With less than 100 days to go until the start of the college football season, the new-look Big 12 is finally starting to take shape. Texas and Oklahoma have departed for the SEC, while Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Arizona State begin their inaugural seasons within the conference.
We’ve drilled deep into the details of each of the 16 teams to provide you with thoughtful rankings as well as a comprehensive analysis that explains the reasoning for why each team was predicted to fall into their given pre-season slots.
Check out the details here:
1. Utah Utes (2023 Record: 8-5)
Thanks to a previous home-and-home agreement with Baylor, Utah will play 10 games against Big 12 teams in 2024. Fortunately for them, Kansas, Kansas State, and West Virginia will not be among those 10, and they get Baylor, Arizona, Iowa State, and rival BYU at home. With so much of the 2023 season derailed by significant injuries, the special season the Utes have been building towards may finally arrive – as long as they can find a way to remain healthy.
2024 Prediction: 11-1
It’s still a little difficult to understand how Utah won eight games last season. Following a knee injury in the Rose Bowl, QB Cam Rising pushed himself to be ready to start the 2023 campaign. It never happened. To make matters worse, the #2 QB coming out of spring and fall camp, RS FR Brandon Rose, had a freak injury late in fall camp to end his 2023 season as well.
This left the Utes with 3rd string QB Bryson Barnes, a former walk-on, and speedy 4th string QB Nate Johnson. Both Barnes and Johnson struggled throughout the season, and by the end of the year, the Utes were down to 5th-string QB Luke Bottari, who led the Utes to a win over a depleted Colorado team.
2024 will look quite different. Rising, now healthy and nearly two years removed from his injury, will take back the reigns as the starter. In his two seasons as the full-time starter, Utah made it to the Rose Bowl. In his career, he has thrown for over 5,500 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions. He has also rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Backing him up, he’ll have a now healthy Rose, along with former 5-star Washington and Cal Poly QB Sam Huard.
The running back room will also look different from 2023. Versatile back Micah Bernard, who only played in the home opener last season due to an off-field injury, will return to his role as the gadget back. However last season’s leading rusher, Ja’Quinden Jackson, left in the transfer portal to Arkansas. This opens the door for increased carries for Jaylon Glover, who has over 900 yards rushing and 6 rushing touchdowns in the past two seasons.
The Utes lost a pair of playmakers at receiver, including three-year starter Devaughn Vele (NFL), as well as freshman playmaker Mikey Matthews (transfer portal), but replaced them with former Arizona and USC standout Dorian Singer and Syracuse’s top receiver Damien Alford. Singer had 1,105 yards receiving in 2022 with the Wildcats, and Alford had 610 yards receiving in a rush-heavy Orange offense a year ago.
The tight end room will get a huge lift with the return of five-year starter Brant Kuithe, who was injured just four games into the 2022 season. Kuithe has over 1,800 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns over his five seasons in Utah.
The offensive line lost two key starters to the NFL, RT Sataoa Laumea and LG Keaton Bills, both four-year starters. They also lost Koli Faaiu, who started the last eight games of the season at center, to Texas A&M. They will likely be replaced by Jaren Kump (17 career starts), Johnny Maea (2 career starts), Tanoa Togiai (2 career starts), and Caleb Lomu.
One of the main reasons the Utes were still able to become bowl eligible despite the terrible offense was the defense. They were 4th in the country in rush defense, allowing just 84.3 yards per game. That will be key against a conference that relies on the rush attack. The defense did take a few hits, however, with the losses of DE Jonah Elliss, who was 7th nationally with 12 sacks in 2023, as well as safeties Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki, as they were all drafted to the NFL. They also lost leading tackler LB Levani Damuni, following a season-ending injury in spring ball.
Utah still has plenty of playmakers remaining though, and the defense should once again be tough to run against in 2024. At defensive end, Utah returns Van Fillinger and Connor O’ Toole, who have 27 and 10 career starts, respectively. They also brought in Paul Fitzgerald from Utah State, who started all 13 games and led the Aggies with 8 sacks last season.
The Utes also get both starting defensive tackles back, three-year starter Junior Tafuna and Keanu Tanuvasa. They also return Aliki Vimahi, who has 11 career starts, as well as 332-pound run-stopper Simote Pepa.
The linebackers may be the best returning defensive group, with the return of starters Lander Barton, Karene Reid, and Sione Fotu. Both Barton and Reid missed the end of the regular season with injuries but are now completely healthy in 2024.
With the losses of Bishop and Vaki in the secondary, Nate Ritchie, who started all of 2020 and 3 games last season, will now return to a full-time starting role. Tao Johnson, who started 12 games at nickel back last season, will now slide over to free safety. That opens the door for sophomore Smith Snowden to take over in the nickel. Utah also landed Stanford safety Alaka’i Gilman from the transfer portal, and he will likely get substantial time on the field.
Utah will return Zemaiah Vaughn, who has 24 career starts, at one corner spot, and they will likely fill in the open spot left behind by three-year starting CB JaTravis Broughton (TCU) with Georgia Tech transfer Kenan Johnson. The Utes also added depth with the addition of former Michigan freshman Cameron Calhoun.
With their leader back running the offense, an improved receiving room, and several other key pieces returning on both offense and defense, Utah should compete for a Big 12 title in their first season in the conference. However, with key pieces missing from the 2023 offensive line, as well as some question marks in the running game following the loss of Jackson, it won’t be an easy path. More than anything, Utah will need to have better injury luck if they hope to meet or surpass the 10 wins from two years ago.
Most difficult games: @ Oklahoma State, @ UCF, vs Arizona
Potential trap game: @ Colorado
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2023 Record: 10-4)
The Cowboys have a terrific offense and schedule. They have a tough three-game stretch where they play at home against Utah, on the road at Kansas State, and then at home against West Virginia, but they don’t have to play Arizona, Kansas, Iowa State, or UCF. Can they improve the defense in 2024?
2024 Prediction: 9-3
The Cowboys return starting QB, RB, and top 2 WRs. Ollie Gordon II led the nation in rushing yards last season, totaling 1,732 yards and he also had another 330 yards receiving. He had 21 rushing touchdowns. He’s expected to go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, possibly as the first running back off the board.
