2024 Big 12 Season Preview
The Big 12 has marketed itself as a direct rival to the ACC as the third conference behind the Power 2. It took in several stragglers from the Pac-12’s demise, and the four corner schools joined the party. After a long sojourn in the West, Colorado rejoins the conference with significant bombast and candor. Territorial Cup rivals Arizona and Arizona State join. Pac-12 power Utah also cast their lot with their new friends. All this after the two joint alpha programs Oklahoma and Texas left for the SEC. The conference has seen tremendous change over the past several seasons. The product has significantly changed from a weekly offensive barrage to a more defensive league on the field.
The conference season preview articles will be linked below as they are completed:
Onto the Big 12 preview!
Arizona (@ArizonaFBall)
Arizona is one of the four new arrivals with a new coaching staff after former head coach Jedd Fisch left for Washington. The Wildcats hired the highly regarded Brent Brennan from San Jose State. Brennan enters the new job with a talented roster led by quarterback Noah Fifita. He has a possible first-round selection in receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita’s protection up front is one of the better units in their new homes. Arizona lost its top three running backs, so they brought in a pair of runners, Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Alabama State) and Quali Conley (SJSU / Utah Tech). Defensively, they retooled with a lot of transfers, including Chubba Ma’ae (UC Davis), Tre Smith (SJSU), and Stanley Ta’ufo’ou (USC). They are led in the secondary by draftable prospect Tacario Davis.
Schedule-wise, they’re in good shape. The two toughest games are on the road early, but the schedule relaxes in difficulty in October. That month features four winnable games against the conference’s middle to bottom tier. Given their talent and coaching, the Wildcats should contend for a conference title game spot until the end.
Predicted Record: 8-4
Arizona State (@ASUFootball)
Year two of the Kenny Dillingham era in Tempe brings change as the team joins a new conference with a new passer. Highly touted Jaden Rashada is off to compete for backup duties at Georgia. Sam Leavitt transferred from Michigan State after Jonathan Smith brought in his own quarterback. He’s very well-regarded by the industry, so there’s hope in Tempe. The electrifying dual-threat running back Cam Skattebo is back as well. Dillingham has to rebuild the receiver room as most of it is unproven. Another possible solution is versatile USC transfer Raleek Brown, who can also play special teams and WR as well. There was a major defensive overhaul as they brought in Javan Robinson (Wazzu), Cole Martin (Oregon), and Keyshaun Elliott (NMSU).
The schedule is unkind as they must travel to Stillwater, Manhattan, and host the Utes. If they can get off to a good start in nonconference play, there’s a chance they will fight for bowl eligibility. UCF and Kansas must come to Sun Devil Stadium, so that’s a silver lining. 2023 was a true year 0 for Dillingham. The 2024 season is likely another step toward contention.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Baylor (@BUFootball)
Head coach Dave Aranda is entering a crucial season as his program has slipped to the bottom of the conference. He needs a big campaign to retain his job and has the OC/QB duo to make it happen. The scintillating Dequan Finn transferred in from Toledo. Finn was a fun player for the Rockets but is expected to elevate his game under OC Jake Spavital. Transfer Ashtyn Hawkins (Texas State) and Jamaal Bell (Nevada) will assist Finn in returning Baylor to relevance. Both receivers were very productive at their previous stops. Defense is Aranda’s specialty, but that side of the ball has been underwhelming during the past couple of seasons. They return a large portion of their stop unit, including Matt Jones and Caden Jenkins. Watch out for transfer safety Kendrick Simpson (SDSU) to make some noise.
Baylor’s schedule is unfriendly as they venture to Salt Lake City and Boulder in September. The meat of the schedule is somewhat manageable, but road trips to Ames and Lubbock loom as land mines. Given the talent disparity and downward trends, bowl eligibility will be a tough road to travel.
Predicted Record: 4-8
BYU (@BYUfootball)
The 2023 season was a rough debut for the team, which struggled to a 5-7 record, including a 2-7 mark in Big 12 play. Head coach Kalani Sitake needs a bounceback season to get things back in alignment again. His team lost standout tackle Kingsley Suamatia and quarterback Kedon Slovis. Sitake brought in a veteran transfer passer, Gerry Bohannon (Baylor/USF), to compete with incumbent Jake Retzlaff. They brought in a pair of Weber State transfers in EDGE, Jack Kelly and CB Marque Collins, to help the struggling defense.
