Big 12 Axes Football Preseason Poll, Citing Harm to Arizona State

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said the conference will no longer publish a preseason media poll for football, calling the exercise pointless and harmful after Arizona State was placed last in last year’s rankings. Yormark told reporters at the league’s media days that being picked 16th in 2024 created a perception that worked against Arizona State throughout the season, even though the Sun Devils went on to win the Big 12 title and become the conference’s only team selected for the 12-team College Football Playoff. “There’s no value in it. It hurt Arizona State,” he said, adding that eliminating the poll was “the right thing for the Big 12.” The change applies only to football; preseason polls for basketball and other sports will continue. Yormark reiterated his support for the proposed 5-plus-11 playoff format and said he expects multiple Big 12 teams to contend for postseason berths, but stressed that the poll decision is aimed solely at preventing similar disadvantages in future seasons.