Alan Bowman completed 60% of his passes for 3,460 yards. He threw for 15 TDs but also 14 INTs. He was granted a 7th year of eligibility and has played for Texas Tech, Michigan, and the Cowboys over that span.
Receivers Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens combined for over 1800 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Either one of them, or perhaps both, could eclipse 1,000 yards receiving next season.
The offensive line is loaded with experience, with all five starters returning as redshirt seniors, with plenty of starts under their belts. In addition, they added Arizona State’s Isaia Glass, who started 15 games at tackle for the Sun Devils over three seasons.
Putting it simply, this offense is going to be hard to stop this year.
Oklahoma State’s Achilles heel last season was their defense, which ranked dead last in the conference. They were particularly susceptible to the pass, where they surrendered 267.5 yards per game, which was 126th out of 134 FBS teams.
The good news for the Cowboys is that they will get several playmakers back on defense, including star linebacker Nick Martin, who led the team in tackles (140) and sacks (6). He’ll be joined by LB Collin Oliver, who announced his return following the Cowboys bowl win over Texas A&M. He also had 6 sacks last season and has also been thrown around as a potential first-round NFL pick in 2025.
At safety, the Cowboys got starters Kendal Daniels and Trey Rucker back, as well as Cameron Epps, who also had several starts. Daniels was second on the team with 105 tackles, and he also had 2 interceptions. The corners will be led by returning starters senior Korie Black and junior Cam Smith.
The bad news is that OSU will have to replace both starting defensive ends, Nathan Latu and Anthony Goodlow, who are now in the NFL. If they have a hard time pressuring the quarterback in 2024, opposing passers may once again feast on the secondary. However, both Kody Walterscheid and Xavier Ross have plenty of experience and should be able to fill in the voids left by Goodlow and Latu. All three other starters from last season’s defensive interior also returned.
With nearly everyone back from last season’s defense, the difference between a special season and an average one will be whether the players can make significant improvements with another year in the system.
With so many returners on both sides of the ball, this team has a chance to be in the running to win the conference in 2024. The offense should be fine, but the defense will need to prove it can stop the pass.
Most difficult games: vs Utah, @ Kansas State, @ Baylor
Potential trap games: @ Colorado, vs West Virginia
3. Arizona Wildcats (2023 Record: 10-3)
Arizona was able to keep several key pieces on both offense and defense despite losing their head coach. They don’t have quite as many playmakers on offense as they did last season, and their depth has taken a bit of a hit. However, they have a favorable schedule, including 7 home games. Road games at Utah, Kansas State, and UCF will be a challenge.
2024 Prediction: 9-3
In just three seasons, head coach Jedd Fisch was able to take the Wildcats from a 1-11 finish in 2021 to a double-digit 10-3 season in 2023, including a 38-24 win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, which was the best postseason win in 20 years for Arizona.
However, after a chain reaction from the shocking retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Fisch left the Wildcats for greener pastures in Washington, leaving San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan to fill the vacancy left by Fisch. While Brennan also had success rebuilding the Spartan program, he has never won more than seven games in a season, and much like it was for Alabama and Washington, Arizona lost several key players to the transfer portal due to the coaching changes.
Included in that list of transfers is starting running back Jonah Coleman, starting CB Ephesians Prysock, and starting DT Bill Norton. Add the losses of several critical pieces to the NFL, including first-team All-Pac 12 LT Jordan Morgan, as well as Second-Team All-Pac-12 TE Tanner McLachlan, there will be several holes to fill in 2024.
On the defense, the Wildcats lost several other key contributors, including LB Taylor Upshaw, DB Martell Irby, DT Tyler Manoa and DE’s Isaiah Ward and Russell Davis II.
They will return QB Noah Fifita and Second-Team All-Pac-12 WR Tetairoa McMillan, First-Team All-Pac-12 LB Jacob Manu, and Second-Team All-Pac-12 LG Wendell Moe.
They’ve also added Quali Conley from San Jose State, who averaged 6.4 yards per carry, had 842 yards rushing, and 9 touchdowns. Also, a solid receiver, hauling in 27 passes for 269 yards, he basically had the same numbers as Coleman, however, against Mountain West Conference competition. Another Mountain West top running back, New Mexico’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who had 1,190 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, will also be a top contender to receive carries out of the backfield.
Along with Conley, Brennan brought another four players from the Spartans, including TE Sam Olson, QB Anthony Garcia, OT Ryan Stewart, and DE Tre Smith. Of those players, Smith should have the biggest impact. He led SJSU with 6.5 sacks in 2023, and DE is a position of need for Arizona.
The Wildcats received great news when Second-Team All-Pac-12 CB Tacario Davis withdrew his name from the transfer portal, which will give Arizona three returning starters in the secondary.
As good as Fifita and McMillan might be, a depleted offensive line will make life harder in 2024. They also lost a lot of depth, especially on defense, as a total of 11 players bolted for Washington through the transfer portal, including Coleman, Prysock, Ward, and Davis II. If this team faces injury problems, they may have some problems down the stretch.
Most difficult games: @ Utah, @ Kansas State, @ UCF
Potential trap games: vs West Virginia, @ TCU
4. Kansas Jayhawks (2023 Record: 9-4)
A revamped offensive line will be supported by several returning offensive pieces. The defensive line will be inexperienced which could be a problem against run-heavy, talented Big 12 offenses. However, the Jayhawks do not have to face some of the best teams, including Oklahoma St, UCF, Arizona, and Utah.
2024 Prediction: 9-3
The Jayhawks offensive line took a big hit from the transfer portal and graduation, losing a big chunk of veterans, including First-Team All-Big 12 starting LT Dominick Puni to the NFL, starting RT Ar’Maj Reed-Adams to Texas A&M, starting C Mike Novitsky, and TE Mason Fairchild, the team’s 4th leading receiver, to the NFL.
They were able to add DII Rimington Award winner C Shane Bumgardner, and Iowa St OL Darrell Simmons, but the depth will be shaky.
Jalon Daniels returns for his 5th season in the program after missing all but three games in 2023 due to a season-ending back injury. This came after missing the final four games in 2022 due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, Daniels has been exceptional, throwing for over 4,000 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his career.
They also get Second-Team All-Big 12 RB Devin Neal back, who has two straight seasons of over 1,000 yards rushing. They also get all main receivers back, including top WR Lawrence Arnold, who had 782 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns.