The Cougars’ schedule helps their chances of returning to the bowl, as conference favorites Oklahoma State, Arizona, and Kansas State must visit Provo. The Holy War rivalry against Utah kicks off a relatively easier November that could see them fight for a path back to relevance.
Predicted Record: 6-6
Cincinnati (@GoBearcatsFB)
Like many of their colleagues who joined the Big 12 last season, the Bearcats struggled in their new environment. As a result, they ended up with a 3-9 record. Coach Scott Satterfield brought in Brendan Sorsby, a transfer quarterback from Indiana. Leading rusher Corey Kiner returns with former Ohio State signee Evan Pryor. Former Florida transfer Xzavier Henderson returns as the most notable receiver. The staff did most of the work on the other side of the ball, bringing in 15 transfers, six of whom that are likely to start.
Cincinnati’s schedule is fairly manageable. September is ripe for a hot start if they can sneak past Pittsburgh. They avoid most of the Big 12 favorites but must travel to Manhattan in November. They’ll likely fight for a bowl if they can bank enough wins in September and October.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Colorado (@CUBuffsFootball)
College football’s most interesting experience returns for another season as Coach Prime helms a team full of transfers again. The Buffs have returned home to the Big 12 after a largely unsuccessful stay in the now-demolished Pac-12. They have a lot of skill talent surrounding presumptive first-round passer Shedeur Sanders. Talents such as the versatile Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Wester (FAU), Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt), and Sam Hart (Ohio State). The biggest issue last season was protecting Sanders as he was repeatedly pounded by opposing defenses. That problem still looms in a rebuilt offensive line group featuring five-star freshman Jordan Seaton. The majority of the lines are via the transfer portal, so chemistry will be paramount. Defensively, they gained star EDGE B.J. Green, among others, to help Hunter and Shilo Sanders.
Colorado’s schedule is somewhat favorable, but November will be a slog as they face three Big 12 contenders in consecutive weeks. The season opener against NDSU will be fascinating and crucial to their success. Going on the road to face Nebraska and CSU in back-to-back weeks in September is tough. It might be another long season in Boulder as they attempt to attain bowl eligibility with a porous defense and offensive line.
Predicted Record: 4-8
Houston (@UHCougarFB)
A new coaching staff has taken over in Space City as Tulane’s former boss, Willie Fritz, takes over for the departed Dana Holgerson. Interestingly enough, TCU recently hired Holgo as an analyst. Fritz has been a consistent winner at every coaching stop. Houston’s entry into the Big 12 last season was rough, as they mustered only three wins. While it isn’t a year 0 rebuild for Fritz, they do have some pieces, like quarterback Donovan Smith, to build around. The Cougars must replace trench talents like Patrick Paul and Nelson Ceasar. Coaching continuity shouldn’t be an issue, as most of Fritz’s Tulane staff was brought over.
Their schedule isn’t too demanding, but a road trip to Oklahoma plus two dates against Utah and KSU is a rough stretch. Houston has a chance to go bowling if things break right for them, but expect a more competitive season from them.
Predicted Record: 4-8
Iowa State (@CycloneFB)
Matt Campbell was once a hot name during the annual coaching carousel. However, that is no longer the case after a couple of down seasons in Ames. Offensively, they should be good enough to be competitive in most games. Rocco Becht returned to lead the show again and looked good last season. The offensive line is solid as well. Receiver Jaylin Noel is expected to be Becht’s primary target. There’s a feisty defense that lost cornerback T.J. Tampa to the NFL but returns Myles Purchase and Jeremiah Cooper in the secondary.
Iowa State’s schedule is manageable, but October will be a critical month as November promises to be a test. In particular, the end of the month is going up against the two favorites. There’s enough meat on the bone for the Cyclones to go bowling again this season.
