Back to the Future - The Big 12

Written by Carter Ball

If Kansas State vs Iowa State in Dublin wasn't a precursor for the chaos incoming in the BIG 12 this year, I don't know what is. An absolute series of madness will unfold in this conference, and I am excited to watch it unfold. Here we are to get you ready for it all.

What We Predict

16. West Virginia (2-10)

West Virginia will start 2-0 and finish 0-10. There is not enough talent to compete in a deep BIG 12, facing most bowl-eligible teams. It will not be a pretty season in Morgantown.

15. Cincinnati (2-10)

The Bearcats face a sneaky, brutal schedule in 2025 with consecutive games against Baylor, Arizona, Utah, BYU, and TCU to close the season. The Cincinnati glory days are long gone.

14. Oklahoma State (4-8)

The Pokes lost all three members of the lone bright spot on a terrible team last year, the group's backfield. With Alan Bowman running out of eligibility, Maealiuaki Smith transferring to Ole Miss, and Ollie Gordon off to the league, Oklahoma State will not improve much this season.

13. Colorado (5-7)

It is not perfect timing in Boulder. After losing the only guys making this program relevant, Deion Sanders will miss a bowl game in year three.

12. Kansas (5-7)

I expect another disappointing season from a decent Kansas team. I expect the group to be in a lot of close games, as they were last year, quite often.

11. UCF (6-6)

After rehiring Scott Frost, there is renewed football juice in Orlando. A successful rebuilding year will see the self-proclaimed 2017 natty champion Knights make a bowl game.

10. Arizona (6-6)

This year, we will know if Brent Brennan is the guy for Arizona. His group should improve mightily in year two. I predict a successful rebuilding year for the Cats.

9. TCU (7-5)

An unlucky team with a demanding schedule, expect Josh Hoover to thrive on a middling TCU team.

8. Baylor (7-5)

The Bears have shown their commitment to creating a consistent winner with offensive additions such as Kobe Prentice and Walker White. However, that will not be achieved this year. Expect a bowl game appearance but not much more - the usual for Baylor football, to continue in 2025.

7. Utah (8-4)

The biggest news of the Utes' offseason was bringing in QB Devon Dampier from New Mexico, adding 2,768 passing yards to an abysmal pass offense last year. I expect more of the usual from Utah - strong defense and offensive uncertainty in yet another uneventful 8-4 season.

6. Houston (8-4)

The Cougars quietly had a great offseason. Bringing in QB Connor Weigman from Texas A&M seems like a match made in heaven. Combining Weigman with receivers such as Stephon Johnson, who averaged 12 yards per reception last season, makes me excited about the prospects of this Houston team.

5. BYU (9-3)

A well-oiled machine in Provo. The Cougars' floor seems to be 9-3 for the foreseeable future. Expect Stanford QB transfer Bear Bachmeier to shine.

4. Kansas State (9-3)

The Wildcats disappointed in their season opener in Dublin, but Avery Johnson showed flashes of his potential, and star RB DJ Giddens got hurt horribly. I expect Kansas State to bounce back nicely and turn 2025 into a successful season.

3. Texas Tech (10-2)

The Red Raiders invested heavily in the portal, dumping millions of dollars' worth of oil money into a roster that I believe can compete for a championship. Round of applause for beautiful roster construction from the Red Raiders.

2. Iowa State (10-2)

The Cyclones looked gritty in their Week 0 conference victory in Dublin. I am a Rocco Becht believer and expect greatness from this Cyclone team.

1. Arizona State (11-1)

Kenny Dillingham is the man! With two first-rounders on offense alone, the Sun Devils look poised to follow up last year's success and prove it was NOT a fluke. I love Kanye Udoh - the Sun Devils' prized portal pickup at RB from Army. In addition, we predict Jordan Tyson - a projected first round pick at receiver, to rack in 1,000+ yards from star returner and future top ten pick Sam Leavitt. I am huge on this Sun Devils team.