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Fox Sports
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Which 10 FBS Teams From The 2020s Have The Highest Winning Percentage?
College Football Which 10 FBS Teams From The 2020s Have The Highest Winning Percentage? Published Aug. 17, 2025 3:57 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link We're halfway through the 2020s, and with the second half of the decade in college football beginning soon, now is a good time to do some reflection. The 2020s have ushered in a new era in the sport, with name, image and likeness (NIL) coming into play, while the transfer portal has become more prevalent. The College Football Playoff also expanded for the first time since its inception, increasing from four to 12 teams in 2024. With all these changes in recent years, which organizations have been the best at navigating these new waters? Here are the 10 programs with the best winning percentage in the 2020s (2020 season through the 2024 season). 10 FBS Teams With The Highest Winning Percentage In The 2020s 10 Ole Miss: 44-18 (71%) Lane Kiffin has had a strong first five seasons at Ole Miss. (Photo by) Head coach Lane Kiffin helped elevate Ole Miss in his first few years in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels have been in the SEC title hunt more often than not through his first five seasons at the helm. They've finished the season ranked in the top 15 three times but haven't yet made the CFP. ADVERTISEMENT Kalani Sitake's BYU squad has been consistent. (Photo by) The Cougars have been a sneaky successful program this decade, winning at least 10 games in three of the past five seasons. They arguably had their best year in quite some time in 2024, going 11-2 but missing out on a chance to play in the Big 12 Championship Game because of a tiebreaker. Jamey Chadwell's had a strong first two seasons as Liberty's head coach. (Photo by) With Hugh Freeze and Jamey Chadwell both serving as Liberty's head coach through the first half of the decade, the Flames have arguably been the best non-power conference school since 2020. They went 26-10 with Freeze from 2020-22, going 10-1 in 2020. But they had their best season under Chadwell, going 13-1 in 2023. Their lone loss that year came to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Clemson has been the class of the ACC for most of the 2020s. (Photo by) Considering that there were questions not too long ago about whether the game had passed head coach Dabo Swinney by, some might be surprised to see Clemson on this list. Remember, though, Trevor Lawrence was still at quarterback in 2020, helping the Tigers go 10-2. They've won at least nine games in every season since then as well, making the CFP for the first time since 2020 this past season. Dan Lanning has helped Oregon become a title contender. (Photo) Oregon has had three coaching changes since 2017, so the fact that it's on this list is pretty impressive. Mario Cristobal helped elevate the Ducks late in the 2010s before leaving for Miami (Fla.) after a 10-3 season in 2021. Dan Lanning has arguably lifted Oregon even higher, winning at least 10 games in each of his first three seasons as head coach. That includes last season, when Oregon went 13-0 before losing in the quarterfinals of the CFP. Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame reached the national championship game in 2024. (Photo) Brian Kelly brought stability back to South Bend, Indiana over his long tenure as Notre Dame's head coach, and Marcus Freeman has helped sustain it. The Fighting Irish have gone 33-9 in Freeman's first three seasons as head coach, reaching the national championship game for the first time since 2012 last season. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan won the national championship in 2023. (Photo by) At the start of the decade, Michigan was in the dumps. The Wolverines went 2-4 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, nearly costing then-head coach Jim Harbaugh his job. The following season, however, Michigan began a three-year stretch where it made the CFP each season, culminating with a national championship victory in 2023. That stretch was so strong that even an 8-5 season in 2024 couldn't knock the Wolverines out of the top five from this list. Nick Saban was responsible for most of Alabama's success so far this decade. (Photo by) Alabama was the top dog in college football in the 2010s, winning four national championships that decade and becoming a perennial contender under then-head coach Nick Saban. It looked like the Crimson Tide would remain college football's premier program at the turn of the decade as well, winning the national championship in 2020. It hasn't won a national title since, but it has still remained a perennial national championship contender. Ryan Day finally won a national championship in 2024. (Photo by) Head coach Ryan Day finally got over the hump and won a national championship in 2024 after coming so close to breaking through a few times prior to that. Before going 14-2 in 2024, Ohio State went 11-2 in each of the three previous seasons. The Buckeyes also went 7-1 in 2020, losing in the national championship game that year. Kirby Smart has helped Georgia win two national championships this decade. (Photo by) Kirby Smart's Bulldogs have been the definition of success in college football through the first five years of the decade. Georgia's the only program to win multiple national championships, going 15-0 in 2022 after a 14-1 title-winning season in 2021. It's won at least 11 games in two of the years that it didn't win the title, too. Additionally, Georgia hasn't lost a game at home this decade. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football What did you think of this story? share
NBC Sports
08-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 Big 12 Football Betting: Contenders, Playoff odds, team overviews, players to watch, and win totals
