The Big 12 was one of the few conferences that added teams in 2023 in an effort to combat Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC in 2024. Then they capitalized on the collapse of the Pac-12 and will welcome Colorado (back), Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State. BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston will be the newcomers in a crowded field for Big 12 supremacy. All four teams have had recent success, even within the College Football Playoff with all but BYU participating in a New Year's Six Bowl.
Texas begins the season as the favorite in their final year of the Big 12 and honestly, they might regret heading to the SEC if they get manhandled at Alabama in Week 2. Oklahoma looks to shake off a rough first year for Brent Venables, but can either blue blood dethrone TCU, who made their first-ever appearance in the College Football Championship last season.
Here's a look at the final installment of this version of the Big 12.
TCU
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (2nd Season, 13-2)
Last Year Record (Rank): 3
Preseason Rank: 7
Prediction: 6-6
What's Ahead: The Horned Frogs stunned college football by going undefeated in the regular season before losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship. Then they stunned Michigan with a barrage of big plays that prevented a Wolverine comeback. The dream was shattered when Georgia reminded how much better the SEC is and dismantled them 65-7. That team of overachievers lost 8 starters on offense, including charismatic QB, Max Duggan. Chandler Morris was injured in Week 1 and will take back the reins of the offense in 2023. Still, a lot of questions loom for Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs might take a big step backward with the rise of some of the new talent in the Big 12.
Kansas State
Head Coach: Chris Klieman (5th Season, 30-20)
LYR: 10-4 (20)
PR: 16
Prediction: 10-2
What's Ahead: The Wildcats' disrespect is thick with how in love everyone is with Texas, but KSU might be right up there with them. The Wildcats could score and stop opponents from scoring in 2022, but most of the defense will need to be replaced. Will Howard returns as the quarterback and has a whole offensive line, including 1st Team All-American Cooper Beebe protecting him. Treshaun Ward transfers in from Florida State to bolster the running game. Chris Klieman was a winner at North Dakota State (FCS) and he's bringing that energy to Manhattan.
Texas
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (3rd Season, 13-12)
LYR: 8-5 (43)
PR: 20
Prediction: 9-3
What's Ahead: The hype train for Texas continues to run despite the Longhorns not really doing anything of note. Heck, they haven't won the Big 12 since Mack Brown did it in 2009 and they want to go play in the SEC? Quinn Ewers is back for year two after he briefly pretended he wanted to go to Ohio State in 2021. Ewers will have Arch Manning breathing down his neck anytime things don't go the Longhorns' way. The breathing will get even heavier if he throws 15 picks to just 6 touchdowns like he did in 2022. There's a chance they can get to the big game in December, but they probably will collapse at some point, derailing them from the College Football Playoffs.
Texas Tech
Head Coach: Joey McGuire (2nd Season, 8-5)
LYR: 8-5 (41)
PR: 26
Prediction: 9-3
What's Ahead: That prediction is if Tyler Shough stays healthy enough for a whole season. Shough has been great going 8-1 at Texas Tech after transferring from Oregon, but that's in two seasons of work including just five in 2022. The Red Raiders were pass-happy in 2022 and look to continue the trend against some of the weaker competition in the Big 12. Circle week 2 when Oregon comes to town because a win over the Ducks gives this team scary confidence.
UCF
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn (3rd Season, 18-9)
LYR: 9-5 (37)
PR: 40
Prediction: 8-4
What's Ahead: The Golden Knights have something the rest of the old AAC buddies don't when making the transition to the Big 12, a quarterback. John Rhys Plumlee is mobile enough to cause the opposing defense's fits and played in the much tougher SEC while at Ole Miss. He's still got plenty of weapons joining him despite leading receiver Ryan O'Keefe transferring to Boston College. If the defense can improve look for the Knights to be a dark horse in year one.
Oklahoma
LYR: 6-7 (76)
PR: 45
Prediction: 8-4
What's Ahead: It was a rough year in Norman after Lincoln Riley took many talented players with him to USC including Heisman winner Caleb Williams, but it could be a bounce-back year for the Sooners. That or Venables is exposed as a head coach. Either way, I don't see the Sooners making it to the Big 12 Championship in their final season.
Cincinnati
Head Coach: Scott Saterfield (1st Season)
LYR: 9-4 (33)
PR: 46
Prediction:4-8
What's Ahead: The Bearcats welcome Scott Satterfield as their new coach from Louisville, but most of the talent left for the draft or with Luke Fickell. Emory Jones transfers in to play quarterback and he may be best known for playing terribly at Florida and losing to Eastern Michigan while at Arizona State. Fortunately, West Virginia is in this conference because UC might be this year's doormat.
Oklahoma State
Head Coach: Mike Gundy (19th Season, 156-75)
LYR: 7-6 (59)
PR: 48
Prediction: 7-5
What's Ahead: The Cowboys have a near-fresh slate to start working with as only two defensive starters and four offensive starters return from last season. Alan Bowman is with his third different school after previously quarterbacking at Texas Tech and beginning his career at Michigan. He likes to throw the ball and Brennan Presley should be his go-to target after hauling in 67 catches for 813 yards last season.
Baylor
Head Coach: Dave Aranda (4th Season, 20-16)
LYR: 6-7 (74)
PR: 50
Prediction: 6-6
What's Ahead: The Bears only return four starters from an offense that ranked in the top 50 last season. Aside from Utah and Texas (both coming to Waco), the Bears have a manageable schedule that should allow them to at least become bowl eligible.
BYU
Head Coach: Kalani Sitake (8th Season, 56-34)
LYR: 8-5 (51)
PR: 53
Prediction: 6-6
What's Ahead: The Cougars will play in a conference for the first time since they were in the Mountain West in 2010. They bring with them the well-traveled transfer Kedon Slovis, who was previously seen at Pitt and USC. He will be one of many new faces on the offense, but a softer non-conference should help BYU jump out to a 2-0 start before things get tougher.
Houston
Head Coach: Dana Holgorsen (5th Season, 27-20)
LYR: 8-5 (48)
PR: 57
Prediction: 6-6
What's Ahead: The Cougars have to replace Clayton Tune and his 11,000 career passing yards. They'll do so with Texas Tech transfer, Donovan Smith, who is at least familiar with the conference. Still, Houston may not be quite ready for the Big 12, but luckily gets to face two familiar foes from the AAC late in the season.
Kansas
Head Coach: Lance Leipold (3rd Season, 8-17)
LYR: 6-7 (75)
PR: 65
Prediction: 7-5
What's Ahead: The Jayhawks were one of the biggest surprises and Lance Leipold returns 16 starters from that squad. It's been a while since the Jayhawks had a winning season, but 2023 could mark the first of the Leipold era.
West Virginia
Head Coach: Neal Brown (5th Season, 22-25)
LYR: 5-7 (88)
PR: 83
Prediction: 2-10
What's Ahead:
Look for Neal Brown to start cleaning out his office if things get as bad as I think they will. The Mountaineers haven't been very competitive during his tenure and don't bring back that much to be desired. A quarterback competition will likely occur throughout the season and they may never find out who can overcome their shortcomings.
Iowa State
Head Coach: Matt Campbell (8th Season, 46-42)
LYR: 4-8 (105)
PR: 84
Prediction: 4-8
What's Ahead: They return many starters, but the offense was pretty putrid and must improve significantly. The benefit is that among those starters are six defensive starters on a unit that ranked 4th in total yards allowed last season. Still it's an uphill climb from Ames to the Big 12 Championship.
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