On defense, the secondary should be one of the best in the conference with the return of All-American CB Mello Dotson, who had 4 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), as well as CB Cobee Bryant, who also had 4 interceptions. They’re set at safety with the return of Marvin Grant and OJ Burroughs, even with the departure of the team leader in tackles, S Kenny Logan Jr., who had 95 tackles.
The defensive front and linebackers are a different story. At defensive end, the Jayhawks lost Second-Team All-Big 12 Austin Booker, who had 8 sacks, to the NFL. They also lost Hayden Hatcher and Patrick Joyner, so they’ve suddenly become quite thin on the edges. They will have proven veteran Jereme Robinson to cover one of the edges, but they have to hope that one of their incoming transfers can step into a starting role opposite Robinson.
At defensive tackle, Kansas lost Gage Keys to Auburn and Devin Phillips to graduation. They brought in Javier Derritt from NDSU to possibly fill the starting role left behind by Phillips and will likely go with Tommy Dunn Jr. or DJ Withers at the other starting DT spot.
At linebacker, the Jayhawks lost two solid players to the NFL/graduation, Craig Young and Rich Miller, but they have several rotational starters and depth at the position, so there shouldn’t be much drop-off.
The only question marks for Kansas heading into the 2024 season are two very important ones, the offensive and defensive lines. The soft schedule will help, but if one or both of those lines don’t find a rhythm, they could have a drop-off from last season.
Most difficult games: @ Kansas State, @ West Virginia, vs Iowa State, @ Illinois
Potential trap games: @ Baylor, vs UNLV
5. Iowa State Cyclones (2023 Record: 7-6)
The Cyclones had one of the best defenses in the Big 12 last season, and they will likely be even better in 2024. This is a young team that has kept nearly everyone from last year’s squad, and that should mean lots of wins next season. If they can find consistency in the run game to balance out the passing game, look out.
2024 Prediction: 8-4
Rocco Becht’s first season as a starter got off to a…rocky beginning. He started with losses to Iowa, Ohio, and Oklahoma and had 5 interceptions in his first 5 games, leading the Cyclones to a rough 2-3 start. However, he went on to throw 14 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions over the remaining eight games, and it now looks like Iowa State has its quarterback of the future.
They also appear to have their running back of the future, as freshman Abu Sama III finished the regular season with a 276-yard effort in the snow against Kansas State, and 614 total yards and 6 touchdowns.
However, this offense relies heavily on its passing game, and just about everyone involved in last year’s success through the air returns, including WR Jaylin Noel and WR Jaylen Higgins, who combined for over 1,800 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. They also got big 6’7″ freshman TE Benjamin Brahmer back, who debuted with 352 yards and 2 touchdowns, and they brought in North Dakota State’s Eli Green, who had 887 yards receiving last year for the Bisons.
The offensive line will return all five starters but lose a little depth with the departure of RG Darrell Simmons Jr., who had made 38 career starts for the Cyclones, as he transferred to Kansas.
The defense should be stacked, as the Cyclones will return all but two starters, LB Gerry Vaughn and CB TJ Tampa. Returning LB Caleb Bacon was the highest-graded PFF run defender last season.
They also have a ball-hawk secondary, led by safeties Beau Freyler, Jeremiah Cooper, and Malik Verdon, who combined for 10 interceptions last season. Overall, the team had 16 interceptions, which was 6th most in the nation. The returning cornerback, Myles Purchase, had 14 pass deflections and was the highest-rated PFF CB in the Big 12.
For a team that won five of its final seven regular season games last season, and has so much returning production, this could be a big year.
Most difficult games: @ Utah, @ Iowa, @ Kansas, @ West Virginia, vs Kansas State, vs UCF
Potential trap games: vs Texas Tech, vs Baylor
6. UCF Knights (2023 Record: 6-7)
UCF had the best pass defense last season, only allowing 205.8 yards per game, but the worst rush defense, allowing 186.9 yards rushing per game. Transfer portal additions should result in an improved offense next season, but losses at defensive end and linebacker may be their downfall in 2024.
2024 Prediction: 8-4
The Knights had a great transfer portal season, adding Vanderbilt starting LB Ethan Barr, Ole Miss S Ladarius Tennison, East Carolina CB Antione Jackson, Texas Tech LB Jesiah Pierre, Tennessee-Martin DE Daylan Dotson, Idaho LB Xe’ree Alexander, and three Cincinnati Bearcats – safeties Deshawn Pace, and Bryon Threats, RB Myles Montgomery, and Ohio WR Jacoby Jones, but the biggest pickups were former Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson and Toledo RB Peny Boone.
They also returned dynamic First-Team All-Big 12 RB RJ Harvey, who had 1,416 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. It’s quite the running back room with Harvey, Boone, Montgomery, and Johnny Richardson. The four ran for over 3,800 yards last season, with Harvey and Boone both exceeding 1,400 yards in 2023. Add Jefferson to that group, who has similar stats to departing starter John Rhys Plumlee, and UCF will be lethal from the backfield.
They did lose their top receiving threat as First-Team All-Big 12 WR Javon Baker declared for the NFL draft, but they returned Second-Team All-Big 12 WR Kobe Hudson, who had 900 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns.
A strong offensive line for this type of run-heavy offense will be essential, and unfortunately for the Knights, this may be their weakest unit. They lost four-year starting guard Lokahi Pauole, three-year starting center Bula Schmidt, and three-year starting left tackle Tylan Grable. They’ll have starting right tackle Amari Kight and starting right guard Adrian Medley back, and they also added Western Kentucky’s Wes Dorsey, who started 17 games for the Hilltoppers.
On defense, they lost First-Team All-Big 12 DE Tre’mon Morris-Brash to the NFL, who led the team with 8.5 sacks, but they brought back DE Malachi Lawrence, who had 7.5 sacks himself, and Dotson had 14 sacks in the past two seasons for TN-Martin. The Knights also returned Third-Team All-Big 12 DT Lee Hunter, who had 69 tackles and 3 sacks, as well as do-it-all DB Demari Henderson, who had 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 45 tackles.
While they did have several linebackers depart, they should fill in the holes well with Barr, Pierre, and Alexander. It’s always a little shaky with three transfer starters, so there may be a small decline.