Probably the most wide-open conference of the Power 4 is the Big 12. Last year's winner Arizona State is the favorite this season. You may recall, however, that they were picked to finish last in the conference a year ago at this time. Remember, the five teams picked to contend in the Big 12 last season finished a combined 26-35 and just 13-32 in conference play. The preseason contenders may not struggle to that degree this season, but this conference appears to be up for grabs again this season. Eric Froton (@CFFroton) of NBC Sports has taken a deep dive into the conference and shares his thoughts on the top contenders in the Big 12 offering an overview of each along with a look at players to watch, each school's path to the college football playoff, and a play on the projected win total for each of the schools. Arizona State Head Coach: Kenny Dillingham (3rd Year) 2024 Record: 11-3 Bowl/Playoff Appearance: Lost CFP Playoff Peach Bowl vs. Texas 39-31 in 2 OT Offense Ranking: 28th Returning Starters: 7 Defense Ranking: 29th Returning Starters: 7 Arizona State's 2024 campaign under Kenny Dillingham marked a stunning turnaround, as the Sun Devils surged to an 11–3 record and a #31 SP+ national finish just one year after ranking 107th. The offense blossomed into a Top 30 unit by SP+ (28th), fueled by a run game that ranked 7th in rushing success rate and a passing attack that finished 10th in adjusted net yards per attempt. Defensively, ASU held opponents to 5.23 yards per play (41st) and ranked Top 30 nationally in havoc created by their secondary, though their linebacker (116th Havoc rate) and defensive line (76th Havoc rate) production remained average at best. Despite ranking near the bottom in special teams SP+ (131st), the Sun Devils dramatically overachieved preseason expectations with elite fourth-down efficiency, turnover margin (+14) and a +13.0 points per game delta over projections, the highest in the country. Tyson has all the makings of a topflight collegiate wide receiver but there are still some questions in NFL Draft circles as to his overall speed/athleticism ceiling. His ball tracking, body control, hands and route savvy are all strengths, but Tyson needs to put together Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson recreate their 2024 magic, Kyson Brown and Kanye Udoh combine to replace the devastating impact of the departed Cam Skattebo, and their defense improves on the 24 sacks of a year ago to create more backfield disruption. ASU will need to be road warriors and handle business in Waco (Baylor), in Salt Lake City (Utah), and in Ames (Iowa State) if they want to make the Big 12 Championship Game again. Coming off their historic turnaround from 3 to 11 wins, ASU is aggressively lined at 8.5 Wins (Under -120). With tough road games at Mississippi State, Baylor, Utah, Iowa State, and Colorado combined with games in Tempe against potentially troubling teams like Texas State, TCU and Houston, I think the post-Playoff hangover takes hold and Arizona State levels out a bit back to a still strong 8 Wins, making this an Under play for me at -120. Utah Utes Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham 2024 Record: 5-7 (3-6 B12) Bowl/Playoff Appearance: None Offense Ranking: 99th Returning Starters: 5 Defense Ranking: 18th Returning Starters: 7 The 2024 Utah Utes stumbled to a 5–7 (2–7 Pac-12) finish despite boasting a Top 20 defense (18th in SP+). Offensively is where the Utes struggled ranking among the nation's worst units, ranking 99th in SP+ and bottom-five in success rate, third-down conversions, red zone efficiency, and yards per drive. Their season began with a promising 4–0 start, but the Utes collapsed down the stretch, losing seven of their final eight games, including narrow defeats to BYU and Iowa State despite postgame win expectancies above 50%. Special teams (32nd SP+) and a high-impact havoc defense weren't enough to offset their dismal offense, ultimately dooming Utah to their first losing season since 2013. After a full season of abject misery on the offensive side of the ball, the Utes faithful are putting their hopes in Devon Dampier to see if he can recreate the New Mexico magic in Salt Lake City. How he performs will dictate the direction of Utah's season. Dampier was a dual-threat force, rushing for 1,187 yards and 19 touchdowns on 7.91 yards per carry while producing a stellar 64.7% rushing success rate and 51.3% first-down conversion rate for UNM last season. He consistently created chunk plays with 25.8% of his carries going for 10+ yards and showed advanced elusiveness with 0.27 missed tackles forced per rush. Dampier is a gargantuan upgrade over 2024 starter Isaac Wilson. OC Jason Beck's offense takes hold quickly and the Devon Dampier Heisman Train gets rolling heading into Week 7 vs. Arizona State. The experienced offensive line fulfills their Joe Moore Award upside and clears the way for 200+ YPG and the defense continues to be a lockdown unit that holds their opponents under 20 points per game. Utah's Win (-175 Over) mark is rightfully juiced to the Over 7.5. Utah should be favored in just about every game this season and gets three of their four toughest opponents at home (Texas Tech/Az State/Kansas State). The value is sapped out of this market at -175 to the Over, but I still feel confident Utah can hit the 8-win mark. Kansas State Head Coach: Chris Klieman (7th year) 2024 Record: 9-4 (5-4 B12) Bowl/Playoff Appearance: Lost 44-41 to Rutgers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Offense Ranking: 29 Returning Starters: 5 Defense Ranking: 23 Returning Starters: 5 Kansas State enters the 2025 season on the heels of a strong 9–4 campaign that matched its predicted win total exactly, suggesting the Wildcats performed to expectation. Offensively, Chris Klieman's squad was explosive and efficient, ranking 13th in yards per play (6.57), 4th in yards per carry (6.5), and 5th in IsoPPP, all while boasting the No. 2 mark nationally in yards before contact per rush (3.35). The defense finished 23rd in SP+, anchored by a Top 5 success rate (4th) and a stingy front that ranked 15th in stuff rate and 17th in opportunity rate allowed. Despite inconsistency in finishing drives and close-game execution, the Wildcats return as a legitimate Big 12 contender with a balanced and well-graded statistical profile on both sides of the ball. If Kansas State is going to ascend to the National Championship picture, Avery Johnson needs to develop his pocket passing ability to be commensurate with his eclectic ability to scramble and make plays outside of structure. If he can do that, then Kansas State should win the Big 12 Conference come December. Avery Johnson continues his upward developmental trajectory, Dylan Edwards electrifies the 35+ PPG offense, and the secondary finds a CB1 to replace departed star Jacob Parrish. 