2021 College Football Power 5 Previews: Big 12
The Big 12 has been in the news a lot in the past few weeks, but not for the right reasons. Powerhouse schools in Oklahoma and Texas are planning to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC, but more schools may follow this path and leave the Big 12 hopeless.
But for now, as they seem to still be a conference let’s take a look at the preview for each team going into the 2021 season.
Kansas Jayhawks
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +15000 (via Draftkings)
The 0-9 season that they had in 2020 was just another summary of how bad this program is, and has been since 2009. They have yet to produce any season with more than 3 wins and without a doubt will fall to this spell again. Look forward to basketball season, because football season is over before it even starts.
Texas Tech
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +5000 (via Draftkings)
This team had a disappointing 2020 season, but with a ton of returners coming back they are in great shape going into 2021, especially with a full offseason. They have a very tough end of the season with Oklahoma, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks. The Red Raiders will be able to compete in the conference but probably won’t get enough wins to make a bowl game.
Baylor Bears
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +4500 (via Draftkings)
Baylor had a very disappointing season after getting 10 wins in 2019. With Charlie Brewer gone, this team has revamped their entire offense and will most likely continue to keep rebuilding. There are a few bright spots on this team, and they have great recruiting so they should be able to hold their own in a competitive conference this year.
Only 4️⃣ more Fridays until 🏈 Kickoff! pic.twitter.com/JQGICniqTU
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 6, 2021
Kansas State Wildcats
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +3500 (via Draftkings)
The Wildcats had a very decent start to the 2020 season, but an injury to starting QB Skylar Thompson derailed their season very quickly. If he can return healthy this team could be very good this year and be able to get another bowl game.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +2500 (via Draftkings)
West Virginia had a decent season, finishing above 500 after a disappointing 2019 season. They also won their first bowl game in over 6 years, all signs hint at this team going in the right direction.
There are a few questions on offense, as they need to create a more explosive scoring offense to win games. The Mountaineers often rely on their stagnant defense, but in the Big 12, you need to be able to put points on the board if you want to compete with the big teams.
TCU Horned Frogs
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +1400 (via Draftkings)
TCU had a great 2020 season, finishing with a 6-4 record but really saw QB Max Duggan take big steps. If he is able to take the next big step, they will be able to produce a ton of upsets going into 2021. This is a dark horse team to win the Big 12 and rightfully so. They are well-coached and with a full offseason, they should be able to up their production levels.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +1000 (via Draftkings)
The Cowboys had a surprisingly great 8-3 season in 2020 that was capped off with a great bowl game against Miami. Chuba Hubbard has been taken in the NFL draft, but they still have a ton of great players returning on both sides of the ball.
This team will only go as far as Spencer Sanders can take them. If he plays more consistently and has a great season, they should be able to compete for the Big 12 championship.
Texas Longhorns
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +700 (via Draftkings)
The first of two teams that will be leaving the conference in the next few years, they really need to make some noise this season, or they will continue to be a laughing stock. Former Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian has taken over this team and will look to completely revamp the offense.
QB Sam Ehlinger has gone to the NFL Draft, so there will be some questions in regards to who will be the starting QB heading into the 2021 season. If this team can gel quickly before they play Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown, they could be in the Big 12 championship come December.
Iowa State Cyclones
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: +270 (via Draftkings)
The biggest surprise of 2020, the Iowa State Cyclones were able to get a great bowl game against Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and win. This team has the most potential going into the 2021 season, with Heisman candidate Breece Hall and 19 starters returning for the Cyclones.
They will most likely be facing off against Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship, and give them another run for their money. Expect big things from this underrated team.
Oklahoma Sooners
Odds to win Big 12 Conference: -180 (via Draftkings)
The Sooners looked bad at the start of the season, but with an 8 game win streak to end the season including a Cotton Bowl rout of Florida, they were able to turn things around and be one of the best teams going into 2021. I think that there are plenty of good players coming back, but the one person who stands out is obviously young superstar QB Spencer Rattler.
The combination of him and Marvin Mims last season set the conference on fire and they’ll do the same again this season. Clear favorites to win the Big 12, anything short of that is a disappointment and a failure of a season.
