The Big 12 will be greatly affected by the conference realignment, but they've been pretty proactive finding solid replacements for their big schools. While there is no replacing Oklahoma and Texas as far as brands go, Cincinnati, Houston, and BYU have all developed brands of their own the past 5 seasons. Those three will join next year while the Sooners and Longhorns head to the SEC in 2024.
As for this year, can Oklahoma State make the big step as the top dog in the Big 12 with Oklahoma retooling or will Baylor reign supreme? Those three are clearly the top, but the rest of the pack (excluding Kansas) will be a competitive group that could easily pull off some big upsets week after week in conference play. While the PAC-12 at least challenged itself, the Big 12 non-conference isn't as impressive with a few exceptions. Baylor heads to BYU in Week 2 and Texas takes on Alabama early in the season as well.
Here's a full look at the conference of 10 that will grow to 13 in 2023 before shrinking down to 11 in 2024.
Oklahoma State
Head Coach: Mike Gundy (149-69, 18th Season)
Last Year Rank: 7 (12-2)
Preseason Rank: 4
Prediction: 10-2
The Cowboys defeated their rival to knock the Sooners out of the Big 12 Championship, but the Pokes weren't able to upend Baylor for the Big 12 title. Spencer Sanders returns to lead the offense for Mike Gundy, who became the longest-tenured coach in the conference after Gary Patterson was fired by TCU. The defense was above average last season, allowing 20 points or less in 8 of their contests. There isn't a ton of starters returning, but the Cowboys look to make another appearance in the Big 12 Championship.
Baylor
Head Coach: Dave Aranda (14-9, 3rd Year)
LYR: 5 (12-2)
PR: 7
Prediction: 10-2
The Bears shocked the conference, winning ten more games in 2021 than they did the previous season. They avenged a regular-season loss to the Cowboys to take the crown and then shut down Lane Kiffin and the Rebels in the Sugar Bowl. The offense has a lot of question marks, but many of the starters on the defense return, which is great news for Aranda. Baylor allowed 20 points or fewer in 8 games last season and had 44 sacks.
Oklahoma
Head Coach: Brent Venables (1st Season)
LYR: 11-2 (11)
PR: 9
Prediction: 9-3
Oklahoma has a new coach and a new quarterback after Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) and Caleb Williams (USC) both transferred out. Venables comes over from his successful time as the defensive coordinator at Clemson and looks to bring that championship pedigree back to the Sooners. He'll lean on UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel who missed most of last season with a broken clavicle. The defense returns plenty of starters, but the offense's key piece returning is receiver Marvin Mims. Mims has 14 career touchdowns and looks to be a big target for Gabriel.
Kansas State
Head Coach: Chris Klieman (20-16, 4th Season)
LYR: 44 (8-5)
PR: 35
Prediction: 7-5
The Wildcats had a nice season, but all of their losses came against the best of the conference and that'll need to improve if they want to win the conference. They've got a great running back in Deuce Vaughn who ran for over 1,400 yards last season. Adrian Martinez will come over from Nebraska to take over the quarterback position, giving Kansas State a dual-threat under center. Trap game alert in Week 1 when they welcome South Dakota (FCS).
Iowa State
Head Coach: Matt Campbell (42-34, 7th Season)
LYR: 56 (7-6)
PR: 47
Prediction: 7-5
It's been 110 years since the Cyclones have won a conference (MVC) and losing their top tailback and quarterback won't help that change. Xavier Hutchinson does return to be the playmaker for the Cyclones, but it looks to be another middle-of-the-road season in Ames.
Texas
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (5-7, 2nd Season)
LYR: 85 (5-7)
PR: 59
Prediction: 8-4
The Longhorns bring back a lot of talent from a team that lost five of their final six games, including a head-scratching overtime loss to Kansas. That won't fly for long for Sarkisian and he'll need a quick turnaround. Bijan Robinson returns to the backfield and one-time Buckeyes QB Quinn Ewers returns to his home state to be the guy. We'll get a chance to see how good they'll be when Nick Saban and company come to town in Week 2.
TCU
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (1st Season)
LYR: 89 (5-7)
PR: 60
Prediction: 5-7
Sonny Dykes replaces a legend at TCU after Patterson was fired after 20+ years in Fort Worth. Max Duggan comes in as the senior leader, but transfer Chandler Morris could provide some pressure on Duggan to perform. How will the Horned Frogs respond to the new regime?
Texas Tech
Head Coach: Joey McGuire (1st Season)
LYR: 57 (7-6)
PR: 66
Prediction: 4-8
Someone has to be towards the bottom and with no certain quarterback and new coaching staff, this seems like a perfect recipe for clunky football.
West Virginia
Head Coach: Neal Brown (17-18, 4th Season)
LYR: 77 (6-7)
PR: 70
Prediction: 5-7
The Mountaineers are looking towards another transfer QB to take over. This time it's USC and Georgia transfer, JT Daniels. Can Morgantown become the place he finally gets to thrive?
Kansas
Head Coach: Lance Leipold (2-10, 2nd Season)
LYR: 120 (2-10)
PR: 105
Prediction: 2-10
They beat Texas last year so get Leipold a Nick Sabanlike contract. It's hard to find anything exciting to say about a team that is going to lose a lot of games in 2022.
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