Big 12 college football sneak peek: Top transfers, freshmen and crucial
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Dave Wilson Close Dave Wilson ESPN Personnel Writer Dave Wilson is a college football press reporter. He formerly operated at The Dallas Early Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.Kyle Bonagura Close Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Writer Covers college football.Joined ESPN in 2014. Participated In Washington State University.Aug 6, 2024, 10:00 AM ET The Huge 12 looks a little bit various this season with the addition of 4
- new schools and Texas and Oklahoma gone to the SEC.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are eager to make a big statement in their very first year in the Huge 12 in spite of huge concerns surrounding these programs. Huge 12 pillar Oklahoma State, which fell short in the conference title game last season, intends to reach the championship again with a much better outcome, while Kansas State is fortifying its offense with a huge transfer.Can Utah pull off a Huge 12 title in its first year after its beginning quarterback has been far from the game for a season? Will Colorado show it is the genuine offer as Shedeur Sanders looks to be in Heisman Trophy conversations? After a big game in the Pop-Tarts Bowl last year, can Kansas State QB Avery Johnson continue to carry out as the forecasted starter this fall? Can Arizona make a run at the conference title under a brand-new head coach?ESPN reporters Dave Wilson and Kyle Bonagura take a look at the league’s top newbies, most significant early-season games, coaches on the hot seat and MVP and championship game picks.Jump to an area: CFP outlook|Top transfers|Impact freshmen Our preferred players|Must-see games Numbers to understand|On the hot seat Teams growing|Power rankings CFP Outlook Kyle Whittingham seeks to make a run at the Big 12 champion in Utah’s
inaugural year in the conference. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports Must remain in Stability breeds confidence, and just Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has remained in place longer than Utah’sKyle Whittingham and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, both of whom are starting their 20th seasons as head coach. Both groups go into the season with proven quarterbacks, star ability players and skilled defenses.In the runningBoth have plenty of skill and favorable schedules, but a little bit of a question mark due to coaching modifications. When it comes to Arizona, Jedd Fisch’s departure was a loss, however the arrival of former San José State coach Brent Brennan was able to hold much of the roster together, including quarterback Noah Fifita and all-everything receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Kansas State has actually won 37 games and a Huge 12 title over the past 3 years, but will be breaking in Avery Johnson at QB and changing offensive organizer Collin Klein, who departed for Texas A&M, with co-coordinators Conor Riley and former Texas Tech coach Matt Wells.Long shot Kansas had a bit of an advancement last year, winning its very first bowl game in 15 years and beating Oklahoma for the very first time since 1997. The Jayhawks hung on to coach Lance Leipold, and a healthy Jalon Daniels will make them a danger in any game. The other
3 are tough outs with players at quarterback– TCU’s Josh Hoover, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht and West Virginia’s Garrett Greene– who all make affection from rival coaches. Comparable to TCU 2 years ago, if they can stroll the tightrope, they can make a run.Top transfers UCF QB KJ Jefferson: At 6-3, 247 pounds, Jefferson has already been labeled as the closest model to Camera Newton by Gus Malzahn himself. No pressure there. Jefferson began 39 games at Arkansas, where he holds school records for profession passing
backyards(7,923), passing TDs(67 )and completion percentage(65.1). He has likewise hurried for more than 1,876 yards, and will be a staple in Malzahn’s power run game.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Texas Tech WR Josh Kelly: After showing guarantee during 4 years at Fresno State, Kelly had a breakout season for Washington State, catching 61 passes for 923 lawns and 8 goals. Kelly quickly turns into one of the most hazardous deep threats in the Big 12– a much-needed dynamic for the Red Raiders offense.
Kansas State Wildcats RB Dylan Edwards: Edwards burst onto the scene in Colorado’s opening win against TCU last year when he captured 5 passes for 135 lawns and 3 goals to go along with 24 backyards rushing and another score. After that, however, Edwards faded into the background as Colorado’s offensive line made running the ball all but difficult. Back home in Kansas, Edwards ought to be an essential player in the Wildcats’ Huge 12 title pursuit.Impact freshmen
Freshman OT Jordan Seaton is a huge addition to Colorado’s offensive line but has a lot to show this fall. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado OT Jordan Seaton: Yes, this one is relatively obvious, however in spite of Seaton being a freshman, he is an upgrade in skill over what Colorado was playing with in 2015 and he has currently been on campus as a midyear enrollee. We feel Seaton will likely have a comparable season to Kadyn Proctor at Alabama in 2023– highs, lows, flashes of achievement, but likewise a fair amount of struggles. Offending take on is one of the most challenging positions to shift in from high school to college.
