2025 Big 12 Season Preview
The Big 12 is expected to be the wildest and wackiest conference again this season, and they have the potential to deliver in spades. Arizona State leapt its way into a playoff berth after winning the conference title in a season in which they were predicted to finish last. Who could make the same jump the Sun Devils did and make a fulfilling run to the Playoff? Are there any darkhorses to sneak past the Committee? Which programs will be the favorites to win the conference in this Big 12 season preview?
You can find the other conference previews below as they become available:
Arizona (5-7, 2-7)
Brent Brennan’s debut campaign in Tucson wasn’t ideal by any standards of the imagination. He’ll have to improve in his second season and do it without several key players. Gone are star receiver Tetairoa McMillan, tackle Jonah Savaiinea, and running back Jacorey Croskey-Merritt. Quarterback Noah Fifta returns to lead the offense once again. Receivers Luke Wysong (New Mexico) and Kris Hutson (Washington State) signed up to replicate McMillan’s production. Running back Ismail Mahdi transferred in from Texas State to command the backfield. Two new transfers are on the offensive line. A veteran defense returns to help the offense as they get up to speed.
Arizona has a brutal opening schedule as it faces several top Big 12 contenders, including Kansas State, Iowa State, and BYU. If the Wildcats can manage some luck, they will compete for bowl eligibility in 2025. November features the defending conference champion, but it should be manageable.
Arizona State (8-4, 6-3)
What can Kenny Dillingham do for an encore after leading the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title last season? Yes, the heart and soul of the team left when Cam Skattebo graduated, but there’s plenty of talent in Tempe. Quarterback Sam Leavitt is mentioned in Heisman and draft circles. Notable RB Kanye Udoh comes in from Army to lead the running back room that features a trio of Browns (Kyson, Raleek, and Jason) behind him. Receiver Jordyn Tyson is one of the best receiver prospects in the 2026 class. The veteran defense is loaded with playmakers at all three levels. Prince Dorbah leads the pass rush attack while Jordan Crook anchors the linebackers. ASU’s secondary leads the way with safeties Myles Rowser and Xavion Alford.
The early schedule could lead to an undefeated start, but the middle is tough with consecutive games against Utah and Texas Tech. November contains trap games against Iowa State and Colorado, plus the fierce Territorial Cup rivalry with Arizona. 2025 should be another Big 12-contending campaign, given the roster and manageable schedule.
Baylor (6-6, 3-6)
Dave Aranda is on a roller coaster in Waco after surviving the hot seat in 2023 and bouncing back with an eight-win campaign in 2024. He has the talent on the roster to make 2025 at least interesting. Underrated quarterback Sawyer Robertson returns to helm the offense. The receiver room features returnees like Ashytn Hawkins and Josh Cameron, while transfers Kobe Prentice (Alabama) and Kole Wilson (Texas State) add intrigue. Baylor returns a veteran defense for the most part, but added several transfers. Former Oregon pass rusher Emar’rion Winston is the biggest name of the bunch. Tulane’s Matthew Fobbs-White should provide EDGE depth for Aranda’s stop unit. The 2025 schedule is not kind to the Bears as they open with Auburn, SMU, and Arizona State. October and November are slightly easier, but trap games galore. Six or seven wins could be the outcome in this Big 12 season preview prediction.
BYU (9-3, 6-3)
BYU made a run at the Big 12 title during an 11-win campaign but ultimately fell short thanks to a head-to-head loss to ASU. The bulk of that team returns, but without quarterback Jake Retzlaff due to off-field allegations. He subsequently transferred to Tulane. Freshman passer Bear Bachmeier receives the first shot at replacing Retzlaff. Bear’s brother, Tiger, transferred from Stanford to play alongside him as a receiver. Standout receiver Chase Roberts returns after a solid freshman campaign. The offensive line lost Caleb Etienne to the pros, so they picked up right tackle Andrew Gentry from Michigan. BYU has a large majority of its defensive starters returning as veterans, so the drop off won’t be as drastic.
