The hourglass has nearly run out on the college football offseason (unless you count that incredible game held in Dublin on Saturday). For the Big 12 Conference, this season is anticipated to be a highly competitive conference title chase, and a few favorites have already crept through the brush with a "championship or bust" tattoo on their chests.
Speculation season is nearing its end, and with every passing day our picture clears up with a comprehendible image of what's likely to happen and what's an impossible delusion thought up by college football contrarians (I promise I don't try to be controversial just to be interesting).
As many experts and analysts have begun to stake their claim with the newcomer Utah Utes to roll through the conference schedule, some have reason to hesitate when deciding the fate of this power league. Could Kansas State or Oklahoma State bank on their experience to conquer their peers? Could a surprise champion break through and shock the world? Are these questions a bit too inconsequential to be taken seriously?
Though my beloved BYU Cougars likely aren't nearing any revelatory world-beating season that leads to serious contention, the Big 12 has plenty of teams that could surprise the nation and earn their conference's College Football Playoff auto-bid if their season plays out perfectly, and I believe that some of these teams have a legitimate case for jotting down their season goal as "conference champions" in all caps in the locker room.
Whether thanks to experienced coaching, elite talent, or recent success, some teams are itching my desire to make a bold prediction--which I will abstain from--and for that reason, I'd like to list out three Big 12 schools that could earn the conference championship this season.
In no particular order, these are my "dark horse" picks to take home the conference crown by year's end.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks are Rock Chalk once more and Lawrence, Kansas is once again home to a decent football team. It feels like it's been since their magical 2007 season when KU reached as high as 2nd in the nation behind an 11-0 record.
Since then, the team has been the joke of the Big 12 football schedule. With no disrespect to the Commodores, KU was the Big 12's Vanderbilt. But over the past few years under head coach Lance Leipold, the Kansas Jayhawks have become a solid program with real hope for a big-time season with a real star in quarterback Jalon Daniels. Don't be surprised when the Jayhawks make some noise in conference play.
2. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats are new to the party, and--just like Kansas--had been struggling through the past few years wandering in the football wilderness. But last season, a shift in narrative swept across the Tucson area with the promise of change. As the Wildcats began to dominate their conference peers, the nation took notice.
Finishing with a 10-win season following a season where they failed to even reach bowl eligibility is a great sign that your program is moving in the right direction. To take down ranked foes Washington State, Utah, and Oregon State on the way to a New Year's 6 appearance and Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma indicates that the Wildcats should make their Big 12 transition fairly effortlessly. Don't be surprised if they continue their success this year.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers
When West Virginia's name was announced as some of the ESPN College Gameday crew's pick to take home the conference crown, I'll admit that I was surprised to see them not once, but twice. With those picks out in the open, I couldn't help but look into the Mountaineers.
Last season, WVU was a real force in the conference with a 9-4 record at the close of the year. With Senior QB Garrett Greene stepping into the starting role, the Mountaineers are a strong, though not intensely exciting option as a dark horse contender.
The title is up for grabs this year more than ever. Unlike other power leagues, the Big 12 projects to be one of the most entertaining leagues as so many schools have realistic hopes to win their conference championship. As the new CFP format guarantees a spot for the conference champion regardless of record, cannibalism is a muted threat for the new-look league and we're in for an exciting season.