With spring ball coming to an end and with most programs finalizing their rosters, On3’s J.D. Pickell ranked his Top 25 teams heading into the 2024 season.
Oklahoma and Texas have officially made the move from the Big 12 to the SEC, yet Pickell still had five Big 12 schools make his list.
Utah checks in as the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 8, while Kansas State at No. 19, Oklahoma State is at No. 21, Arizona is at No. 23, and Kansas rounds out the group at No. 25. From top-to-bottom the Big 12 was one of the toughest conferences in the country this past season, and that will be the case once again in 2024.
The Big 12 Conference has had a program make the College Football Playoff in back-to-back seasons, with TCU in 2022 and Texas in 2023.
After an injury-ridden season, Utah quarterback Cam Rising will lead the Utes, who are the favorites to win the Big 12, according to 247Sports.
Kansas State quarterback Will Howard transferred to Ohio State in January, but Head Coach Chris Klieman is ready to build his offense around sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson who led the Wildcats to a 28-19 Pop-Tarts Bowl victory against No. 19 NC State.
Johnson showed his versatility as a dual-threat option, finishing with 178 passing yards and 71 rushing yards in the win. He also totaled three touchdowns and did not turn the ball over.
Star running back Ollie Gordon leads the way for the Oklahoma State Cowboys after finishing seventh in Heisman voting last season. He ran for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, which was the second-most in the nation.
In their first season in the Big 12, the Arizona Wildcats will be in the fight for the title with Pac 12 Freshman Player of the Year quarterback Noah Fifita back under the helm. He tossed 25 touchdowns in his freshman campaign. Five of their nine Big 12 opponents this upcoming season failed to make a bowl game in 2023.
Head Coach Lance Leipold has completely changed the narrative behind Kansas Football. The Jayhawks will be right in the mix of the Big 12 after making back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2008.
