The revamped Huge 12 debuts in 2024 that includes 16 groups for the primary time in historical past. Texas and Oklahoma are gone, however nationwide contenders Utah and Arizona headline one other crop of newcomers for the second straight season, this time from the Pac-12.
After a tumultuous last season earlier than realignment, lots of the 16 Huge 12 groups are going by a rebuilding section in 2024. Each returning program within the league misplaced at the least 4 video games final season, together with Huge 12 finalist Oklahoma State. The lone exception, Arizona, underwent a training change after a stellar 10-3 marketing campaign. The 4 newcomers who transitioned to the ability conferences all completed with shedding information.
Finally, all of the turnover means the Huge 12 is extensive open in 2024. And much more essential, the winner of the extremely aggressive league is all however assured a visit to the School Soccer Playoff, making this a debut season for the ages.
The tone for the Huge 12 race will begin in spring ball. This is one query every Huge 12 workforce has to reply in spring ball to make some noise in 2024.
Arizona
Is Brent Brennan up to the mark? The Wildcats had been a possible Huge 12 championship favourite heading into the offseason after a breakout 10-win marketing campaign, however shedding coach Jedd Fisch threw a bucket of chilly water on all the things. The Wildcats misplaced 22 transfers after the teaching change, with 9 following Fisch to Washington.
Nevertheless, first-year coach Brennan earned an enormous win as quarterback Noah Fifita and extensive receiver Tetairoa McMillan opted to return in 2024. Fifita hit McMillan for 90 catches, 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns as among the finest QB-WR duos in faculty soccer. The return offers Arizona one thing particular to construct upon.
Now, Brennan’s main job is shortly adjusting to his roster and constructing on the earlier two seasons. The Wildcats stay a Huge 12 darkish horse if Brennan could make a clean transition. Serving to issues, numerous his assistant coaches beforehand labored at Arizona.
Arizona State
Who steps in for Jaden Rashada? The Solar Devils had been cursed at quarterback final season, struggling so many accidents that operating again Cameron Skattebo and tight finish Jalin Conyers took snaps underneath heart. The 2024 season is not getting off to an excellent begin, both, with Rashada lacking spring ball after present process hand surgical procedure.
The Solar Devils had been lively within the switch portal and added Michigan State switch Sam Leavitt, however they nonetheless have solely three whole quarterbacks on the roster. With Rashada sidelined, that quantity falls to 2 lively quarterbacks in spring ball, with out even a walk-on listed. Whereas Leavitt offers the Solar Devils some insurance coverage, Arizona State cannot afford a repeat of 2023.
Baylor
Who fills the defensive gaps? An inconsistent offense took the majority of the blame for a disappointing 2023 season, however the horrific protection really outlined the putrid 3-9 marketing campaign. The Bears ranked No. 115 in rush protection and had been one among solely 5 power-conference groups to give up greater than 5.0 yards per carry.
The Bears shuffled their employees overseeing defensive position and linebackers, and introduced in 310-pound JUCO switch Tonga Lolohea and linebacker Keaton Thomas to offer fast assist stopping the run. Nonetheless, the majority of the Bears’ run protection in 2024 depends on inside enchancment. Baylor suffered a setback to its depth after two potential defensive deal with contributors medically retired. Can Dave Aranda afford rising pains as he enters the yr on the new seat?
BYU
What is the plan at QB? With Kedon Slovis out of eligibility, the Cougars had been aggressive fielding choices within the quarterback room. Former No. 1 JUCO QB recruit Jake Retzlaff performed effectively in aid final season, practically main upsets of each Oklahoma colleges and exhibiting some severe mobility. As well as, the Cougars added switch Gerry Bohanon, who led Baylor to a Huge 12 championship in 2021, and younger Western Michigan switch Treyson Bourguet. Bohanon offers BYU the very best flooring however has limitations as a passer. Retzlaff has some dynamic upside however accomplished simply half of his passes. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has key selections to make this spring.
Cincinnati
Will the protection enhance in 12 months 2? The Bearcats had been a proud defensive program throughout their run within the AAC, however the unit underachieved dramatically throughout their first Huge 12 season. Regardless of being projected as a possible top-end unit within the convention, Cincinnati as a substitute posted its worst per-play protection. It gave up a putrid 5.4 yards per carry regardless of returning star defensive deal with Dontay Corleone.