If teams can force the Knights to pass, and if they can run the ball against them like they did in 2023, this team will finish with around the same win total as last season. However, they have an easier schedule with games against New Hampshire and Sam Houston to start the year, and they don’t have to play Kansas, Kansas State, or Oklahoma State.
Most difficult games: vs Utah, @ Florida, @ Iowa State, vs. Arizona, @ West Virginia
Potential trap game: @ TCU
7. Kansas State Wildcats (2023 Record: 9-4)
There’s just too much turnover for Kansas State this season. Johnson seems like he will gut out some wins, and Giddens should still be solid, but with a revamped line it won’t be surprising if he can’t top his 2023 numbers.
2024 Prediction: 7-5
After a successful four-year career at Kansas State, the Wildcats parted ways with starting quarterback Will Howard as he left to become the new starter at Ohio State. This means that 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP sophomore QB Avery Johnson will now take the reins as the leader of the offense.
Although his total career snaps are limited, Johnson has shown flashes in both the rushing and passing game to inspire confidence in the quarterback position at K-State moving forward.
He’ll get some help with the return of RB DJ Giddens, who had 1,226 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns, but several other top offensive players won’t be back. They did add Colorado’s Dylan Edwards, which is intriguing.
Kansas State’s change-of-pace back, Treshaun Ward, had 643 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns, but he will be wearing a Boston College uniform next season.
TE Ben Sinnott, the Wildcats leading receiver with 676 yards and 6 touchdowns, declared for the NFL draft. The team’s second-leading receiver, senior WR Phillip Brooks did the same. This leaves sophomore Jayce Brown as the best returning starter. As a true freshman, he had 437 yards and 3 touchdowns. They’ve also brought in Penn State WR Dante Cephus, who had a down year last season but had over 1,000 yards receiving the year before at Kent State.
The offensive line lost four starters at the end of the season, marking it as one of the main question marks for the Wildcats heading into 2024. They return starting RG Hadley Panzer and will have rotational pieces G Taylor Poitier and T Carver Willis step into full-time starting roles, but it is likely a drop-off can be expected. They brought in North Dakota’s Easton Kilty, who started three seasons at both tackle and guard, and he’ll likely fill in another starting position. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out, considering how many seniors will step in next season.
The strength of the Kansas State defense was their pass defense, led by CB Jacob Parrish, who had 44 tackles and 4 interceptions. He’ll return, but Will Lee III, who had 42 tackles and 2 interceptions, transferred to Texas A&M. S Marques Sigle, who led the team with 63 tackles, will return, but S Kobe Savage left to play for Oregon.
DE Khalid Duke led the team with 6 sacks, but he left for the NFL. They also lost DE Nate Matlack to Pitt, who was second on the team with 4 sacks. They will get their 340 lb. DT Uso Seumalo back, however.
The linebackers will return the most experience, with Desmond Purnell, Austin Moore, Beau Palmer, and Jake Clifton all returning.
After losing so many players to the transfer portal, the NFL, and graduation, Kansas State has been surprisingly quiet in the transfer portal this offseason. While Johnson has plenty of talent, and Giddens and Edwards should provide some life from the backfield, the relatively inexperienced offensive line could be a problem. Defensively, there are several holes needing to be filled. A step backward from last season appears to be imminent.
Most difficult games: vs Oklahoma State, @ Iowa State, vs Arizona, @ West Virginia, vs Kansas
Potential trap game: @ Colorado
8. West Virginia Mountaineers (2023 Record: 9-4)
In a conference loaded with rushing talent, it was West Virginia that led the way with the #1 rushing offense in the conference and #4 rushing offense nationally. The pass offense needed help. There were lots of holes left on defense following last season, and they’ll need several guys to step up to slow down opposing offenses. A tough schedule could be tough to overcome.
2024 Prediction: 6-6
At a glance, it would seem that the Mountaineers are in good shape heading into the 2024 season. They finished with a 9-4 record, including an impressive 30-10 win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Those nine wins were the most for head coach Neal Brown in his five seasons at West Virginia.
However, when looking closer at what the Mountaineers are bringing back, and the schedule they have in front of them, it will be a tall order to match their 2023 win total. They don’t have to play Utah, but they will take on Oklahoma State, Arizona, Kansas, Kansas State, and UCF next season. They’ll also have one of the toughest non-conference schedules with games against Penn State and Pittsburgh.
There are some positives. They will get starting QB Garrett Greene back, who completed just 53% of his passes last season, but only had 4 passes get picked off. He was especially dangerous with his legs, running for 772 yards and 13 touchdowns. The three-headed trio of runners including Greene, freshman RB Jahiem White, and sophomore RB CJ Donaldson Jr. combined for 2,412 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, and they all return in 2024.
They lost their top receiver, wideout Devin Carter, but they returned WR Hudson Clement (22 catches for 480 yards and 4 touchdowns) and TE Kole Taylor (35 catches for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns). They also brought in promising WR Jaden Bray from Oklahoma State to take some of the targets left behind by Carter.
The offensive line is going to be a work in progress, especially after losing the heart and soul of the line with the departure of four-year starting center, All-American Zach Frazier, who was selected in round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. They also lost five-year starting RG Doug Nester, who now wears a Minnesota Vikings jersey. Those will be massive shoes to fill. So far, they have brought in former Jacksonville State starting RT Xavier Bausley, and they have several other returning starters, but you have to think there will be a drop-off following the losses of Frazier and Nester.
The defense will have several holes to fill, especially on the defensive line. Up-and-coming freshman DE Tomiwa Durojaiye transferred to Florida State, DT Mike Lockhart transferred to SMU, and DT Davoan Hawkins graduated. They were able to reload with two promising edges, Troy DE TJ Jackson, who had 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons, and DE Ty French from Gardner-Webb, who tallied 16.5 sacks over the past two years, but the depth is thin.
They also lost two starting linebackers as Jared Bartlett left for Cincinnati, and the team’s leading tackler, Lee Kpogba, is off to the NFL. Another depth piece, former 5-star Lance Dixon, left for Toledo. They will get true freshman Josiah Trotter back, who appeared ready to receive immediate playing time last season before losing the 2023 season to injury.
