ESPN’s Season Simulation Gives Big 12 a Major Boost

ESPN’s Max Olson ran 25 different simulations of the 2025 college football season using EA Sports College Football 26, and one result gave the Big 12 a spotlight it has rarely seen: two playoff bids.

In that bracket, both Texas Tech and Iowa State reached the postseason field.

The headliner was Texas Tech, which ripped through the simulated slate with a 15-1 record and ultimately hoisted a virtual national championship over Nebraska. But Iowa State’s inclusion was just as eye-catching. The Cyclones earned a playoff berth, validating the progress of Matt Campbell’s program and underlining the Big 12’s depth in the new playoff era.

Across all 25 runs, Olson’s simulations spread playoff opportunities around. A total of 52 different teams earned a spot at least once, underscoring the chaos that the expanded field will introduce. For the Big 12, having two teams in one bracket sends a clear message: the league is capable of not just participating in the playoff, but pushing multiple contenders into the mix.

Iowa State has built a reputation for physical defense and timely quarterback play, traits that often translate well in playoff settings. Combined with Tech’s rise under Joey McGuire, this particular bracket paints a picture of a league that is ready to compete at the highest level.

Simulations do not guarantee outcomes, but they do reflect the way talent, schedule, and depth are perceived by the algorithms. And if even one of Olson’s virtual seasons comes close to reality, the Big 12 could be on the brink of a banner year, one with more than one team playing for it all.