With kickoff right around the corner, what better way to get into the football mood than a little preseason series? For the next few days, I will tell you which three teams are the best, worst, underrated, and overrated heading into the season. Today, I will share my three most underrated Big 12 teams in 2024.
Iowa State Cyclones
If there was one team not picked inside the top five in the preseason media poll that has the best chance to make it to Arlington, give me the Cyclones. Rocco Becht returns at quarterback after a stellar 2023 season where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns on eight interceptions. His play was so good that he was named the Big 12’s 2023 Freshman of the Year.
The good news for Rocco is that he will have plenty of weapons around him. Abu Sama III leads the charge in the run game after a breakout 2023 campaign as a true freshman. Becht will also have his top three passing targets back as well with receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel along with tight end Benjamin Brahmer.
With an experienced offensive line and plenty of weapons, first-year offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser should be able to open things open for this offense.
Iowa State’s defense is always great under defensive coordinator Jon Heacock, and with nine starters back, they should be just as good as always. The Cyclones added edge rusher Kenard Snyder through the transfer portal, and Tyler Onyedim, Domonique Orange, and Joey Petersen are all solid veterans up front. At linebacker, former walk-on Caleb Bacon should see more playing time after a great 2023 season, and Jack Sadowsky V, Kooper Ebel, Will McLaughlin, and Zachary Lovett should see plenty of snaps as well.
In the back end, Iowa State may have the best safety duo in the country with Jeremiah Cooper and Malik Verdon and it also helps to bring back a veteran corner with Myles Purchase. And of course, I can’t forget about Beau Freyler who is one of the leaders of the defense.
Related: The Three Best Big 12 Football Teams in 2024
West Virginia Mountaineers
I know the schedule is brutal, but this team brings back a ton of experience from last year’s team that won nine games. Garrett Greene returns at quarterback after his best season in Morgantown. Greene was very efficient last season and is a serious threat in the run game as he ran for over 700 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago.
Joining Greene in the run game are running backs Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson Jr., who combined for 1,640 yards and 15 scores in 2023. Even with some key losses up front, West Virginia will have one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country. A wide receiver will be something to keep an eye on here. If West Virginia is going to take the next step on offense, then they will need guys like Hudson Clement, Jaden Bray, Traylon Ray, Rodney Gallagher III, and Preston Fox to step up.
Defensively, the Mountaineers were in the top half of the conference in most major statistical categories, but depth was a bit of an issue. But to Neal Brown’s credit they went out and added some depth in the transfer portal. There are four new secondary players with Garnett Hollis Jr, Jaheem Joseph Ayden Garnes and TJ Crandall to go with returning safeties Aubrey Burks and Anthony Wilson.
It also helps that linebackers Trey Lathan and Josiah Trotter are healthy. Both missed the majority of last season due to injury and will be coming back this fall. And with a solid defensive line, this could be one of the best defenses West Virginia has had in the last few years.
Related: The Three Worst Big 12 Football Teams in 2024
UCF Knights
Much like West Virginia, I think the Knights could be one of those surprise teams this season in the Big 12. Head coach Gus Malzahn brought in a veteran starter in KJ Jefferson from Arkansas. KJ has started over 35 games during his time in Fayetteville, and his size (6’3, 247 lbs.) creates all kinds of opportunities in the run game. Speaking of the run game, the Knights return star running back RJ Harvey, who rushed for 1,416 yards in 2023. Plus, they bring in Peny Boone from Toledo. Boone spent last season at Toledo, where he attained 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry.
With Javon Baker off to the NFL, Kobe Hudson becomes UCF’s top target as he finished with 900 yards and a team-high eight touchdown receptions. Alongside Hudson will be Zavier Townsend who looks to take another step forward in 2024. Up front, the Knights return three starters, including left tackle Amari Kight.
It’s no secret that UCF had a problem stopping the run last season. The Knights were ranked dead last in rush defense, as they gave up 210 yards per game in conference play. Ricky Barber and Lee Hunter at defensive tackle look to turn things around up front, and defensive end Malachi Lawrence had a breakout 2023 season, finishing with 7.5 sacks along with 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Defensive captain Ethan Barr and Deshawn Pace are impact players at the second level, while Ladarius Tennison, Bryon Threats, and Sheldon Arnold are battling it out at safety. It also helps to bring back a guy like Brandon Adams who has been a three-year starter at corner. This defense should be improved under new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, and if UCF is going to make a run this season, this is where they must get better.
