Five Big 12 teams will open the 2026 season with a top 25 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC NCAA Division I Women’s Coaches Poll. The league continues its streak of five teams ranked in the poll each week since Oct. 7, 2025.

TCU led the Conference at No. 6 in the poll with 162 points after ending the season as an NCAA Women’s College Cup participant. The Horned Frogs were voted atop the Big 12 preseason poll after capturing the last two regular-season titles.

Colorado was voted No. 13 in the poll. The Buffaloes are coming off the team’s third NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and are returning two of the Big 12’s top eight scorers from a season ago. CU garnered five selections in the Big 12’s preseason team to lead all member institutions, which included the nation’s leading goal scorer in 2025, Hope Leyba.

Kansas was selected to the No. 15 slot following a 16-6-3 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2025. The Jayhawks will enter the season ranked third in the Big 12 after making back-to-back Big 12 Tournament championship match appearances in head coach Nate Lie’s first two seasons with the program.

West Virginia was voted No. 20 in the national preseason poll. The Mountaineers recorded their fifth unbeaten season (8-0-3) in Big 12 play last season. WVU was also one of two Conference teams to record 10 or more shutouts, tallying 11 in 2025.

Texas Tech rounded out the Big 12 representation in the poll at No. 23 after finishing the season receiving votes. The Red Raiders went 7-1-3 during league play, while holding Conference opponents to single-digit goals (eight) for the fourth consecutive season.

Baylor and BYU received votes. The two teams made Sweet 16 appearances in last year’s NCAA Tournament and garnered three selections apiece to the 2026 Big 12 soccer preseason poll.

The 2026 season kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Big 12 Soccer in the United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC DI Coaches Poll – Preseason
6.           TCU
13.        Colorado
15.        Kansas
20.        West Virginia
23.        Texas Tech