Dan Mullen unveils his 2024 Big 12 preseason rankings, champion
After adding four schools in 2023, the Big 12 added another four in 2024. In turn, the conference will be more competitive than ever before.
In July, the Big 12 officially welcomed Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State to its ranks. The four former Pac-12 programs increase the prestigious conference’s school count to 16 and expand its influence by hundreds of miles.
On Monday, former Florida head coach and ESPN analyst Dan Mullen revealed his preseason Big 12 standings.
1. Oklahoma State
Mullen placed the Cowboys as his No. 1 overall team in his preseason rankings. Oklahoma State reached the Big 12 Championship last season, ultimately falling to Texas. The program returns All-American running back Ollie Gordon II and seventh-year QB Alan Bowman.
2. Utah
Oklahoma State isn’t the only team returning a veteran QB. After suffering a torn ACL in Utah’s 2022 bowl game, Cam Rising missed the entire 2023 season. Now, he’s back and hungry to remind the nation of his talents. With head coach Kyle Whittingham leading the charge, fans can expect an excellent Utah campaign.
3. Kansas
Despite receiving interest from several other schools this offseason, head coach Lance Leipold returned to the Jayhawks. Now, with Jalon Daniels behind center, Leipold hopes to lead Kansas to unknown heights.
4. Kansas State
Kansas State lost quarterback Will Howard this offseason after he transferred to Ohio State. However, the Wildcats have no shortage of talent. Notably, the team returns running back DJ Giddens, who ran for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
5. Iowa State
After posting a 7-6 record last season, the Cyclones are poised for a breakout year. The program will be led by QB Rocco Becht, who won Big 12 Freshman of the Year after he broke school rookie records for completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns in a season.
6. Arizona
Arizona is charging into the unknown this season. Not only is it the program’s first year in the Big 12, but it’s also the Wildcats’ debut season under head coach Brent Brennan. QB Noah Fifita, who went 7-2 in his nine starts last season, will be pivotal to Arizona’s success.
7. UCF
All eyes will be on UCF’s offense in the 2024 campaign. Over the offseason, the team reeled in former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson, via the NCAA Transfer Portal. Jefferson will team up with running back RJ Harvey, who rushed for 1,416 yards in 2023, a total that ranks No. 3 all-time in UCF’s record books.
8. Texas Tech
Texas Tech will debut a revamped roster in the 2024 season after losing 23 players to the transfer portal this offseason. Alas, its fresh class of Red Raiders will be led by a familiar face. Running back Tahj Brooks is back for a senior season after erupting for 1,541 rushing yards last season.
9. West Virginia
After being picked to finish last in the 2023 season, West Virginia turned heads when it rattled off a 6-3 record in conference play. The Mountaineers will look to build on their momentum this season with running backs Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson returning to support QB Garrett Greene.
10. TCU
After reaching the national championship in 2022, the Horned Frogs failed to even reach a bowl game last season. Now, TCU will look to turn the tide, with new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos and over 20 incoming transfers.
11. Colorado
Mullen’s opinion on Colorado is only the latest drop in an ocean of expectations. With its cornerstone pieces in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter running it back, anything is possible for the Buffaloes. Nonetheless, Mullen doesn’t expect Colorado to make too many waves in 2024.
12. Baylor
After recording a 3-9 record last season, Baylor will look nearly unrecognizable in the upcoming season. The program replaced its two coordinators, hiring former Cal OC Jake Spavital while head coach Dave Aranda will take over defensive play-calling duties himself.
13. Arizona State
Baylor is far from the only program that experienced turnover this summer. Arizona State lost 28 players to the transfer portal while adding 29. Former Michigan State QB Sam Leavitt will start behind center for the Sun Devils while star tailback Cam Skattebo looks to give opposing defenses headaches.
14. Houston
The 2024 season will be Willie Fritz‘s first at the helm of the Cougars. Fritz certainly isn’t starting on third base. The Cougars lost 34 players to the transfer portal this offseason. In total, Houston will return only six starters for Fritz’s first season leading the Cougars.
15. Cincinnati
Cincinnati isn’t in any better territory. The Bearcats flipped over 70% of their roster before the 2024 season, with over 60 players coming in or out of the program. Indiana transfer QB Brendan Sorsby will be pivotal to Cincinnati’s success in Year 2 under Scott Satterfield.
16. BYU
Mullen doesn’t foresee a fun year ahead for BYU. The Cougars struggled mightily on offense last season, posting the worst statistics in the conference in nearly every major offensive metric. BYU will need players such as tailback LJ Martin and wideout Chase Roberts to make significant strides if the program wants to finish in the top half of the conference.
Dan Mullen predicts Utah to win the Big 12
Although Mullen listed Oklahoma State as the No. 1 team in his preseason rankings, he claimed Utah will defeat the Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship.
According to FanDuel, Utah is currently the favorite to win the Big 12 with +280 odds. Kansas State trails slightly behind with +440 odds. The Utes will kick off their 2024 campaign with a showdown against Southern Utah at 9 p.m. ET on Aug. 29.