Way too early 2024 Big 12 football predictions

Big 12 football begins in late August, and while the transfer portal is beginning to slow, O'Colly Sports writers compiled a list of way-too early Big 12 predictions with 16 (!) teams in the conference.

Gabriel Trevino's power rankings:

1. Utah

2. Arizona

3. Oklahoma State

4. Iowa State

5. Kansas

6. Colorado

7. West Virginia

8. Kansas State

9. Texas Tech

10. UCF

11. TCU

12. BYU

13. Baylor

14. Arizona State

Utah was an easy choice. The Utes' defense was top 10 in a number of categories, but its offense was abysmal. However, they'll be returning one of the best quarterback in the country — Cam Rising, who recovered from a torn ACL a year ago. That'll fix the offense.

Arizona was another easy choice at No. 2. While some offensive production is expected to decline with some of the Wildcats' players going to the NFL, but moral in Tuscon with coach Jedd Fisch and quarterback Noah Fifita.

Oklahoma State may be the favorite to win the Big 12 when the media votes on the actual preseason poll in July. The Cowboys have the Doak Walker Award winner returning with a number of skill players across the offense and defense. 

Trevino's player of the year: Rocco Becht, Iowa State QB

Let's get funky. Get out of here, Sheduer Sanders. See ya, Travis Hunter. Rising? Never heard of him. Oh, this is the year Jalon Daniels is healthy? These guys got nothin' on Rocco Becht.

Becht shouldn't have started this year, yet put together one of the better season's from a Big 12 quarterback.

As a true freshman, he started the season after quarterback Hunter Dekkers was involved in the Iowa and Iowa State football gambling investigations.

In 13 games (one less than Bowman) here are his stats on the season (rank in conference):

With an offseason where he knows he's the starter instead of learning on the fly, he may be one of the biggest risers in the country.

The Cyclones were in the race to appear in the Big 12 championship game 'til they ran into Texas, and the season ended with a Liberty Bowl loss to Memphis, but don't count out Becht.