Big 12 Conference Preview 2024: NCAA Football Predictions, Team Insights & Betting Odds
The Big 12 also inherited some misplaced Pac-12 teams and now features 16 total teams in the conference. Although powerhouses like Oregon, USC and Washington entered the Big Ten, the Big 12 added some very solid football teams as well. With plenty of new faces, these teams do not play everyone in their conference anymore, and thus teams could meet for the first time the conference championship game. Let’s take a look at who was added and who broke into the Top 25.
Big 12 Additions
- Arizona State
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Utah
The Big 12 has recently undergone changes with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF set to play their second season in the conference. This will also be the inaugural year without the Longhorns or the Sooners. The conference is unquestionably up for contention, with numerous teams believing in their capability to clinch the Big 12 Title.
Big 12 Ranked Teams
- #12 Utah Utes
- #17 Oklahoma State Cowboys
- #18 Kansas State Wildcats
- #21 Arizona Wildcats
- #22 Kansas Jayhawks
Surprisingly, the Colorado Buffalos are absent from this list. Frankly, they don’t merit a spot. Despite receiving one vote to make the poll, they failed to live up to the tremendous hype surrounding them last year. As they enter their second season under Coach Prime, they’re facing a more challenging and deeper conference than they did previously. Their schedule isn’t doing them any favors either. We’ll delve into that shortly.
Iowa State and West Virginia nearly made the Top 25, but they certainly fell within the Top 30. The overall odds to win the conference also show that Vegas has a favorable view of the Cyclones.
Odds to Win Big 12 Championship
Is it possible for Cam Rising to regain his full strength against these formidable Big 12 opponents?
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, and industry leader in the sports betting world offering a wide variety of markets and the best odds at any book. Use code BNEWS and sign up today for a 50% deposit match up to $1,000 AND $10 CASH instantly in your account.
- Utah +325
- Kansas State +400
- Oklahoma State +600
- UCF +650
- Kansas +850
- Iowa State +900
- Arizona +1200
- Texas Tech +1800
- TCU +1800
- West Virginia +1800
- Colorado +2000
This conference undoubtedly has the most potential champions, given that there isn’t an obvious favorite as seen in other places. Six teams have odds shorter than 10-1, surprisingly including two teams not even ranked in the Top 25! Despite being the 4th favorite to win the Big 12, UCF didn’t receive a single vote to be in the AP Rankings. Will the Knights be able to defy their critics this year?
The Rest of the Conference
- Baylor 66-1
- Cincinnati 75-1
- Arizona State 100-1
- Houston 100-1
- BYU 100-1
It appears reasonable to already dismiss these 5 teams from the championship race, but anything can happen – we’ve seen stranger things. This conference is challenging to evaluate in its entirety, as I am convinced that scheduling will significantly influence these teams’ performance. Now, let’s delve into the teams and see if we can identify a conference champion!
Big 12 Team Previews
Is it possible for Noah Fifita and the Wildcats to catch some Big 12 teams off guard?
Although I won’t discuss all 16 teams in this conference, we’ll definitely delve into the top half of the league!
Arizona Wildcats
The conference newcomers are positioned somewhat lower on the general odds board than their #21 ranking indicates, highlighting the depth of this conference. The Wildcats, led by sophomore QB Noah Fifita, are entering the Big 12. Although they are scheduled to play against 3 of the 5 teams projected to be at the bottom of this conference, their 3 toughest fights are all away games.
The Wildcats’ third and fourth games of the season will be against Kansas State and Utah, both away games, which could potentially result in two early losses for the team. Later in the season, they face a lengthy trip to play against UCF, a team that, according to Las Vegas predictions, could be a strong contender in the Big 12 conference. The Wildcats’ success will largely depend on Fifita’s leadership. However, if they have difficulties with away games, it could be a challenging season.
Can Campbell and the Cyclones prove their doubters wrong this season?
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones are another under-the-radar team, though their schedule does cause some concern. They face #25 Iowa away in the season’s second week, and also have to contend with UCF, an away game against #22 Kansas, and conclude the year with an away game against #12 Utah and a home game against #18 Kansas State. Matt Campbell has a good number of returning starters at his disposal, but the question is whether Sophomore QB Rocco Becht has what it takes to guide the Cyclones through this challenging conference.
Although the Cyclones will face Houston, Baylor, and Cincinnati, who are among the projected bottom five teams in the Big 12, I believe there are other more formidable teams with greater chances of winning the conference title.
Can Jalon Daniels maintain his health this year?
