Big 12 Football Preview: A New Era Begins
Texas and Oklahoma are Outta Here: A New Era of Chaos and Opportunity Awaits
The Big 12 is no longer the conference it once was. The departures of Texas and Oklahoma, coupled with the arrivals of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, have created a seismic shift in the college football landscape. This season promises to be a wild ride, as teams jockey for position in a conference that’s as wide open as the Texas plains.
Oklahoma State, the perennial contender, finds itself in a familiar position: the hunted. Mike Gundy’s squad has the talent and experience to make another deep run, but the Cowboys will have to fend off a host of hungry challengers. Kansas State, with a dynamic offense led by Dylan Edwards, is poised to build on last season’s success. However, replacing offensive coordinator Collin Klein will be a significant challenge.
The new kids on the block are ready to make their mark. Utah, led by the returning Cam Rising, has championship aspirations. If Rising can recapture his 2022 magic, the Utes could be a dominant force. Colorado, under the flashy Deion Sanders, has generated immense hype, but translating that into wins will be crucial. Arizona, with a high-powered offense featuring Tetairoa McMillan, is a dark horse with the potential to shock the conference.
While the newcomers are grabbing headlines, don’t count out the established programs. Kansas, with a healthy Jalon Daniels, is a dangerous team capable of pulling off upsets. TCU, Iowa State, and West Virginia have experienced quarterbacks who can keep their teams in any game. And UCF, with the addition of transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson, is a wild card that could make some noise.
The Big 12 is loaded with talent. Players like Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, and Cam Skattebo are game-changers. Quarterbacks like Cam Rising, Jalon Daniels, and Josh Hoover have the potential to carry their teams to great heights.
Several matchups will be must-watch television.
- Utah at Oklahoma State (Sept. 21): An early showdown that could set the tone for the season.
- Oklahoma State at Kansas State (Sept. 28): A rivalry game with major conference implications.
- Arizona at Utah (Sept. 28): A battle of two teams looking to make a statement in their new conference.
- Colorado at Nebraska (Sept. 7): A rematch of last year’s surprising upset, with both teams looking to rebound.
- BYU at Utah (Nov. 9): The Holy War is back, and this one carries extra weight as a conference matchup.
- Kansas at Kansas State (Oct. 26): The Sunflower Showdown is always a heated rivalry, and this year could be especially exciting.
The race for the Big 12 title is wide open. Any number of teams could emerge as champions. The conference’s parity and unpredictability make it one of the most exciting in college football. Get ready for a season filled with upsets, thrilling finishes, and plenty of drama. The Big 12 is back, and it’s better than ever.
Who do you think will win the Big 12?
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