BIG 12 PRE SEASON POWER RANKINGS
Article By: Utah - 219 points
Known for their tough, physical defense and strong line play. They excel in controlling the trenches and have been a consistent force in this conference. Not only is the team very good and gritty, but their coach is a great one, leading ODU to the playoffs last season. He has some high expectations coming into this season and a very intense matchup he is going to have circled when Colorado travels to Utah. Risings dual-threat capabilities provide Utah with a versatile offensive leader, adept at both passing and running.
Colorado - 202 points
Hunters versatility allows him to impact the game on both offense and defense, making Colorado more dynamic and a threat for all teams. Coming into this season, Andy is a great coach and was able to prove himself, coming into season 31 and taking a terrible team in Kennesaw State. Although they have an insane running back at around a 40 something overall, he was able to get a very respectable record and should be able to do damage with the Buffs.
Cincinnati - 176 points
Cincinnati doesnt have the greatest overall in the game but this one doesnt come as a shocker to anyone. Their running back and QB have been able to put up numbers in previous seasons with other coaches and it might just continue to get better. Steamrollr coming into the facility changes the mindset of everyone as he has been able to lead a team in SMU to the national championship and an undefeated season up until that point. People obviously are able to recognize this and believe in his ability to turn this program into contenders.
Texas Tech - 167 points
A high-powered air-raid offense with an aggressive passing attack. They can score quickly and put up big numbers against any defense. Wildes is coming to a team that seems to be a completely different play style than the one he had at Iowa but that will not stop him. During his time at Iowa he was able to be a playoff contender for a while and led them to multiple good records during his time. He is great at running the rock as his running backs have been towards the top of the rushing leaderboard every season and if he is able to continue that with this air raid style of offense, he will do great things.
West Virginia - 133 points
Coach Mallen has a very tough match up coming into the first block of the season, deciding to schedule Texas and Jiggy with his new team. A game like this is a great Idea as it should not harm him if he loses but if he wins this game, the upside is insane. Mallen was in contention to have a chance at the conference championship game with Minnesota and didnt put up bad numbers at all. Although west Virginia seems like an inferior team in this conference, he looks to bring them back to the "Shel days" during season 29 where they made the playoffs.
Kansas State - 130 points
Jaguar is not a player to sleep on for the conference title this season as he was able to put up some great numbers with the Buffalo Bulls going 8-5. A season like that just gives your the momentum you need going into your next season to continue that success. In addition to his previous season, he joins a team that was towards the top of the conference in the season prior so we can see that it can be done. He has a very tough OOC, scheduling Vegas and Bucknutt this season in back to back weeks, but a win in one of those games puts him as a strong contender for not only what could lead to playoffs but the conference title.
Oklahoma State - 121 points
Bradysenior joining this coaching staff is nothing to sleep on and the voters realize this. During his time in the NDL he has a 35-19 total record through his first three seasons with his most notable coming in season 29 with the Oregon state beavers. We all know he has the skill to take this team all the way and that running back over there is insane. Ollie Gordon should be able to put the team on his back and run through any player in his way.
Iowa State - 115 points
Fsupenguin is what you call a true veteran as he has been in the league since the first season and has put up some good numbers throughout. Just his experience he has in the league has to put him above some others but his numbers back up his ranking. During his very very long time in the NDL he has put together a good record of 276 - 186 but in recent seasons he hasnt been able to get above .500. The voters and myself included are hoping he isnt just reminiscing in his glory days, but is doing his best to bring them back to life, taking Iowa State All the way.
Arizona - 115 points
Although Big Brian doesnt have the amount of time spent in this league as others do in this conference, he should be able to put together a good season. He has only been with coastal Carolina but had improvement from his first season to the next. Coming off of a 6-7 season with Coastal isnt bad at all and Arizona is a much better team. He should be able to rely on defense to get a few stops and Tetairoa McMillan to catch any ball thrown his way to get the offense down the field and make the clutch plays he needs.
Arizona State - 109 points
With only a 2 win goal so far, it seems like AUchase will be able to pass that very easily this season. He decided to leave a Fresno state team that he won 11 games with and was ranked for some blocks. That type of success just doesnt leave after one season and this Arizona state team has the firepower to be able to replicate that success with Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt leading the backfield this season. Skattebo can do it all, run, throw, tackle... He can put him anywhere on the field and he will be able to succeed.
Kansas - 97 points
SuddenBlues is another vet who decided to make a major upgrade and join the power 4 conferences for the first time in the CFB 25 game. Kansas is a major upgrade over any of his previous teams in this new game, way better than Miami OH and ULL. The star power on this team is crazy and although the defense isnt top tier, the running back Devin Neal and their QB should be able to extend plays and tear apart defenses. He starts the season hosting the Clemson tigers and their insane running back Phil Mafah which will 100% be a challenge for the Jayhawks, but he avoids having to play the #1 ranked team in the conference.
Baylor - 77 points
Cnasty is another one of those veteran players who was able to capitalize as a younger lad in this league. He was able to hoist the NDL cup championship trophy 3 times and a national championship, just showing his historic past he had in the league. After coming back to the NDL in season 30, he joined the UMass Minutemen and the Baylor bears, were he remains. Everyone says that a second season with a team allows you to master the team and he hopes to do just that and exceed his win goal of only 2 games and upset many of the upper level teams in the conference.
TCU - 73 points
TCU not only has shown that they are a good enough team to make the playoffs, but they also get a huge advantage this season not having the play Colorado who is a team no one wants to mess with. Vicktim has been with a lot of teams since joining the NDL and joining a new one this season shouldnt be a problem. He obviously has the ability to adapt to new teams pretty fast and a 2.5 win goal seems very doable for him.
BYU - 68 points
Entering his third season with the Cougars, BruisedBagel has had the same record the past 2 seasons, going 5-8. On the bright side of things, he went from 3-6 in conference to 5-4 in conference. The dedication he has to stay with this team is great to see and we all are hoping for him to have the breakout season he deserves. A 7 win goal seems very high but we should all believe in Bagel to be able to get the job done. THIRD TIMES THE CHARM!
UCF - 63 points
UCF is coming off of a season where Smitty was able to lead them to the playoffs but ended up losing in the first round to ND and reign. Jamesthecarman has some pretty big shoes to fill if he wants to be able to surpass the season Smitty had. RJ Harvey is going to be one of those guys James is going to have to lean on. Harveys quickness and elusiveness add a dynamic element to UCFs rushing attack. Everyone in the Big 12 sees that his schedule is going to make this season and uphill battle as he has to play the top 2 ranked teams in the division, but confidence is key and he is coming guns a blazing this season.
Houston - 27 points
Houston seems to be a pretty big underdog in this conference but we should never count anyone out. Their coach, Yragha shows his dedication every season as he continues his dynasty with this team. They might not be the greatest but no one ever hated a Cinderella story. After a few season with the cougars, he looks to show the mastery he has with his team and prove all the haters wrong.
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