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You know how Sabrina Carpenter starts her song “Manchild” with the words “oh boy,” that’s how I’m feeling about the Big 12. What was once declared “America’s conference” by college football expert Josh Pate is truthfully the most confusing conference to predict.
Arizona State, who was projected to finish last in the Big 12 preseason media poll, won the conference in 2024 and went to the College Football Playoff. As a result, the conference dumped their preseason poll this year. Look, argue all you want and make your own poll if you want but it was kind of the right decision.
This conference is so unpredictable that everyone pretty much agrees that any team can win it. So, let’s deep dive into this wacky, insane, perplexing conference we all love.
Are the Sun Devils Here to Stay?:
There are a few teams in college sports that I genuinely root for. Obviously Seton Hall, Michigan State, Washington, Montana, Boston College and Arizona State. I dreamt of attending the school for college to major in broadcasting and journalism (maybe to party too but I digress).
Back to the football side of things, no one expected the Sun Devils to make the run they did last season. It was honestly impressive to see this team perform so well, thanks especially to now Giants running back Cam Skattebo. Unsurprisingly, there’s a chance the Sun Devils can do it all over again.
ASU returns 17 starters, which is the highest in the Power Four. Some starters include the talented quarterback Sam Leavitt, receiver Jordyn Tyson, safety Xavion Alford. Heck, I’m excited to see Army transfer and NJ native Kanye Udoh excel at the RB position.
It won’t be easy given the parody in the conference, but it might be another successful season for head coach Kenny Dillingham and his program.
Hey Everybody, Scott Frost is Back at UCF:
But does anyone care though? Nostalgia can be a dangerous drug sometimes.
We all remember Scott Frost’s time with the Knights back in 2017 when they were undefeated and “won” a national championship. Then he went back to his hometown, coached his alma mater and realized he peaked in college. Then this offseason, he got back with his ex in Orlando and now coaches a team that isn't going to do much in the conference.
All joking aside, Frost is really becoming unlikeable and it’s annoying. Now after recent words were said by him about his time at Nebraska, Frost might be facing a blizzard this season at UCF. Most positions are rebuilding, the defense might not improve and there’s just more questions than answers at this point.
If he can rebuild this program a second time like he did in the 2010s, then maybe this won’t be a disaster.
Life Without Shedeur and Travis:
I have said it so many times but Deion Sanders as Colorado head coach has been a cultural phenomenon. With that being said, year three will be different with two major pieces gone from the roster. Heisman winner Travis Hunter and QB Shedeur Sanders are now in the NFL and things are about to get weird in Boulder this season.
One major headline has been the prized QB1 slot and who will take over for Shedeur. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and freshman Julian Lewis have been going at it this offseason to earn the starting role and it’s still undecided. Personally, I see Salter earning the role given how dynamic and how experienced of a player he is.
However, critics, analysts and a boatload of other people believe this team will step back, potentially finding Colorado in the middle of the conference’s standings. Of course they lean heavily into the transfer portal so depending on how those players do, Colorado’s final record is unpredictable at the moment.
One thing that is for certain is I will be watching their game vs Delaware on September 6th on FOX.
An Avery Johnson Takeover in Manhattan:
Kansas State QB Avery Johnson when just looking at his stats last season was pretty good for the Wildcats. 25 passing touchdowns, seven on the ground, a 9-4 record in his first full season as the starter. But some experts believe Johnson is about to take over the conference this season and potentially the sport.
Kansas State has been consistently good under HC Chris Klieman and this season could be a magical one for the Wildcats. Just looking at their schedule, it’s really favorable for them. With home games vs Texas Tech and Colorado, it should be a good year for Kansas State and especially for Johnson.
Entering his junior year, Johnson has developed nicely since he arrived in Manhattan, Kansas in 2023. From learning and competing against Will Howard his freshman year to starting all 13 games in 2024, this should be the year where Johnson unleashes his full potential. Add that new offensive coordinator Matt Wells should help his development in the passing game and you're looking at a great season from Johnson.
Here Come’s The Money for Texas Tech:
For some reason, I have never liked Texas Tech. Now don’t get me wrong, Patrick Mahomes was fun to watch at Tech and the late great Mike Leach was an innovative coach. But for the life of me, they're just one of those teams everyone loves that I just don’t.
So when I saw that they had one of the best transfer portal classes in the nation, I was confused. Basically, they spent big on NIL money to build their roster. Furthermore, they landed a 2026 offensive lineman recruit named Felix Ojo and gave him a three year, $5.1 million contract.
Notable players they landed in the transfer portal were Micah Hudson (Texas A&M), David Bailey (Stanford), Quinten Joyner (USC), and way more. HC Joey McGuire has built arguably Tech’s best roster in a long time and they may be heading to the CFP for the first time.
For my sake, I hope that isn’t true, but they are building something there in Lubbock.