1. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys silenced a lot of doubters last year when they went all the way to the Big 12 Championship a year ago. While that game did not go the Cowboys hoped, with Texas and OU leaving the conference, the Cowboys will be in a great position to compete for Big 12 titles for years to come. They bring back experience at Quarterback in Alan Bowman, and the best running back in the nation in Ollie Gordan II.
2. Utah
With star QB and 2-time Pac-12 Champion Cam Rising missing most of the year with a knee injury, the Utes had a down year going 8-5. However, Rising making his return for his 7th collegiate season will make the Utes an instant contender for the Big 12 crown in their 1st season with the conference. If they end up winning the conference the Utes may even be able to make some noise in the College Football Playoffs.
3. Kansas State
While K-State loses Big 12 Champion Quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal, the guy they are replacing him with may end up being even better. Avery Johnson started stealing playing time from Howard halfway through last season and had an excellent performance in the Pop-Tart Bowl. Johnson is a legitimate duel-threat quarterback and has the potential to become a legitimate Heisman-contending quarterback. In an expanded 12-team playoff, the Wildcats have a chance to make it.
4. Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks are riding high after a 9-4 record and their 1st bowl win in over a decade, the scary part is they did it with key injuries at QB. Jalon Daniels missed most of the season while Jason Bean who led the Jayhawks most of the year went down early in a loss against Texas Tech and was also missing in a key matchup against Kansas State. Jalon Daniels will return in 2024 along with many of KU’s best-skill position players on both sides of the ball. The Jayhawks will be gunning for a Big 12 title in 2024.
5. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were a favorite dark horse pick to win the Big 12 at the beginning of the 2023 season. Texas Tech fell wildly short of expectations starting the season 0-2. However, the Red Raiders won 4 of 5 to end the year, including a dominating Bowl win over Cal. Add in some talent in the transfer portal and the Red Raiders may end up being the team in 2024 everyone believed they would be in 2023.
6. Iowa State
After the program was rocked by a gambling scandal at the beginning of the year with several players being suspended, expectations were low for the Cyclones to begin the season. However they managed to finish 6-3 in conference play and finish 4th in the conference with key wins over Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and a blowout victory over BYU. Matt Cambell continues to prove his coaching chops with the future looking bright for the Cyclones.
7. Arizona
The other Wildcats are riding high coming off a huge victory over the former Big 12 members the Oklahoma Sooners. However, head coach Jedd Fisch left over the weekend to takeover as the head man of the Washington Huskies. Several players have already entered the transfer portal, however, star QB Noah Fifita is still with the program, and with the right head coaching hire he may stick around.
8. West Virginia
Like Iowa State, West Virginia also finished 4th in Big 12 play despite starting the year with low expectations. West Virginia is a tough well coached team that will be capable of playing with anyone in the new Big 12.
9. UCF
Injuries at QB hampered the Knights 1st year in the Big 12 Conference. However despite dealing with key injuries throughout the season, UCF was still able to make their way to a bowl game. The Knights should be competitive next year, however they will likely remain in the middle of the pack.
10. Colorado
The hype was real for the Colorado Buffaloes at the beginning of the season, led by “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders and his son Shedeur, one of the best QB’s in college football, Colorado looked primed for a big year. However Pac 12 Conference play exposed key weaknesses upfront. If these issues aren’t addressed, Colorado is on their way to another losing season.
11. TCU
TCU’s trip to the National Championship Game seems like an eternity ago. It could be another rough year for the Horned Frogs as they continue to rebuild from their trip to the National Championship game.
12. BYU
BYU struggled in their debut year in the Big 12 Conference, despite being highly competitive, the Cougars were often unable to win close games. To add insult to injury the Cougars finished the year losing 5 in a row in conference play.
13. Baylor
The Bear’s 2021 Big 12 Championship victory seems a long way off after the Bears have suffered 2 straight disappointing seasons. With fresh blood and many rising programs in the conference it could be another tough year for Dave Aranda and company.
14. Arizona State
The Sun Devils limp into their new conference coming off a 3-9 record. It may take Arizona State some time to find their footing in their new conference.
15. Cincinnati
Replacing Luke Fickell hasn’t proved easy for the Bearcats, they spent their 1st year in Big 12 play as a punching bag and it seems like 2024 won’t be any kinder to the Bearcats.
16. Houston
As a program, the Houston Cougars may be a sleeping giant in Football, however they are in rebuild mode with 1st year head coach Willie Fritz. 2024 may be another rough year for the Cougars.
