10-1)
Arizona has been the only team in the Big 12 that’s bee pretty consistent through the first two weekends, and they’ve still found themselves in some head-scratchers. Miranda Stoddard has started 2025 as hot as any player in the country, leading all Big 12 hitters (min. 10 AB) in batting average (.611), home runs (6), total bases (31), and leads the nation with a staggering 1.722 slugging percentage.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 2)
Record: (8-3)
The Red Raiders went 3-2 in Austin this weekend, picking up two wins over UMass and a victory over Maryland, but also dropping two games to top-ranked Texas. The first contest showed just how dangerous Texas Tech could be, as they took the Longhorns to nine innings behind another gem from NiJaree Canady, before ultimately bowing out, 2-1. Sunday’s contest was another story, though, as UT poured it on quickly in an 11-0 run-rule.
3. Oklahoma State Cowgirls (Last Week: 3)
Record: (5-4)
Despite being just one game over .500, Oklahoma State is holding their spot at No. 3 in the Power Rankings, and might have an argument to be at the top of this list. Nobody in the Big 12 has played a schedule like the Cowgirls, who’ve now played ranked teams in seven of their nine games. In the Clearwater Invitational this weekend, the Pokes went 3-2 and picked up ranked wins over Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Alabama, the last one courtesy of some late-game heroics.
4. Baylor Bears (Last Week: 4)
Record: (6-4)
Baylor probably should’ve fallen from their spot and would have if it weren’t for the chaos below them. The Bears have all kinds of experience, with just one freshman playing in the lineup, but got outclassed by a freshman-laden Oklahoma team. In two run-rule losses to the Sooners—in Waco—BU was outscored 17-1. I still believe this team is capable of pushing into the top tier of the league, but I’ve got to see something soon.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils (7-3)
Arizona State is one of the most confusing teams in the league so far, and I’m certain I’m not the only one who feels that way. The Sun Devils have wins over California, Oregon, and Washington this year. Great, right? Well, they also own a 12-4 loss to Miami (OH), a 10-1 (6 inn.) loss to North Dakota, and a 5-1 (8 inn.) loss to Belmont.
6. UCF Knights (Last Week: 7)
Record: (7-5-1)
UCF was *this close* to moving up into the top four of the Power Rankings after upsetting Missouri last week. Then, the Knights went to Clearwater and got exposed a little bit. The tight loss to Liberty and the tie against Ohio State are tough to stomach, but eight- and seven-run losses to Top 10 teams in Texas A&M and Florida State show how far this team has to go.
8. Houston Cougars (Last Week: 9)
Record: (8-2)
I maintain a right to continue doubting Houston, and if that’s what it takes to get them to start climbing this list, then so be it. The Coogs score at a decent rate, but pitching is going to be an issue.
7. BYU Cougars (Last Week: 5)
Record: (6-2)
BYU has played two decent teams in 2025, and they lost both of those contests. An 8-6 loss to Boise State and a 3-0 loss to Indiana don’t kill anyone’s season, but when their best win is against FIU, it’s hard to have a ton of confidence in naming them a contender.
9. Kansas Jayhawks (4-5)
The Jayhawks picked up a few wins in California this weekend and move up one spot in the Power Rankings. Presley Limbaugh continues to be the biggest bat for this team and Aynslee Linduff is off to a great start as well.
10. Iowa State Cyclones (4-5)
Iowa State picked up a couple of good wins over the weekend and is watching freshman Jessie Clemons become a key contributor right off the bat. She scored the lone run in a 4-1 loss to Cal and was one of two players with multiple hits in a 3-2 win over Southern Utah.
11. Utah Utes (4-6)
Utah had a rough week in Fresno (CA), going 1-4 and getting outscored 31-27 by the likes of UC Santa Barbara, LMU, and Fresno State.
