Each team’s worst results for 2024

AZ: 7-5

What happens: Maybe the mood just isn't as good under new coach Brent Brennan? Maybe the chemistry between quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan isn't what it was a year ago? Maybe the Desert Swarm defense is losing its thread? It could be a combination of things that are troubling the Wildcats. But even in a worst-case scenario, Arizona can still make it to a bowl game.

ARIZONA STATE: 2-10

What happens: Arizona State losing on the road to Texas State? That's entirely possible. Quarterback Sam Leavitt can't provide consistent performance for the Sun Devils? I mean, he's got to be better than what ASU had a year ago, right? Arizona State's defense had only three returning starters. All that new blood doesn't mesh. That, combined with the fact that they're playing almost every serious Big 12 contender, puts the Sun Devils in worse shape than they were a year ago.

BAYLOR: 4-8

What happens: That's only a one-win improvement from last year. So what's going wrong? Quarterback Dequan Finn isn't the game-changer coach Dave Aranda thinks he is. Running back Richard Reese is ineffective or gets injured. The defense isn't improving under Aranda's direct guidance as defensive coordinator. And the Bears have a new coach in January.

BYU-3-9

What happens: The BYU Cougars can't resolve the quarterback situation until the season opener and are 1-2 in nonconference play. From there, three of their first four Big 12 games are against serious contenders – and that's before the Holy War against Utah in November. Maybe BYU will rescue Kalani Sitake with wins over Arizona State and Houston to end the season. Maybe not.

CINCINNATI: 4-8

What happens: New quarterback Brendan Sorsby is not improving the offense as coach Scott Satterfield had hoped. Cincinnati loses again to Miami (OH), this time away. The signing of over 30 transfer players does not lead to the hoped-for performance on either side of the ball. The Bearcats transfers at UCF embarrass Cincinnati in the game in October. Satterfield's seat is highly coveted.

COLORADO: 3-9

What happens: Colorado is finding out the Big 12 defense is better than it thinks. While quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter are having great years, the offensive and defensive lines are only slightly better. Unlike the 3-0 start out of the conference, the Buffs are 1-2. Colorado lets Baylor or Cincinnati steal a win in Boulder. Coach Prime is getting a lot more questions he doesn't like.

LOS ANGELES: 3-9

What happens: The running game that coach Willie Fritz relies on so much is ineffective with only one returning starter on the offensive line. Like Cincinnati, the 30-plus transfers don't mesh. The Cougars are taking too long to adjust to their new 3-4 defensive system and are unable to stop the running game or passing game any better than they did last season. Houston is losing to both UNLV and Rice to start the season.

IOWA STATE: 6-6

What happens: Quarterback Rocco Becht is taking a step back instead of forward in 2024. Running back Abu Sama II isn't ready to be the leader for a full season. ISU continues to struggle to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Injuries are taking their toll. The Cyclones have the depth to make it to another bowl game, but in Ames, it will feel like a missed opportunity.

KENNESAW: 5-7

What happens: Quarterback Jalon Daniels can't stay healthy. Without Jason Bean as a safety net, the defense can focus on running back Devin Neal, making Kansas one-dimensional on offense. Without a consistent offense, the Jayhawks defense spends too much time on the field and is overwhelmed as the season progresses. What was a promising season becomes a season of “what if?”

KANSAS-STATE: 8-4

What happens: Quarterback Avery Johnson isn't quite making the step forward that most expect him to, which has forced Kansas State to rely more heavily on the running game, which, while effective, limits the team's ability to perform in games where it must rebound. The defense isn't in the Big 12's top five in points per possession, as it usually does, but it's still talented enough to get the Wildcats back to a bowl game.

OKLAHOMA STATE: 8-4

What happens: A forgiving game plan will help. But running back Ollie Gordon II can't repeat his Doak Walker Award-winning season last year. Quarterback Alan Bowman is hurt again. The defense isn't improving in scoring defense or pass defense, areas it struggled in last year. The Cowboys' sheer depth keeps them in the race for the Big 12.

TCU: 4-8

What happens: The change to defensive coordinator Andy Avalos' new formation is not leading to the turnovers the Horned Frogs had hoped for. Quarterback Josh Hoover is not ready for prime time and the job is becoming a revolving door. TCU starts the season 1-3 and has only one win against FCS school Long Island. It's going to be a long year and coach Sonny Dykes has to start looking around.

TEXAS-TECH: 5-7

What happens: The Red Raiders lose the away game against Washington State and it strikes a similar tone to last year's loss in Wyoming. Texas Tech finally finds out that quarterback Behren Morton is not the right man for the quarterback position. Tech's roster changes in defense do not result in the unit being any better than last year. After coach Joey McGuire's third year, the mood is at rock bottom and people in Lubbock are starting to get restless.

UCLA: 5-7

What happens: All the transfer talent the Knights have brought in on defense and new coordinator Ted Roof are a mismatch. The Knights stumble to start Big 12 play at TCU. Florida overwhelms UCF in the swamp. KJ Jefferson is not the “perfect fit” for Gus Malzahn's offense like many believe. And then people in Orlando start thinking that maybe Malzahn is not the “perfect fit” for them.

UTAH: 8-4

What happens: Tight end Brent Kuithe, running back Micah Bernard and quarterback Cameron Rising, who both missed the 2023 season, can't recapture the magic of 2022. The Utah Utes can stop the football, but they can't pressure the passer and allow big plays further down the field. Utah loses its first two Big 12 games to Oklahoma State and Arizona and needs to win the rest of the way to get to Arlington.

WEST VIRGINIA: 5-7

What happens: The Mountaineers start 1-2 and lose to Penn State and Pitt. Quarterback Graham Greene doesn't go from “unremarkable” to “star” as some hope. The running game falters. The defense takes a step back after two years of improvement. And WVU is overwhelmed by an early Big 12 schedule against five league rivals. That's enough to lose confidence in the club.