The schedule is manageable for another double-digit win total, provided the quarterback play doesn’t falter. The Cougars must navigate a three-game rough patch with Utah, Iowa State, and Texas Tech. Kalani Sitake’s charges will likely run through an unforgiving Big 12 to compete yet again.
Cincinnati (6-6, 4-5)
Scott Satterfield needs a big season to retain his job in 2026 after ending 2025 on a five-game losing streak. The schedule in September is manageable, but the opener against Nebraska is a question mark. October is where it gets interesting for the Bearcats with games against Iowa State, UCF, and Oklahoma State. November presents a challenging final stretch for bowl eligibility. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby returns as one of the more underrated passers in the country. Corey Kiner departed for the NFL ranks, so former Wisconsin/Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker joins. Cincinnati brought in a quintet of transfer receivers, with the most recognizable name being Cyrus Allen (Texas A&M). Tight end Joe Royer is the focal point of the passing attack.
Cincy possesses the all-name team defense with names like Matthew McDoom (Coastal Carolina), Dontay Corleone, Antwan Peek, and Jack Dingle. The Bearcats should be able to compete for bowl eligibility with the potential for seven wins in 2025.
Colorado (6-6, 3-6)
The Deion Sanders era marches into 2025 without several key players like his sons and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter is battling five-star freshman Julian Lewis for the right to replace Shedeur Sanders. Colorado must replace three other receivers besides the otherworldly Hunter, so they brought in transfers like Sincere Brown (Campbell), Hykeem Williams (FSU), and Joseph Williams (Tulsa). Omarion Miller is the leading returnee. The offensive line returns Jordan Seaton, a former five-star recruit, but is undergoing renovation at the four other spots.
Colorado’s defense returns a majority of its production, or lack thereof, with a few transfers thrown in the mix. Transfers like linebacker Martvius French (UTSA) should be contributors immediately. News broke in July that Coach Sanders dealt with a serious health issue. It’s admirable that he’s continuing to fight the good fight despite being the most polarizing coach in sports. The Buffs have a great schedule, but surviving the middle will be key to their chances of competing for a Big 12 title. Ending the season against Arizona State and Kansas State is rotten luck.
Houston (7-5, 4-5)
Year one of the Willie Fritz era didn’t go as planned, with a four-win season in a year-zero type of rebuilding job. Former Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman transferred into the program after an injury-marred career. The receiver room added Amare Thomas from UAB. Houston’s offensive line saw some transformation with three new faces, including Matthew Wykoff (Cal) and Dalton Merryman (Texas Tech). The Cougars’ defense experienced some attrition, with the most notable departures being defensive backs A.J. Haulcy and Jeremiah Wilson, who transferred to LSU and Florida State, respectively. EDGE Eddie Walls III (FIU) comes in anchoring the pass rush. Louisiana Tech safety Blake Thompson also joins the program.
Coach Fritz’s track record indicates that year two will go much better for the Cougars. The schedule is appealing to stack wins early, but the middle part is tricky. If they can manage the middle portion of the season with a .500 record, bowl eligibility is attainable.
Iowa State (8-4, 6-3)
What can Matt Campbell do for an encore following an 11-win season in 2024? His offense returns quarterback Rocco Becht to the fold but loses key pieces. Receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are Houston Texans, so Campbell brought in Chase Sowell (ECU) and Xavier Townsend (UCF) to help compensate. Former offensive tackle Jalen Travis joins his teammates in the AFC South with Indianapolis. James Neal III gets the unenviable task of replacing him. Defensively, Ikenna Ezogu is in line to make a name for himself at EDGE. Cornerback Darien Porter must be replaced, so the Cyclones transferred in Lindenwood’s Tre Bell to help compensate.
The journey to a Big 12 title will be an arduous one for the Cyclones in 2025, but Arizona State and BYU have to visit Ames. Farmageddon is in Ireland as the season opener between the two Big 12 title contenders. Of course, the Cy-Hawk game looms on the horizon as a critical point in late September. Will ISU live up to the billing as predicted in this Big 12 season preview?