The secondary is also going to have a new look next season after losing both starting corners to the NFL, Malachi Ruffin and Beanie Bishop Jr., and they will also have to replace two safeties, Marcis Floyd and Houston-bound Hershey McLaurin. However, starting safeties Anthony Wilson and Aubrey Burks will be back, and they brought in Northwestern DB Jaheem Joseph, who will likely start beside them.
They appear to be most concerned with the cornerback position, as they have brought in six corners from the transfer portal. Former Northwestern starting CB Garnett Hollis Jr. should fill in one spot, and the other spot will be up for grabs.
With so many vital holes on defense being filled by transfer portal players, it may be difficult for West Virginia to come together as a unit quickly enough, especially with so many high-powered offenses early on their schedule. The offensive line looks like it will also take a step back, which will impact all facets of the offensive attack. This could cause some early season losses they may have otherwise won, which will likely lead to a finish below last year’s nine wins.
Most difficult games: @ Oklahoma State, vs Penn State, @ Arizona, @ Pittsburgh, vs Kansas State, vs Kansas, vs Iowa State, vs UCF
Potential trap game: @ Texas Tech
9. Baylor Bears (2023 Record: 3-9)
The addition of Dequan Finn should boost the offense, but turnover on the offensive line could be a challenge. The Big 12’s worst defense returns several young players and solid transfer portal additions. A challenging schedule could limit their improvement, but they appear to be on an upward trajectory in 2024.
2024 Prediction: 6-6
Baylor lost a couple top players from last season, including starting QB Blake Shapen and TE Drake Dabney, who led the team with 5 receiving touchdowns and was second in receptions.
However, their big transfer portal pickup was Toledo’s Dequan Finn, a three-year starter at QB for the Rockets. The dual-threat QB threw for nearly 7,000 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions while also running for over 1,500 yards in his career. He should be an upgrade over Shapen.
He’ll have a solid group of returning receivers to work with, including Monaray Baldwin and Ketron Jackson Jr., who combined for over 1,000 yards receiving in 2023. He’ll also have Texas State transfer Ashtyn Hawkins as an option, who had 874 yards receiving with the Bobcats last season.
The rush attack was limited in 2023, but all three running backs from last season return, including junior Richard Reese, senior Dominic Richardson, and sophomore Dawson Pendergrass, who combined for over 1,100 yards rushing last season.
Last season’s rebuilt offensive line struggled, and unfortunately, the woes are likely to continue. They will lose their best lineman, LG Clark Barrington to the NFL. They’ll also lose LT Elijah Ellis and LG Gavin Byers. To get some help, the Bears turned to the transfer portal and brought in PFF’s top-rated FCS offensive lineman Omar Aigbedion, who started all of last season at G for the Bobcats. They also were able to get Ohio super-senior Kurt Danneker, who had 25 starts in his career for the Bobcats.
With the addition of Finn and having so many skill players returning, the offense should be improved in 2024, as long as the offensive line can give them time.
The defense lost DE TJ Franklin, the team leader in sacks in 2023, DT Gabe Hall, and LB Byron Vaughn to the NFL, but have most of the starting defense coming back. The key to that defense will be super senior LB Matt Jones, who led Baylor with 82 tackles last season, and the most sacks (3) of any returning player.
The secondary is young, but returns 2nd-Team Freshman All-American CB Caden Jenkins, who had 3 interceptions in his collegiate debut last season. He’ll be one of four current or former underclassmen returning starters in the secondary.
The Bears brought in several talented defensive players through the transfer portal to add to the depth, including CB Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson, who left Baylor last season for Arkansas and now returns to Waco. They also got two solid starters from Western Kentucky, LB JaQues Evans, and S Kendrick Simpkins, who had an eye-popping 6.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles for the Hilltoppers in 2023.
With so many starters returning, and solid transfer portal additions, Baylor appears to be trending in the right direction for an improved season in 2024.
Most difficult games: @ Utah, vs Oklahoma State, @ Iowa State, vs Kansas, @ West Virginia, @ Colorado
Potential trap games: @ Texas Tech, @ Houston
10. Colorado Buffaloes (2023 Record: 4-8)
The Buffaloes appear to have improved their offensive line; however, it will be a completely new group of starters, mostly coming from non-P4 schools. It couldn’t be worse than last year. Sanders and his receivers should be solid, but the run game doesn’t seem to have improved. Year 2 for the defense will be interesting, though it doesn’t seem like it will be significantly improved either. We’ll see how Deion can develop players.
2024 Prediction: 6-6
Oh boy, here we go. Once again, the Buffs have been the talk of transfer portal season. By the end of the second portal window following spring practices, Colorado had more than 40 players depart via the transfer portal, including several important pieces that head coach Deion Sanders brought in last season.
Probably the most notable of that group was former 5-star CB Cormani Mclain, who left in April for Florida. He was the most prized of recruits for Sanders, and after only one season, he had seen enough to want to move on. Another surprise was the departure of RB Dylan Edwards, who transferred to Kansas State.
Much of the Buffs troubles in 2023 stemmed from a historically bad offensive line and a defense that looked like a sieve for most of the season.
Colorado will get a fresh start on the line, as starters LT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, C Van Wells, T Savion Washington, and G Jack Bailey have all departed. Much like before, the Buffaloes will rely on new faces to protect QB Shedeur Sanders, but this year’s group seems better equipped.
They were able to bring in the #1 OT in the 2024 recruiting class, Jordan Seaton, who should be an immediate starter. They also brought in FIU’s starting RT Phillip Houston, Houston’s starting LG Tyler Johnson, UTEP’s starting LG Justin Mayers, Indiana’s starting RT Kahlil Benson, and UConn’s starting T Yakiri Walker. Just for good measure, they were able to get 6-foot-6, 380-pound Payton Kirkland from Texas. They should be better, but there’s still a lot of turnover which will take some time to mesh.
Sanders was as good as advertised in the throw game, passing for over 3,000 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions, but you also have to wonder how much he may have been to blame for some of the 52 sacks he took last year.
The rushing game was nearly non-existent, with Edwards leading the team with only 321 yards rushing. Anthony Hankerson had 319 yards, but he is transferring to Oregon State. They will replace that production with Ohio State’s Dallan Hayden, who rushed for nearly 700 yards over two seasons as the Buckeyes backup to TreVeyon Henderson.
