2024 Big 12 Season Preview: Big 12 Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
The Big 12 may have lost Texas and Oklahoma, but they are loaded up with new additions from the Pac-12. Who will step up and take the conference crown in December? Matt McCuen has a few ideas, and breaks down his Big 12 predictions and picks for the 2024 college football season.
Matt McCuen - August 29, 2024, 4:00 PM EDT
10 min2024 Big-12 Season Preview: Big-12 Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
We are less than five weeks away from the return of college football!
In this article, we will break down the new-look Big 12.
Let’s meet the teams!
2024 Big 12 Conference Season Predictions
1. Arizona Wildcats
- 2023 Record: (10-3)
- Key Additions: Tacairo Davis, Kendrick Resscano, Tre Smith (DE), Jacoby Crosky-Merritt (RB)
- Key Losses: Jordan Morgan (T), Jacob Cowing (WR), Tanner McLachlan (TE)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +1000
- Favorite Future Bet: Arizona Over 7.5 wins
Arizona enjoyed one of their best years in program history in 2023.
Former head coach Jedd Fisch departed for the Washington job in the offseason.
First-year head coach Brent Brennan will look for success similar to a year ago.
Quarterback Noah Fifita returns under center and will be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.
Pick: Arizona Over 7.5 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Wildcats will have a top-three offense in the Big 12.
Their style of play matches up well with this conference.
Arizona improved on defense a year ago and will continue getting better on that side of the ball.
2. Utah Utes
- 2023 Record: (8-5)
- Key Additions: Carsen Ryan (TE), Dorian Singer (WR), Teshaun Lyons (WR), Anthony Woods (RB)
- Key Losses: Nate Johnson (QB), Ja’Quinden Jackson (RB), Mikey Matthews (WR), Cole Bishop (S), Jonah Ellis (DE), Sione Vaki (S), Satona Laumea (G), Devaughn Vele (WR)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +320
- Favorite Future Bet: Utah To Make The Playoffs +220
The Utes are coming off a disappointing 2023 season.
Injuries held this Utah team back a year ago.
Veteran quarterback Cam Rising will return under center.
Utah is expected to have one of the top defensive units in the Big 12.
Pick: Utah To Make The Playoffs +220 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
We are getting great value on the Utes.
Rising is an experienced quarterback who has shown how far he can take this Utah team in years past.
While Utah lost some key starters on defense, they added talent in the transfer portal.
3. Kansas State Wildcats
- 2023 Record: (9-4)
- Key Additions: Dylan Edwards (RB), Easton Kility (OT), Dante Cephas (WR)
- Key Losses: Will Howard (QB), Will Lee III (CB), Kobe Savage (S), Ben Sinnot (TE), Cooper Beebe (G), KT Leveston (G)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +320
- Favorite Future Bet: Kansas State Under 9.5 wins -140
The last few years have been successful for this Wildcats program.
We will see a new-look offense with former quarterback Will Howard transferring to Ohio State.
Avery Johnson will be QB1, and this team believes he can be one of the top quarterbacks in college football with his duel-threat ability.
Pick: Kansas State Under 9.5 wins -140 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
K State will remain competitive, but they will not reach ten wins.
The Wildcats have a tough in-conference schedule and need too many things to get right to reach double-digit wins.
The Wildcats' season will be solid, but the play is the under.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
- 2023 Record: (10-4)
- Key Additions: Obi Ezegbio (T), Tyler Foster (TE), Aj Green (RB)
- Key Losses: DJ McKinney (CB), Anthony Goodlow (DE), Leon Johnson III (WR)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +1000
- Favorite Future Bet: Oklahoma State over 8 wins -150
The Cowboys reached the Big 12 Championship a year ago but lost to Texas.
Mike Gundy has one of the best teams on paper in the Big 12.
Veteran quarterback Alan Bowman will be back under center for the Cowboys.
Pick: Oklahoma State Over 8 wins -150 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The worst case with this number is a push.
The Cowboys have some easy nonconference games to get them going.
In the conference, Oklahoma State is always difficult to take down at home and has enough talent to compete on the road.