UCF DB Chasen Johnson: Gus Malzahn had the ability to turn the former three-star from Pitt throughout the recruiting procedure and Johnson responded to the call in the spring, turning with the first string showing durability, competitiveness and the speed to adapt quickly to the college level. Whether it’s at corner or security, Johnson could see substantial time for the Knights as they head into year 2 in the Big 12.
Houston WR Jayshon Ridgle: Ridgle might have flown under the radar on the national recruiting scene, however all new Houston coach Willie Fritz does is win and know how to discover players. Houston loses its top two targets from last year, and Ridgle can be found in having posted a 10.83 100 meter time in 2023. He can play several positions including special teams. You can’t coach speed.
Kansas DE Deshawn Warner & DE Dakyus Brinkley: Here’s a twofer for you. Both Warner and Brinkley are 2 of the highest-rated prospects Kansas has actually ever signed and most notably at a premium position. Kansas is light on the edge in regards to depth and experience, which gives both prospects the chance to play early and show their worth throughout the season. Brinkley was initially an OLB and both potential customers will require to gain significant weight, but could be used as situational pass rushes.– Tom Luginbill
Our preferred players
After hurrying for 21 goals last season, Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II seeks to do more this coming year. Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Utah QB Camera Increasing: From 2021 to 2022, Increasing was one of the very best quarterbacks in the country, leading the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 titles. After missing all of last season, he ushers the Utes into their brand-new conference with an uncommon chance to both guide a group to 3 conference titles and achieve that in different conferences.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan: Expectations were sky-high in Tucson when McMillian got here as the highest-ranked recruit in school history and, in some way, the former first-class hire has actually exceeded them. He’s the best receiver in the Big 12 by a healthy margin and need to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter: Look, who doesn’t love enjoying a guy go both methods? Gamers like Hunter are unusual these days, so it’s easy to appreciate what he does playing cornerback and receiver for the Buffs.
ASU RB Camera Skattebo: Running back, quarterback, receiver, tight end, return guy, Skattebo was forced to do it all for Arizona State last season. It wasn’t perfect for ASU since it was only required since of injuries, however it showcased amazing adaptability and selflessness from the 2022 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year (at Sacramento State).
TCU QB Josh Hoover: Hoover ended up being the starter midway through his redshirt freshman season in 2015, beginning the last six games. He balanced 339.5 yards per game over that stretch, including two 400-yard efficiencies, and threw eight touchdowns to two interceptions over the last 3 games against Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II: OSU’s season turned around when it stopped overthinking the offense and provided the ball to Gordon. After just 19 carries in the very first 3 games, Gordon rattled eight 100-yard games in his past 9, including 837 overall backyards and seven TDs in a three-week duration against Kansas, West Virginia and Cincinnati. UCF RB RJ Harvey: Harvey can fly, and UCF likes to get him in area, where he can’t be captured. Harvey closed the season with 7 100-yard games in his final 8, including 206 yards and three goals in a 45-3 blowout against Oklahoma State, who made it to the Big 12 championship game. Kansas QB Jalon Daniels: Among the most tantalizing talents, his back has betrayed him over his profession. At the end of 2022, he threw for 544 backyards and five TDs in a 55-53 Liberty Bowl loss to Arkansas, and was named the preseason Huge 12 Offending Player of the Year last season. However by the end of September, after just three games and a 3-0 start(705 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT )he was on the injury list. He stayed at KU rather of searching for a clean slate, setting the table for a last season if we’re lucky sufficient to get to see him.Must-see games Utah at Oklahoma State, Sept. 21: An early preview of the Huge 12 title game? It simply may be. The winner of this game will likely emerge as the Big 12 preferred, while the loser will be on the edge of leaving the title conversation with a challenging game the following week. Oklahoma State at Kansas State, Sept. 28: OSU has actually won four of the past five matches, however the one loss was a 48-0 thrashing in Manhattan in 2022, the Cowboys’ first shutout loss given that 2009. At K-State, the Wildcats are 3-2 over the previous decade against OSU, with 2 losses by a total of 8 points and 3 wins by 34, 19 and 48.
Arizona at Utah, Sept. 28: Arizona and Utah weren’t precisely rivals in the Pac-12, but there’s a shared history now as they make the relocate to the Big 12 together. Both schools enter the season with internal playoff expectations and this game could play a choosing function.Colorado at Nebraska, Sept. 7: Colorado’s win versus Nebraska in 2015 fueled the Coach Prime buzz machine, but after both groups wilted under their respective first-year coaches, they’re now wanting to recover.
BYU at Utah, Nov. 9: The Holy War hardly ever fails to entertain, and this is a special variation considering it is a conference game once again, and, for the very first time, in a major conference.
