Predicting every Big 12 football team's updated final record, order of finish for 2024 season (2024)

2024 schedule predictions (2-10 overall, 1-8 Big 12):UNLV (Loss), at Oklahoma (Loss), Rice (Win), at Cincinnati (Loss), Iowa State (Loss), at TCU (Loss), at Kansas (Loss), Utah (Loss), Kansas State (Loss), at Arizona (Loss), Baylor (Loss), at BYU (Win)

Houston arguably made one of the top head coaching hires of the most recent carousel, but the Cougars and Willie Fritz are in for a rebuild after an overhaul of the roster. Veteran quarterback Donovan Smith is among the few returning starters back for Houston in 2024, but was limited in spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery. There is still a lot of upside for Houston in the Big 12 given its location in a recruiting hotbed, but this season could be a struggle on the field.

2024 schedule predictions (3-9 overall, 1-8 Big 12):Wyoming (Win), Mississippi State (Loss), at Texas State (Win), at Texas Tech (Loss), Kansas (Loss), Utah (Loss), at Cincinnati (Loss), at Oklahoma State (Loss), UCF (Loss), at Kansas State (Loss), BYU (Win), at Arizona (Loss)

Arizona State and second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham could use some better luck in 2024 after injuries littered the roster last season. Unfortunately, the Sun Devils were dealt the toughest schedule in the Big 12 with matchups against all the projected top contenders. Do not count out the potential for an upset in Tempe, but the ceiling is just not that for Arizona State as it continues to clean up a mess left by the previous staff under Herm Edwards.

2024 schedule predictions (3-9 overall, 2-7 Big 12):Southern Illinois (Win), at SMU (Loss), at Wyoming (Loss), Kansas State (Loss), at Baylor (Win), Arizona (Loss), Oklahoma State (Loss), at UCF (Loss), at Utah (Loss), Kansas (Win), at Arizona State (Loss), Houston (Loss)

It is likely BYU missed out on a bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time since the mid-2000s. The transition to a power conference has not been easy for head coach Kalani Sitake and the Cougars, who lost five straight to close out the 2023 season. The battle for starting quarterback is ongoing as incoming transfer Gerry Bohanon,who started his career at Baylor before spending the past season at USF, competes with Jake Retzlaff,one of the top JUCO quarterbacks from the 2023 class.

2024 schedule predictions (4-8 overall, 3-6 Big 12):Towson (Win), Pittsburgh (Loss), at Miami (Ohio)(Loss), Houston (Win), at Texas Tech (Loss), at UCF (Loss), Arizona State (Win), at Colorado (Loss), West Virginia (Loss), at Iowa State (Loss), at Kansas State (Loss), TCU (Win)

Cincinnati won just one game as a first-year member of the Big 12 in 2023. That led to a lot of movement in the transfer portal with 25 additions to make up for the more than 30 departures.The Bearcats need more production offensively, especially at quarterback where high hopespersistfor incoming transfer Brendan Sorsby from Indiana.The defense is also bolsteredwith transfers as first-year coordinator Tyson Veidt takes control after eight seasons as a linebackers coach at Iowa State. It is worth noting Scott Satterfield is 28-33 (.421) overall in the past five seasons as a power conference head coachsince winning three-straight Sun Belt titles at Appalachian State.

2024 schedule predictions (5-7 overall,3-6 Big 12):Tarleton State (Win), at Utah* (Loss), Air Force (Win), at Colorado (Loss), BYU (Loss), at Iowa State (Loss), at Texas Tech (Loss), Oklahoma State (Loss), TCU (Win), at West Virginia (Loss), at Houston (Win), Kansas (Win)

Baylor retainedDave Aranda as head coach after another underwhelming season in 2023. The Bears are just 10-16 (.384) overall and 6-12 (.333) against Big 12 opponents since winning the conference crown in 2021. There is optimism the new duo of transfer quarterback DeQuan Finn and coordinator Jake Spavital can ignite an offense that ranked dead last in the Big 12 for scoring last year. Baylor entersa critical 2024 season projected to be on the fringe of bowl eligibility, a mark it likely needs to reach in order for Aranda to feel comfortable about his future in Waco.

