Big 12 Football Preview and Predictions for 2025 Season

After a topsy-turvy season in which Arizona State soared to a stunning Big 12 crown, the 2025 campaign may be another wild one in the conference.

However, the league is still chasing the Sun Devils.

Nevertheless, that target on ASU's back has a host of contenders. Three programs also landed in the preseason AP Top 25, and three more schools loomed as the highest finishers on the very outside of the poll.

The conference is stacked with intrigue, and we'll explore that in a preview with top players, major storylines, key games and other topics to know in 2025.

Arizona State won a conference title behind quarterback Sam Leavitt, and star receiver Jordyn Tyson played an integral part of the Sun Devils' rise until a late injury ended his season.

The league is quietly strong at QB, too.

In addition to Leavitt, the Big 12 is set to showcase Baylor's Sawyer Robertson, Iowa State's Rocco Becht, Kansas State's Avery Johnson and TCU's Josh Hoover at the position.

Colorado transfer Kaidon Salter has plenty to prove at this level, but he had a terrific career at Liberty, particularly during a 13-1 season in 2023.

Utah right tackle Spencer Fano is a returning second-team AP All-American. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season, as did Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and ASU safety Xavion Alford.

Texas Tech has a newcomer to know in Stanford transfer David Bailey, who's poised to elevate the Red Raiders' pass rush.

Arizona State's Drive to Repeat

Kenny Dillingham took over a flailing program in 2023 and promptly went 3-9, which was no surprise. Last year, ASU entered the campaign as the projected last-place finisher in the Big 12. Turns out the joke was on us. The team soared to a Big 12 title and returns a bulk of that production, especially on defense. While the Sun Devils aren't a runaway favorite, they're certainly the preseason leader.

Colorado's New Reality

Gone are Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, two players the caliber of which Colorado simply did not have prior to Deion Sanders' arrival. Now, without his son playing QB and a generational two-way player, it's time for the head coach to show he can build a sustainable program in Boulder.

Texas Tech's Big-Money Gamble

Armed with a well-funded collective—nice to have a billionaire former player, you know—the Red Raiders flexed their NIL muscle in the transfer portal this offseason. But now, the important part: Showing that strength on the field.

Utah's Offensive Reload

Cam Rising's continued injury woes led to a disappointing year at Utah, which has an interesting outlook for 2025. While the offensive line returns all five starters, the skill-position group—led by New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier at QB—is completely new. Will the overhaul spark a resurgence for the Utes in what might be longtime coach Kyle Whittingham's final season?

Tier 1: Arizona State

In case you needed a reminder, the final Big 12 standings in 2024 showed we can rarely be certain about a team. Still, with a returning QB, star wideout and veteran defense, ASU is the safest bet to contend in the conference.

Tier 2: Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Utah

Behold, the most subjective category on the planet right now. Perhaps you don't feel strongly about one of these programs, and there's a rational argument for or against any of them. None appears to be a true national threat, but a fortunate bounce and a lucky break or two may be enough for a Big 12 title.

Tier 3: Kansas and TCU

They're probably fine? You could toss BYU and Colorado into this section, too. Anything less than a bowl appearance would be disappointing, but an awful lot would have to go perfectly for them to play for a conference crown.

After a reasonably quiet year—UCF and West Virginia hired old friends Scott Frost and Rich Rodriguez—the carousel may spin a little quicker in 2025.

The hottest seat belongs to Scott Satterfield, who is 8-16 in two years at Cincinnati. While the financial implications of his buyout are a real factor, a third straight losing record may outweigh the dollar discussion.

Brent Brennan is only entering his second campaign with Arizona, so his buyout may influence a decision in Tucson, too. But after a 4-8 season, there is potential for loud grumbling if the 'Cats struggle again.

We can hardly remember when Mike Gundy was not in charge at Oklahoma State. However, a 3-9 year and behind-the-scenes unrest have his seat warming.

Let's start here: Kyle Whittingham will never be fired at Utah.

Another rough year would lead to calls for a resignation and a change to defensive coordinator/head-coach-in-waiting Morgan Scalley in 2026, though.

Nonconference Games

Aug. 29: Auburn at Baylor
Sep. 1: TCU at North Carolina
Sep. 6: Iowa at Iowa State; Kansas at Missouri; Baylor at SMU
Sep. 13: Pitt at West Virginia
Sep. 20: SMU at TCU

The first two contests pit a Big 12 squad against big-name coaches Hugh Freeze and Bill Belichick in Week 1. The remainder are traditional rivalries, highlighted by the first tilt between Baylor and SMU since 2016.