5. UCF Golden Knights
- 2023 Record: (6-7)
- Key Additions: Nyjalik Kelly (DE), Penny Boone (RB), KJ Jefferson (QB),
- Key Losses: Jordan McDonald (RB), Javon Baker (WR), John Rhys Plumlee (QB), Tylan Grable (OL)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +950
- Favorite Future Bet: UCF Over 7.5 wins -105
The Golden Knights begin their second year apart of the Big 12.
Last year was considered a success as UCF reached the six-win mark in its first year in the conference.
Former Arkansas signal-caller KJ Jefferson is set to be the starter in week one.
Pick: UCF Over 7.5 wins -105 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I love what the Knights did in the portal.
Jefferson brings a wealth of experience and will perform well in this league.
Boone was a great pickup who will help the Knights rush game and take some pressure off Jefferson.
UCF will need to be better on defense this year to reach eight wins.
6. Kansas Jayhawks
- 2023 Record: (9-4)
- Key Additions: Bai Jobe (DE), Deshawn Hanika (TE), Darell Simmons JR (IOL)
- Key Losses: Ar’maj Reed-Adams (IOL), Austin Booker (DE(, Dominick Puni (OG)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +950
- Favorite Future Bet: Kansas Over 8 wins -140
The Jayhawks return veteran quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal.
Kansas enjoyed their best season since 2007 in 2023.
Kansas's defense was much better a year ago, allowing opponents 26.5 points per game.
Pick: Kansas Over 8 wins -140 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Kansas can be a top-25 team this season.
Daniels will be a top quarterback in the conference, and if he can stay healthy, this team's potential is limitless.
The Jayhawks' defense was much improved a year ago, and they brought back the bulk of their roster.
8. Iowa State Cyclones
- 2023 Record: (7-6)
- Key Additions: Eli Green (WR), Ryan Robinson Jr (CB), Jaylon Jackson (RB)
- Key Losses: Arlen Harris (RB), TJ Tampa (CB),
- Big 12 Title Odds: +1000
- Favorite Future Bet: Iowa State Under 7.5 wins +130
2023 was a good year for Iowa State, which reached a bowl game after a poor showing in 2022 (4-6).
Quarterback Rocco Becht returns under center for the Cyclones.
The strength of the Cyclones is their defense, which returns multiple key starters.
Pick: Iowa State under 7.5 wins +120 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I love the value of this bet.
While the Cyclones' defense will be above average, I question whether their offense can compete and keep pace with the rest of the conference.
At plus money, this is a strong wager.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
- 2023 Record: (7-6)
- Key Additions: Josh Kelly (WR), Davion Carter (IOL), Vinny Sciury (IOL)
- Key Losses: Dairdon Taylor-Demerson (CB), Myles Cole (OLB)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +1400
- Favorite Future Bet: Texas Tech Under 7.5 wins +110
The 2023 campaign was a bit disappointing for the Red Raiders.
Signal caller Behern Morton returns for the Red Raiders.
Running back Tahj Brooks is one of the best in college football, rushing for 1,536 yards a year ago.
Pick: Texas Tech Under 7.5 wins +110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Tech has the offensive firepower to compete in the Big 12.
Where they will struggle is on defense.
I do not believe the Red Raider's defense is strong enough to win eight games this season.
10. West Virginia Mountaineers
- 2023 Record: (9-4)
- Key Additions: T.J Jackson (DL), Ayden Garnes (CB), TJ Crandall (CB)
- Key Losses: Tomiwa Durojaiye (DL), Zach Frazier (OL), Devin Carter (WR)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +1800
- Favorite Future Bet: West Virginia Over 6.5 wins -135
The Mountaineers enjoyed their best season since 2016, a year ago.
West Virginia returns a lot of that same team this year.
Quarterback Garrett Greene will return under center, leading this offense.
Pick: West Virginia Over 6.5 wins -135 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
This line is mispriced, and we will take advantage of that.
West Virginia could potentially compete for a conference championship.
I am also sprinkling the Mountaineers to win the Big 12 at +1800
11. Colorado Buffaloes
- 2023 Record: (4-8)
- Key Additions: BJ Green III (DE), Dayon Hayes (DE), Tyler Johnson (IOL), Quincey Wiggins (DE)
- Key Losses: Xavier Weaver (WR), Rodrick Ward (S), Jordan Domineck (LB)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +3000
- Favorite Future Bet: Colorado Over 5.5 wins -145
Over the past two years, the Buffaloes have become one of the biggest stories in college football.
