College Football Conference Previews 2025: Big 12
- Om Brown
- Aug 22, 2025
- 9 min read
August is slowly turning into September, fall camp is ending, and school is about to start. This can only mean one thing; football is back. While my work at the House mainly focuses on the NFL, this season, I'm diving back into the chaotic realm of college football. As talks of an expanded College Football Playoff pushes the sport further into uncharted waters, allow me to navigate you through the 2025 season.
As we begin our journey to the 2026 National Championship Game, let’s break down what's in store for the Big 12 in 2025.
Cover Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2024 Record: 3-9, 0-9 Big 12)
OSU, the 2023 conference runners-up, started out 3-0 in ‘24. However, they proceeded to lose their remaining 9 games in embarrassing fashion. Coach Mike Gundy is tasked with replacing both QB Alan Bowman and star RB Ollie Gordon. The focus for this season in Stillwater will be mostly on development of younger players, as well as whoever the starting signal-caller turns out to be.
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
15. Arizona Wildcats (2024 Record: 4-8, 2-7 Big 12)
The Wildcats were expected to compete for the conference crown in their first season in the Big 12, but they finished the season as far away from a title as possible. QB Noah Fifita regressed heavily, and despite a great season from 2025 first-round pick WR Tetairoa McMillian, the offense struggled badly. 2025 is coach Brent Brennan’s second season at the helm, and he looks to right the ship. The biggest piece in the puzzle to help do that is Fifita. If he can play like he did as a freshman two years ago, Arizona has a chance.
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
14. West Virginia Mountaineers (2024 Record: 6-7, 5-4 Big 12)
The Mountaineers have a new coach in Rich Rodriguez, and he brings a fast dynamic, style of play to WVU. Last year at Jacksonville State, his team was #1 in Conference USA in total offense, scoring, and rushing. He brings along WR Cam Vaughn (803 receiving yards, 5 TDs at Jacksonville State last year) to an offense that returns their leading rusher in Jahiem White (845 rushing yards, 7 TDs last year). It may not be a successful season in Morgantown, but it will be exciting.
2025 Record Projection: 4-8
Toughest Opponents: vs. TCU (10/25), at #15 ASU (11/15), vs. Texas Tech (11/29)
13. UCF Knights (2024 Record: 4-8, 2-7 Big 12)
UCF lost their leading rusher, RJ Harvey (3,792 career rushing yards at UCF), to the NFL. Replacing him will be hard, but coach Scott Frost is back in the picture to help bring this program back to winning seasons. This will be the first season of his second stint. Back in 2017 he led the Knights to a 13-0 record and a win in the Peach Bowl. While it will be difficult for Frost this year, I expect that he has some success over the next couple seasons. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, FAU transfer Cam Fancher will lead the team on-field as UCF's starting QB. Fancher's best season came in 2023, when he threw for 2,162 yards and 11 TDs as a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd.
2025 Record Projection: 4-8
Toughest Opponents: at #15 K-State (9/27), vs. Kansas (10/4), at Texas Tech (11/15)
12. Houston Cougars (2024 Record: 4-8, 3-6 Big 12)
Coach Willie Fritz has rebuilt what was a putrid offense in 2024. He reunites with his former OC at Tulane, Slade Nagle, and will look to him to find a scheme that maximizes former 5-star QB Conner Weigman’s talents. The former Texas A&M starter lost his job in the middle of last season, and is looking to get his career back on track. With a pretty solid defense, Houston will go as far as Weigman and the new look offense goes.
2025 Record Projection: 5-7
Toughest Opponents: vs. Texas Tech (10/4), at #16 ASU (10/25), vs. TCU (11/22)
11. Cincinnati Bearcats (2024 Record: 5-7, 3-6 Big 12)
The Bearcats have struggled to adjust since jumping up from the AAC to the Big 12, going just 5-15 against fellow Power-4 teams in two seasons at the bigger stage. QB Brendan Sorsby showed big-play ability last year, finishing second on the team in rushing yards while throwing for over 2,800 yards. He has talent, it is just a matter of putting it all together. If he can, Cincinnati will take their first jump up in the conference.Â
2025 Record Projection: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
Toughest Opponents: at Kansas (9/27), vs. #9 Iowa State (10/4), at TCU (11/29)Â
10. Utah Utes (2024 Record: 5-7, 2-7 Big 12)
Utah came over from the PAC-12 and was expected to be a conference frontrunner in their inaugural season in the Big 12. However, QB Cam Rising was injured again last season, and has now retired from the sport. In his place, Coach Kyle Whittingham brought in former New Mexico starter QB Devon Dampier. Dampier put up nearly 4,000 total yards with the Lobos, highlighted by 19 rushing scores. If he can develop as a passer, he could become a top-5 field general in the conference.
2025 Record Projection: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
9. Colorado Buffalos (2024 Record: 9-4, 7-2 Big 12)
Gone are Heisman Trophy winner WR/DB Travis Hunter and QB Shedeur Sanders. Coach Deion Sanders reloaded the QB room with former Liberty standout Kaidon Salter and 5-star recruit Julian Lewis. However, the Buffs lost receivers LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. to the NFL. For a program that struggled vs. better teams in 2024, it is hard for me to see them succeed in 2025 with so much offensive upheaval. Salter, the likely starter, will have to make the adjustment to Power-4 football quickly if Colorado wants to compete in the Big 12.