Kansas (4-8, 2-7)
Kansas took a slight step back in 2024, going from seven wins to five and looking discombobulated at times. Lance Leipold is still an excellent coach who should have the Jayhawks competitive annually. They return oft-injured passer Jalon Daniels for another season. The Jayhawks have to replace significant talent, including both cornerbacks (Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant), as well as standout running back Devin Neal. Iowa transfer LeShon Williams looks to be the favorite to lead the RB room. Kansas remade its receiver room by adding several transfers like Cam Pickett (Ball State) and Bryson Canty (Columbia). KU did most of its portal work on the defensive side by adding names like linebacker Joseph Sipp (Bowling Green) and cornerback DJ Graham (Utah State). Bowl eligibility should be the standard for 2025.
Kansas State (9-3, 6-3)
KSU is one of the favorites to contend for the Big 12 crown despite losing serious talent to the NFL, like RB DJ Giddens and CB Jacob Parrish. Quarterback Avery Johnson is a dual-threat passer who can run but needs to improve in the passing game. To that end, Kansas State got the transfers from receivers like Jaron Thibbs (Purdue) and Caleb Medford (New Mexico). Former Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards gets the first crack at replacing Giddens. Left tackle is filled by a new face in George Fitzpatrick (Ohio State); otherwise, most of the line returns. KSU’s tough defense returns mostly intact, with linebackers such as Desmond Purnell and Austin Romaine.
The schedule makers did the Wildcats no favors as they travel to Ireland for the season opener and take on Army before opening Big 12 play against Arizona. Renewing ties against Sunflower State rival Kansas before traveling to Lubbock is a sneaky land mine. Kansas State’s mettle will be tested in November. If they can emerge from that gauntlet, the Big 12 title could be theirs.
Oklahoma State (5-7, 3-6)
Mike Gundy needs a bounce-back season in the worst way possible after a tumultuous three-win campaign in 2024. He will have to do it with a significant talent drain to the NFL. RB Ollie Gordon, LB Nick Martin, and WR Brennan Presley, among others, are gone. The Cowboys must break in four new transfer starters along the line as well, so the journey won’t be easy for whichever QB wins the job. OSU’s defense saw the most overhaul, bringing in 19 transfers, including eight projected starters. Perhaps a fresh start on that side of the ball is necessary, given the troubles there. The 2025 campaign appears bleak for Gundy and his team, given the talent drain and the rough ending schedule. It will be a mighty struggle to get to bowl eligibility in this Big 12 season preview.
TCU (9-3, 6-3)
The Horned Frogs are attempting to get back into Big 12 title contention after a relatively down season. They bring back quarterback Josh Hoover, who leads a revamped receiver room that lost Jack Bech and Savion Williams to the NFL. Receivers Jordan Dwyer (Idaho) and Joseph Manjack (USC) take over as the primary targets. The offensive line does need to replace standout James Brockermeyer, who left for Miami. TCU’s defense returns largely intact, but landed a few transfers, including DL Ansel Din-Muh and CB Elijah Jackson. The schedule isn’t too rough, but winning October will go a long way in determining their season. September promises to be a challenge with rival SMU and Arizona State on deck. November isn’t a cakewalk, either. Eight or nine wins should be the ceiling for this group.
Texas Tech (9-3, 6-3)
Texas Tech is on a spending spree that makes lottery winners look like misers in comparison. They reportedly have spent nearly $55 million in upgrading the football program after years of malaise. Can head coach Joey McGuire be the one to put it all together? The receiver group is a stout one with incumbents like Coy Eakin and Caleb Douglas. Miami (OH) transfer Reggie Virgil is another name to watch. There are two new bookend tackles with Howard Sampson (UNC) and Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State). Quarterback Behren Morton is the unquestioned starter. The Red Raiders did most of their portal damage on the defense. Stanford’s loss is Tech’s gain as they landed one of the best EDGE prospects in the country, David Bailey. Former Georgia Tech EDGE Romello Height and UCF IDL Lee Hunter join Bailey on a formidable defensive front. Ben Roberts is the linebacker to watch.