9.5 Wins (Over -115) is a lofty total that the Wildcats have failed to clear in 4 of the last five seasons and offers little margin for error. Still Kansas State should be comfortable favorites in 8 games and at worst toss-ups in 4 others, making this a pretty tight line and a stay away for me. Texas Tech Head Coach: Joey Maguire (4th year) 2024 Record: 8-5 (6-3 B12) Bowl/Playoff Appearance: Lost to Arkansas 39-26 in the Liberty Bowl Offense Ranking: 27th Returning Starters: 6 (9 with transfers) Defense Ranking: 92nd Returning Starters: 5 (10 with transfers) Texas Tech heads into the 2025 season following an 8–5 campaign that was more chaotic than consistent, with a -2.7 second-order win margin suggesting they overachieved relative to their underlying performance. Offensively, the Red Raiders were aggressive and fast-paced (No. 1 in plays per game), finishing 27th in SP+ behind a Top 20 scoring efficiency (2.76 points per drive) and strong third-down conversion rate (48.1%, 10th nationally). Defensively, however, Tech was porous—ranking 92nd in SP+ and 124th in yards per play allowed—struggling especially with explosiveness (131st IsoPPP) and finishing drives (106th in points per scoring opportunity allowed). With Joey McGuire returning following a third straight bowl appearance, the program shows progress, but improving defensive efficiency and avoiding negative turnover regression will be crucial to taking the next step in the new-look Big 12. Fortunately for Tech fans, nobody in the Big 12 hit the transfer portal harder than the well-funded Red Raiders. Texas Tech rode RB Tahj Brooks hard as their true bell cow rusher, plying him with 586 carries over the last two years. USC transfer Quinten Joyner is expected to take over the lead rusher duties, but it could be more of a timeshare with talented RB2 Ja'Koby Williams still in the RB room. It will be interesting to see how the carries are divided up in Lubbock. Behren Morton is fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and is the perfect conduit for new OC Mack Leftwich's offense, leading to a 40 points per game eruption. The defense finally comes together following the influx of new premium talent and cuts their points allowed last season by two touchdowns to 20 PPG. They manage to take two out of three road games against Utah, Arizona State, and Kansas State which would assure the Red Raiders of a Playoff spot. The DK line of 8.5 Wins (Over -140) is a big number for a Texas Tech program that hasn't won 9 games in a regular season since 2009. The schedule is manageable outside of the brutal three game road stretch at Utah, at Arizona State, and at Kansas State, as they dodge Baylor and have seven home games vs. just five road tilts. Expectations are extremely high in Lubbock after the NIL spending spree that was unleashed this offseason. However, paying -140 for TT to win 9 games is a pricey proposition at this stage of the offseason. I would rather take a shot at Texas Tech to win the B12 at 6-to-1 or Make the Playoff at +450. Baylor Head Coach: Dave Aranda (6th Year) 2024 Record: 8-5 (6-3 B12) Bowl/Playoff Appearance: Lost 44-31 to LSU in Texas Bowl Offense SP+ Rank (2024): 25th Returning Starters (Offense): 9 Defense SP+ Rank (2024): 61st Returning Starters (Defense): 5 Baylor rebounded from a 3–9 season in 2023 to finish 8–5 in 2024, behind a Top 25 offense (25th SP+) that ranked 23rd nationally in yards per play (6.33) and 12th in passing success rate (47.6%). The offense operated with tempo (14th in seconds/play) and generated explosive plays (10th in 20+ yard play rate) but still struggled with penalties (103rd) and red zone efficiency (50th in TD%). Defensively, the Bears were inconsistent, ranking 61st in SP+ while finishing 75th or worse in yards/play allowed, EPA/play, and points/drive, despite an improved front that ranked 20th in rushing success rate allowed. Their +6 turnover margin and strong 6-0 stretch to close the regular season helped mask a defense that ranked 97th in yards per drive and 120th in marginal explosiveness allowed. QB Sawyer Robertson took over for last year's starting QB DeQuan Finn and promptly helped Baylor rattle off six consecutive wins to end the 2024 regular season. He may be the best of a strong group of Big 12 signal callers. Baylor's transfer infusion on the interior defensive line solidifies their run defense and they are able to upset Auburn and on the road at SMU in their first two games of the season. Even if things don't go their way in the non-conference, Baylor gets their toughest B12 foes ASU, Kansas State and Utah at home and can forge their own path to the B12 Championship Game if they hold serve in McLane Stadium. Baylor's brutal non-conference schedule vs. Auburn and at SMU helps to suppress their 7.5 Win (Under -115) line. Despite those tough contests, Baylor could very well be favored in all their B12 tilts thanks to a 5-game home slate featuring their toughest conference opponents. I lean Over 7.5 Wins for Baylor. Iowa State Head Coach: Matt Campbell (10th Year) 2024 Record: 11-3 (6-3 B12) Bowl/Playoff Appearance: Beat Miami 42-41 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl Offense Ranking: 44th Returning Starters: 7 Defense Ranking: 32nd Returning Starters: 6 Despite finishing the 2024 season with a glossy 11–3 record, Iowa State significantly overachieved its underlying metrics, posting just 7.9 second-order wins and ranking only 35th in SP+. The Cyclones thrived on turnover luck (+9 margin, 19th nationally) and fourth-down efficiency (80%, 2nd), masking an offense that ranked 92nd in success rate and struggled mightily on standard downs (111th in SD success rate). QB Rocco Becht generated big plays to his star wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, with ISU ranking 22nd in marginal explosiveness. However, the overall pass game efficiency waned at times, as is evidenced by their 74th-ranked passing success rate. While the defense held firm in red zone scoring and created havoc in the secondary (12th in DB havoc rate), the front seven struggled with run fits and sack generation, as Iowa State finished bottom-25 nationally in rushing success rate allowed and sack rate on