2025 Record Projection: 7-6 (Bowl Loss)
8. #11 BYU Cougars (2024 Record: 11-2)
The Cougars were ranked #11 in my rankings, and for good reason. They had an impressive 2024 that ended in a blowout win in the Alamo Bowl against Colorado. However, their offseason has been much darker. QB Jake Retzlaff had a breakout campaign in ‘24, but was accused in a lawsuit in May of this year of raping a woman in 2023. While the suit was dropped on June 30th, Retzlaff was suspended by BYU after he admitted to having premarital sex, a violation of the BYU honor code. Rather than sit out for 7 games of his season, Retzlaff opted to transfer, settling on Tulane.Â
BYU still has talent on their roster, but a dark cloud will hang over them this season. Losing their starting QB in the middle of the summer hampers their ability to play to the best of their abilities. With the transfer portal closed, HC Kalani Sitake must turn to internal options like Treyson Bourguet, McCae Hillstead, or Bear Bachmeier. It will be an interesting year in Provo, to say the least.
2025 Record Projection: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
Toughest Opponents: at #9 Iowa State (10/25), at Texas Tech (11/8), vs. TCU (11/15)
7. Baylor Bears (2024 Record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12)
The 2025 Baylor Bears are counting on their offensive core to carry the momentum into a new season. QB Sawyer Robertson, back as the undisputed starter and on the Davey O’Brien Award watch list, anchors a revitalized passing attack. He’ll be surrounded by top weapons like receivers Josh Cameron and Kobe Prentice, who both bring fresh playmaking energy. In the backfield, dynamic RBs Bryson Washington and Dawson Pendergrass give the offense a dangerous blend of speed and power. Defensively, LB Keaton Thomas returns as the heart of the unit, while key additions from the transfer portal, such as EDGE Matthew Fobbs-White aim to solidify the front. The Bears have the tools to compete in 2025.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Loss)
6. Kansas Jayhawks (2024 Record: 5-7, 4-5 Big 12)
The Jayhawks started ‘24 1-5, but then rattled off 4 wins in their last 6 games to end the season on a more positive note. Though bell cow RB Devin Neal is in the NFL, experienced dual threat QB Jalon Daniels returns to coach Lance Leipold’s program. If KU can start the season on a better note in 2025, they very well could be in the conference title game come December the way some thought they could have been a season ago.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Win)
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2024 Record: 8-5, 6-3 Big 12)
The Red Raiders underwent a lot of roster turnover in the offseason. They brought in a trio of linemen (Howard Sampson, Will Jados, and Hunter Zambrano) to revamp the line in front of the third leading passer in the Big 12 a season ago, QB Behren Morton (3,335 career yards). To replace NFL-bound RB Taj Brooks, HC Joey McGuire brought in USC transfer Quinten Joyner. They have a schedule littered with teams from the bottom of the conference. Will they take advantage of it?
2025 Record Projection: 9-4 (Bowl Win)
4. TCU Horned Frogs (2024 Record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12)
The Horned Frogs lost a pair of dynamic receivers in Jack Bech and Savion Williams, but retained their second leading pass catcher, Eric McAlister. QB Josh Hoover is back after putting up almost 4,000 yards through the air in 2024. It will be a challenge for TCU to replace Bech and Williams in the passing game, but that is what will set coach Sonny Dykes’ squad out from the rest of the Big 12 in 2025.
2025 Record Projection: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)
3. #15 Kansas State Wildcats (2024 Record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12)
The Wildcats were a perfect 4-0 outside of Big 12 play. Their season will come down to how well they can do vs. the competition in their conference. QB Avery Johnson sports a good arm and a dynamic ability to score with his legs. He looks to build on a solid sophomore campaign that saw flashes of NFL ability. Leading rusher RB DJ Giddens is off to the pros, but RB Dylan Edwards and his absurd 7.4 yards-per-carry will take over the role. Can the Cats compete for a conference crown?Â
2025 Record Projection: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
Toughest Opponents: vs. #9 Iowa State (8/23), vs. TCU (10/11), vs. Texas Tech (11/1)
2. #16 Arizona State Sun Devils (2024 Record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12, Big 12 Champions)
ASU was picked to finish last in the conference in 2024 by many, including myself. They proved us wrong, winning the conference and nearly upsetting Texas in the Peach Bowl in the CFP. The Sun Devils return their fiery duo of QB Sam Leavitt and HC Kenny Dillingham. However, they lost the engine of their offense, RB Cam Skattebo to the Giants. Replacing him will be a huge challenge for the offense. They do get stud WR Jordyn Tyson back from a collarbone injury he suffered late in the season. How far Arizona State goes will be up to the growth of Leavitt as a passer.
2025 Record Projection: 11-3 (10-2 Regular Season, Big 12 Runner-Up, Bowl Win)
Toughest Opponents: vs. TCU (9/26), vs. Texas Tech (10/18), at #9 Iowa State (11/1)
1. #9 Iowa State Cyclones (2024 Record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12, Big 12 Runner-Up)
I thought Iowa State was a dark horse to contend in the Big 12 last year. They proved me right and were the runner-up to the Sun Devils. QB Rocco Becht was a big part of their success in ’24. The Cyclones do lose their top two targets, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to the Texans, but return their RB duo of Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III. Someone will have to step up to balance the air attack, but the ground game should help stabilize the offense. I am all in on Becht and ISU in 2025.
2025 Record Projection: 12-3 (10-2 Regular Season, Big 12 Champions, CFP Quarterfinals Loss)
Final Thoughts:
Once again, the Big 12 seems wide open. Arizona State, Iowa State, and Kansas State seem like legit contenders to me, along with teams like TCU or Texas Tech. It will be interesting to see how this chaotic conference will play out in 2025, especially with many intriguing quarterbacks like Sam Leavitt, Rocco Becht, and Avery Johnson leading the charge for the top teams of the Big 12. Stay on the lookout for my previews for the other 3 Power Conferences, as well as a full prediction for what will happen this winter in the College Football Playoff!