The college football season wrapped up with Clemson’s national championship win over Alabama and while the dust from that victory has barely settled we have already turned our attention to the future with an eye on what to expect next season. While it doesn’t dominate the national spotlight the Big 12 might be one of the more intriguing conferences in football with plenty of storylines to keep an eye out for a year from now. Here is a look at five bold predictions for the 2017 Big 12 season.
The Oklahoma Sooners Will Beat The Ohio State Buckeyes
The Sooners dropped a tough loss to Ohio State early in the season that really set them back. It was a really tough start for the Sooners as they had to play a highly-ranked Houston Cougars team on a neutral site and then go to Ohio State right after. That’s a really tough spot to start the season.
However, they will have the opportunity to avenge that loss when they play the Buckeyes again next season. The Sooners are talented enough to expose Ohio State the same way that Clemson did in the College Football Playoff Semifinal and that is what we expect will happen. Oklahoma should be much better overall next season and we expect them to earn a measure of redemption with a win over the Buckeyes. They’re a completely different team when playing in Norman, Oklahoma compared to how they are when they’re on the road.
Baker Mayfield Will Win The Heisman Trophy
Mayfield threw for 3,965 yards and 40 touchdowns compared to only eight interceptions last season and he wound up finishing third in the Heisman trophy balloting. He finished fourth in voting in 2015 so after narrowly missing out on the trophy two years in a row perhaps 2017 will be the year he finally wins it. Oklahoma is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the football so Mayfield will have plenty of weapons to work with as he attempts to establish himself as the No. 1 quarterback in the country next season.
The Big 12 Will Return To The College Football Playoff
It might be trendy to overlook the Big 12 when it comes to the College Football Playoff but Oklahoma will lead a number of talented teams with the potential to contend for a spot in the game’s elite four next season. The Sooners in particular got off to a slow start in 2016 and by the time they recovered it was too late. A better start combined with more consistency throughout the year could mean Oklahoma represents the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff next season.
Iowa State Will Play In A Bowl Game
The Cyclones are another team to look out for that could be on the rise in the Big 12 next season in their second year under Matt Campbell. Iowa State lost four games by seven points or fewer last season so it isn’t unreasonable to expect an improved team to finish with three more wins than they did this year. The Big 12 is loaded with bowl contenders and it’s important not to overlook the Cyclones on that list.
A New Star Quarterback Will Emerge
The Big 12 is loaded with quality quarterbacks led by Mayfield, Mason Rudolph and Shane Buechele, but there is a good chance at least one more star quarterback emerges from that conference next season. There are a number of teams that have the talent to win now but could require a quarterback change in order to accelerate the process. Mayfield, Rudolph and Buechele won’t lose their jobs but there is a good chance another No. 1 passer will with another star quarterback emerging in the Big 12 next season.
Keep an eye on West Virginia’s Will Grier. Remember, he was a stud at Florida in Jim McElwain’s first season (two seasons ago) when the Gators emerged early on in the season as a national championship contender. Then he was suspended and decided to transfer. He’s in a good spot where he can shine now in a passing offense that can make him look good.
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