The Bearcats neatly seemed to one of many high defensive schematic packages within the nation, bringing Iowa State affiliate coach Tyson Veidt to run the unit. The Cyclones revolutionized the 3-3-5 underneath well-regarded defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and have persistently been the league’s greatest protection since Matt Campbell arrived in 2016. Veidt was round for the complete journey.
Solely 4 of the highest 10 snap leaders on protection are again in 2024, however Corleone offers the Bearcats a constructing block. Cincinnati additionally aggressively focused the defensive again group within the portal, bringing in six transfers. The mix of schematic improve and new additions will make the protection a high precedence in camp.
Colorado
Can the offensive line enhance in any respect? The Buffaloes ranked as one of many FBS’ worst blocking groups final season, giving up 56 sacks and paving the way in which for a dashing common of two.3 yards per carry. Each marks ranked because the worst within the Energy 5 and doomed Colorado throughout a 4-8 debut underneath Deion Sanders.
Making issues worse, Colorado misplaced two starters to the switch portal. Offensive line is a chemistry place and fully ranging from scratch places them proper again the place they had been final yr.
The Buffaloes made the offensive line a precedence over the offseason, including 5 transfers and No. 1 offensive deal with recruit Jordan Seaton. Colorado additionally employed former NFL lineman Phil Loadholt as offensive line coach. That mentioned, the Buffaloes added seven switch offensive linemen earlier than the 2023 season however nonetheless struggled. “Coach Prime” has his work reduce out for him.
Houston
How shortly can Willie Fritz develop the roster? Recruiting was not a precedence underneath former coach Dana Holgorsen, which in the end value him his job. The Cougars coasted by the Huge 12 with a shallow roster in 2023 and had solely 14 highschool gamers dedicated when Fritz took over this system.
Fritz moved shortly to attempt to rectify the state of affairs, including 18 transfers and two JUCO recruits for depth. Eight gamers got here within the trenches. Nonetheless, constructing roster power is a multi-year course of, and there aren’t any ensures of success after a 4-8 Huge 12 debut. Whereas Tulane will in the end be checked out as the larger rebuild for Fritz – particularly in a pre-transfer portal period – it took Fritz three seasons to make a bowl with the Inexperienced Wave.
Iowa State
Can the offense develop underneath Taylor Mouser? Final season, the Cyclones had been some of the improved offenses within the Huge 12 from Week 1 to Week 14. After averaging simply 21 factors per sport by the primary half of the season, Iowa State jumped to 30 factors per sport during the last seven video games. Freshman quarterback Rocco Becht was particularly robust, throwing 10 touchdowns to just one interception in his last 4 video games.
Lots of the high playmakers are again for an additional yr, however this system suffered a setback when star offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase opted to go away for the Los Angeles Rams. Matt Campbell opted to remain inside and promote tight ends coach Taylor Mouser, who has been with Campbell since he was a grad assistant at Toledo in 2015. Mouser has coached tight ends since 2021, which has been one of many Cyclones’ high place teams underneath Campbell, however Scheelhaase left massive sneakers.
Kansas
How’s the backup QB state of affairs? Jalon Daniels, final yr’s Preseason Huge 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months, in the end performed simply three video games due to nagging again accidents. Daniels spurned switch rumors to return to Kansas in 2024, making the Jayhawks a dark-horse Huge 12 contender. Nevertheless, Kansas did lose gifted backup Jason Bean to commencement. Bean excelled as Daniels’ backup, scoring 39 touchdowns over the previous two seasons. Now, former walk-on Cole Ballard is the projected backup. Not like final season, the Jayhawks cannot afford for Daniels to overlook video games.
Kansas State
How shortly will the OL group come alongside? The Wildcats boasted among the finest offensive line teams within the Huge 12 final season behind All-American Cooper Beebe, however the group is ranging from scratch. The Wildcats are changing 4 starters within the unit proper as this system breaks in new beginning quarterback Avery Johnson. Offensive line coach Connor Riley aggressively added North Dakota switch Easton Kilty to man the left deal with place, however a number of others will stay open competitions. The Wildcats have numerous younger gamers with upside, however discovering a gaggle of 5 stays high precedence.
