Missouri receiver Dannis Jackson (11) drops a pass while blanketed by a Kansas State defender during a game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. Abigail Landwehr/Tribune
Football season is right around the corner and the Big 12 Football preseason football poll is out. The newcomers are making their case for some top spots in this 2024 season.
Utah
Utah went 8-5 last season and 5-4 in conference. They had wins over Florida, Baylor, UCLA, and USC. These wins point towards maybe having success in the Big 12. Pac-12 football isn’t nearly as competitive as the Big 12 is. They are predicted to win between 9 and 11 games this season which would be great. Most likely as first-year Big 12 competitors and showings against the big teams in college football they will win eight or nine games. Many would think they could win the Big 12 because of how they have played the last two years in the Pac-12 but that is wrong because they just don’t have the depth needed to finish down the stretch.
Kansas State
The Wildcats went 9-4 in 2023 and 6-3 in the Big 12 finishing 6th. They had wins over Texas Tech, Baylor, and Kansas. Those wins were great for them and also to win the rivalry. Many have them predicted to have nine wins this season. Which would put them first or second in the Big 12. This is much higher than last season also because Oklahoma and Texas aren’t standing in their way it should be a decently easy season. They have the team to win again and also potentially win the Big 12.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State finished 10-4 last year and 7 wins in the conference. They had wins over Kansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma. The Pokes had a big year and could be in line for another if their players can stay out of trouble off the field. They are predicted to get eight wins and finish third in the conference. This race to win the Big 12 will be interesting amongst these top 3.
Kansas
The Jayhawks went 9-4 and the Big 12 went 5-4. Last season they had a big win over Oklahoma. This year they are looking to bounce back this season with eight wins and sit at four in the Big 12. They are solid for eight wins and also to maybe get some wins down the stretch with the depth they have.
Arizona
Arizona went 10-3 and 7-2 in the Pac-12. They had wins over five ranked teams and also over Oklahoma last year. This newcomer will have some struggles but is still predicted to come out with eight wins. They will finish fifth because of who they have to play in the Big 12. Those eight wins will also come off of teams who aren’t in a conference or who aren’t doing so hot in the conference.
Iowa State
The Cyclones finished last season 7-6 and 6-3 in conference. They had wins over Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Iowa State is predicted to win seven or eight games this year and could pull off some upsets. They are predicted to finish sixth in the conference which is good for them.
West Virginia
West Virginia went 9-4 and 6-3 in conference last year. They had big wins over Texas Tech and Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers are predicted to win six or seven games this year. They are a team that is full of surprises and this year will be no different.
UCF
The Knights went 6-7 and 3-6 during their first season in the Big 12. They had wins over Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Houston. This year will be better and different for them in 2024. UCF is predicted to win seven or eight wins but has a solid look at being in the top half of the conference this year.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech finished 7-6 and 5-4 in the Big 12 in 2023. Their big win was over Kansas near the end of the 2023 season. They are predicted to finish with seven or eight wins during the 2024 season. This season they should get one or two more conference wins and bring them back up in the Big 12.
TCU
The Horned Frogs went 5-7 and 3-6 in conference last year. They didn’t really have any big wins last year. This season they are predicted to finish with seven or eight wins. They will again finish in the bottom half of the conference but they still have another year of rebuilding.
Colorado
Colorado finished 4-8 and 1-8 in conference in 2023. Those four wins were nothing to celebrate. This year they are predicted to have five or six wins which would be a great improvement from last season. This team is anything to get excited and think they are special just because of who their head coach is.
Baylor
The Bears went 3-9 and 2-7 in the Big 12. The three wins they did get were nothing special and also only so that they didn’t look as bad as they were. Baylor will finish in the lower half of the conference again.
BYU
BYU went 5-7 and 2-7 during their first year in the Big 12. That Arkansas win was their best and also their biggest in 2023. The Cougars are predicted to win four or five games this year and that is low. With new coaches and a more solid offense that isn’t built entirely on transfers who don’t know each other this should be a better year for the Cougars.
Cincinnati
The Bearcats finished 3-9 and 1-8 in their first year of being a Big 12 Football school. Those three wins were not impressive. Cincinnati is predicted to win five games and finish just a little higher in the conference. This year won’t be anything too special and also won’t be one for the record books.
Houston
Houston went 4-8 and 2-7 in the conference. Those four wins weren’t great ones and also not big for their first year in the Big 12. The Cougars are predicted to win three or four games in 2024. Houston is ready for 2024 and ready to not finish last.
Arizona State
The Sun Devils will bring in the rear of the Big 12 Football conference. Last year in the Pac-12 they went 3-9 and 2-7 in the conference. Those three wins were ok and two were in conference.
