Big 12 Projections: Unpredictability Reigns as BYU and Utah Gear Up

Brace yourself for another rollercoaster season in the Big 12.

 

Last year, the conference defied expectations: preseason favorites stumbled, while underdogs rose to prominence.

 

It was a testament to the league's depth and unpredictability.

 

Consider this: Arizona State, initially projected to finish last, clinched the Big 12 title.

 

Meanwhile, Utah, the preseason favorite, managed only five wins.

 

Such volatility underscores the Big 12's competitive nature.

 

As the new season approaches, projections remain varied.

 

Phil Steele anticipates Baylor leading the pack, with Utah and Iowa State following.

 

He highlights Baylor's quarterback, Sawyer Robertson, and acknowledges Utah's defensive prowess, bolstered by new offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier.

 

Steele places BYU at eighth.

 

Conversely, Alex Kirshner of Opta Analyst predicts Kansas State to top the conference, trailed by Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Arizona State.

 

He positions BYU seventh and Utah thirteenth.

 

Clearly, consensus is elusive.

 

Brett Ciancia of "Pick Six Previews" offers another perspective.

 

After a challenging 2024 prediction, he now foresees Arizona State defending its title, with Baylor and Texas Tech tied for second, and Utah at fourth.

 

He ranks BYU eighth.

 

The "Always Talkin’ Podcast" envisions a Baylor vs. Arizona State championship game, placing Utah seventh and BYU ninth.

 

Analyzing the entire season, "First and XII -- A Big 12 Podcast" projects Iowa State at 11-1, with Arizona State, BYU, Texas Tech, and Baylor at 10-2.

 

They predict Utah finishing 8-4.

 

Kelly Ford at Statswar notes that no Big 12 team has better than a 32% chance to win at least seven conference games.

 

He ranks Kansas State first, followed by Arizona State, Baylor, Texas Tech, with BYU fifth and Utah eighth.

 

PEAratings places Kansas State at the top, followed by TCU and Baylor, with BYU eighth and Utah fourteenth.

 

These varied projections highlight the conference's unpredictability.

 

Generally, Baylor and Kansas State are viewed as frontrunners, with Arizona State also in contention.

 

For local fans, Utah and BYU are often projected mid-pack in a league known for upsets and unexpected outcomes.

 

The Big 12 boasts perhaps the deepest quarterback roster nationally, emphasizing the importance of Utah's Dampier and BYU's yet-to-be-named starter.

 

The clock is ticking for BYU to make its decision.

 

Bottom line?

 

Hold on to your tailgate plates.

 

This season promises excitement, and as history shows, predicting the Big 12 is akin to playing roulette.

 

Nobody knows how it will turn out.