Who holds the No. 1 spot in the Big 12 preseason power rankings?
Cody Nagel
The revamped Big 12 may not be the strongest of the Power Four conferences, but it is poised to be the most exciting in 2024, with more than half its members capable of reaching the conference title game in early December. An automatic bid in the expanded College Football Playoff is up for grabs this season, with the possibility of an additional at-large spot depending on how the season unfolds. So, how does the new 16-team Big 12 stack up with kickoff less than two weeks away?
With Oklahoma and Texas now in the SEC, the door is open for new teams to emerge as the top contenders in the Big 12. Will the position be claimed by traditional members, or will a newcomer establish itself as a formidable force for the future?
As the preseason draws to a close, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Utah appear to be the consensus leading the pack. But which other Big 12 teams are expected to be in the mix?
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Below is anupdated look at the Big 12preseason power rankingsahead of the season openers in August:
16. Houston Cougars
Houston certainly has the resources and the coaching to be a strong program in the new-look Big 12 — just not in 2024. Willie Fritz is in the process of overhauling the Cougars after a massive influx of incoming transfers for this season. Veteran quarterback Donovan Smithhas the potential to be one of the best passers in the Big 12, butcontinues to be monitored after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
15. BYU Cougars
BYUknows it needs to figure out its offense after a disastrous output during their Big 12 debut in 2023. The Cougars added three transfer quarterbacks, including former Baylorstarter Gerry Bohanon, who spent the past two seasons at South Florida. He projects to win the starting job over former No. 1 JUCO quarterback recruit Jake Retzlaff. Still, BYU has a lot to prove after winning just two games against Big 12 opponents last year.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State and head coach Kenny Dillingham also need one of its quarterbacks to step up and take command, or it could be another long season in Tempe. Improved injury luck will also help.On-field results as a new member of the Big 12 may not show the progress being made at Arizona State this season.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati needs a bounce-back season after a poor debut as a member of the Big 12 in 2023. Head coach Scott Satterfield enters Year 2 in charge of the Bearcats with a favorable schedule ahead.Returning 1,000-yard rusher Corey Kiner expects to carry the load offensively with former Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby taking command of a unit that projects to be trending up. The loss of future NFL defensive lineman Dontay Corleone to injury was a big offseason blow.
12. Baylor Bears
Hard to argue thatthere is a Big 12 head coach that faces more pressure than Dave Aranda in 2024. The bottom seemingly fell out of Baylor after it won the conference title in 2021. A new offensive approach with the arrival of coordinator Jake Spavital from California could be what the Bears need to ignite a turnaround. MAC Player of the Year and former Toledo quarterback DeQuan Finn should be an exciting addition in Waco.
11. Colorado Buffaloes
Deion Sanders draws a lot of attention at Colorado. But it is time to back up the talk in Boulder. Do the Buffaloes need to contend for a Big 12 title? No. But at least making a bowl game should be a realistic goal in 2024. Once again Colorado turned to the transfer portal to upgrade the talent level, particularly on the defensive line, with former Arizona State standout B.J. Green II among those newcomers. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is out to solidify his stock for the 2025 NFL Draft.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
Post-spring power ranking:No. 8
TCU certainly exceededexpectations two seasons ago with a runner-up finish in the College Football Playoff, but failed to even reach a bowl game last year. So, what is the outlook like for the Horned Frogs in 2024? Quarterback Josh Hoover could be a difference maker if he grabs hold of the offensive reins again after missing spring practice due to injury. New defensive coordinator Andy Avalos from Boise State aims to fix a TCU unit that ranked last in the Big 12 for turnovers forced last season. Several impact transfers on that side of the ball, like former California linebacker Kalen Elarms-Orr should help in those efforts.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Post-spring power ranking:No. 9
Expectations might have been set too high for Texas Tech and head coach Joey McGuire in 2023. The Red Raiders did end the season strong, winning four of their last five games. Can that momentum carry into 2024? A majority of the starters are gone, but recent success in recruiting and bolstered depth through transfer portal additions has Texas Tech reloaded. The return of veteran running back Tahj Brooks and rising quarterback Behren Morton, along with incoming five-star freshman receiver Micah Hudson couldresult in better offensive production in Lubbock. Three of the six losses for the Red Raiders a year ago came by eight points or less.
