Part 2 of the Big 12 Conference preview for the 2024 college football season.
Big 12 conference football has a new look going into 2024. With part one featuring some powerhouse newcomers, part two features the rest of the competition. Let’s take a look at the rest of the teams making up the new Big 12 and what they bring to the conference this season.
BYU Cougars
The 2023 season for the BYU Cougars was a lackluster entry into the Big 12. They ended the season with only two wins in the conference, and a five game losing streak. According to Vegas odds, things aren’t looking good for 2024 either. BYU is projected to be near the bottom of the Big 12 once again.
The offense, and defense for that matter, was terrible last year. The offense failed to convert on third downs, with only a 28 percent conversion rate. Honestly, at this point, BYU can only go up from 2023.
While the coaching staff remained intact for the Cougars, head coach Kalani Sitake could be on the hot seat if his team doesn’t turn things around. The offense added two transfer quarterbacks to the mix, with Sitake claiming there is still no clear starter at this point, and the battle will continue into preseason camp in August.
The defense needs to step up in a big way this season if they hope to compete in the Big 12 against high powered offenses. The BYU Cougars ranked last in the country in sacks, and their defensive line couldn’t stay healthy. The coaches have brought in several junior college transfers, hoping they can step up in a big way and bring BYU a few more wins than last season.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati entered their 2023 season with major changes to the team. Head coach Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin, and took most of his staff with him. They hired Scott Satterfield from Louisville to be the new head coach. Unfortunately, the Bearcats didn’t have the season they wanted, winning only a single game in conference play and three games overall.
Rolling into 2024, the Bearcats look to rely heavily on their running game, which boasted 217 rushing yards per game, sixth-best in the country. They totaled more than 2,600 rushing yards on the year. Luckily, they bring back running back Corey Kiner and a stacked offensive line that helped him get more than 1,000 yards and five touchdowns last season. They also brought in Indiana transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby to right the offense.
As for the defense, the Bearcats have a new defensive coordinator in Tyson Veidt, who is ready to take the reins. He brings with him a new defensive scheme, implementing a 3-3-5 defense, much like fellow Big 12 member Oklahoma State. They hope to stop the fast-paced Big 12 offense and stop the big play potential. The Bearcats only had eight interceptions on the last year. Overall, the defense looks to be in a better place for 2024.
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado was one of those teams last off-season that had all of the hype, but not the level of production they should have had. Most of this was due to Coach Prime’s celebrity, and poaching players from Jackson State University when he was hired to be the Buffaloes coach. But for 2024, Colorado heads back to the Big 12, where they last saw action back in 2010.
The offense is led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who last year broke the single-season passing yards record for Colorado with 3,230. He looks poised to do much of the same in the Big 12 conference, even with a new offensive coordinator leading the football team. The offensive line has been completely turned over from last year with transfers. And of course, Travis Hunter will be Sanders’ favorite target, and a potential top 10 pick going into next year’s NFL draft.
Hunter also looks to remain in the defensive secondary for the 2024 season, where he made 23 solo tackles and had three interceptions. Colorado looks to rebuild its defense with even more transfers. And this season, implementing a new 4-2-5 defensive scheme under new coordinator, Robert Livingston.
Houston Cougars
After a few successful seasons in the AAC, Houston made the jump to Big 12 conference football… and landed at the bottom of the barrel. Their introduction into the league was a rough one, and landed head coach Dana Holgorsen on the chopping block in November. The Cougars won two games in the conference, and four games overall. Unfortunately, their Vegas odds aren’t great for 2024 either.
The offense brings back quarterback Donovan Smith, who threw for 2,800 yards and 22 touchdowns. Houston lost two of its top receivers to the portal though, so the receiving corps is a bit thin. They brought in a few transfers, and look to rely on their run game more this season with running back Parker Jenkins leading the way.
The Cougars also bring in a new defensive coordinator to revamp the system. Houston ranked 112 in overall defense, allowing more than 430 yards per game. New coordinator Shiel Wood will implement a 3-4 scheme this year. Only two starters from the defense last year will be back this season, so there will be a learning curve for everyone involved, which is probably a good thing.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State is always a strange team. They seem to win against the un-winnable teams, yet forget to show up for the layup wins. That was how 2023 seemed to go. The Cyclones lost to their in-state rival Iowa, powerhouse Oklahoma, and and MAC opponent Ohio. Yet they won important games against Oklahoma State and even Kansas State to end the season.
Matt Campbell is once again back as head coach for his ninth season. The offense looks to continue their hot streak with quarterback Rocco Becht. The 2023 Offensive Freshman of the Year has a talented crew surrounding him, including fellow sophomores, running back Abu Sama III and Benjamin Brahmer, who combined for almost 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns together.
The defense will continue their Big 12 dominance as one of the best in the conference – and in college football. They were second in the Big 12 in total defense, only behind Texas. Iowa State brings back nine defensive starters with little turnover at the key positions. They bolstered up their pass rushers, hoping to get more than the 21 sacks they did in 2023.
TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs fall from grace in 2023 will be studied someday. After making it to the College Football Championship in 2022, they failed to reach a winning record and a bowl game for the 2023 season. Disappointing, to say the least. They had only three wins in the conference, coming against the bottom half teams in the league.
Head coach Sonny Dykes kept his job, as did his offensive coordinator. They roll into 2024 with quarterback Josh Hoover. Hoover played ten games for the Horned Frogs, and threw for 2,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. The offense brings back not only the quarterback, but also the two leading receivers, JP Richardson and Savion Williams. A running back by committee is expected for the team after Emani Bailey left for the NFL.
As for the defense, the team hopes to get back to the place they were two years ago. They let go of defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie, and hired Boise State head coach Andy Avalos. The 1ooth ranked team in total defense brought in some top defensive talent, especially in Cal transfer Kaleb Elams-Orr, who looks to make an immediate impact.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech had a decent 2023 season, landing in the middle of the Big 12 by the end of the year with a 5-4 record. They started their season 0-2, but quickly bounced back, making it to a bowl game where they defeated Cal. Now in 2024, the Red Raiders look to make a big jump and come into the season as a dark horse in the league.
This will be head coach Joey McGuire’s third season at Texas Tech, where he has made an impact, specifically on offense. Tech’s offense in 2023 was over 5,000 yards in total offense, and they bring back their key players to make it happen again. Junior quarterback Behren Morton threw for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lining up beside him this year is five-star true freshman wide receiver Micah Hudson. Let’s not forget about running back Tahj Brooks who looks to be the same work-house back he was a year ago.
Tech’s defense had a lot of turnover in the offseason, but look to bolster it with the signing of Rice transfer defensive lineman, De’Braylon Carroll. He will make an immediate impact with the Raiders, as well as freshman All-American Ben Roberts as linebacker.
UCF Knights
UCF Knights was another team that had a strange season in the Big 12. With their first year in the conference, they had just a 3-6 record in the Big 12, but made it to a bowl game by the end of the football season. The dominant win against Oklahoma State at home helped propel their season, but it did fall short of expectations. They hope to turn that around for 2024.
The offense has a lot to look forward to, including the addition of Arkansas quarterback, KJ Jefferson. Throughout his career, Jefferson has thrown for nearly 8,000 yards, and 67 touchdowns. He looks to line up with wide receiver, Kobe Hudson, who had 900 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as running back RJ Harvey, who ranked third in the conference in total rushing yards.
UCF did make some changes to the defense, namely hiring a new defensive coordinator. Ted Roof brings a veteran presence to the team, which is anchored by defensive tackles Lee Hunter and Ricky Barber. They combined for a total of 87 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.