Anyone can make a prediction. We see college football experts do it every week, and more often than they’d like to admit, their predictions fall flat on their faces.
For most, it’s not for a lack of knowledge that they get things wrong — crazy things just tend to happen in college football. That’s partly why the oddsmakers in Vegas make the theory of time travel so believable. I mean, how else could they know?
In this week’s roundtable, each Heartland College Sports staff member is sharing a prediction of their own — and they aren’t just giving you any old predictions. They’re going bold.
So, here’s a bold prediction — or a hot take — from each of them.
Pete Mundo: An “Old 8” Big 12 Team Does Not Make the Big 12 Championship
The Big 12 now consists of eight teams who were in the league prior to the 2023 football season, and eight new teams, four last year and four this year. My prediction is that the Big 12 Championship Game will not include any of the “old” eight teams. So, no Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, West Virginia, TCU, or Texas Tech.
They have some of the tougher schedules in the Big 12, which now matters more than ever in a 16-team league. There are two teams who I believe have the best path, schedule balance, and talent to end up in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship in December.
Which ones will they be? I’ll share it with you during my YouTube show on Sunday night and also on the podcast! Find the Heartland College Sports podcast on iTunes or Spotify.
Bryan Clinton: The Big 12 Claims Multiple NCFAA Awards
There are 16 awards presented by the National College Football Awards Association every year, with the Heisman Trophy topping all of them in terms of prestige. However, being named the nation’s top wide receiver (Biletnikoff Award), running back (Doak Walker Award), and interior lineman (Outland Trophy) are plenty impressive enough in their own right. Last year, Big 12 players won two individual awards, with Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon winning the Doak Walker and Texas DL T’Vondre Sweat winning the Outland Trophy. This year, I think the league does even better.
I like Gordon to repeat as the Doak Walker Award winner, and I’ll take Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to win the Biletnikoff. The Paul Hornung Award goes to the most versatile player in college football, and I think the Big 12 has the top two options here with Colorado’s Travis Hunter (2023 winner) and Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo. The Burlsworth Award (Best Player Who Started as a Walk-On) could also land with the Big 12 as Colorado DE B.J. Green has as good a shot as anyone with the type of production he’s had to this point.
Going even further, I’m tempted to guarantee that a Big 12 coach will win the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. My reason? There are so many good candidates. Arizona’s Brent Brennan, Kansas’ Lance Leipold, and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell could all exceed expectations with their teams this season, and that’s usually what it take to win that one.
In all, I see the Big 12 having a real shot at taking home half a dozen of these awards, and what better way to prove themselves a top-three football conference?
Joe Tillery: Utah Misses the Big 12 Title Game
Is it the boldest prediction here? No. Is it realistic? Yes! The Utes are coming from a conference where their bulldog style of play on both sides of the ball was an anomaly. In the Big 12, they are yet another tough out. When playing teams that love to throw the ball and play little-to-no defense, like USC, UCLA, and Washington, the Utes’ gritty style of play threw teams out of the loop. That could happen in the Big 12, but the path is much more difficult when multiple teams are running similar systems. I expect the Utes to finish the season at 9-3, and miss the title game by one game.
Matthew Postins: Kansas Makes it to Arlington
Is this bold? Maybe not as bold as others. And it certainly hinges on the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels. But I see a team with talent, depth and experience. I see a coaching staff that has set a culture of expectations and belief that the Jayhawks can win a conference title. I also see a thoroughly manageable schedule. The Jayhawks didn’t draw Oklahoma State or Utah. KU’s biggest hurdles, to me, are Kansas State and Iowa State back-to-back. Win those two games, and I can’t see Kansas failing to make it to the title game.
Derek Duke: Iowa State Makes History
If you aren’t sitting down, then maybe you should. Grab an Ames Lager, crack that bad boy open, take a big sip, and prepare yourself for what I am about to say. Iowa State will win ten games for the first time in program history this season. And I’m not just saying that because I have joined the Iowa Everywhere team. The Cyclones are perhaps the most underrated team in the Big 12.
Quarterback Rocco Becht is in year two as a starter after a fantastic 2023 season and he has some weapons to work with. Between running back Abu Sama III, and top passing targets Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, and Benjamin Brahmer, there is no shortage of talent offensively. Plus they return a lot of front. Defensively, this team will be just as good as last season. The pieces are there to make a run; now it’s just time to make it happen. Don’t be surprised if this team is undefeated going into November.
