3 biggest predictions for Big 12 in 2024 college football season
The Big 12 will look significantly different in 2024 as the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns make the move to the SEC. Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, Colorado Buffaloes and Utah Utes all joined the conference from the Pac-12, bringing the total number of teams to 16.
While the college football season is set to kick off in less than a month with eight teams in action on August 24, none of the Big 12 teams will be among the group on the field that weekend. Instead, each of the conference's programs will begin their season the following weekend.
With the 2024 college football season rapidly approaching, take a look at three predictions for the Big 12.
3 biggest predictions for Big 12 in the 2024 college football season
#1: The Utah Utes will win the Big 12 Championship Game
The Utah Utes had a down season in 2023, however, they are expected to bounce back. While their +6000 odds of winning a national title are tied for just 16th in the nation, they are the best in the conference. Utah's +310 odds to win the Big 12 Championship Game are the best of any of the conference's 16 programs. Look for the Utes to claim the conference title.
#2: Only one Big 12 program will go to the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff is set to expand from four to 12 teams in 2024. The expansion takes place at the same time that the Big 12 has expanded to 16 teams due to conference realignment. Under the new format, the five highest-ranked conference winners will qualify for the position, in addition to the next seven highest-ranked teams.
If last year's postseason were played under the same rules, none of the 16 Big 12 teams would have qualified. Look for them to get one team in this year as the postseason committee allowing the five highest-ranked conference winners should work in their favor.
#3: The Big 12 will not live up to Brett Yormark's claim of being a top-three conference
Brett Yormark made national headlines during Big 12 media days when he labeled the league as a top-three conference in the nation. While the SEC and Big Ten are undoubtedly the top two conferences, the third spot seemingly comes down to the ACC and Big 12. Look for the former to solidify its status as the third-best conference after the latter lost its top-two programs.