Receivers Xavier Weaver, Travis Hunter, and Jimmy Horn Jr. were all fantastic, but Weaver, who led the team with 68 receptions and 908 yards, is leaving for the NFL. Hunter and Horn will be joined by former Florida Atlantic WR LaJohntay Wester, who had 1,168 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns for the Owls last season. They also add former Vanderbilt WR Will Sheppard, who had 684 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023.
While it seems the offense will be even better, there are still several question marks in the defense, which gave up the fifth most yards of any FBS team in 2023.
They lost sack-leader DE Jordan Domineck, as well as S Rodrick Ward and LB Derrick McClendon II to the NFL, and CB Omarion Cooper returned to Florida State. They also lost LB Marvin Ham II to Arkansas State. Probably the best returning starter will be LB LaVonta Bentley, who led the team with 5 sacks last season. They’ll also get safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig back to lead the secondary.
Defensively, they hope to improve with the additions of several notable athletes from the portal, including Ohio senior transfer DL Rayyan Buell and Pittsburgh’s DL Dayon Hayes.
It seems that the offensive line should be better, but it’s hard to know until the fall. The offense has the opportunity to be lethal if Sanders gets protection, at least in the passing game. However, with all the attrition, the defense hasn’t appeared to improve much, which could continue to drive Prime Time crazy in 2024.
Most difficult games: @ Arizona, vs Utah, vs Oklahoma State, @ Kansas, @ Nebraska, @ UCF, vs Kansas State
Potential trap games: @ Colorado State, @ Texas Tech
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2023 Record: 7-6)
Behren Morton loses a lot of weapons, and I’m not sold that he’s the long-term QB for this team. The Red Raiders will also see a slight downgrade in the offensive line, which will impact Brooks. The defense also lost several key players, and I’m not sure they will reload well. They don’t have to play Utah, Kansas, Kansas St, and UCF, otherwise, it could have been an even rougher season.
2024 Prediction 6-6
The offense revolves around RB Tahj Brooks, and he is back in 2024. He had 1,541 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns last season.
QB Behren Morton returns as well, although after taking over for the injured Tyler Shough he had mixed results while completing 62% of his passes for 1,754 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
However, the passing game will have a whole new look to it after losing opening day starting QB Shough to Louisville along with the top three receivers. WR Myles Price, the team leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns transferred to Indiana. He had 43 catches for 410 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Red Raiders also lost WR Jerand Bradley, who had 431 yards and 4 touchdowns, to Boston College, and WR Xavier White, who led the team with 556 yards, is out of eligibility.
To fill in the gaps, they brought in former Washington State WR Josh Kelly, who had 61 catches for 923 yards and 8 touchdowns, as well as a couple of solid receiving tight ends in Arizona State’s Jalin Conyers and Elon’s Johncarlos Miller II.
The hits kept coming in the transfer portal, as starting LG Jacoby Jackson transferred to Mississippi St and starting LT Monroe Mills left to play for Louisville. They also lost three key offensive linemen to graduation. They were able to snag three-year starting LG Vinny Sciury from Toledo, as well as two-year starting RG Davion Carter from Memphis and two-year starting OL Sterling Porcher from Middle Tennessee State, but it might take time for the unit to gel, and being able to compete at the next level is never a guarantee.
Defensively, Texas Tech will only bring back a handful of starters, including leading tackler freshman All-American LB Ben Roberts. However, fellow LB/DE Steve Linton will move on to Baylor next season and LB Jesiah Pierre is headed to UCF.
The defensive line also lost three key starters, Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. graduated, and Myles Cole headed to the NFL.
The secondary will lose S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who had 4 interceptions and 7 pass deflections last season as well as starting CB Malik Dunlap, who had 3 interceptions a year ago.
Like West Virginia, with so much turnover on defense, the Red Raiders will be putting a lot of the upcoming season’s hopes on incoming transfers. That’s a dangerous path to take. However, unlike the Mountaineers, Texas Tech has a favorable schedule, and that should be enough for them to reach bowl eligibility in 2024. With so much change at the offensive line, it isn’t likely that Brooks will get to 1,500 yards again, but he should still eclipse 1,000.
Most difficult games: @ Oklahoma State, @ Arizona, @ Iowa State, vs West Virginia
Potential trap games: @ Washington State, @ TCU
12. Cincinnati Bearcats (2023 Record: 3-9)
There are so many question marks with Cincinnati. The new QB situation, the receiver room, and lots of turnover on defense. They do have an incredibly easy schedule though.
2024 Prediction: 5-7
Starting QB Emory Jones is gone to the NFL, and he will likely be replaced by Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby. He actually had a pretty solid redshirt freshman season with the Hoosiers, throwing for 1,587 yards, 15 TD’s, and only 5 INT’s in 10 games. The only problem? He went 2-8 in those games. He’s also shown that he is able to run the ball effectively, topping 40 yards four times last season.
RB Corey Kiner, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, announced his return. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Grambling transfer Chance Williams, who rushed for 890 yards and 6 touchdowns last season for the Tigers.
The biggest question mark on the offense is who will Sorsby throw it to? TE Chamon Metayer, who led the team in receiving touchdowns, left for Colorado, and then Arizona State. They will get their top receiver back, Xzavier Henderson, who had 782 yards and 3 TDs, but they lost two other starting receivers to graduation.
The position of strength will be the offensive line, which will return all five starters from last season, including several seniors.
Defense is a bit of a different story. The team’s top two tacklers, safties Deshawn Pace and Bryon Threats both transferred to UCF. They also lost Justin Harris, who started at corner most of the season, to Texas State. They brought in New Mexico State S Mehki Miller to help, as well as CB Derrick Canteen from Virginia Tech.
Perhaps one of the best transfer portal additions came at linebacker, where they added West Virginia graduate transfer Jared Bartlett. He had 4.5 sacks last season for the Mountaineers, and 14.5 total sacks in his career. He’ll replace LB Daniel Grzesiak, who led the Bearcats with 3.5 sacks in 2023.
The defensive line was one of the strongest units for Cincinnati in 2023, but they’ve lost DT Jowon Briggs and DE Malik Vann to the NFL. They’ve still got decent depth there, but it will likely take a step back this season.
