The Big 12 also inherited some misplaced Pac-12 teams and now features 16 total teams in the conference. Although powerhouses like Oregon, USC and Washington entered the Big Ten, the Big 12 added some very solid football teams as well. With plenty of new faces, these teams do not play everyone in their conference anymore, and thus teams could meet for the first time the conference championship game. Let’s take a look at who was added and who broke into the Top 25.
Big 12 Additions
- Arizona State
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Utah
The Big 12 has recently undergone changes with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF preparing for their second season in the conference. Moreover, this will be the inaugural year without the presence of the Longhorns or the Sooners. Given these changes, the championship is wide open with numerous teams confident in their ability to clinch the Big 12 Title.
Big 12 Ranked Teams
- #12 Utah Utes
- #17 Oklahoma State Cowboys
- #18 Kansas State Wildcats
- #21 Arizona Wildcats
- #22 Kansas Jayhawks
Indeed, it may surprise you, but the Colorado Buffalos are absent from this list, and quite justifiably so. Despite receiving a single vote to make the poll, they did not meet the high expectations set for them last year. Now in their second season under Coach Prime, they are pitted against tougher and more competitive teams in their new conference. Additionally, their schedule does them no favors. We will delve further into this shortly.
Iowa State and West Virginia narrowly missed the Top 25, but definitely made it into the Top 30. Looking at the overall odds to win the conference, it’s clear that Vegas also favors the Cyclones.
Odds to Win Big 12 Championship
Is it possible for Cam Rising to fully recover against these strong Big 12 opponents?
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- Utah +325
- Kansas State +400
- Oklahoma State +600
- UCF +650
- Kansas +850
- Iowa State +900
- Arizona +1200
- Texas Tech +1800
- TCU +1800
- West Virginia +1800
- Colorado +2000
This conference clearly has the highest number of potential champions, unlike other conferences where there is usually a clear favorite. There are six teams with odds better than 10-1, including two teams not even ranked in the Top 25! Even though UCF is the 4th favorite to win the Big 12, they didn’t get a single vote to be in the AP Rankings. Will the Knights be able to silence their critics this year?
The Rest of the Conference
- Baylor 66-1
- Cincinnati 75-1
- Arizona State 100-1
- Houston 100-1
- BYU 100-1
It appears we can safely count these 5 teams out of the championship race, but anything can happen – stranger things have. This conference is challenging to evaluate overall, and I am convinced that scheduling will significantly impact these teams’ performance. Let’s take a closer look at the teams and see if we can identify a potential conference champion!
Big 12 Team Previews
Is it possible for Noah Fifita and the Wildcats to surprise some Big 12 teams?
Though I won’t discuss all 16 teams in this conference, we will definitely delve into the top half of the league!
Arizona Wildcats
The conference newcomers are positioned slightly lower on the overall odds board than their #21 ranking would imply, highlighting the depth of this conference. The Wildcats, led by Sophomore QB Noah Fifita, are entering the Big 12. Despite playing 3 of the projected bottom 5 teams in the conference, they face their three toughest challenges on the road.
The Wildcats have their 3rd and 4th games of the season at Kansas State and Utah. This could potentially result in two early season losses for the team. Later in the season, they have a long trip to play at UCF, who according to Vegas’ predictions, has a chance to dominate the Big 12 conference. Arizona’s success will largely depend on Fifita’s performance, but road struggles could make the season challenging.
This season, can Campbell and the Cyclones prove the doubters wrong?
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones are another under-the-radar team, however, their schedule does raise concerns. They face #25 Iowa on the road in the second week of the season, and also have to compete against UCF, travel to #22 Kansas, and conclude the year with a game at #12 Utah and a home game against #18 Kansas State. Matt Campbell can count on numerous returning starters, but the question remains whether Sophomore QB Rocco Becht can guide the Cyclones through this challenging conference?
Although the Cyclones are set to play against Houston, Baylor, and Cincinnati – three of the projected five weakest teams in the Big 12, I believe there are other more formidable teams with a higher chance of winning the conference title.
Can Jalon Daniels maintain his health this year?