standard downs. Heading into 2025, Matt Campbell's team will need improved down-to-down consistency and fewer dependence on high-leverage conversions to replicate last year's 11-win total in an expanded and deep Big 12. Chase Sowell transfers over from Eastern Carolina and is expected to take over the X-WR role vacated by Jayden Higgins. How Sowell and fellow transfer Xavier Hutchinson replace Higgins and Jaylin Noel will determine how far the Cyclones can go this season. The passing game gels and Carson Hansen rushes for 100 yards and ISU gets off to a hot start and knocks off Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland Week 0. They will need to beat in-state rival Iowa in Week 3 and have the luxury of hosting Arizona State while dodging Texas Tech and Baylor in conference play, allowing Iowa State to run the Big 12 table and make a second-consecutive Big 12 Championship Game appearance. This line sits at a relatively balanced 7.5 Wins (-135 Under). With Iowa State having continuity everywhere except for the additions at defensive line and wide receiver, and having a rather favorable in-conference schedule, I lean the Over 7.5 Wins (+115) at the current prices. These are the favorites to claim the Big 12 title at season's end and guarantee themselves a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, the conference is wide open, and its history promises the unexpected at points throughout the season. Read More: Froton Focuses on the contenders in the ACC Trysta Krick and Vaughn Dalzell look at the betting market for Arizona State in 2025, sharing why the loss of two key starters and a tough schedule could lead to the Sun Devils finishing with under 8.5 wins this year. Vaughn Dalzell and Trysta Krick evaluate the Utah Utes ahead of the 2025 college football season, explaining why veteran coach Kyle Whittingham has the roster to be a contender after a disappointing 2024.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Oklahoma rivalries among The Athletic's Top 25 all-time in college football
Before kickoff, college football rivalries bring families, friends and colleagues closer together. The outcome instantly divides those same which ones rise above the rest in the nation? The Oklahoma Sooners have long been one of college football's premier programs. One of the hallmarks of college football has long been intense, iconic rivalries between teams and fanbases that can't stand each other. So, it makes sense that OU is a part of some of the best rivalries in college football history. The Athletic's Scott Dochterman set out to rank the best rivalries in college football earlier this week. He placed three matchups involving OU within his top 25. Of course, Oklahoma's biggest rival is the Texas Longhorns. Dochterman had The Red River Shootout at No. 3 on his list, behind only The Game between Michigan and Ohio State and The Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. OU-Texas absolutely has a strong case for No. 1, as Red River is one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports. The Longhorns lead the all-time series 64-51-5, but since 1999, it's Oklahoma who holds a 17-10 advantage, including a win in the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game in 2018. Next up for the Sooners is their rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which Dochterman ranked sixth. OU-Nebraska fell behind Army-Navy and Notre Dame-USC in the pecking order. Unfortunately, due to conference realignment, OU-Nebraska hasn't been played regularly since the Cornhuskers moved to the Big Ten in 2011. It was once one of college football's most anticipated annual games, and the teams played a non-conference home-and-home series in 2021 and 2022, with the Sooners pulling off the sweep. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 47-38-3, with an 8-2 record against the Huskers since 1999. Another great rivalry lost to conference realignment came in at No. 25 on Dochterman's list. The Bedlam game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys has provided so many great memories over the years, but 2023 was the last scheduled playing of the in-state rivalry. Bedlam had become a bigger game over the last two decades as the Cowboys rose to sustained national relevance under head coach Mike Gundy. However, the Sooners have traditionally gotten the better of their little brother to the north. OU's overall record against OSU sits at 91-20-7, with the mark since 1999 at 19-6, also in Oklahoma's favor. One thing's for certain: you can't talk about great college football rivalries for long before the Oklahoma Sooners come up. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Big 12 Football 2025 Predictions
Big 12 Football 2025 Predictions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The new 16-team Big 12 didn't disappoint last season and predicting this conference in 2025 is no easy task. Four teams tied for first at 7-2 in league play, while three finished 6-3 and two at 5-4. With 16 teams clustered together in overall talent and program capability, another chaotic 2025 season is likely in order once again. Arizona State is the reigning Big 12 champion, but the gap between coach Kenny Dillingham's squad and Kansas State, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Utah, Baylor, BYU, TCU, and Kansas is miniscule. Advertisement Although the top nine teams in the conference for '25 seem clear, Colorado has plenty of staying power behind coach Deion Sanders, and Houston is poised to improve in coach Willie Fritz's second season. Cincinnati should push for a bowl, and Oklahoma State, Arizona, West Virginia, and UCF all have reasons for optimism. How does Athlon Sports project Big 12 for 2025? