In a recent article from On3’s Jesse Simonton, three teams from the Big 12 Conference were mentioned in his 10 bold predictions for the 2024 season list.
The predictions covered multiple topics, including Colorado’s beatable opponents, predictions for the Big 12 title game, and coaches on the hot seat.
DAVE ARANDA SURVIVES 2024 SEASON
“Two of college football’s hot seat du jour candidates are Florida’s Billy Napier and Baylor’s Dave Aranda,” Simonton said. “Their tenuous job security isn’t unwarranted, either. Aranda did the Neal Brown 2.0 dance this offseason, firing his defensive coordinator and putting himself in charge. He hired Cal’s Jake Spavital to jumpstart a listless offense and brought in All-MAC quarterback Dequan Finn. The Bears are not expected to be a bowl team in 2024, but Aranda has been given the chance to map out his new vision for the program (including the way Baylor now recruits). He’ll do enough this fall to see another year. “
IOWA STATE MAKES BIG 12 TITLE GAME
“The Cyclones were picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 according to the preseason media poll, and Matt Campbell’s program is being badly shortchanged,” Simonton said. “The league is wide-open this year, with carnage coming, considering some 10ish teams nominally believe they can compete for a conference title. Utah is my pick to win the league, but Iowa State — with Rocco Becht back at quarterback, nine starters returning on defense, and no gambling scandal to worry about — shoot up the standings and make it to Dallas over the likes of Oklahoma State, Kansas or Kansas State. The biggest hurdle for the Cyclones? One of the tougher schedules among all the grab-bag Big 12 contenders.”
COLORADO LOSES TO NEBRASKA BUT BEATS UTAH, K-STATE, OR OKLAHOMA STATE
“Contrary to Deion Sanders’ own beliefs, the Buffs are not a CFP team in 2024,” Simonton said. “They’re probably not another 4-8 team, either. Sanders has upgraded the roster (especially along the front seven and offensive line) to flirt with at least bowl eligibility. To get to six wins, though, likely means Colorado must pick off one of the favorites in the Big 12 — especially if it loses at Nebraska in Week 2. The Cornhuskers stand to be a much more competent team in Matt Rhule’s second season. They’re not going to turn the ball over four times and go 4-of-13 on third downs against Colorado again. So the Buffs lose in Lincoln, but they upset on the Big 12’s top contenders — all three of which come to Boulder this season. “
For Dave Aranda to survive the 2024 season, the floor in Waco would have to be at least reaching bowl eligibility. Iowa State has the ability to reach Arlington but will have to succeed against top teams like West Virginia, UCF, Kansas, Utah, and Kansas State, all of who clash in the regular season with the Cyclones. Perhaps the boldest choice of the list, Colorado taking down Utah, Kansas State, or Oklahoma State, would be just another reason that the Big 12 is truly the most unpredictable league, or better yet, America’s conference.
While the three picks above certainly fall into the bold category, anything is possible in a wild league like the Big 12 Conference.