Top Conference Matchups

Aug. 23: Iowa State vs. Kansas State (in Dublin, Ireland)
Oct. 11: Arizona State at Utah
Oct. 18: Texas Tech at Arizona State
Nov. 1: Arizona State at Iowa State; Texas Tech at Kansas State
Nov. 22: Kansas State at Utah

In theory, these five matchups will have a considerable impact on the Big 12 standings. Iowa State and Kansas State kick off the season with a Week 0 showdown in Dublin, while the middle of the campaign is stacked with key games for Arizona State and Texas Tech in particular.

Best of the Rest

Sep. 20: Baylor at Arizona State; Texas Tech at Utah
Sep. 26: TCU at Arizona State
Oct. 11: Kansas at Texas Tech; TCU at Kansas State
Oct. 18: Utah at BYU
Nov. 15: Utah at Baylor

Consider this the "if they're actually going to compete" section. These are marquee opportunities for teams such as Baylor, BYU, Kansas, TCU and even Utah. At the very least, it might be the difference between, say, 6-6 and 8-4.

As long as senior quarterback Behren Morton is healthy, Texas Tech is going to score. We can be confident about that.

The offense put up 37.6 points per game in 2024 behind the gunslinger, who threw for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He dealt with a lingering shoulder issue all year, so his potential when healthy is exciting.

Although the blocking group only returns two starters, three experienced transfers are expected to shore up the offensive line.

Plus, the receiving corps is strong. Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin return after notching at least 650 yards and six touchdowns apiece in 2024, and transfer Reggie Virgil had 816 yards at Miami (Ohio) last season.

Yes, there is bad news.

Running back Quinten Joyner, a transfer from USC, just tore an ACL in a scrimmage. He'll miss the upcoming season. Tech is now expected to lean on returning backups J'Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey at the position.

Whether the transfer-fueled defense ends up improving will probably shape the Red Raiders' true upside, but this offense looks terrific.

The offense became a mess without Cam Rising last season. What didn't struggle, though—not until mid-November anyway—was the defense.

Early on, the Utes leaned heavily on the unit during a 4-0 start. Even as the team tanked into a seven-game skid, the defense held Arizona, TCU, Houston and BYU—four of the first five losses—to 22 points or below.

And, hey, that was nothing new.

Throw out the shortened 2020 campaign, and Utah has yielded no more than 24 points per game for a whole decade. (It's no wonder Morgan Scalley, the defensive coordinator since 2016, is the coach-in-waiting.)

Utah returns top tackler Landon Barton, and fellow linebacker Levani Damuni is healthy after an Achilles injury sidelined him in 2024. Plus, the secondary is sturdy with safeties Tao Johnson and Rabbit Evans behind Scooby Davis, Smith Snowden and UC Davis transfer Blake Cotton in coverage.

The primary task for the Utes is retooling the front, but the program has churned out sturdy lines for a long time.

As long as that happens again, Utah should have a high-end defense.

1. Kansas State

2. Arizona State

3. Iowa State

4. Utah

5. Texas Tech

6. Baylor

7. TCU

8. Kansas

9. BYU

10. Oklahoma State

11. Colorado

12. West Virginia

13. UCF

14. Arizona

15. Houston

16. Cincinnati

Simply due to the format of this preview and my hot, hot takes, there hasn't been an ideal moment to talk about Kansas State.

Fitting, really.

Somehow, some way, the program from the Little Apple just keeps contending. Sure, the Wildcats squandered a shot in 2024 with a mini-collapse in November, but they've won nine or 10 games in three consecutive years. Dual-threat QB Avery Johnson is back to lead another quality K-State roster.

Iowa State has a serious shot to crash the party because of a favorable schedule. I'll stick with the preseason hype for Arizona State, though.

Leavitt and Tyson are among the best QB/WR combinations in the country, and Army transfer Kanye Udoh is a great running back. While he won't replace the versatile impact of Cam Skattebo, the Sun Devils look improved as a whole on offense with a ton of experience on defense.

Entering the year, we'll take ASU over K-State on this championship stage. But we're going to find out soon if the unpredictable Big 12 lives up to its billing.