The Big 12 is loaded with offensive firepower. As a result, there hasn’t been much dominant defense in the conference outside of a select few. The league’s defensive struggles are likely tied to that offensive firepower.
Several Big 12 teams ranked in the bottom half of college football in statistical defense. The addition of Houston among other outmatched newcomers should likely cause that trend to continue.
Last season, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Houston finished outside of the Top 100 defenses in college football. While each group could certainly improve there will be plenty of room for growth.
Unsurprisingly, Iowa State led the Big 12 defensively in 2022. What might come as a surprise is the team’s No. 4 ranking in total defense.
With the high degree of variance in defensive production, let’s look at where every team ranked in total defense last season.