Which Big 12 teams could win conference title outside of Texas, Oklahoma

On3’s Andy Staples knows a thing or two about college football. And recently, the newest edition to the On3 family took some time to dissect the Big 12 title picture.

The upcoming football season in the Big 12 conference will be unique given that the conference will go from 10 teams up to 14 before they drop to 12 next season when Texas and Oklahoma leave for the SEC. Nonetheless, many anticipate either the Longhorns or Sooners, if not both, to make it to the title game. However, Staples sees a handful of other teams that could challenge them for the Big 12 crown.

“So I’m gonna limit this to a few teams,” opened Staples.

“We’ve got TCU. They played for the national title last year. They did lose eight NFL draft picks but were very active in the transfer portal; they’re going to be talented.

“Kansas State; nine super seniors, including three-fifths of the offensive line. And that doesn’t include fourth-year senior Cooper Beebe, who is probably Kansas State’s best NFL prospect. He plays left guard. So deep, veteran offensive line, a better quarterback with Will Howard, and you won the league last year.

“Texas Tech, everybody’s excited under coach Joe McGuire. Tyler Shough comes back at quarterback. They won their final four games of 2022.

“Baylor, you’re 2021 Big 12 champs. They want to get back. They had an up-and-down season last year. But you think about the run-on, run-off field goal TCU used to beat Baylor. They were in it against some of the better teams in the league; they can bounce back.

“You’re gonna be surprised that I’m putting them here, but if you think about the way things went last year and the way things have changed in the offseason, it makes more sense. Iowa State lost six of its eight Big 12 losses by seven or fewer points last year. The defense was good. Jon Heacock‘s group was solid the entire season. I think Iowa State could be a team that can make some noise in the Big 12 this year, at least in terms of deciding who’s gonna play for the Big 12 title. Maybe it’s not the Cyclones; they might be knocking somebody out.

Staples cautions on betting on Texas and Oklahoma; gives thoughts on new the teams chances

Noticeably absent from the list are the four teams that just joined the league: BYU, UCF, Houston, and Cincinnati. Although all four are quality programs, Staples believes they will need time to adjust to the level of play in their new conference home before contending for the Big 12 championship.

“I don’t know that we can put any of the new four teams in this hunt because we need to see that they are deep enough to compete week in and week out after jumping up in competition. I do think all four of those programs will eventually get to the point where they’re very competitive in the Big 12. I think they could probably do it fairly quickly, just not necessarily confident they’re going to do it out of the gate.”

With Texas in Oklahoma being the fashionable picks to win the Big 12 title in their final season, betting on them would not be a bad idea. Still, Staples cautions those who are willing to put their money where their mouth is, suggesting that they hedge their bets a bit. The reason being everyone will be gunning to make the Longhorns and Sooners’ last season in the Big 12 hell.

“I have not said anything specifically about Texas and Oklahoma, but we should presume that both of those teams are going to be in the mix for the Big 12 title as well. I know conventional wisdom says that one of those is making the Big 12 title game, but I also know that everybody who was in the Big 12 and those two bailed wants to make sure they’re not in that game, and then everybody’s coming into the Big 12, it’s their only shot at them.”