Last season's Big 12 football season was one of pure insanity. Seriously, I'm still a little dizzy from the whole thing. The preseason championship favorites, Utah, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State, all underwhelmed to an extreme degree, with only the WIldcats escaping the year with a winning record as Utah couldn't escape the injury bug and OK State was simply underwhelming in every way, losing every game of their in-conference schedule.
On the flip side, teams expected to be bottom-dwellers in BYU and Arizona State ended up being two of the league's strongest playoff contenders alongside Iowa State in the best season of their program's history.
I say all this to keep in mind: predicting the Big 12 is like choosing the right marble in a low-budget Instagram reels marble race. Meaning preseason power rankings are complete baloney. Don't cling to a word I write here, alright?
Preseason Big 12 Football Power Rankings
I wouldn't want to bet against this Kansas State program two years in a row, and though they finished last season with a bit of a whimper, quarterback Avery Johnson is only going to be more poised, more experienced.
Kenny Dillingham has struck gold with the Sun Devils, and while last year's success sparked real concerns about what's real and what's fool's gold in the Big 12 Conference, ASU is elite until proven fraudulent. The Sun Devils could run it back.
This is a Tech squad is plenty of hype to their backs at the onset of the season. These Red Raiders should be serious contenders for the conference crown by the end of the year, but it starts by getting it right at the beginning of the season.
Sure, Jake Retzlaff's status is up in the air, but many forget that this BYU team stomped Colorado in the Alamo bowl despite Retzlaff tossing 2 picks and zero touchdowns. Putting it simply: this football team is far more than one player, and Jay Hill's defense may remain one of the best in football. BYU enters the season with fantastic momentum.
Welcome back to the party, Utes. Kyle Whittingham's squadron may have struggled out of the gate in their Big 12 introduction, but let's be serious for a minute when considering the immediate future of the Utes. Though they may struggle to be the force they were in the Pac-12, Utah is solid from top to bottom.
Matt Campbell teams are well-coached, disciplined, and win football games. The Iowa State Cyclones may not return to last year's success, but should be in serious contention for a championship appearance if they can build on last season.
Sure, the TCU playoff shakers may be long gone, but Sonny Dykes remains at the helm of the Horned Frogs. This year's team is a wild card, but lean on the positive end of the spectrum.
Shedeur and Travis are out of the picture, but Deion Sanders remains at the helm with a vision. Still capable of luring explosive athletes and a team with real upside, this Buffs side doesn't share the upside of last year's bunch, but could pop off given the right circumstances.
I love Sawyer Robertson and believe he is one of the league's best signal callers, but I just don't see this year's team as one capable of shaking off last season's rust. Baylor is in flux, and I project another uneven year.
Though one should never count out West Virginia, I'm going to cautiously hold them back as a team with limited potential. I could always be wrong.
I still haven't forgiven Kansas for losing its first few handfuls of Big 12 games only to go on a ranked win rampage that only damaged the Big 12's reputation in the eyes of the national media. Cosmic karma will be swift and merciless.
Ollie Gordon is out, and with him any hope that Stillwater's finest can compete at the highest level. At least for now.
Noah Fifita's undying nightmare.
The damage Guz Malzahn inflicted upon this poor program will never be forgotten. Certainly not after just one year.
Houston made some strides in the right direction at the end of last season. Let's hope they don't regress in 2025.
One day you'll be back at the top, Bearcats. Unfortunately, that day is not today.