By John Zamora 
The Big 12 had four teams finish in the Top 25 last season, led by Arizona State. Ahead of the new season, the Sun Devils are once again figured to contend for the conference title — but they will be challenged by a handful of teams. Let’s break down the Big 12 from worst to best and see who has the best shot of knocking off ASU.
16. UCF Knights
Scott Frost is back where his head coaching career began. Before leaving town to coach Nebraska, his alma mater, Frost led UCF to a 13-0 record in 2017. UCF has had much more success than Frost has in the year’s since his departure, but now they are once again relying on each other. The Knights return three starters on defense, and also require a ton of work on the other side of the ball. Frost has his work cut out for him to start his second stint at UCF.
15. Arizona Wildcats
Year 1 of life without Jedd Fisch in charge of the team didn’t go well. After a 10-win 2023 campaign, the Wildcats struggled to a 4-8 mark last year. With star wideout Tetairoa McMillan now in the NFL, coach Brent Brennan added a few receivers through the portal to help QB Noah Fifita. We don’t expect Arizona to be as mediocre as it was last year, but another bottom-half finish is more likely than a push towards the top of the conference.
14. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati enjoyed more success in its second year as a member of the Big 12, but it still won just three games in conference in 2024. Brendan Sorsby showed some flashes at QB last year — 2,813 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs, 64% completion rate — and he has a stud at tight end in Joe Royer. Cincy’s defense improved from its rough go in ’23, but more work will need to be done on both sides of the ball in order for the Bearcats to finish with a winning record in conference play.
13. West Virginia Mountaineers
It’s starting to feel like the early 2000s all over again — Rich Rod is back in Morgantown. Previously West Virginia’s coach from 2001-2007, Rodriguez led the Mountaineers to a 32-5 record over his final three seasons with the school before taking the Michigan job. 18 years later, Rich Rod is taking over a team that went 6-7 last year. The Mountaineers may be a year or two away from true contention, but we won’t count out Rich Rod getting his team ready to compete ahead of schedule.
12. Oklahoma State Cowboys
2025 can’t be as bad as 2024 for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys, right? Gundy’s team went winless in the Big 12 resulting in the long-time coach to take a $1 million pay cut. Gundy replaced both coordinators and hit the portal hard to help turn things around. Offensively, OK State has five new offensive linemen and transfers at RB, WR and potentially QB. For a defense that allowed 40 PPG last year, Gundy will replace all but three starters.
11. Houston Cougars
To put it lightly, Houston’s offense was awful last year. The Cougars scored 14 PPG in conference play and averaged under 5.0 yards per play — both ranking last in the Big 12. Former top prospect Conner Weigman is set to take over at QB and coach Willie Fritz also added a ton of players to help Weigman succeed. Defensively, Houston allowed 22.9 PPG a season ago and once again figures to be the team’s strength. If the offense can average 24.0 PPG, there is a path to eight or nine wins.
10. Colorado Buffaloes
What is life in Boulder going to be like without Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders? It will be impossible to replace Hunter, but Colorado has two capable options at QB to fill Sanders’ absence. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter threw 32 TD passes in 2023 and rushed for over 1,000 yards. He is the likely starter entering the season, but five-star Julian Lewis will be ready to take over at any time. The Buffaloes improved a ton on defense last year and figure to make another jump this fall.
9. Kansas Jayhawks
After winning nine games in 2023, Kansas entered last season with big expectations — KU didn’t live up to said expectations. The Jayhawks started the year 1-5 before rallying for a 5-7 final record. Jalon Daniels is back for another season at QB and the team hopes he is better another year removed from his season-ending injury in ’23. Only three starters return on defense, but coach Lance Leipold did well in the portal and added a lot of talent to help the group.
8. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU was one of a few teams in the Big 12 that clicked down the stretch last season. Following a loss to Houston that dropped them to 3-3, the Frogs went 6-1 to end the year with their lone loss coming by three points. QB Josh Hoover is back and could end the year as one of the top passers in the conference, but the Frogs must figure out their ground attack. The team averaged 3.7 YPC in 2024 — a repeat effort would keep TCU out of contention.
7. Utah Utes
Utah was one of the most snakebit teams in the nation last year. The Utes opened the year 4-0 and were ranked No. 10 in the country. However, numerous injuries — including the loss of QB Cam Rising — sabotaged the season. Now, the Utes are looking to rebound from their first losing season since 2013. QB Devon Dampier and OC Jason Beck left New Mexico to join Kyle Whittingham’s team and will provide a huge boost. Utah is typically strong on defense and this year should be no different.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones had a fantastic season last year and were just one game away from reaching the College Football Playoff. With a chance to reach the CFP, Iowa State lost to Arizona State, 45-19, in the Big 12 Championship. While 12 starters return, the offense must find a way to replace the production of wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. We expect the team to be improved defensively barring better injury luck. Another 10-win season is on the table.
5. BYU Cougars
What should we make of BYU? Following last year’s 11-2 finish, the Cougars were poised to enter 2025 with College Football Playoff aspirations. Unfortunately, QB Jake Retzlaff recently announced that he is leaving the program instead of facing a seven-game suspension. BYU is a well coached team and another competitive season won’t be a surprise, but Retzlaff’s absence limits its ceiling.
4. Baylor Bears
Baylor ended a string of back-to-back losing seasons by going 8-5 last year. The Bears won their final six games of the regular season following a 2-4 start and now fans believe they can make a run in the Big 12. Dave Aranda will have 12 returning starters at his disposal including rising quarterback Sawyer Robertson. If Baylor wants to take a step forward it will need its defense to improve. Last year, the defense allowed 5.97 yards per play against Big 12 opponents.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech is trying to elevate its national standing across all sports by spending a ton of money on NIL. The Red Raiders went 6-3 in conference play a season ago and added a lot of talent in the offseason — highlighted by four offensive linemen and edge rushers David Bailey (a Stanford transfer) and Romello Height. While the players and coaches need to execute their jobs, Tech’s boosters have given this team more than enough help. Now, let’s see if it pays off.
2. Kansas State Wildcats
Coming off a disappointing 5-4 record in conference play last season, the Wildcats have their sights set higher in 2025. Chris Klieman is one of the nation’s best coaches and has led K-State to eight or more wins in each of his four seasons. With QB Avery Johnson and RBs Antonio Johnson Jr. and Dylan Edwards returning the Wildcats have plenty of punch offensively. State’s defensive front may be the best in the Big 12. Without a doubt, this team is a true contender in the conference.
1. Arizona State Sun Devils
A year after being projected to finish at the bottom of the Big 12, the Arizona State Sun Devils are our No. 1 team entering the 2025 season. Despite losing star running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL, the Sun Devils return a ton of talent including star QB Sam Leavitt and WR Jordyn Tyson. ASU returns nine players on defense and four players on its offensive line — the latter of which should make life easier for Skattebo’s replacement(s).
Angel Atienza-Romero