Head coach Deion Sanders will begin his first year part of the Big 12.
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter headline this Buffaloes roster.
Pick: Colorado Over 5.5 wins -145 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
This pick will be trendy entering the season.
While the Buffaloes still have issues on defense, their offense will win them games in the Big 12.
Additionally, the Buffaloes will earn a couple of wins in nonconference games.
12. Baylor Bears
- 2023 Record: (3-9)
- Key Additions: Dequan Finn (QB), Omar Aigbedion (OLB), Kendrick Simpkins (S)
- Key Losses: Drake Dabney (TE), Gabe Hall (DT),
- Big 12 Title Odds: +6000
- Favorite Future Bet: Baylor Under 5.5 wins +100
The Bears had a disastrous 2023 season.
Baylor is now expected to finish towards the back end of the conference.
Toledo transfer Dequan Finn will take over this offensive unit.
Pick: Baylor Under 5.5 wins +110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Baylor will remain one of the worst teams in the conference.
While I like the pick-up of Finn, it does not take the Bears to the next level.
Baylor will struggle to compete in a conference filled with offensive talent this year.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats
- 2023 Record: (3-9)
- Key Additions: Brendan Sorsby (QB), Chamon Metayer (TE), Evan Pryor (RB)
- Key Losses: Myles Montgomery (RB), Jowon Briggs (DL)
- Big 12 Title Odds: +8000
- Favorite Future Bet: Cincinnati Under 5.5 wins +100
The Bear Cats will attempt to bounce back after a rough season in 2023.
Brendan Sorsby will take over this Bear Cat offense and hopes to improve on last season's performance.
Pick: Cincinnati Under 5.5 wins +100 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
With plus money, we will fade the Bearcats.
This roster did not improve much in the off-season.
While Sorsby has talent, the lack of talent around him will be an issue for the Bearcats.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
- 2023 Record: (3-9)
- Key Additions: Raleek Brown (RB), Cole Martin (CB), Sam Leavitt (QB)
- Key Losses: Jaden Rashada (QB), BJ Green (DL), Jalin Conyers (TE)
- Favorite Future Bet: Arizona State Under 4.5 wins -160
The Sun Devils' last season was rough, and they will attempt to bounce back this year.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham will begin his second season in Tempe.
Quarterback Sam Levaitt is expected to take over this offense.
Pick: Arizona State Under 4.5 wins -160 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I think the Sun Devils are the worst team in the conference.
The quarterback position will be a major concern, and the Sun Devils will not be able to keep pace with these high-powered offensive teams.
Lastly, Arizona State will be amongst the worst defensive teams in the conference.
15. Houston Cougars
- 2023 Record: (4-8)
- Key Additions: Corey Platt Jr (LB), Kendre Grant (LB), Maliq Carr (TE)
- Key Losses: Jamarre Caldwell ( DL), Matthew Golden (WR), Sam Brown (WR), Tyler Johnson (IOL)
- Big 12 Title Odds +11000
- Favorite Future Bet: Houston Over 3.5 wins -142
Houston will need to bounce back after a poor showing in 2023.
The transfer portal hit the Cougars hard, losing multiple key skill position players.
Quarterback Donovan Smith will lead the Cougars offense.
Pick: Houston Over 3.5 wins -142 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
This number is too low.
Despite Houston losing some key players, talent remains on this offense.
The Cougars have multiple games out of the conference they will be favored in and can steal a game or two at home in Big 12 play.
16. BYU Cougars
- 2023 Record: (5-7)
- Key Additions: Jack Kelly (DE), Treyson Bourguet (QB), Marque Collins (CB)
- Key Losses: John Henry Daley (DE), Kingsley Sumataia (OL), Kedon Slovis (QB)
- Title Odds +12000
- Favorite Future Bet: BYU Over 4 wins -110
The Cougars reached five wins in their first year of the Big 12.
Gerry Bohanon is expected to take over as the team's starting quarterback.
The Cougars defense will need to bounce back this year.
Pick: BYU Over 4 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
At this low number, the Cougars are worth a look.
BYU has a schedule that is weak enough to get over this number.
College Football Odds
