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These are my record predictions for each Big 12 team heading into next season. The conference now includes BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston and will sit at 14 teams for one season until Oklahoma and Texas leave for the SEC in 2024. 


Baylor (7-5)

The Baylor Bears went 6-7 last season after having success in the previous couple of seasons. I believe that last season might be a more realistic representation of what will come. I see Baylor improving in 2023, but only to 7-5. 

Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Albany Great Danes at McLane Stadium.

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda. 


BYU (5-7) 

BYU is one of the new teams in the Big 12. Before joining, the Cougars were an FBS Independent. They are in a conference for the first time since 2011. I see all four of these teams' win totals dropping due to the increase in talent on their schedules. 

Oct 16, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears cornerback Al Walcott (13) breaks up a pass intended for Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Central Florida (6-6)

The second new team is UCF. They are coming over from the American conference along with Cincinnati and Houston. The Knights went 9-5 last season, but I only have them at 6-6 in their first season in the Big 12. 

Sep 24, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn calls a play during the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

UCF head coach Gus Malzahn.


Cincinnati (8-4) 

Cincinnati is making the jump to the power five two years after their undefeated playoff run. I think they'll have an easier time transitioning than the rest of them. I have them going 8-4. 

Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Indiana Hoosiers at Nippert Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Houston (7-5)

Houston is coming off of an 8-5 season and a bowl win vs Louisiana. Houston went 0-2 against Big 12 teams last season, losing to Kansas and Texas Tech. I think they will have a similar record in 2023, I have them going 7-5 next season. 

Nov 19, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws the ball against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Iowa State (4-8)

Iowa State went 4-8 last season and I see them repeating that again. They need more talent on their roster to get back to being competitive. Even Kansas is doing a better job of acquiring talent right now. 

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell looks up at the replay screen during the Cy-Hawk Series football game against Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. 


Kansas (7-5) 

Speaking of the Jayhawks, last season was historical for them. They had been the laughingstock of college football for a decade, but that all changed last season. They were 5-0, ranked, and hosted College Gameday and made a bowl game. They return their star QB, Jalen Daniels, so I have them improving to 7-5.

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Oct 8, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) gets ready before the snap against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Kansas QB Jalen Daniels.


Kansas State (9-3)

K-State had a very successful season last year which saw them win the Big 12 Championship and play in the Sugar Bowl. I think they keep up the momentum next season and go 9-3. 

Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) holds up the championship trophy as the Wildcats celebrate winning the Big 12 championship after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs overtime at AT&T Stadium.

Oklahoma (9-3)

Oklahoma had a horrific season by their standards. They went 6-7 and lost their bowl game to Florida State. I think they'll bounce back and go 9-3 next season. I like Coach Venables and trust that he can get the job done. 

Oklahoma's Theo Wease (10) runs to the end zone past Kansas State's Khalid Duke (29) after a reception during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Oklahoma State (7-5)

Oklahoma State had a letdown season last year and needs to bounce back. I'm not sure how good they will be, especially after losing their QB, Spencer Sanders. I have them at 7-5 in 2023. 

Oct 29, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy leaves the field following a loss to the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. 


Texas (10-2) 

I like Texas and believe they are a double-digit winning team. Quinn Ewers needs to be more consistent, but even if he isn't, the Longhorns have Arch Manning waiting in line. I think they lose to Alabama and maybe slip up one more time. 

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers.


TCU (8-4)

TCU was the biggest surprise team in 2022. They went undefeated until the Big 12 Championship and beat Michigan in the CFP Semis. I can see a little drop-off coming, so I have the Horned Frogs at 8-4. 

Sep 2, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Derius Davis (11) carries the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Texas Tech (7-5) 

I like this Texas Tech team and truly believe they can win more than seven games. I am going with seven because their schedule is very tough, especially in the back half. However, the Red Raiders have the potential to be this season's TCU.

Sep 24, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Smith (7) passes against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.

West Virginia (5-7)

West Virginia went 5-7 last season and three out of five of their wins were by five points or less. They could have easily been 2-10. I can see them doing the same in 2023 and going 5-7 again. 

Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kaden Prather (3) during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.