It’s not easy to predict game-by-game outcomes of the upcoming college football season, especially when spring ball is unable to take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
CBS Sports has taken a look at each team’s schedule within the Big 12 and gave their best crack at win projections. Returning production, talent, coaching and schedule difficulty were all used to determine the overall results.
First, let’s take a look at who CBS believes will control the Big 12 this season.
- Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1)
- Texas (9-3, 7-2)
- Oklahoma State (9-3, 6-3)
- Iowa State (9-3, 6-3)
- TCU (7-5, 5-4)
- Baylor (7-5, 4-5)
- Kansas State (6-6, 3-6)
- Texas Tech (6-6, 3-6)
- West Virginia (5-7, 3-6)
- Kansas (2-10, 0-9)
While it’s no major surprise to see Oklahoma at the top of the list as the favorite to win the conference, their one projected loss is expected to come against the Longhorns. The Sooners could very well be favored in every game this season, as it’s been five years since they’ve lost more than one Big 12 matchup.
The three overall losses for Texas are projected to be LSU, TCU, and Oklahoma State. While the LSU game can go either way, Texas should now feel confident that they can compete with the best. The Longhorns couldn’t get out of their own way against the Tigers last year, revenge should be coming in this one.
Oklahoma State is widely projected to be a top contender within the conference, but Texas has the edge in talent to sneak away with a close win. CBS noted that the Oklahoma State loss is simply due to a short week surrounding Thanksgiving.
In typical fashion, the Longhorns usually have an unexpected loss or two within the conference. Could that be TCU in 2020? Hopefully the newly-built coaching staff at Texas can prepare their players to win by any means.
However, due to a more experienced team, Texas is expected to defeat their biggest rival, Oklahoma, in the Cotton Bowl. If the Longhorns can sneak away with a win against the Sooners in October, it’s very realistic to assume they’d surpass Oklahoma as the favorites to win the Big 12.