Previewing the 2024 Big 12 Football Season
Published: Monday, July 15, 2024
by Kyle Ferreira
“What do you think is America’s college football conference?”
This was the question posed by 247 Sports’ Josh Pate a couple of months ago. His response: the Big 12. The reason? It represents what the college football community wants.
With competitive teams, an abundance of West Coast teams joining, and so much unpredictability, this season promises to be electrifying. Spanning from Arizona to West Virginia, this is a conference for true college football fans. Here’s what to look out for this season.
Coach Prime and the Buffaloes
One of the biggest stories last season was Deion Sanders taking over a struggling Colorado program and transforming it into a pop culture sensation. Financially and academically, millions watched, Boulder prospered, and a reported 68,000 applied to attend Colorado. On the field, however, the results were mixed.
While they won their first three games, they finished 4-8 and ended the season on a six-game losing streak. Despite standout performances from quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, issues like the offensive line persisted. This season won’t be any easier as Colorado returns to its old stomping grounds in the Big 12.
With games against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, Nebraska, Kansas State, and Kansas, Coach Prime needs to start showing results.
Kansas… KANSAS?!
Before head coach Lance Leipold arrived in Lawrence, the joke was that Jayhawks fans skipped football and proceeded straight to basketball season. But since 2021, Leipold has completely transformed Jayhawks football. In 2023, Kansas went 9-4, won a bowl game for the first time since 2008, and ranked 23rd in the final AP poll.
While Leipold has done a phenomenal job, his best weapon is back after only playing three games last season. Quarterback Jalon Daniels, who draws comparisons to Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels, is speedy, elusive, and a great leader for this Jayhawks squad.
Daniels, who could be a Heisman finalist, will lead a team that won’t have its home stadium. With David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium being renovated, the Jayhawks will play at Arrowhead Stadium and Children’s Mercy Park.
Utah Flying to the Top
After being a relatively strong program in the Pac-12, Utah, along with Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado, moved to the Big 12. Utah is immediately favored to win the conference, according to the Media Preseason Poll. It’s not hard to understand why.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham has proven time and time again that he is one of the best coaches in the nation. However, after back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances, Utah stepped back to an 8-5 record in 2023, mainly due to quarterback Cam Rising missing the season due to injury.
But with Rising returning for a seventh season, Utah has a chance to win a conference title and make it to the College Football Playoff.
Kyle Ferreira can be reached atkyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu
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