Overall, this team should take a small step forward in 2024. With a powerful running game and experienced offensive line, the offense should be able to put up points. A favorable schedule should also help. The big question will be whether the defense can handle so much turnover.
Most difficult games: @ Iowa State, @ Kansas State, @ UCF, @ Colorado, vs West Virginia, vs Pittsburgh
Potential trap game: @ Texas Tech
13. BYU Cougars (2023 Record: 5-7)
The Big 12’s worst offense from 2023 doesn’t have many new weapons, and the QBs added in the portal don’t appear to be much of an upgrade from 2023. Losing two solid linemen hurts, and the defense will have several new holes, especially at LB. It takes time to get the depth needed in a power-4 conference, and they didn’t do themselves many favors through the transfer portal.
2024 Prediction: 4-8
The Cougars have had some of the least transfer portal activity of any team in college football. This is unusual, considering the losses of several key players from last year’s 5-7 squad. While it isn’t typical in the transfer portal era, BYU seems content with developing the players on their roster. Not many entered the portal, and therefore there wasn’t a lot of room to bring many in through the portal.
One position where that was not the case was at quarterback. QB Kedon Slovis is done after one lackluster year with the program, and now they place their hopes on former Baylor and South Florida QB Gerry Bohanon. The plus for Bohanon is his running ability. He should pair well with returning RB LJ Martin. Western Michigan’s QB Treyson Bourguet also joins the Cougars, as does Utah State’s McCae Hillstead, and they may have a say about who the starter is come fall. There’s even a possibility it could be Jake Retzlaff, who started four games for the Cougars last season, including two close losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
BYU’s offense was flat-out bad last season, ranking dead last in both rushing and passing in the conference, but they haven’t been able to address a lot of those problems through the transfer portal. They lost RB Aidan Robbins, the team’s second-leading rusher, to the NFL, so it’s clear the future is in Martin’s hands. While another year in the program will help, it won’t be enough to move the needle for a rushing attack that only ran for 104 yards per game.
They’ve also lost TE Isaac Rex to the NFL, BYU’s second-leading receiver. They do get WR Chase Roberts back, the team’s leading receiver, as well as Darius Lassiter and Kody Epps, but they didn’t add anyone that should help elevate the passing game either.
The offensive line lost several contributors, particularly NFL-bound LG Kingsley Suamataia, but will still be anchored by C Connor Pay and RG Weylin Lapuaho. They will need several others to step up, or it could be a long season for whichever quarterback gets the starting nod.
Compared to the offense, the Cougars appear to be in a much better situation defensively, with the return of several important pieces from last season, including DE Tyler Batty, who led the team with 5.5 sacks, LB Max Tooley, the team’s top tackler, LB VJ Vongphachanh, who was second in tackles, and CB Jakob Robinson, who was second on the team with four interceptions.
There are a few holes to fill at defensive tackle and safety, and it will be interesting to see if they are able to bring in a little more depth through the portal before the start of the season.
Unfortunately for BYU, they don’t appear to be much better than where they were last season. In fact, they may be in a worse situation, considering the revamped QB room and the offensive line in charge of keeping them off their backs. It’s likely to look a lot like last year in 2024.
Most difficult games: @ Utah, vs Oklahoma St, vs Arizona, @ UCF, vs Kansas, vs Kansas St
Potential trap games: @ Baylor, @ SMU, @ Wyoming
14. TCU Horned Frogs (2023 Record: 5-7)
TCU is in for a long season. They don’t have amazing QB options, and their RB room is lacking. They’ll have a revamped offensive line as well. Their receiving group is solid but might have trouble getting the ball. The defense is missing several pieces from last season, although they have brought in some good replacements from the transfer portal.
2024 Prediction: 3-9
The Horned Frogs struggled to find consistency at QB last season, and it led to a frustrating season. They began with Chandler Morris, who went 3-3 in his first six starts before a season-ending injury against Iowa State. Morris has now transferred to North Texas.
Next, they had redshirt freshman Josh Hoover take the reins for the remaining six games of the year where he went 2-4 while throwing for 2,206 yards with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He appears to be the starter next season, although incoming transfer Ken Seals from Vanderbilt might steal the role.
They’ve lost RB Emani Bailey to the NFL, leaving them with Trey Sanders, who had 176 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns last season on 48 carries. The former 5-star Alabama running back has had severe injuries in his career, and it seems unlikely that he will be the primary ball carrier next season. However, they haven’t added anyone in the transfer portal yet, so it is likely to be an inexperienced group.
Nearly all of the wide receivers return, including Savion Williams and JP Richardson, who combined for over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns. They’ll also bring in Boise State’s #1 receiver, Eric McAlister, who had 873 yards and 5 touchdowns. They lost TE Jared Wiley to the NFL but replaced him perfectly with Baylor’s Drake Dabney, who had similar stats.
The offensive line will lose four starters and will be a major question mark heading into the 2024 season. They were able to bring in several new faces from the transfer portal, but none of them at the caliber of most of the players they’ve lost. Hoover is likely to face a lot of pressure.
It was a rough year for the TCU defense in 2023. So bad, in fact, that defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie was let go, replaced by former Boise State head coach Andy Avalos.
The defensive line will return most starters, as well as incoming Notre Dame transfer NaNa Osafo-Mensah, but it still needs a lot of improvement.
At linebacker, the Horned Frogs will return all three starters, including Namdi Obiazor, Jamoi Hodge, and Shad Banks Jr., who were numbers 1, 2, and 3 in tackles last season. Without question, this group will be the strength of the defense once again in 2024.
The secondary lost three starters, safeties Mark Perry and Millard Bradford, as well as CB Josh Newton. However, TCU was able to bring in several solid options from the transfer portal to address these gaps, including New Mexico State’s Andre Seldon, Utah’s JaTravis McCloud (Broughton), Memphis’s Cameron Smith, and Tulsa’s Jaise Oliver.
Overall, there is a lot of turnover on the entire team and they will have a lot of new faces. When you have a young quarterback, a rebuilding offensive line, a running game without a workhorse, and a defense that is being rebuilt outside of the linebackers, the writing is on the wall. It’s looking like another rough year in Fort Worth.
