Four Big 12 Teams Listed in 247Sports' Top 10 Easiest Football Schedules

While the Big 12 Conference is set to take a major step forward in 2024 further expanding to 16 teams, some sports writers still believe that the league suffers from a lack of talented programs.

In a recent list from 247Sports’ Brad Crawford which ranks the top 10 easiest college football schedules for the upcoming season, four Big 12 teams check-in occupying four of the top seven spots.

The four teams mentioned on the list include Arizona at the No. 7 spot, Utah at the No. 5 spot, Kansas at No. 2, and Cincinnati at No. 1.

Crawford spoke on Arizona saying, “Life in the Big 12 may work out beautifully in Year 1 for the Wildcats and new coach Brent Brennan based on scheduling, especially considering quarterback Noah Fifita returns. There is a chance the Wildcats could be the betting favorite in at least 10 games if all goes well, with the only trouble spots coming at Kansas State and Utah. That’s not to say TCU, West Virginia or even Texas Tech couldn’t make a run at the conference title game, but as of now, Arizona’s schedule doesn’t look very daunting as a league newcomer.”

The next team to check in on the list was Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes, who Crawford believes has the fifth easiest schedule of anyone in college football.

“Considering this team’s strengths across the board under Kyle Whittingham with returning, multi-year starter Cameron Rising at quarterback, there is a reason why many like the Utes to win the Big 12,” Crawford said. “And the schedule has something to do with that. Arizona and Oklahoma State are the only nationally-ranked opponents at this time, which could certainly change if the Wildcats aren’t as potent as expected after losing coach Jedd Fisch to Washington.”

With the Big 12 occupying both the top two spots on the list of easiest college football schedules in 2024, Crawford spoke on Kansas’ schedule saying, “With this scheduling, Jalon Daniels and the Jayhawks are legitimate Big 12 Championship contenders in 2024 based on the arsenal of talent returning for coach Lance Leipold. Surprisingly, Kansas was able to hold onto one of college football’s top coaches for another wild cycle and should get an opportunity to cash in with a great season. Kansas State is the only opponent included in early rankings.”

Crawford rounded out the top ten with Cincinnati which he believes has the easiest schedule in America saying, “Scott Satterfield can sleep easy this offseason knowing his 2024 schedule is one of the most favorable in college football. There is only one opponent — Kansas State — during conference play that holds a preseason top-25 projection. Cincinnati will not go unbeaten across road trips to UCF, Colorado, Texas Tech, and Iowa State, but eclipsing last season’s win total should be a low-ceiling, obtainable goal.”

While the path to the Big 12 Championship Game is almost always easy on paper, Crawford believes that Arizona, Utah, Kansas, and Cincinnati should all have successful campaigns in 2024.