Oklahoma State
Will the protection take a step? The Cowboys employed ex-Division II coordinator Bryan Nardo to carry a 3-3-5 protection to Stillwater final season, however the outcomes had been decidedly inconsistent. Oklahoma State ranked backside 10 nationally in whole protection and gave up an astonishing 8.7 yards per cross try.
Nardo’s protection confirmed flashes and tended to enhance within the second half of video games. The Cowboys additionally profit from a handful of key returners, together with linebacker Collin Oliver and cornerback Korie Black. With nearly the complete offense again, the distinction between Huge 12 rivalry comes all the way down to continued development from this unit.
TCU
Can Andy Avalos repair the protection? Only one yr after going to the nationwide championship sport, the Horned Frogs have flipped each coordinators. Regardless of returning a extremely rated secondary group, TCU fielded one of many worst passing defenses within the Huge 12 and posted the worst turnover margin within the convention.
To stem the tide, Sonny Dykes introduced in former Boise State coach Avalos to run the protection. The Frogs beforehand ran a base 3-3-5 system, however Avalos ran extra 4-2-5 at Boise State, which represents a return to the system that Gary Patterson used for 20 years. Whereas Avalos struggled with because the Broncos coach, his monitor document as a defensive coordinator is robust.
Texas Tech
Who steps up on the offensive line? The Pink Raiders are ranging from scratch on the offensive line after 4 starters departed from Joey McGuire’s Independence Bowl squad. Texas Tech acquired a present when 42-game starter Caleb Rogers opted to return for his tremendous senior season, however just one different lineman on the roster (Ty Buchanan) performed greater than seven snaps final yr.
Rogers is anticipated to slip inside to fortify an inexperienced unit. The Pink Raiders additionally added three offensive line transfers – Toledo’s Vinny Sciury, Memphis’ Davion Carter and Center Tennessee’s Sterling Porcher. Maurice Rodriques additionally held numerous massive affords out of JUCO. A handful of returners may additionally issue into the image, like Buchanan and junior Caleb Rodkey. After a slight step again in 2023, the Pink Raiders want this unit to hit.
UCF
Can the Knights get extra bodily? UCF made the smoothest transition of the newcomers to the Huge 12, however outcomes had been nonetheless extremely inconsistent. Outdoors of a weird 45-3 win over Oklahoma State, the Knights’ solely Huge 12 wins had been over fellow newcomers Cincinnati and Houston. In opposition to one of the best of the convention, the Knights obtained pushed round defensively, ending final within the convention towards the run.
UCF added a number of key transfers at linebacker however in any other case opted to wager on inside enchancment alongside the defensive position. Defensive deal with Ricky Barber opted to return for an additional season, whereas former Oklahoma switch Derrick LeBlanc may issue into the rotation. Class of 2023 DT recruit John Walker rated as one of the best recruit in program historical past.
Greater than half of the 21 defensive linemen on the 2023 roster had been listed as freshmen or sophomores, so there’s loads of upside remaining as Gus Malzahn tries to construct a Huge 12-caliber dashing protection.
Utah
Is the passing sport able to go? The Utes’ disappointing 2023 marketing campaign was outlined by main accidents, however the losses may spell a powerful 2024. Quarterback Cameron Rising and tight finish Brant Kuithe are again, giving Utah one of many strongest combos within the Huge 12. Utah was additionally aggressive within the switch portal, including USC receiver switch Dorian Singer and Washington’s Taeshaun Lyons to solidify their group. If Rising is totally recovered from his ACL tear and the brand new additions pair with returner Cash Parks effectively, the Utes needs to be preseason favorites to win the Huge 12.
West Virginia
Can Garrett Greene develop as a passer? Greene was some of the dynamic gamers within the Huge 12 throughout his first season as a starter. Through the Mountaineers’ shock nine-win marketing campaign, Greene posted a 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and rushed for practically 800 yards to guide an exhilarating offense.
Nonetheless, Greene was a wildly boom-or-bust passer. He posted 5 video games underneath 200 yards passing and hit 60% completion solely thrice. His common depth of goal performed a task – 13.5 yards downfield ranked third within the nation amongst certified passers – however his 43% completion fee on intermediate passes ranked bottom-five within the nation.
Between Greene and operating backs C.J. Donaldson and Jahiem White, the Mountaineers will subject one of many nation’s high rush offenses. Including a extra constant passing assault may elevate WVU in direction of contender standing.