Kansas Jayhawks
Brace yourselves, Jayhawk football is making a return. Following a phenomenal season last year, QB Jalon Daniels is at the helm of a Jayhawk team that’s brimming with newfound vigor in the football world. Kansas brings back numerous starters from both offensive and defensive sides, from their 9-4 Bowl victorious team of last year. However, the question remains: can Daniels maintain his health throughout the season? Daniels has never completed 10 games in a season during his tenure at Kansas, and bouncing back from an injury can pose quite a challenge. Fortunately, he has a robust offensive support system. I believe the Jayhawks might catch some off guard this year.
They also possess an extremely soft schedule. Kansas manages to dodge Utah, Arizona, and Oklahoma State, with their two most challenging games set to be with Kansas State and Iowa State. Currently, the Wildcats are the only team on the Jayhawk’s schedule with a ranking. This made us take a chance at the +850 odds. The Jayhawks also have the advantage of playing against 4 of the projected bottom 5 teams in the Big 12. If they make it to the Conference Championship and face off with the Utah Utes, we would have an excellent opportunity to hedge our bets.
Last year, as a freshman, Avery Johnson became the Wildcats’ starting player.
Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson is set to start at QB for the alternate Kansas team, showcasing his formidable running skills. The question remains: can he throw effectively enough to steer the Wildcats towards another Big 12 Championship? They face a challenging schedule within the conference. Although Kansas State is slated to play four of the weakest five teams in the Big 12, they also have to contend with three ranked opponents and Iowa State.
The Wildcats are now set to play host to teams ranked #21 Arizona, #17 Oklahoma State, and #22 Kansas, with their most challenging away game scheduled in Ames at the end of the year. Nonetheless, teams such as Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Utah have significantly less challenging schedules, making wins against these teams particularly important for the Wildcats. As the league’s final standings take shape, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a team with two losses making it to the Big 12 Championship, with the Wildcats potentially being contenders. With Avery Johnson at the helm of their high-scoring offense, it’s even possible that Kansas State could secure a spot in the CFP.
Is it possible for Gordon and the Cowboys to dominate the rest of the Big 12?
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The country’s most underestimated team may be the one that boasts the nation’s best RB, Ollie Gordon II. The Cowboys’ schedule is also a strong point, with only two ranked opponents this year. For the first time in a long while, Oklahoma State will not face their in-state rival this college football season unless they meet in the CFP. Nevertheless, Oklahoma State will host #12 Utah and play at #18 Kansas State in back-to-back weeks.
The Cowboys could have a very smooth journey if they secure victory in both of the upcoming games, considering their opponents in the future games – Arkansas, West Virginia, and Texas Tech – are not particularly formidable. I predict Oklahoma State and Ollie Gordon will dominate these teams. If the Cowboys kick off the year with a 5-0 record, defeating teams like Arkansas, Utah, and KSU, they could be a strong contender for the Big 12 Championship game. I anticipate them ending this season with a streak of 7 consecutive wins, based on their schedule in the later half of the season. With Texas and Oklahoma no longer posing a threat, I believe the Cowboys are the likely winners of the Big 12 this season.
Can Rising guide the Utes to a Big 12 Championship in his return season?
Utah Utes
Newcomers, led by a QB recovering from an injury, are favored to win the conference. Cam Rising aims to regain his old form this season and guide the Utes to a Big 12 Championship. Rising is the helm of a skilled offense, but it’s Utah’s defense that really stands out.
Indeed, they have a relatively easier schedule, facing only two ranked rivals at the moment. Utah squares off against #17 Oklahoma State on their home turf and hosts #21 Arizona in consecutive weeks in September, dealing with their toughest confrontations early on. The year concludes with Utah welcoming Iowa State and taking on UCF away, which might become somewhat challenging as the season progresses, particularly considering the amount of travel required in this league.
Although Utah has the potential to win the Big 12, I believe there are a few other teams with more straightforward routes who will ultimately secure the top position.
5/5 Review Rating 50% up to $1,000
Bonus Details »
$10 Cash Bonus with code “BNEWS”
Sports, Casino, Poker & Racebook
Final Big 12 Predictions
- #1 Oklahoma State
- #2 Kansas
- #3 Kansas State
- #4 Utah
- #5 Iowa State
- #6 Arizona
- #7 UCF
- #8 Texas Tech
- #9 West Virginia
- #10 TCU
- #11 Baylor
- #12 Colorado
- #13 Cincinnati
- #14 Arizona State
- #15 Houston
- #16 BYU
Still Didn’t Get Your NCAA Football Fix?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well.
For additional NCAA Football content, explore the following pages.
- NCAA Football 2024 Preview
- ACC 2024 Preview
- SEC 2024 Preview
- Big Ten Preview
- NCAA Football Expert Picks
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