If the Red Raiders want to be contenders, they must sweep November and beat Utah in September. October could be tricky, as landmines like Kansas and Oklahoma State await. The Oregon State game is another trap game ahead of the road trip to SLC. McGuire and his charges should be competing for the Big 12 crown past October and could sneak away with it.
UCF (7-5, 4-5)
Scott Frost returns to the Magic Kingdom, where he had his greatest successes as a head coach before leaving for home. Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson looks to be the favorite to win the starting quarterback job for Frost. Myles Montgomery takes over as the leading man in the running back room, replacing RJ Harvey, who’s off to Denver. UCF recruited three transfers to help mitigate the loss of Kobe Hudson, including Chris Domercant (UT-Chattanooga) and Marcus Burke (Florida). The offensive line is relatively new, with six new faces from the portal. Defensively, the Knights must replace two standout cornerbacks, Mac McWilliams and BJ Adams. To that effect, they brought in Jayden Bellamy (Syracuse) and Isaiah Reed (Brown), among a host of other DBs. Sincere Edwards (Pitt) and former five-star recruit Nyjalik Kelly will anchor the EDGEs.
UCF has a chance to get off to a good start, but it has two enticing matchups to end September. November offers a bigger challenge. Eight wins should be fine for Frost’s first campaign back in Orlando.
Utah (10-2, 7-2)
After a year wandering the desert of Big 12 transition, the Utes are poised to reclaim their rightful place as a preeminent national power. Kyle Whittingham returns a traditionally stout defense that features one transfer who could start, cornerback Blake Cotton. The offense is where it gets exciting, with electrifying quarterback Devon Dampier (New Mexico) leading the way. New OC Jason Beck brought in three new receivers alongside Dampier, such as Ryan Davis (New Mexico) and Larry Simmons (Southern Miss). Utah is known for its strength in running the ball, and 2025 is no different. The offensive line is a good one, and right tackle Spencer Fano is a legitimate first-round selection. Running back Wayshawn Parker comes in from Washington State to lead the rushing attack.
The schedule in September has its hurdles, but it is manageable; however, the showdown with emerging power Texas Tech looms. October can be tricky with defending Big 12 champion Arizona State coming to SLC, followed by the hotly contested Holy War, and a home date with Colorado. Kansas State will have to visit in November, which presents the last significant threat to Utah’s dreams. Utah has the tools to compete for a Big 12 title in year two.
West Virginia (7-5, 4-5)
The prodigal coach is back in Morgantown after a long journey away that took him places like Ann Arbor and Tucson. Rich Rod returns to where it all started after a successful stint building Jacksonville State into a good program. The vibes are immaculate at West Virginia after years of malaise. Can RichRod restore the glory of years past in his reunion with the Mountaineers that he built? Quarterback Nicco Marchiol returns to helm the offensive fireworks. CJ Donaldson (Ohio State) transferred, but running back got a boost when Jaylan Knighton transferred in to help incumbent Jaheim White. West Virginia remade their receiver room by landing six transfers, but the name to watch is former JSU standout Cam Vaughn. The offensive line must replace standout Wyatt Milum, who is in the NFL with the Jaguars. 11 new faces were brought in to fortify the trenches, including three new starters.
Defensively, the Mountaineers landed the supremely talented EDGE Jimmori Robinson from UTSA. Reid Carrico returns at linebacker to lead the way. The secondary will be almost entirely new, with big nickel Fred Perry (JSU) the key name to watch there. Cornerbacks Michael Coats, Jr (Nevada) and Jason Chambers (App State) should play significant roles as well. The early part of the schedule isn’t daunting and should be conducive to stacking wins to kick off the RichRod 2.0 era. If the Mountaineers can get past the Holy War double and Backyard Brawl unscathed, a special season could be in store.
Championship Game: Utah vs. TCU/Kansas State/BYU/Iowa State/Arizona State tiebreak winner
Champion: 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!