Record predictions 1.0 for all Big 12 football teams
Finally, the Big 12 schedule is official for all 14 teams. The calendar is more favorable for some than for others.
The Oklahoma Sooners certainly had a good draw in what could be their final Big 12 season. They’re avoiding road trips to Kansas State and Baylor, who both defeated them at Norman last season. Additionally, they avoid the booming Texas Tech Red Raiders to whom they lost at the end of the season.
Oklahoma State also has an unremarkable schedule. The Cowboys face the four new additions in the conference, avoiding TCU, Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech.
TCU faces one of the toughest conference rosters. The schedule sees the Horned Frogs play consecutively at Kansas State, Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma.
After picking each game, here are my first record predictions for the conference.
1
TCU Horned Frogs (10-2)
Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
TCU loses several key contributors, but what they add and return is comparable. Chandler Morris should lead an explosive attack. He will have at his disposal Jordan Hudson, Jared Wiley and Alabama transfers JoJo Earle and Trey Sanders. The Frogs earn the first tiebreaker with wins over Texas and Oklahoma.
2
Texas Longhorns (10-2)
Jay Biggerstaff – USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Longhorns are dangerous, led by five nightmares in the face of the receiver. AD Mitchell and Isaiah Neyor join the productive trio of Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington. Behind a proven offensive line, Quinn Ewers should dismantle the defenses next year. Despite losses to in-state foes, Texas beat Oklahoma and Alabama en route to 10-2.
3
Oklahoma Sooners (10-2)
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The Oklahoma Sooners should be greatly improved on defense, led by Dasan McCullough, Trace Ford, PJ Adepawore and Peyton Bowen. Woodi Washington, Jaren Kanak and Danny Stutsman return as impact players on defense. With a manageable schedule, Oklahoma should dominate Big 12 play. Losses to TCU and Texas keep the Sooners out of the conference championship.
4
Kansas State Wildcats (9-3)
Scott Sewell – USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State might be in line for the filing, but its schedule is gearing up for a strong showing again this season. Three super senior comebacks along the offensive line make for a more stable team, and the game advantages allow the Wildcats to win over TCU and Texas Tech. Look for Will Howard to become one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.
5
Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-4)
NRG Stadium in Houston.
The Red Raiders may be understated here in fifth place in the conference. However, they face a tough schedule in the 2023 season. A home win over TCU shows the team’s potential, while a loss to Kansas State and road losses to Baylor and Texas spoil the season. Joey McGuire’s team will host Oregon in the non-conference. A victory there could change the perception of the team.
6
Baylor Bears (7-5)
Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the most volatile team, Baylor registers at No. 6. The Bears earn upset wins over Texas and Texas Tech in Waco, but fall to UCF, Kansas State, the TCU and Iowa State in conference. Blake Shapen is expected to thrive in his second season as a starter with Monaray Baldwin emerging as a top target in the conference. Baylor needs more consistency in defense in 2023.
7
Iowa State Cyclones (7-5)
Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
Look for the Cyclones to play the spoiler in 2023. Matt Campbell’s team loses Xavier Hutchinson and Will McDonald, but allowed new impact players to gain experience. Namely, quarterback Hunter Dekkers and wide receiver Jaylin Noel have become focal points for Iowa State. Against the Longhorns, Noel caught 6 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He could become one of the conference’s top stat-gatherers next season.
8
UCF Gold Knights (7-5)
Mike Watters – USA TODAY Sports
Gus Malzahn’s side could be at the heart of the Big 12 race in 2023. The Knights have spent much of the 2022 season as one of the best teams in the Group of Five. The schedule allows Central Florida to make a run in the conference. I have the Knights beating Kansas State and Baylor, among others.
9
Kansas Jayhawks (7-5)
Jay Biggerstaff – USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas Jayhawks will have a case for the Big 12’s best quarterback with Jalon Daniels returning to Lawrence. The Jayhawks are once again a contender for the bowl and could wreak havoc on the conference. If the Oklahoma Sooners were to suffer a third loss, it could come to Kansas if not against BYU.
ten
BYU Cougars (6-6)
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BYU is arguably one of the best teams in the conference half. Their schedule may skew their quality in 2023. The Cougars have road games against TCU, Texas and Kansas. They host Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Iowa State.
11
Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-7)
Osu vs. Asu
We have now reached the bad football part of the standings with Oklahoma State at the top of the list. The Cowboys lose Spencer Sanders, Trace Ford, defensive coordinator Derek Mason and a host of others from their 2022 squad. Even with a favorable schedule, OSU fails to reach 6 wins.
12
West Virginia Mountaineers (4-8)
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West Virginia’s season could be over before Big 12 play begins. The Mountaineers open on the road against Penn State before facing Pitt a few weeks later. Neal Brown’s team takes on TCU, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, BYU and Baylor, leaving little room for error. Expect a long football season in Morgantown.
13
Cincinnati Bearcats (5-7)
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Cincinnati deals with more than its fair share of revenue in 2023. While the program has the potential to return to its 2021 iteration, the team is expected to struggle growing in Scott Satterfield’s first season on campus. .
14
Houston Cougars (3-9)
James Guillory – USA TODAY Sports
Houston has the most to prove after losing quarterback Clayton Tune. Plus, the Cougars need to show they can avoid the costly mistakes that plagued the team last season. Dana Holgorsen opens the season with UTSA in non-conference. Houston is expected to struggle in 2023.