8. West Virginia Mountaineers
Post-spring power ranking:No. 4
West Virginia was quite a bit higher on this power rankings list after the spring, but questions still remain regarding the defense in Morgantown. The Mountaineers need more depth and the hope is those issues were addressed through the transfer portal. Offense is not a concern for the Mountaineers, which return a loaded backfield that ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards per game with CJ Donaldson Jr. and Jaheim White. VeteranGarrett Greene is back as wellas one of the top 25 quarterbacks in the nation heading into 2024.
7. UCF Knights
Post-spring power ranking:No. 10
Keep an eye on UCF, which is primed to make some noise. The Knights are trending more towards a "boom" than a "bust," with an offense that could very well lead the Big 12 this season. Two 1,000-yard rushers froma year ago — RJ Harvey and Toledo transfer Peny Boone — lead a stacked backfield that also has former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson. Talented wide receiver Kobe Hudson is a threat for opposing defenses too. New defensive coordinator Ted Roof reconnects with head coach Gus Malzahn. The two worked together at Auburn in 2010 during a national championship run.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
Post-spring power ranking:No. 6
It is surprising to think Matt Campbell is the third-longest tenured head coach in the Big 12 as he enters his ninth season at Iowa State. The Cyclones are in the midst of their best years in program history with a winning record in six of the last seven seasons. An experienced roster full of returning starters could produce similar results as the 2020 season in Ames when Iowa State won nine games for just the third time and played in the Big 12 Championship Game. This current group of Cyclones is dangerous, ranking second nationally in returning production.
5. Kansas Jayhawks
Post-spring power ranking:No. 7
From a roster standpoint, Kansas might be as talented as ever thanks in part to the player development led by head coach Lance Leipold and his staff. But how much of a disadvantage will the Jayhawks be without a true home field in 2024? A massive reconstruction of the stadium in Lawrence means Kansas will make the short trip to Kansas City for the six home games, including each of the four Big 12 matchups at Arrowhead Stadium. The health of dual-threat quarterback Jalon Daniels is also a concern. If he can remain active, the Jayhawks could contend for a spot in the conference title game. He missed a total of 14 games the past two seasons.
4. Arizona Wildcats
Post-spring power ranking:No. 5
If new head coach Brent Brennan can keep things rolling at Arizona with a handful of key pieces back, then the Wildcats should be in the Big 12 title race when November rolls around.Quarterback Noah Fifita,the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, and top receiving target Tetairoa McMillan, aSecond Team All-Pac-12 selection, both announced their return toArizona despite the departure of ex-head coach Jedd Fisch, who left for the same position at Washington. Brennan spent the past seven seasons at San Jose State and there is optimism he can limit a potential drop-off in a transition to the Big 12.
3. Utah Utes
Post-spring power ranking:No. 2
The top-tier in the Big 12 power rankings starts here, where newcomer Utah expects to be a conference title contender right away in 2024. Longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham seems to be nearing the end of his career after naming defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as the eventual successor. Perhaps the Utes will be a little extra motivated to put together one more impressive campaign for Whittingham. Quarterback Cam Rising returns aftersitting out all of last season due to injury. He owns a 19-6 record as a starter and two Pac-12 titles. But how will he look after an extensive time away fromlive action?
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Post-spring power ranking:No. 3
Oklahoma State had a bit of a scare this week after rumors started to fly around about a potential serious injury to Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon. However, the potential Heisman Trophy contender is not expected to miss any significant period of time, Chris Hummer reports. Is this finally the year the Cowboys and head coach Mike Gundy break through and hoist the Big 12 trophy for the first time since 2011? The Pokes fell short in the conference title game two of the last three seasons. Oklahoma State landed six players on the preseason All-Big 12 team — the most for any of the 16 members.
1. Kansas State Wildcats
Post-spring power ranking:No. 1
Believe it or not, Kansas State had zero players on the preseason All-Big 12 team. That is sure to light a fire under the Wildcats, who are aiming to secure their second conference title in three years under head coach Chris Klieman. Now, an automatic bid and first-round bye in the College Football Playoff is on the line. Rising star quarterback Avery Johnsonflashed in his limited appearances as a true freshman and now has full control ofthe offense after the Wildcats moved on from multi-year starter Will Howard. Defensively, Kansas State was among the best in the Big 12 a year ago and returns more than half of its starters on that side of the ball.
