1 When quarterback Cameron Rising is within the lineup, the Utes rank among the many greatest groups in faculty soccer, posting a 19-6 file with two convention championships. Rising’s knee would be the largest query mark, however the Utes solidified the offense with three vast receiver transfers and two tight ends together with some quarterback depth within the type of former five-star Sam Huard. If the protection can come alongside, the Utes are the clear workforce to beat within the Massive 12. 2 The Wildcats narrowly path Utah for No. 1 within the Massive 12, however the 2022 convention champs can have loads of say within the race for the crown. Chris Klieman made a dangerous transfer by letting incumbent quarterback Will Howard stroll to Ohio State, however sophomore Avery Johnson ranks among the many most enjoyable prospects in program historical past. Johnson combines with operating backs Dylan Edwards and DJ Giddens to tempo the Massive 12’s most dynamic speeding offense. Klieman has constructed a constant winner at Kansas State, and the Wildcats shall be within the Massive 12 dialog yearly heading ahead.  3 The Jayhawks are the league’s most ascendant program after successful 9 video games for the primary time since 2007, and extra success may very well be on the horizon. All eyes shall be on quarterback Jalon Daniels, who missed all of Massive 12 play with a again damage however was named Preseason Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months earlier than he bought harm. Lance Leipold has achieved a formidable job constructing a stable roster round him, headlined by retaining operating again Devin Neal and cornerback Cobee Bryant, each of whom may have gone to the NFL. All of the items are lining up for Kansas, together with a schedule that dodges each Utah and Oklahoma State.  4 The Cowboys pulled collectively certainly one of Mike Gundy’s greatest teaching jobs but, overcoming a loss to South Alabama and surging to the Massive 12 title recreation. The Pokes rank among the many league leaders in returning manufacturing. Nevertheless, Oklahoma State went 5-1 in one-score video games throughout its run to 10 wins. The previous a number of years are plagued by Massive 12 finalists that rode shut recreation luck to Arlington, Texas, that disenchanted in related spots the following season, together with 2021 Iowa State, 2022 Baylor and 2023 TCU. The Cowboys hope to keep away from the identical destiny.  5 The Wildcats have been some of the underrated tales within the nation final season, leaping from 1-11 to 10 wins in simply two seasons on the arm of quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan. If coach Jedd Fisch and the total roster returned in 2024, the Wildcats would possibly rank No. 1 within the league. Nonetheless, even after just a few key losses within the switch portal, new coach Brent Brennan has Arizona sitting in a terrific spot to contend for the convention.  6 Iowa State sits at No. 6, however the Cyclones is likely to be probably the most underrated workforce within the nation. Many turned on ISU after a 1-2 begin, however the ‘Clones went on to go 6-3 in Massive 12 play and contend for the convention crown deep into November. Now, Iowa State ranks No. 2 nationally in returning manufacturing, and is the one program ranked prime 5 in each offensive and defensive returning manufacturing. Operating again Abu Sama III is likely to be the X-factor after averaging 7.3 yards per carry as a freshman. If he can become a whole operating again, Iowa State may simply discover itself within the title recreation. 7 The vibes have by no means been higher throughout the Neal Brown period in Morgantown after a last-place preseason pprediction ended with 9 wins and a Mayo Bowl victory. The three-headed backfield of quarterback Garrett Greene and operating backs Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson returns for an additional marketing campaign, whereas the bettering protection bought one other shot of expertise. The ceiling for this workforce seemingly falls on each changing NFL lineman Zach Frazier and whether or not Greene may be extra productive as a passer. Regardless, the ground is increased than ever, and that is an excellent place to be.  8 The Knights have been positioned as a possible darkish horse contender of their first Massive 12 season, however UCF struggled to take care of the power and bulk of Massive 12 opponents, going 1-7 in opposition to legacy Energy 5 groups. UCF hit the portal laborious and bought some huge hitters, together with quarterback KJ Jefferson, EDGE Nyjalik Kelly and linebacker Jesiah Pierre. Jefferson ought to add some physicality to Gus Malzahn’s energy speeding offense and hold the strain off a growing protection. That mentioned, it is laborious to be assured in UCF’s physicality reaching rivalry degree till we see it.  9 The Crimson Raiders failed to satisfy lofty expectations in Joey McGuire’s second season, however Texas Tech quietly completed with a successful Massive 12 file in back-to-back seasons for the primary time since Mike Leach was fired in 2009. The return of operating again Tahj Brooks spurs what ought to be enjoyable offense, electrified by the addition of five-star receiver Micah Hudson, the highest recruit in program historical past. Defensively, the Crimson Raiders have been stable underneath Tim DeRuyter. Shut-game luck flipped in 2023 however may flip once more and get Texas Tech again into the Massive 12 title dialog.  