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 16 teams in Big 12 for this fall: ORDER NOW: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Guide Big 12 Football 2025 Predictions Kansas State QB Avery Johnson© Scott Sewell-Imagn Images Big 12 Championship Game: Kansas State over Arizona State 1. Kansas State Kansas State has been a model of consistency under coach Chris Klieman. The program has won at least eight games in each of the last four years and is 18-9 in Big 12 contests since 2022. With a veteran roster returning, along with a favorable schedule, a return to the conference title game should be the expectation for the Wildcats. Advertisement Quarterback Avery Johnson is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. In his first year as the starter, Johnson averaged 255.2 total yards a game and accounted for 32 overall scores. New coordinator Matt Wells should help Johnson continue to refine his game (especially as a passer) and earn a place among the top quarterbacks in the nation. The junior has plenty of help in the backfield with Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson providing a solid one-two punch. Top receiver Jayce Brown is also back, but more weapons need to emerge to help Johnson reach his potential. The offensive line is also in transition with three new starters. Aiding Kansas State's hopes of a Big 12 title is five returning starters off a defense that limited opponents to 5.2 yards a play last season. Linebacker Austin Romaine is one of the best in college football, while the line is arguably tops in the Big 12. Coordinator Joe Klanderman has some shuffling to do in the secondary. Related: Projecting College Football's Top 25 Teams for 2025 2. Arizona State Arizona State was one of college football's biggest surprises in 2024. Behind rising star coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils exceeded all expectations with a Big 12 title and nearly upset Texas in the College Football Playoff. But make no mistake: Last season was no fluke. Arizona State has plenty of staying power and will contend for a spot in the playoff and Big 12 title once again. Advertisement Running back Cam Skattebo will be missed, but the Sun Devils shouldn't miss a beat on offense. That's due to the return of quarterback Sam Leavitt after a breakout debut in Tempe, with receiver Jordyn Tyson among the best in college football. Replacing Skattebo's production could be a committee effort, with Army transfer Kanye Udoh, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown all handling carries. Four starters are back to form one of the Big 12's top offensive lines. Although the offense garnered most of the attention for last year's run, Arizona State's defense also deserved its share of credit. Under coordinator Brian Ward, this unit held teams to 22.6 points a contest and 5.2 yards a play. With nine starters returning, the Sun Devils could have the Big 12's top defenses in '25. Related: Big 12 Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 3. Texas Tech Texas Tech QB Behren Morton© Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images Not only was Texas Tech one of the biggest winners of college football's offseason, coach Joey McGuire's team will be among the most intriguing teams to watch this fall. The Red Raiders spent big-time NIL dollars this offseason to upgrade a roster that the program hopes will translate to winning a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. After going 6-3 in league play last season, Texas Tech's additions and improvements through the portal might be enough to get this team over the hump. Advertisement The Red Raiders have all of the ingredients to have one of the Big 12's top offenses. Quarterback Behren Morton is expected to return to full strength after offseason shoulder surgery. He will have help coming from the portal to bolster the receiving corps, including Reggie Virgil (Miami, Ohio), along with Micah Hudson's decision to return to Lubbock after transferring earlier in the offseason. But the biggest help to Morton should come in the trenches. After struggling up front in '24, Texas Tech added four transfers to upgrade this unit, including Howard Sampson (North Carolina) and Will Jados (Miami, Ohio). Running back Tahj Brooks will be missed, but Quinten Joyner and J'Koby Williams will keep the ground game on track. Defense has been a long-running issue for Texas Tech. However, the hire of coordinator Shiel Wood from Houston, along with a handful of portal additions, has provided optimism for this unit to take a step forward. The biggest acquisitions for McGuire came up front. Ends David Bailey and Romello Height will create havoc off the edge, while UCF transfer Lee Hunter can fortify the interior. Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts form a solid duo at linebacker, while McGuire is counting on a couple of transfers to help improve a struggling pass defense. Related: Ranking the Big 12 Coaches for 2025 4. Iowa State The 2024 season was a historic one for Iowa State. The 11 wins were the most for the program in a single year and the No. 15 final ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 poll was the second-highest mark in school history. And with 12 starters back, coach Matt Campbell's team has all of the pieces in place to return to the league title game and hoist the Big 12 Championship for the first time. Advertisement Quarterback Rocco Becht is back to anchor an offense that averaged over 30 points a game last season. Becht averaged 273.1 total yards a contest in '24 and tied for fourth in the conference with 10 completions of 40-plus yards. However, Becht's receiving corps is in transition with Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel off to the NFL. Transfers Chase Sowell (East Carolina) and Xavier Townsend (UCF) are counted upon to slide into go-to roles on the outside. Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III lead the way in the backfield, while three starters return in the trenches. Iowa State's defense wasn't up to its usual standard last year, but coordinator Jon Heacock's group still finished No. 59 nationally in success rate. Injuries (especially to the linebacker group) hit this unit hard last season. A return to full strength by linebacker Caleb Bacon should provide a boost, while the rush defense will also benefit from having lineman Domonique Orange anchoring the front once again. A revamped secondary is Heacock's biggest preseason concern. 