2024 schedule predictions (5-7 overall, 3-6 Big 12):North Dakota State (Win), at Nebraska (Loss), at Colorado State (Win), Baylor (Win), at UCF (Loss), Kansas State (Loss), at Arizona (Loss), Cincinnati (Win), at Texas Tech (Win), Utah (Loss), at Kansas (Loss), Oklahoma State (Loss)

Deion Sanders remains one of the most polarizing figures in college football. However, Colorado must back up thetalk withmore wins in 2024, or it will face even harsher criticism. Returning to the Big 12 presents new challenges, and it is uncertain if the ongoing rosterturnover will translate to improved results on the field. Shedeur Sanders instantly becomes a top quarterback in the league and a healthy Travis Hunter gives the Buffaloes a difference maker on both sides of the ball. Colorado likely needs to upset one of the projected top contenders in the Big 12 on its schedule to reach the postseason.

2024 schedule predictions (7-5 overall, 5-4 Big 12):at Stanford (Win), Long Island (Win), UCF (Win), at SMU (Loss), at Kansas (Loss), Houston (Win), at Utah (Loss), Texas Tech (Win), at Baylor (Loss), Oklahoma State (Win), Arizona (Win), at Cincinnati (Loss)

TCU was much higher in these projections early in the offseason, but uncertainty remains at quarterback after Josh Hoover missed spring practice due to injury. The Horned Frogs have the necessary talent at the skill positions. The big question this summer is, who will command the offense? Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals and true freshman Hauss Hejny split reps this spring with Hoover sidelined. TCU ranked last in the Big 12 for turnovers forced. New defensive coordinator Andy Avalos arrives after serving as the Boise State head coach for three seasons.

2024 schedule predictions (7-5overall,5-4 Big 12):North Dakota (Win), at Iowa (Loss), Arkansas State (Win), at Houston (Win), Baylor (Win), at West Virginia (Loss), UCF (Win), Texas Tech (Loss), at Kansas (Loss), Cincinnati (Win), at Utah (Win), Kansas State (Loss)

Iowa State returns a ton of production on both sides of the ball with nearly every starter back on offense and defense. That experience makes the Cyclones a dangerous team in the Big 12 race. However, depth is somewhat of a concern with a conference schedule that gets much more difficult in November. Matt Campbell is the third-longest tenured head coach in the Big 12 as he enters Year 9 at Iowa State, where he had won at least seven games in all but two seasons. The Cyclones enter 2024 with a high floor and could sneak into the top tier of the conference.

2024 schedule predictions (8-4 overall,5-4 Big 12):Abilene Christian (Win), at Washington State (Win), North Texas (Win), Arizona State (Win), Cincinnati (Win), at Arizona (Loss), Baylor (Win), at TCU (Loss), at Iowa State (Win), Colorado (Loss), at Oklahoma State (Loss), West Virginia (Win)

Texas Techshould work its way into the national top 25 rankings by the end of September with a prime opportunity to start the 2024 season strong. Then the schedule gets a big more challenging for head coach Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. Deemed a dark-horse candidate in the Big 12 last season, those projections might have been a year off.Veteran running back Tahj Brooks is one of the best in the FBS after rushing for more than 1,500 yards last season. Texas Tech hit the transfer portal to restock its offense line in hopes of getting similar production out of the backfield.

2024 schedule predictions (8-4 overall,6-3 Big 12):New Mexico (Win), Northern Arizona (Win), at Kansas State* (Loss), at Utah (Win), Texas Tech (Win), at BYU (Win), Colorado (Win), West Virginia (Loss), at UCF (Loss), Houston (Win), at TCU (Loss), Arizona State (Win)

There are plenty of reasons to be high on Arizona as it transitions to the Big 12. The return of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan gives the Wildcats arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the conference. But how much of a setback — if any — will Arizona take as new head coach Brent Brennan takes the reins after Jedd Fisch left for Washington? The Wildcatswon their last seven games of the 2023 season to finish with double-digits victories for just the fourth time in program history. Still, a lot was lost from that roster despite the return of its top two stars.

