The Oklahoma Sooners return as the defending Big 12 champions and the first-ever conference representative in the College Football Playoff. Expectations are just as high for the Sooners heading in to the 2016 season and there are plenty of reasons why Oklahoma deserves to be considered the sports betting favorite to win the Big 12. Here is a look at how the Big 12 standings will play out in 2016.
1. Oklahoma Sooners
Star quarterback Baker Mayfield returns looking to build on an impressive 2015 campaign in which he threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions and he will be surrounded by plenty of weapons on offense. That includes the 6’5’’ star receiver Mark Andrews and talented running back Samaje Perine, who is coming off an outstanding season in which he rushed for 1,349 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Sooners’ offense should be potent enough to carry the load while helping to make up for any shortcomings on defense as Oklahoma has a legitimate chance to challenge for a perfect record in the Big 12.
Projected Record: 12-0
2. TCU Horned Frogs
Kenny Hill isn’t Trevone Boykin, but he should be able to hold his own under center for an offense that is pretty stacked at the skill positions. Even more intriguing is the amount of talent the Horned Frogs return on the defensive side of the football. TCU returns seven starters on defense including an absolutely loaded front-seven and while Gary Patterson’s offense should continue to put up big numbers it’s the defense that will put them over the top in the Big 12 this season.
Projected Record: 10-2
3. Baylor Bears
It’s going to be an interesting year for Baylor. They’re a team that was expected to compete for the Big 12 title had it been a quiet offseason. Instead, head coach Art Briles and the program endured a big scandal, which resulted in his departure. As a result, the program likely won’t be as strong as they could have been
The Bears will have a new head coach but the assistants haven’t changed, and the roster is still absolutely stacked with talented players. Seth Russell is back at the quarterback position while Shock Linwood will return to carry the load on the ground as the perfect 1-2 punch for Baylor. The Bears might not lead the FBS with 48.1 points per game the way they did last season but they should score more than enough points to contend in the Big 12 even despite all of the distractions. This team was on the cusp of being a contender for the College Football Playoff but without Briles, it’s hard to see them doing as much damage as they could have.
Projected Record: 9-3
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mason Rudolph is 12-3 as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma State and he is coming off a year in which he threw for 3,700 yards and 21 touchdowns despite sharing time with J.W. Walsh. Rudolph could top the 4,000-yard mark as the full-time starter with one of the best wide receivers in the Big 12 helping to carry the load in James Washington. The Cowboys will have to replace All-Big 12 defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah on the other side of the football but they have enough talent on that side of the football to hold their own and the offense should lead them to another top-five finish in the Big 12.
Projected Record: 9-3
5. West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia owned the nation’s 16th-ranked rushing attack a year ago and while the running game will once again be potent, we fully expect to see more passing plays with improved quarterback Skylar Howard getting more opportunities to air it out. After all, head coach Dana Holgorsen is a skilled offensive mind and should be able to get their passing game thriving once again.
Howard showed flashes of his elite potential for the Mountaineers a year ago and he should have no problem putting up big numbers with a solid cast of weapons around him at the skill positions. The West Virginia defense is expected to be better as well and should compliment an explosive offense to ensure the Mountaineers contend in the Big 12 this coming season.
Projected Record: 8-4