5. Baylor Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images After a 2-4 start in 2024, coach Dave Aranda's tenure at Baylor seemed to be in its final stretch. But instead of a complete collapse in the second half, the Bears surged to six straight wins and finished 8-5 after a bowl loss to LSU. With a favorable home schedule and 12 returning starters, Aranda is expected to have this team in the hunt for a spot in the Big 12 title game. Advertisement Quarterback Sawyer Robertson's development in the second half of '24 was a big reason why Baylor finished the year on a tear. Robertson threw 22 touchdown tosses over his final eight games and finished second in the Big 12 for the year in quarterback rating (153.09). With Robertson and coordinator Jake Spavital having another offseason to mesh, this offense can find another gear in '25. Aiding that cause is running back Bryson Washington (1,028 yards) and receiver Josh Cameron (52 catches). Four starters are also back to form a strong offensive line. Aranda needs a little more from his defense to make the Big 12 title game in '25. The Bears gave up too many big plays (16 of 40-plus allowed) and surrendered nearly six yards (5.97) a snap in conference action. Linebacker Keaton Thomas headlines five returning starters, and Aranda added help for all three levels from the portal. Related: Projecting College Football's Top 25 Teams for 2025 6. Utah Utah entered 2024 as the preseason favorite to win the Big 12, but the season was quickly derailed by injuries, including starting quarterback Cam Rising. After the program's first losing season (5-7) since '13, the Utes are primed for a significant rebound after coach Kyle Whittingham made a couple of key offseason adjustments. Advertisement Addressing an offense that managed only 5.2 yards a play and 23.6 points a contest was Whittingham's top priority, and with coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier arriving from New Mexico as a package deal, this unit should show marked improvement. Dampier should be among the Big 12's most dynamic signal-callers and has room to grow as a passer in '25. The line should be a strength with tackles Spencer Fano and Logan Lomu returning. However, Beck has to navigate significant turnover at receiver. Defense is usually a strength in Salt Lake City and that was certainly the case last season. Despite the offensive shortcomings, Utah's defense ranked second in the Big 12 in fewest points allowed (20.7 a game) and third in fewest yards per play (5.1). Expect this unit to remain dominant in '25 with end Logan Fano, linebacker Lander Barton, and safety Smith Snowden leading the cast of returning players. 7. BYU BYU improved its win total by six (5-7 to 11-2) in its second trip through the Big 12. Coach Kalani Sitake's squad also just missed a spot in the conference title game after late losses to Arizona State and Kansas. Although there are holes to fill, the Cougars should remain in the mix for the Big 12 Championship. Advertisement Quarterback Jake Retzlaff's development was instrumental to BYU's improvement last season. However, his '25 status is uncertain due to a civil lawsuit filed in May. McCae Hillstead, Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier, and Treyson Bourguet round out the other quarterback options for coordinator Aaron Roderick. Running back LJ Martin (718 yards) is a rising star in the backfield, while Chase Roberts returns as the No. 1 target with Darius Lassiter and Keelan Marion (transfer to Miami) departing. Three starters are also gone from the line of scrimmage. Sitake and coordinator Jay Hill guided BYU's defense to No. 1 in the Big 12 in fewest yards per play allowed (4.9) and 19.6 points a contest. Maintaining that production with three returning starters won't be easy. However, the two-deep is still stocked with talent, including linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly, and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. A rebuilt secondary is the biggest concern for Sitake. Related: Ranking the Big 12 Coaches for 2025 8. Kansas Kansas QB Jalon DanielsChris Jones-Imagn Images Lance Leipold's Jayhawks entered 2024 with expectations of contending for a Big 12 title. However, those hopes were dashed early on. Quarterback Jalon Daniels was rusty in a return from a season-ending injury suffered in '23 and Kansas started slow as a result last year. However, the Jayhawks found their stride late in the season by winning four out of their last six matchups, including victories against Iowa State, Colorado, and BYU. Advertisement With another offseason to get back on track, Daniels should return to a spot among the top quarterbacks in the Big 12. The senior will be working with a new play-caller, as Jim Zebrowski and Matt Lubick will handle the coordinator role following Jeff Grimes' departure to Wisconsin. Devin Neal will be missed, but Daniel Hishaw and Iowa transfer Leshon Williams still form a standout backfield. The line is in transition with three new starters, and the receiving corps was decimated by departures. Look for Alabama transfer Emmanuel Henderson to emerge as one of Daniels' top targets. The defense is also in transition for Leipold. Long-time Leipold lieutenant Brian Borland retired at the end of '24, with D.K. McDonald promoted into the play-caller role. Just three starters are back for McDonald, but similar to the offense, Leipold landed help from the portal. Linebackers Bangally Kamara (South Carolina) and Joseph Sipp (Bowling Green), end Justice Finkley (Texas), and defensive backs DJ Graham (Utah State) and Lyrik Rawls (Oklahoma State) are slated for big roles. Seniors Dean Miller, D.J. Withers, and Tommy Dunn provide a solid foundation up front. 9. TCU Not much separates No. 1 and No. 9 in the projected finish for the Big 12. TCU surged at the end of '24 by winning six out of its final seven games and optimism is high in Fort Worth that momentum will carry over into this fall. Advertisement Quarterback Josh Hoover returns after finishing second in the Big 12 in yards per game (303.8), and the receiving corps still has plenty of talent despite losing Savion Williams, Jack Bech, and JP Richardson. Eric McAlister should push for All-Big 12 honors as the team's No. 1 target, with transfers Jordan Dwyer (Idaho) and Joseph Manjack IV (Houston) rounding out the top options for Hoover. If TCU is going to challenge for a spot in the Big 12 title game, improvement up front and with its ground attack is a must. The Horned Frogs managed only 3.7 yards a carry in '24. TCU's defense showed signs of improvement under first-year coordinator Andy Avalos last season. After giving up 5.74 yards a snap in Big 12 play in '23, the Horned Frogs cut that total to 5.4 last year. With six starters back, Avalos should build on that