Kansas at Kansas State, Oct. 26: Kansas lost an 11-point 3rd quarter Sunflower Showdown lead last season in a 31-27 K-State win in Lawrence, but the Jayhawks were down to third-string freshman quarterback Cole Ballard. This could be a battle of two of the best QBs in the Huge 12 if both KU’s Jalon Daniels and K-State’s Avery Johnson are healthy.Numbers to understand 7 Variety of various schools to play in the
past four Big 12 championship games 56 Years considering that Kansas won a conference title( Jayhawks were co-champs of the Huge 8 in 1968) 18 Oklahoma State’s streak of seasons with a winning record, 3rd finest in FBS (Boise State
and Wisconsin) 7.72 Yards per bring by West Virginia’s Jahiem White last season, best amongst FBS running backs( minimum 100 carries
)– ESPN Statistics & Info On the hot seat
Wilson: Dave Aranda, Baylor After going 12-2 in 2021 with a Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss, Baylor has had a hard time to discover an identity. Aranda hasn’t been afraidto make changes, however after last year’s 3-9 season, he changed OC Jeff Grimes and his NFL-style approach with Jake Spavital’s Air Raid, hoping to mask offending line struggles. Aranda is also taking control of control of the defensive playcalling, his specialized. He understands this is his last shot at showing 2021 was the norm, not the outlier. Wilson: Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati Satterfield has only been at Cincinnati for one
season, but was 17-19 in his last
three seasons at Louisville, which then went 10-4 under his replacement, Jeff Brohm. In 2015, the Bearcats went 1-8 in the Huge 12 in its first season in the league and ended up with just two FBS wins, over Pitt and Houston groups that won only 3 and four games. Cincinnati has punched above its weight for years, and a coaching change in the middle of an action up in conferences was a difficult combination. But Satterfield requires to create some interest in a new era in the Queen City.Teams increasing< img alt=""src ="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/12.png&h=60&w=60
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Bonagura: Arizona Had Jedd Fisch stayed at Arizona, there would be a lot more buzz about the Wildcats right now. They went from 1-11 to 5-7 to 10-3 under Fisch and have the majority of their key players returning, consisting of quarterback Noah Fifita, who deserves to be in the Heisman Trophy discussion. What’s still unknown is how brand-new coach Brent Brennan’s arrival will affect life in the desert.
Wilson: Iowa State Yes, Matt Campbell’s period in Ames has actually typically seen the Cyclones listed among the most better teams. However Iowa State might be due for a development, a year after a gambling scandal tossed the season into chaos before freshman QB Rocco Becht took over, settled in and ended up being the Big 12 Offending Player of the Year, setting ISU freshman records for passing yards (3,120) and TDs (23 ). Jon Heacock’s defenses are amongst the nation’s finest year in and year out, and this year, expectations are sky high. That’s a combination that offers hope in Ames.Power rankings 1
. Utah: If Utah stays healthy, it is the
best team in the conference.2. Oklahoma St.: Mike Gundy typically figures it out, and Ollie Gordon’s
return offers it among the nation’s leading backs to build around.3. Arizona: With all its returning skill, Arizona has a case to be the favorite.4. Kansas St.: Avery Johnson is one of the most skilled players the Wildcats have actually ever landed.
Can he lead them amongst the elite? 5. Iowa St.: If Rocco Becht builds on his outstanding freshman launching, watch out.6. WVU: Neal Brown got the contract and stability he needed
to keep structure after nine wins and a bowl victory.7.
Kansas: As Jalon Daniels grows, so will the Jayhawks.8. TCU: Sonny Dykes is betting on new DC Andy Avalos to assist cancel a skilled offense after a 5-7 disappointment that ended by giving
up 69 indicate Oklahoma.9. Texas Tech: Joey McGuire’s lineup remodeling is full of his players. The offensive line is the key, discovering area for Tahj Brooks, who ran for 1,541 backyards last
year.10. UCF: Gus Malzahn has his QB in Jefferson; the Knights ended up 6-7 last year, however three losses were by an overall of 4 points, consisting of a 2-point loss in Norman toOU after a regrettable 2-point conversion effort to tie.11. Baylor: Dave Aranda is relocating to the Air Raid on offense, and taking over the defense again. DeQuan Finn shows up from Toledo in hopes of stability at QB.12. BYU: After a disappointing first
year in the Big 12, the Cougars have a lot to show.13. Houston: New coach Willie Fritz has been a winner all over he has been. At 64, he finally gets the job he desires in a power
conference in a city he has hired for many years.14. Colorado: After a last-place surface in the Pac-12 in 2015, the Deion Sanders marketing machine requires to show it can function on the field.15. Cincinnati: It’s tough to believe the Bearcats’ journey to the College Football Playoff was in 2021.16. Arizona St: The Sun Devilsbelieve they’ve resolved their lineup requires, but will it be enough to be competitive after a three-win 2023?