Kansas Jayhawks
Jayhawk football is back, so hold your horses. Following an extraordinary previous season, Jalon Daniels, the QB, is steering a Jayhawk team that has rejuvenated energy in the football scene. Kansas retains a good number of starters from their triumphant 9-4 Bowl team last year, on both ends of the field. However, the question remains, can Daniels maintain his health all season? Daniels has never completed 10 games in a season for Kansas in his career, and recovering from an injury can be challenging. Fortunately, he has ample support on the offense, and I believe the Jayhawks might just stun a few onlookers this year.
They also possess an incredibly soft schedule. Kansas manages to bypass Utah, Arizona, and Oklahoma State, with their two most challenging games being away at Kansas State and at home against Iowa State. Presently, the Wildcats are the only ranked adversary on the Jayhawks’ schedule, which led us to take a chance on it at +850 odds. The Jayhawks also have the advantage of competing against 4 of the projected bottom 5 teams in the Big 12. If they reach the Conference Championship and go up against the Utah Utes, we would have an excellent opportunity for hedging.
Last year, Avery Johnson assumed the role of the Wildcats’ starter as a freshman.
Kansas State Wildcats
The second team from Kansas is set to start Avery Johnson as QB, who has previously shown his prowess through his running skills. However, the question remains whether he can throw the ball effectively enough to lead the Wildcats to another Big 12 Championship. Unfortunately, they are faced with one of the more challenging schedules in the conference. Although Kansas State will be playing against 4 of the Big 12’s bottom 5 teams, they also have to face 3 ranked opponents and Iowa State.
The Wildcats are set to host #21 Arizona, #17 Oklahoma State, and #22 Kansas, with their most challenging away game to conclude the year in Ames. However, teams such as Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Utah possess significantly easier schedules, making the Wildcats’ victories even more vital. Depending on the league’s remaining developments, it’s plausible for a team with two losses to reach the Big 12 Championship, with the Cats being potential contenders. Should Avery Johnson successfully helm this high-scoring offense, Kansas State might even secure a spot in the CFP.
Can the Cowboys and Gordon dominate the rest of the Big 12?
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The team that may be the most underestimated in the country boasts the best RB, Ollie Gordon II. The Cowboys also have a relatively easy schedule, with only two ranked opponents this year. For the first time in a long while, Oklahoma State won’t be facing their in-state rival this College Football season unless they meet in the CFP. Regardless, they will host #12 Utah and play against #18 Kansas State in back-to-back weeks.
The Cowboys could have a clear path ahead if they secure victories in both upcoming matches, especially as they are set to host Arkansas, West Virginia, and Texas Tech, who are all perceived as less challenging opponents. Oklahoma State, with running back Ollie Gordon, is anticipated to dominate these teams. If the Cowboys kick off the season with a 5-0 record, defeating Arkansas, Utah, and KSU, they could be a strong contender for the Big 12 Championship game. Based on the latter half of their schedule, I predict them ending this season with a seven-game winning streak. Now that they don’t have to face Texas and Oklahoma, I am backing the Cowboys to clinch the Big 12 title this season.
Can Rising guide the Utes to a Big 12 Championship in his comeback season?
Utah Utes
The top contenders for the conference championship are newcomers, spearheaded by a quarterback rebounding from an injury. This season, Cam Rising aspires to return to his previous form and guide the Utes to a Big 12 Championship. Rising helms a skilled offense, but it’s Utah’s defense that truly stands out.
Indeed, they have a relatively easier schedule, with just two ranked opponents currently lined up. Utah will play against #17 Oklahoma State and will host #21 Arizona in consecutive weeks in September, thus tackling their toughest matches early on. The year ends for Utah with a hosting game against Iowa State and a road game against UCF. As the season progresses, these games could become somewhat challenging, particularly considering the extensive travel within this conference.
Although Utah has the potential to win the Big 12, I believe there are a few other teams with simpler paths that are more likely to reach the top.
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Final Big 12 Predictions
- #1 Oklahoma State
- #2 Kansas
- #3 Kansas State
- #4 Utah
- #5 Iowa State
- #6 Arizona
- #7 UCF
- #8 Texas Tech
- #9 West Virginia
- #10 TCU
- #11 Baylor
- #12 Colorado
- #13 Cincinnati
- #14 Arizona State
- #15 Houston
- #16 BYU
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