progress. Safety Bud Clark is back as one of this unit's key leaders to lead a pass defense that ranked No. 42 nationally in success rate last year. But improvement is needed against the run after TCU finished 12th in the conference. Related: Big 12 Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 10. Colorado Colorado coach Deion SandersMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Replicating last season's run at the Big 12 title and 9-4 record won't be easy for coach Deion Sanders' team in 2025. With quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter off to the NFL, a transition year is likely in order. However, the Buffaloes still have plenty of staying power thanks to Sanders' efforts to reshape the roster through the portal and on the recruiting trail. Advertisement Maintaining a high-powered offense in '25 starts at the quarterback spot with an ongoing competition between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian Lewis. Salter is expected to start, but Lewis will be hard to keep on the sidelines. The Buffaloes also landed several transfers in hopes of boosting the play in the trenches, while new additions from the portal (Joseph Williams and Sincere Brown) are being counted upon to replace Hunter and others in the receiving corps. Under first-year coordinator Robert Livingston, Colorado's defense showed marked improvement in its play, holding teams to 5.01 yards a snap. Just three starters are back, and similar to the offense, Sanders dipped into the portal for help at all three levels. Alabama transfer Jehiem Oatis is expected to make an impact up front, with Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) set to form a solid second level. Cornerback DJ McKinney is one of the Big 12's most underrated players entering '25. 11. Houston As expected, coach Willie Fritz's debut at Houston in 2024 was a rebuilding year with a 4-8 record. However, as Fritz has shown throughout his coaching career, his programs only get better in Year 2 and beyond. Don't be surprised if the Cougars make a massive jump forward in the Big 12 standings. Advertisement Big changes are coming to Houston's offense. After this unit ranked last in the Big 12 in scoring (14 points a game) and yards per play (4.87), Fritz dismissed coordinator Kevin Barbay and brought in his old Tulane play-caller Slade Nagle to direct this attack in '25. Not only have the Cougars upgraded on their staff, but the personnel has improved as well. Texas A&M transfer quarterback Conner Weigman is eager to live up to his recruiting hype after an up-and-down tenure in College Station. A fresh start in Houston should help Weigman's career. Also, Fritz added several transfers to bolster a struggling offensive line and in the passing attack with the arrival of tight end Tanner Koziol (Ball State/Wisconsin) and receivers Amare Thomas and Harvey Broussard. Rice transfer running back Dean Connors is another versatile weapon for Nagle to deploy. Defense wasn't Houston's problem last year. Despite an anemic offense leaving it vulnerable, the Cougars held teams to 22.9 points a contest. Fritz hired Austin Armstrong from Florida to replace Shiel Wood (left for Texas Tech), and while there are holes to fill, the overall play of this unit shouldn't slip much. The late spring departures of cornerback Jeremiah Wilson and safety AJ Haulcy were a setback to the secondary. Fritz added help from the portal to alleviate those losses, while the front is in better shape with Carlos Allen and Brandon Mack II returning. Related: Big 12 Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 12. Cincinnati The Bearcats showed small signs of progress in coach Scott Satterfield's second season. After going 3-9 in 2023, Cincinnati just missed a bowl with a 5-7 record. The pressure is building on Satterfield, but the schedule features enough favorable games to push for a postseason trip in '25. Advertisement Quarterback Brendan Sorsby is a big reason why the Bearcats can exceed last year's win total. In his first season at Cincinnati, Sorsby threw for 2,813 yards and 18 touchdowns to only seven picks and ranked third in the conference in completion rate (64 percent). Sorsby's experience and play is critical to bridge the gap to a revamped supporting cast from the portal. Tawee Walker (Wisconsin) and Evan Pryor will team up to replace Corey Kiner's production on the ground. Tight end Joe Royer is one of the best in college football at his position, but the Bearcats lost their top four statistical receivers from '24. The offensive line returns only two starters, but transfers Joe Cotton (South Dakota) and Taran Tyo (Ball State) were key additions from the portal. Cincinnati's defense cut its points allowed in Big 12 play from 32.8 in 2023 to 25.7 last season under first-year coordinator Tyson Veidt. For this unit to take a step forward again, Veidt and Satterfield need key contributions from the portal to restock a secondary hit hard by departures. However, the outlook is brighter up front with lineman Dontay Corleone and linebacker Jake Goladay returning. 13. Oklahoma State Oklahoma State surprisingly bottomed out in 2024 with a 3-9 record and an 0-9 mark in Big 12 play. The performance of both sides of the ball collapsed, with the Cowboys averaging only 22 points in Big 12 play and giving up 40.7 a contest. Following the worst season of his extended tenure, coach Mike Gundy was forced to make significant changes and took a salary cut of $1 million. Will those changes pay off in '25? Advertisement New offensive coordinator Doug Meacham essentially inherits a blank slate. The Cowboys will have five new starters along the line and lost significant production at running back and receiver. Gundy hit the transfer portal hard for help at all of those positions, as well as the quarterback spot with TCU transfer Hauss Hejny battling Zane Flores for the starting job. Three starters return for new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. However, similar to the offensive side, transfers are expected to make significant contributions at all three levels. Up front, De'Marion Thomas (Vanderbilt) and Taje McCoy (Colorado) headline the newcomers, while former Akron standout Bryan McCoy anchors the second level. Cornerback Cam Smith and safety Dylan Smith return to lead the way on the back end. 14. West Virginia