Big 12 Preview: Conference In Transition
The heavy hitters, the stalwarts of the Big 12 conference are on their way out. Texas and Oklahoma are embarking on their final seasons as members of the Big 12. All Oklahoma has done is win half of all the conference championships since the conception of the Big 12 in 1996.
Both the Longhorns and the Sooners have one more season to put together a Big 12 Championship before joining the reputable Southeastern Conference on July 1st, 2024. Texas seems poised to lead a push to win their first Big 12 Championship since 2009. As the Sooners are trying to prove last season's troubles were just a first-year coach fluke.
Four New Teams Enter
The Big 12 did not sit idle as their two biggest football brands were leaving. They went out and grabbed three of the best teams from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and independent Brigham Young University (BYU) to bring in to help replace what was being lost. The Houston Cougars, Cincinnati Bearcats, and the University of Central Florida Knights (UCF) join BYU in their inaugural seasons in the Big 12 in 2023.
TCU And Kansas State Made Statements In 2022
Last season Texas Christian University (TCU) finished the regular season undefeated and 12-0. A run that landed TCU in the College Football’s Playoffs, where they defeated Michigan impressively in the national semifinals before being defeated badly by Georgia in the championship game. In the Big 12 Championship game, Kansas State won the conference championship over TCU. Giving the Wildcats the Big 12 title and finished the season 10-4. In The Shadows
The question remains what team and brand steps up to lead this new Big 12 after Texas and Oklahoma leave for the SEC? The door is open for teams like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Baylor who have shown success over the last 10-15 years but have always remained in the shadows of the heavyweights. Never fully being able to take the reins consistently. All 3 teams took a step back last season. Can they rebound in 2023? Show they are capable of being the class of the new Big 12.
Four More New Teams Are Coming
In 2024, the Big 12 will bring in four more teams from the PAC 12, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado. This will bring the new Big 12 to 16 teams next season. Can the 2-time defending PAC 12 Champions Utah Utes establish themselves as a new Big 12 leader next season? There are so many questions moving forward in the conference in transition, however, the long time stalwarts hope to go out with a bang this season. 2023 Possibilities
The Longhorns have talent all over their roster but have come up short on the field for over a decade. Can they leave the Big 12 on a winning note? Show they are ready for the challenge of the SEC? Coach Venables and his Sooners are counting on re-establishing their supremacy before joining the SEC. Will we see their final season In the Big 12 result in a Texas versus Oklahoma conference championship game? Or can TCU or Kansas St find their way back? Or do one of these other teams come out from behind the shadows to show their power for the new Big 12 future?
Catch College SporstCast Big 12 Season Preview and Predictions Show 2023 as well as follow your favorite platforms on our Linktree page.
Do you play fantasy sports? Check out Trophy Smack for your next league prize! If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our Youtube channel & Newsletter for SR Original Shows & more! Finally, give our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok & Threads a follow, all of which have great content!