Most difficult games: @ Utah, vs Oklahoma State, @ Kansas, vs Arizona, vs UCF, @ Baylor
Potential trap games: @ Stanford, @ SMU, @ Cincinnati
15. Arizona St Sun Devils (2023 Record: 3-9)
The Big 12 didn’t do the Sun Devils any favors with their schedule, giving Arizona St home games against Utah, UCF, Kansas, and then road games against Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Arizona. They likely have one of the toughest schedules in the conference. The defense was the strength last season, and it will go down a little in 2024.
2024 Prediction: 3-9
2023 was a rough one for Arizona State, and despite Kenny Dillingham’s efforts in the transfer portal, 2024 could be just as rough, or even worse. They’ve got a difficult schedule, and several holes to fill.
The QB situation was a mess last season after Jaden Rashada got injured, and with him departing to Georgia, there isn’t much to inspire hope that it can get back on track in 2024. At the moment, the Sun Devils plan on starting Michigan State transfer QB Sam Leavitt, who played in 4 games last season as a freshman. However, ASU brought in former Nebraska and Georgia Tech junior transfer Jeff Sims to battle for the starting position, and his experience might be enough to give him the starting nod following fall camp.
At running back, the Sun Devils return do-it-all back Cam Skattebo, arguably the best player on the team. Skattebo finished with 783 yards rushing, 286 yards passing, and 130 yards passing. They also brought in USC’s Raleek Brown, who was used at both RB and WR, but should now be a full-time RB at ASU. Those two will likely be the highlight of the offense in 2024.
They also lost their top receiving threat, WR Elijhah Badger, to Florida late in the spring transfer window. With TE Jaylin Conyers departing to Colorado, the Sun Devils are left with Skattebo as their top returning pass catcher.
Arizona State lost two starters on the offensive line, including Isaia Glass, who transferred to Oklahoma State, and Joey Ramos, who declared for the NFL Draft. To help fill in those holes, they brought in New Mexico G Shancco Matautia, who started the past two seasons for the Lobos, but then left abruptly following spring practices. This leaves the offensive line quite thin.
The defense was also hit hard by the transfer portal and graduation. They lost several top playmakers to the transfer portal, including star DE BJ Green to Colorado, and S Jordan Clark to Notre Dame. They also lost S Chris Edmonds, CB Ro Torrence, and CB Demetries Ford to the NFL.
They were able to bring in New Mexico State’s top two tacklers, LB Keyshaun Elliott and S Myles Rowser, as well as San Diego State’s leading tackler and sack leader LB Zyrus Fiaseu, who had 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Aztecs. Still, a decline is likely.
With an unproven passing game, a weakened offensive line, and a rebuilt defense, it’s hard to see the Sun Devils improving on the three wins from last season.
Most difficult games: @ Oklahoma State, @ Arizona, @ Kansas State, vs Utah, vs Mississippi State, vs UCF
Potential trap games: @ Texas Tech, @ Cincinnati
16. Houston Cougars (2023 Record: 4-8)
In a season with so much turnover on both the offensive and defensive lines, it’s looking like a rough season ahead. That defense will need a lot of help.
2024 Prediction: 2-10
Dana Holgerson is out, and Willie Fritz is in. Fritz did an incredible job turning around the Tulane program, but it took him some time to do it. Now, after two double-digit winning seasons and a Cotton Bowl berth with the Green Wave, he’ll look to build the same kind of success at Houston.
Fritz will benefit from having a young group of offensive starters to develop. All of the main receiving and rushing skill starters were underclassmen in 2023, including running backs Parker Jenkins and Stacy Sneed. In a pass-heavy offense, they didn’t get many touches, but they did well with the ones they received. With Fritz on board, they’ll see a lot more action.
They lost three of their top five receivers, including #1 target Sam Brown, who left for Miami in the spring portal window. They also lost WR Matthew Golden, who transferred to Texas, and Dalton Carnes, who left for North Texas. That leaves them with Joseph Manjack IV, who had 577 yards and 6 TDs receiving last season, and Stephon Johnson, who hauled in 24 catches for 277 yards and 3 TDs.
The Cougars brought in Louisiana’s Zeon Chriss to compete for the starting QB position, but former Texas Tech QB Donovan Smith had a solid season as the Cougars starter in 2023, throwing for 2,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while completing an impressive 65% of his passes. He’s a dangerous runner, running for over 50 yards in 5 games last season, and he totaled 428 yards rushing, even though he was sacked 26 times.
The offensive line that surrendered those sacks only returns two starters, while starting LG Tyler Johnson departed to Colorado, Starting RT Reuben Unije left for Louisville and four-year starting LT Patrick Paul is headed to the NFL. They were able to bring in two-year starting LT Dakota White from Louisiana Tech, but for a line that already had trouble protecting the quarterback, adding even less experience is a bad sign.
The defense took a big hit in the transfer portal, losing starting DT and Second-Team All-Big 12 Jamaree Caldwell, who had 6.5 sacks, to Oregon. They also lost four-year starting DT Chidozie Nwankwo to Colorado. Their top CB, Isaiah Hamilton, who had 4 interceptions in 2023, departed to Ole Miss in the spring portal. This is especially concerning considering that the Cougars had the 2nd worst pass defense in the Big 12 last season.
Beyond the transfer portal, Houston also lost all three starting linebackers, including Malik Robinson and David Ugwoegbu to the NFL, as well as starting CB Malik Fleming, who had 3 interceptions, and starting DE Nelson Ceaser, who had 9.5 sacks.
They do return leading tackler S AJ Haulcy, who had 97 tackles.
To shore up all of the holes on the defensive line and linebacker groups, the Cougars had three defensive players from Tulane move over with Fritz. They also added LB Kendre Gant, who had 6 sacks for Louisiana last season.
With Fritz at the helm, Cougar fans have good reason to be optimistic about the future of Houston football, but it won’t happen overnight. With so many losses on defense and at receiver, they’ll have to rely on their run game in 2024. Unfortunately, the inexperienced offensive line will make that an uphill battle. It’s looking like a full-on rebuild this season, and it isn’t going to be pretty.
Most difficult games: @ Oklahoma, @ Arizona, @ Kansas, vs Utah, vs Kansas St, vs Iowa State
Potential trap games: @ BYU, @ TCU
Straight Up Utes 