2024 schedule predictions (8-4 overall,6-3 Big 12):Penn State (Loss), Albany (Win), at Pittsburgh (Win), Kansas (Win), at Oklahoma State (Loss), Iowa State (Win), Kansas State (Win), at Arizona (Win), at Cincinnati (Win), Baylor (Win), UCF (Loss), at Texas Tech (Loss)

Neal Brown secured himself an extension at West Virginiaafter posting a nine-win season in 2023. He entered that year firmly on the hot seat, but has the Mountaineers riding momentum into the 2024 campaign with a veteran roster.The backfield is loaded again for an offense that ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards per game withCJ Donaldson Jr.andJahiem Whitereturning. QuarterbackGarrett Greeneis back as well after starting in 12 games last season. There are some questions on defense with a group of incoming transfers in the secondary.

2024 schedule predictions (8-4 overall,6-3 Big 12):New Hampshire (Win), Sam Houston (Win), at TCU (Loss), Colorado (Win), at Florida (Loss), Cincinnati (Win), at Iowa State (Loss), BYU (Win), Arizona (Win), at Arizona State (Win),at West Virginia (Win), Utah (Loss)

UCF lost three games decided by a total of four points in 2023 while narrowly reaching the postseason.Again, the Knights are in a boom-or-bust campaign depending on how they fare in those toss-ups on the schedule. The offense should be the strong suit for UCF after itlanded one of the most experienced transfer quarterbacks this cycle in KJ Jefferson from Arkansas. RJ Harvey is back as a top-10 rusher in the FBS last season and two ofthe Knights' three leading receivers from 2023 also return.

2024 schedule predictions (9-3 overall,6-3 Big 12):Lindenwood (Win), at Illinois (Win), UNLV (Win), at West Virginia (Loss), TCU (Win), at Arizona State (Win), Houston (Win), at Kansas State (Win), Iowa State (Win), at BYU (Loss), Colorado (Win), at Baylor (Loss)

Kansas is at a bit of a disadvantage this season without a home stadium as a massive reconstruction progress takes place. So, the Jayhawks will make the short trip to Kansas City fortheir six home games, includingeach of the four Big 12 matchups at Arrowhead Stadium. A lot rides on the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is 8-4 as a starter in the past two seasons, but missed14 games due to injury.Losing offensive coordinatorAndy Kotelnickito Penn State isa big loss for head coach Lance Leipold.

2024 schedule predictions (9-3overall,6-3Big 12):Southern Utah (Win), Baylor* (Win), at Utah State (Win), at Oklahoma State (Loss), Arizona (Loss), at Arizona State (Win), TCU (Win), at Houston (Win), BYU (Win), at Colorado (Win), Iowa State (Loss), at UCF (Win)

The return of star quarterback Cam Rising gives Utah a strong chance to compete for a conference title as they transition to the Big 12. However, Rising last played on January 2, 2023, meaning it will be over 600 days before he takes the field again for the Utes' 2024 opener. The schedule is rather favorable for Kyle Whittingham, who will match up with one of the other longest-tenured head coaches in the FBS when Utah visits Oklahoma State in September. That battle with Mike Gundy and the Pokes could decide which team ultimately goes to Arlington for the Big 12 title game.

2024 schedule predictions (10-2 overall,7-2 Big 12):South Dakota State (Win), Arkansas (Win), at Tulsa (Win), Utah (Win), at Kansas State (Loss), West Virginia (Win), at BYU (Win), at Baylor (Win), Arizona State (Win), at TCU (Loss), Texas Tech (Win), at Colorado (Win)

Mike Gundy seems to produce his best seasons at Oklahoma State when flying under the radar. However, the Cowboys will get plenty of attention leading up to the 2024 campaign with Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon headlining a long list of returning starters. Oklahoma State had good fortune in games decided by eight points or less last season, winning five of those six tight battles. The Pokes last won the Big 12 title in 2011 and should contend for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff with a veteran group.

2024 schedule predictions (10-2 overall, 7-2Big 12):UT Martin (Win), at Tulane (Win), Arizona* (Win), at BYU (Win), Oklahoma State (Win), at Colorado (Win), at West Virginia (Loss), Kansas (Loss), at Houston (Win), Arizona State (Win), Cincinnati (Win), at Iowa State (Win)

Kansas State solidified itself as a perennial contender in the newly expanded Big 12 under head coach Chris Klieman. The Wildcats should be in position to play for their second conference title in three seasons as it hands the offense over to rising star quarterback Avery Johnson. Kansas State could have one of the most exciting offenses in the country with DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards in the backfield. The defense expects to be a strength as well after finishing near the top of the Big 12 statistically in 2023.