Predicted Record: 7-5
Kansas (@KU_Football)
Kansas football is no longer a national punchline like it has been in the past. Head coach Lance Leipold has revived the long-downtrodden program. The Jayhawks won nine games last season and are on a great trajectory. Jalon Daniels returns as the unquestioned starter after battling injuries in 2023. He’ll be flanked by star running back Devin Neal. They do have to replace NFL talent like Austin Booker and Dominick Puni. Despite those losses, Kansas does have some draftable prospects like EDGE Dylan Brooks, CB Cobee Bryant, and OT Logan Brown. Defensively, they possess a lot of veterans, so the improvement should be tangible.
The schedule doesn’t have the heavyweights, but the road contest against Kansas State is on the horizon. November will be crucial for the Jayhawks’ bowl aspirations. September is easily manageable, so they will bank some wins early for the meat of the schedule. There is one important factor in all of this prognosticating. Due to renovations, Kansas will be away from its home stadium for all of 2024. They will play four “home” games at Arrowhead Stadium and two at Children’s Mercy Park (home of the MLS franchise Sporting KC).
Predicted Record: 6-6
Kansas State (@KStateFB)
Kansas State has continued its legacy of being a steady program under Chris Kleiman’s tutelage. This season, they have the chance to become more than that as one of the Big 12 powers. The Wildcats do have key pieces to replace, like QB Will Howard (transfer to Ohio St.), EDGE Khalid Duke (NFL), and OL Cooper Beebe (NFL). Replacing Howard will be the highly praised Avery Johnson. The running back room got a welcome boost in Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards to complement returnee DJ Giddens. Transfer receiver Dante Cephas (Penn State/Kent State) will assist Keegan Johnson and Jayce Brown. Defensively, KSU will be led by its linebacker room, which includes Austin Moore.
The schedule for Kansas State is fairly easy to manage, with the only critical contest coming at home against fellow contender Oklahoma State. November will be all about man management as the perceived weaker teams in the conference. October could be sneakily tricky with two road dates in tough environments. Due to their talent and coaching, we should expect the Wildcats to contend for the Big 12 championship.
Predicted Record: 8-4
Oklahoma State (@CowboyFB)
Is the country seeing the signs of a new Big 12 superpower arising as the league reasserts itself? Oklahoma State does have the firepower on both sides of the ball to make it happen. QB Alan Bowman is back for more action in his seventh campaign. Next to him is arguably the best running back in the 2025 draft class, Ollie Gordon II, who broke out last season. The top three receivers (Brennan Presley, De’Zhaun Stribling, and Rashod Owens) return as well. OSU’s offensive line should garner some praise from the conference as well. The defense also packs a punch, featuring several draftable talents like Collin Oliver and D-II transfer Obi Ezeigbo. Mike Gundy has a well-stocked cabinet to draw from, and that’s for sure.
Oklahoma State’s mettle will be tested immediately as it faces FCS power South Dakota State and Arkansas in consecutive weeks. Dates against Utah and Kansas State finish out a tough early schedule. If they can manage to get through it unscathed, the November schedule eases up a tiny bit. The Cowboys are definitely favorites to compete for the Big 12 title.
Predicted Record: 10-2
TCU (@TCUFootball)
The Horned Frogs fell back toward the pack in 2023 after a standout 2022 playoff run. Head coach Sonny Dykes will look to guide a return to the Big 12 mountaintop. After presumptive starter Chandler Morris transferred, Josh Hoover will take over as the primary signal caller. If Hoover isn’t the main man, Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals is the backup. The offensive line was overhauled with five transfers, with four that could start. Bless Harris (Florida State) is slated to start at left tackle, while James Brockermeyer (Alabama) gets the nod at center. Defensively, they brought in NaNa Osafo-Mensah from Notre Dame and linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr from Cal to buttress veterans like Bud Clark, Caleb Fox, and JaTravis Broughton (Utah).
TCU’s schedule is tough, but they avoid Kansas State this season. Hosting UCF and Oklahoma State while traveling to Utah will be a stern test. Traveling to The Farm to play Stanford in the season opener might be a sneaky upset alert. While it’s likely that they won’t compete for a playoff spot, they can play a large role in determining the Big 12 champion. A winning record is possible.
