Our Big 12 Power Rankings are back! Despite the conference’s recent shakeup, our ranking process remains unchanged. Each of our experts has carefully evaluated the 16 Big 12 teams, ranking them from first to worst. These individual rankings were then compiled into a consensus ranking.
First place is worth 16 points, second place 15, and so on.
Below, you’ll find our individual rankings, along with explanations for our top three and bottom two choices. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Let’s see if you agree with our rankings!
2024 Heartland Sports Big 12 Power Rankings, Week 1
| Ranking | Points |
| 1. Utah | 64 |
| 2. Oklahoma State | 60 |
| 3. Kansas State | 54 |
| 4. Arizona | 50 |
| 5. Kansas | 49 |
| 6. West Virginia | 44 |
| 7. Iowa State | 43 |
| 8. Texas Tech | 32 |
| 9. UCF | 31 |
| 10. TCU | 30 |
| 11. Colorado | 24 |
| 12. Baylor | 21 |
| 13.BYU | 14 |
| 14. Cincinnati | 11 |
| 15. Houston | 9 |
| 16. Arizona State | 8 |
Individual Thoughts
Caleb
1 Utah: The Utes fell to 8-5 last year without Cam Rising. They return WRs Money Parks and Mycah Pittman, TE Landen King, and RBs Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover and will have 8 starters back on defense from the 2023 season. With the return of Rising, there’s no reason this offense shouldn’t be one of the top offenses in the big 12 and the nation.
2 Oklahoma State: Ollie Gordon should I say more? Gordon was one of the best backs last year and should only get better this season. With Alan Bowman playing in his 17th season of college football, this OSU offense will be a power house.
3 Kansas: Lance Leipold has taken the Jayhawks from 2-10 to 9-4 with a bowl victory. With QB Jalon Daniels and RB Devin Neal back in 2024, if Jalon Daniels can stay healthy this could be a very dangerous Kansas team.
4 West Virginia
5 Kansas State:
6 Arizona
7 Iowa State
8 Texas Tech
9 Colorado
10 TCU
11 UCF
12 Cincinnati
13 Baylor
14 Houston
15 Arizona State: Second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham has his work cut out for him, losing Jaden Rashada to Georgia through the portal this spring doesn’t help this ASU squad at all heading into the big 12. Coming off a 3-9 season, I don’t see them making too much progress in their first season in the big 12.
16 BYU: QB Gerry Bohanon has an experienced group of pass catchers to throw to, he didn’t throw a pass for USF last year due to injury. The BYU offense just lacks big time play makers and the addition of Bohanon doesn’t make me think that will change anytime soon.
Craig
1. Utah – The Utes are my pick for winning the Big 12 this year. With one of the most experienced QB’s in Cameron Rising they should be poised for a great first season in the conference.
2. Oklahoma State – No one has done more with less than Mike Gundy at OSU. The Cowboys have been on the rise for the last decade. Now, with Oklahoma and Texas removed from the conference, it’s time for Oklahoma State to take over as the top dog of the Big 12.
3. Kansas State – The Wildcats are another team that has a great shot at making the conference title game. Coming in at preseason #18 sets up Kansas State for a potentially great season.
4. Arizona
5. Kansas
6. West Virginia
7. Iowa State
8. TCU
9. Texas Tech
10. UCF
11. Baylor
12. BYU
13. Colorado
14. Arizona State
15. Cincinnati – Cincinnati is in the midst of a rebuild as they go into year two of Head Coach Scott Satterfield. The Bearcats might be more talented this season, but they are still way undersized for a Power 4 conference.
16. Houston – Houston struggled a year ago in the Big 12. To make it worse, they lost 30 players during the off season. It will be quite the rebuild for the Cougars.
Matt
1. Utah | The team has a strong core of returning players, including star quarterback Cameron Rising, and has also added key transfers. With good health, the Utes are expected to be a major contender for the conference title.
2. Oklahoma State | After a strong 2023 season that included a Big 12 title game appearance, the Cowboys return key players like running back Ollie Gordon II and quarterback Alan Bowman. They hope to contend for the Big 12 championship again in 2024.
3. Kansas State | The Wildcats have a new quarterback, Avery Johnson, and a strong team overall, including skilled players and an experienced defense. If their offensive line performs well, they could challenge for another Big 12 title under coach Chris Klieman.
4. Arizona
5. Kansas
6. Iowa State
7. West Virginia
8. UCF
9. Texas Tech
10. Colorado
11. TCU
12. Baylor
13. BYU
14. Houston
15. Arizona State | The Sun Devils have added many new transfers, particularly on offense, and have promising young players. Staying healthy could lead to a significant improvement this season.
16. Cincinnati | The Bearcats have a strong running game and an improved defense, but they also face the challenges of a new quarterback and facing high-powered conference offenses. Their success will likely depend on quarterback quality and making big offensive plays.
Zack
1. Utah | The Utes are the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 and with good reason. Utah finished 8-5 in the final season of the PAC-12, and that was without star quarterback Cameron Rising. Rising is back after an injury redshirt season, and the Utes have a lot of upside in their first season in the Big 12.
2. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys return the most starters in the conference, and they hope to add another double-digit win season to the record books. Ollie Gordon is a Heisman candidate, and the experience on both sides of the ball could be enough to get them not just into the Big 12 Championship game, but into the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
3. Kansas State | The Wildcats are consistently underrated, but not this season. The media voted them 2nd in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, and they also return a handful of starters on both sides of the ball.
4. Arizona
5. Iowa State
6. Kansas
7. West Virginia
8. UCF
9. TCU
10. Texas Tech
11. Baylor
12. Colorado
13. BYU
14. Cincinnati
15. Houston | The Cougars had a rough time in their first season in the Big 12 last year, and it’s not going to be any better this season. With the fewest returning starters in the conference, maybe some drastic changes can lead to a turnaround of sorts, but I wouldn’t bank on it.
16. Arizona State | The Sun Devils better buckle in. They thought their last season in the PAC-12 was rough…
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