10 Frogs followers have been handled for whiplash over the previous three years after sandwiching a visit to the nationwide title recreation with two 5-7 seasons. TCU by no means appeared to get better from falling to Colorado in some of the watched video games of the season and went 0-4 in one-score video games. Sonny Dykes introduced in one other switch class stacked with former blue-chips, together with Notre Dame DL Nana Osafo-Mensah and Texas CB Austin Jordan. Nevertheless, lacking quarterback Josh Hoover this spring provides a slight little bit of nervous power as TCU enters a defining season.  11 Colorado’s mess of contradictions makes them maybe the hardest workforce nationally to undertaking. The Buffs completed final place within the Pac-12 in 2023 however featured two of the very best gamers within the nation in nook Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Colorado posted maybe the worst operating recreation in America, however each offensive lineman and operating again are gone. On paper, they seem to have upgraded the OL place, however that was true final 12 months, too, earlier than the traditionally unhealthy outcomes. The defensive position switch expertise is off the charts, however defensive again is a bit of shakier. From a depth perspective, there’s virtually no approach to inform what Colorado has with all of the turnover, not even counting turning over half their teaching workers and each playcallers. Finally, the unpredictability lands them proper across the center tier of the convention.  12 Baylor hasn’t spent a lot time within the cellar, however a 3-9 marketing campaign was the worst by a returning coach since 2007. As an alternative of creating a change, Baylor’s athletic division is making a pricey gamble that Dave Aranda can proper the ship for the second time in 4 years. There are some causes for optimism. The Bears nabbed offensive coordinator Jake Spavital (Cal) and operating backs coach Khenon Corridor (SMU) from ACC faculties to transition in direction of a selection offense, they usually took an enormous swing by including MAC Participant of the 12 months QB DeQuan Finn from Toledo. Something wanting a bowl recreation and Aranda is probably going out. Is Baylor up for the problem? 13 BYU’s protection took a modest step ahead in its first 12 months underneath revered defensive coordinator Jay Hill, however the offense was a complete mess. The Cougars ranked final within the Massive 12 in primarily each offensive class, together with each passing and operating the ball. Versus final season, BYU opted to restrict its transfers, however three of its seven additions are quarterbacks. Former Baylor starter Gerry Bohanon and former No. 1 JUCO quarterback Jake Retzlaff are favorites for the job, however the place would not matter a lot if BYU cannot defend and run higher.  14 The vibes round Scott Satterfield’s program have been decidedly muted since he arrived, and never a lot modified over the offseason. Quarterback switch Brendan Sorsby has injected some life into the offense subsequent to operating again Corey Kiner and ought to be extra constant than the departed Emory Jones. Nevertheless, the usually dependable protection is likely to be the larger concern after permitting probably the most yards per play within the Massive 12. Regardless of fielding future NFL defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, the Bearcats allowed an astonishing 5.4 yards per carry, worst within the league by a mile.  15 Former Cougars coach Dana Holgorsen had a large contract, however leaders on the college have been so disturbed by his recruiting failures — together with zero top-50 courses regardless of promoting the Massive 12 — that they determined to make a change. Willie Fritz is a miracle employee and may finally win video games at Houston, however the roster is nowhere close to prepared. A 4-8 preliminary marketing campaign when he arrived at Tulane may very well be instructive as Fritz installs a brand new method.  16 Kenny Dillingham has introduced immense power and pleasure to this system, however outcomes have been wildly inconsistent because the Solar Devils slogged by accidents. Including extra complication, three of the 4 quarterbacks who began video games final season transferred, leaving solely returner Trenton Bourguet and inconsistent transfers Jeff Sims and Sam Leavitt on the roster. Dillingham is steadily rising the expertise degree, but when not one of the quarterbacks hit, it may very well be one other lengthy 12 months in Tempe.