Predicted Record: 7-5
Texas Tech (@TexasTechFB)
Joey McGuire enters his third season leading the upstart Red Raiders. After years of malaise, he’s done a solid job reviving a dormant program. While losing QB Tyler Shough hurts, they brought in Cameran Brown from West Georgia to compete with incumbent Behren Morton. The receiver room got a couple of upgrades in Josh Kelly (Wazzu) and Caleb Douglas (Florida). One of the best running backs in the nation, Tahj Brooks, returns as well. On the defensive side, they must replace Myles Cole and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson. The key to their stop unit will be linebackers, led by Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez.
Another bowl game should be in the cards, as the schedule is manageable. They avoid Kansas State, UCF, and Kansas this season. Going to Oklahoma State will be a tough test, as will road dates in Fort Worth and Ames consecutively.
Predicted Record: 7-5
UCF (@UCF_Football)
The Knights enter its third season in the Big 12, primed for a championship run under coach Gus Malzhan’s wide-open offense. Gone are quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and receiver Javon Baker as key departures. In their stead enters former Arkansas star K.J. Jefferson and a host of valuable reserves. Former Toledo superstar runner Peny Boone joins an electric backfield with starter RJ Harvey. UCF loaded up on a raft of defensive transfers such as EDGE Nyjalik Kelly, LB Ethan Barr, and LB Jesiah Pierre. The secondary was almost totally retooled with transfers, with likely only one starter returning. Most notably, Deshawn Pace (Cincy), Sheldon Arnold (ETSU), and Tre’Quon Fegans (Alabama) will start.
UCF’s schedule is overly favorable, with only one opponent (Florida) that could threaten them with a loss early in the season. They do have to travel to Ames, Tempe, and Morgantown but get Utah in Orlando. TCU and Colorado might provide an interesting test for them early on. The schedule, talent, and coaching should have them in contention deep into November.
Predicted Record: 9-3
Utah (@Utah_Football)
There’s a new Big 12 resident from Salt Lake City. The Utes are an unassuming regional power that goes about winning conference championships regularly. Utah lost a ton of talent to the NFL this past offseason, including Jonah Ellis, Sione Vake, Cole Bishop, and Sataoa Laumea. They return quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe after missing 2023. Running back Micah Abernathy returns alongside receiver Mycah Pittman. Former USC receiver Dorian Singer transferred in to add to the skill position groups further. DC Morgan Scalley has a lot of veteran talent to work with, so they will continue their good form. The stop unit will be led by old heads like Van Fillinger, Karene Reid, and Zemaiah Vaughn. Highly regarded cornerback Kenan Johnson transferred in from Georgia Tech as well.
Utah couldn’t have asked for a better schedule to kick off their debut season in their new home. They have the talent and coaching to make a serious run to the playoffs. However, the Utes still have to travel to Stillwater to take on the other conference favorite, Oklahoma State. Managing November will be tricky as they have to alternate home and away games against solid competition. The Holy War is among the more underrated rivalries in college football, and BYU will be amped.
Predicted Record: 11-1
West Virginia (@WVUfootball)
The Mountaineers return a lot from a team that won five of their last six games en route to a nine-win season in 2023. Coach Neal Brown might have turned a corner in his tenure after getting off to a bad start. Quarterback Garrett Greene returns, as does leading rusher Jaheim White. They added transfer receiver Jaden Bray, who comes in from Oklahoma State. WVU does have to replace all-everything center Zach Frazier as he’s plying his trade in the NFL now. Left tackle Wyatt Milum is the draft prospect that everyone should watch as they retool the line a little bit. Defensively, the youngsters are a year older and wiser. EDGE Sam Martin is the name to watch, as he needs a good season in order to get drafted.
September is a tough month for the Mountaineers as they host Penn State and have to travel to the Backyard Brawl against a good Pitt squad. The month of October doesn’t relent any either, as they have to play four of the main Big 12 contenders consecutively. November is the money month in which wins have to be banked in order to fight for bowl eligibility.
Predicted Record: 7-5
Results
Conference Championship: Oklahoma State vs. Utah
Winner: Utah
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!