West Virginia running back Jahiem WhiteJim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports Rich Rodriguez's return to Morgantown is one of the Big 12's most intriguing storylines for 2025. The Mountaineers are navigating a massive roster overhaul and face a brutal schedule. However, Rodriguez has won here before and knows how to get the most out of the roster. This fall could be a rebuild year to set the stage for better results in 2026 and beyond. Advertisement Rodriguez's track record of building prolific offenses will be tested this season. West Virginia enters the fall with a completely revamped offensive line, an ongoing quarterback battle between transfer Jaylen Henderson and Nicco Marchiol, and a developing receiving corps that was hit hard by departures. However, there are zero concerns at running back with Jahiem White leading the way, while transfers Tye Edwards (Northern Iowa) and Jaylan Knighton (SMU) providing depth. Hiring coordinator Zac Alley away from Oklahoma was a huge get for Rodriguez and West Virginia's defense. This unit massively struggled in 2024, allowing 31.9 points a contest and giving up over six yards a snap. Alley has just one returning starter to work with in Edward Vesterinen. However, there are promising transfers at every level, including UTSA edge rusher Jimmori Robinson and safety Fred Perry. Related: Ranking the Big 12 Coaches for 2025 15. Arizona After a disappointing 4-8 debut in 2024, pressure is already building on Arizona coach Brent Brennan. The Wildcats returned enough personnel from a 10-win team in '23 to contend for a finish in the top half of the Big 12 last fall. Instead, Arizona stumbled to one victory over its last seven games. Advertisement Brennan took steps to address last year's setback by hiring a new play-caller (Seth Doege) and reshaped the roster through the portal. A handful of those acquisitions came along the offensive line to bolster a thin unit, and at receiver to alleviate the loss of standout Tetairoa McMillan. But if the Wildcats are going to at least return to a bowl, quarterback Noah Fifita must get back on track after an up-and-down sophomore campaign last year. Change is also coming on defense. Former New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales takes over as the defensive signal-caller after Arizona allowed 33.2 points in Big 12 play last season. Injuries hit this group hard in '24, which allows for a rebound with better luck this fall. The secondary should be a strength with Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Genesis Smith returning. Improving the play of the front is critical for Gonzales after Arizona allowed 180.5 rushing yards in Big 12 play last season. 16. UCF Scott Frost's tenure at his alma mater (Nebraska) didn't work out, but a return to familiar surroundings in Orlando where he led UCF to a 13-0 record in 2017 could be what both sides need. The Knights hope to climb up the Big 12 standings in '25 and beyond, while Frost has the potential to rebound in a lower-pressure situation. Advertisement Frost and offensive coordinator Steve Cooper have work to do in order to get UCF's offense among the best in the Big 12. The quarterback battle between Cam Fancher, Tayven Jackson, and Jacurri Brown will continue into the fall, with Jackson holding a slight edge. The receiving corps and offensive line are both in major rebuild mode, but the running back group is solid with Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon. With only three starters back, it could be tough for UCF's defense to significantly improve on last year's defensive output. In Big 12 play, the Knights gave up 31.3 points a contest and finished 91st nationally in pass defense success rate. The strength of the '25 unit is up front with Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly leading the way. Expect transfers to bolster the linebacker and defensive back units. Related: Ranking the Big 12's College Football Coaches for 2025 Related: Big 12 Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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07-05-2025
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CFB Insider Reveals Pick For Top Job in College Football
The Texas Longhorns have gotten rolling in the last two seasons, punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff twice. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has gone 25-5 in the last two seasons, so it is no wonder that On3's Ari Wasserman voted Texas as the best job in college football. Advertisement Wasserman's top five included Texas, the Georgia Bulldogs, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks and Texas A&M Aggies in that order. Sarkisian has an overall record of 38-17 since taking the Texas job in 2021. Before Texas, he was a head coach at the USC Trojans from 2014-15 and the Washington Huskies from 2009-13. Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian.© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Texas' last national title was in 2005 and while Sarkisian has not won any yet, he has brought the Longhorns back to contending for them. Texas has reached the semifinal of the playoff twice, in 2023 and 2024, under Sarkisian. He also understands that none of his success would be possible without some solid recruiting classes. Since the 2021 cycle, Sarkisian has had a top-15 recruiting class every year on On3 Sports. The Longhorns' 2026 class is currently ranked 13th in the country. Advertisement The class features five-star quarterback Dia Bell, four-star receiver Chris Stewart, four-star offensive tackle Max Wright and three-star inside offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson. While Sarkisian had successful seasons in 2023 and 2024, it did not start that way. In his first year at Texas in 2021, the Longhorns finished at 5-7. The Longhorns ended the following season at 8-5, after a loss in the Alamo Bowl. Things took off in the 2023 season, with Texas reaching the CFP semifinal after winning the Big 12 Championship Game. Texas reached the semifinal again in 2024, losing to eventual national champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes, 28-14. Sarkisian and the Longhorns face Ohio State again in their 2025 season opener on Aug. 30. Related: Texas Transfer Portal Addition Predicted to Make Biggest Impact in 2025
