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Post-Spring look at who will start at quarterback for each Big 12 team

A look at who will start at quarterback for each of the Big 12 schools in 2022?

The Big 12 has seen a shake-up at the most important position in football. Turnover from the 2021 season features six schools expected to have a new starting quarterback in 2022.

Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State, West Virginia, Baylor, and Iowa State will rollout new signal-callers this season. Four of those teams got their new quarterback through the transfer portal while Baylor and Iowa State went with in-house options to lead their squads into this college football season.

Adrian Martinez comes into the Big 12 as the most experienced quarterback with 38 starts under his belt according to Pro Football Focus. Spencer Sanders is second among projected starting quarterbacks in career games started with 32. Max Duggan has started 30 and [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] comes in fourth for most games started among Big 12 quarterbacks in their collegiate careers.

Hunter Dekkers is the only quarterback expected to start in the Big 12 that hasn’t started a game in his career according to Pro Football Focus. He takes over for Brock Purdy on an Iowa State team looking to bounce back after their disappointing 2021 season.

With spring ball wrapped up, let’s look at who will start for each team in the Big 12 this season.

Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 in USATODAY Sports Big 12 Power Rankings

Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 in USATODAY Sports Big 12 power rankings.

It’s “way-too-early” season as analysts across the college football world release their early power rankings as spring ball winds down.

Pro Football Focus had the Sooners No. 9 in their power rankings. College Football News has the Sooners No. 1 in the Big 12.

Still more than four months away, everything’s pointing to Oklahoma being the team to beat in the Big 12. Of course, the Sooners will need to prove it on the field, but with questions about many of the Big 12 teams, there isn’t a team that stands above the rest. Oklahoma looks good on paper, but that paper wasn’t worth much last season.

But new year and new coach and fans and analysts are overwhelmingly positive about the Sooners prospects in 2022. In USATODAY Sports recent Big 12 power rankings, Erick Smith put the Sooners as the top team in the conference.

Applying conventional wisdom, there would be an expectation that the Sooners would take a step back after losing their coach and several players to the transfer portal, including quarterback Caleb Williams. Venables, however, is bringing a fresh approach, especially on defense, that has been embraced by the holdovers. Central Florida transfer Dillon Gabriel steps in behind center with former Ole Miss coordinator Jeff Lebby leading the offense. Venables, who was the architect of Clemson’s title-winning defenses, knows how to get that until performing. This is still the team to beat, though the race won’t be easy. – Smith, USATODAY Sports

What’s stood out about the Big 12 over the last several years is the depth of the conference. It’s a league where teams 1-5 are pretty close. Oklahoma may be the favorite, but Texas, Oklahoma State, Baylor, and a trip to Iowa State will provide challenges to Oklahoma’s return to the Big 12 throne.

Let’s take a look at how Erick Smith ranked the Big 12.

Oklahoma Sooners No. 2 in the Big 12 in ESPN’s updated Football Power Index for 2022

In ESPN’s updated Football Power Index (FPI), the Oklahoma Sooners come in at No. 2 among Big 12 teams.

The Big 12 is going to be a lot of fun in 2022. While the Oklahoma Sooners are generally regarded as the favorite to win the conference, there are multiple teams that could pose threats or at least be a bump in the road along the way. We’ve seen over the last couple of years how the quality of play in the conference has risen.

Few matchups have been a cakewalk for the Sooners. In 2021, they played quite a few one-score games and dropped games to Baylor and Oklahoma State. This year, the conference’s depth looks improved as well.

With the addition of former five-star quarterback J.T. Daniels, the West Virginia Mountaineers have a chance to be real players in the Big 12. They also boast one of the best pairs of defensive linemen in the country, Dante Stills and Akheem Mesidor.

Baylor is expected to be good again in 2022 despite their losses on defense. Oklahoma State may take a step back due to losses on defense and the departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The return of quarterback Spencer Sanders can help mitigate those losses if he’s able to play the way he did against Oklahoma and Notre Dame toward the end of the season.

Just the other day, College Football News released its spring Big 12 power rankings and the Oklahoma Sooners came in at No. 1.

Then there’s Texas — the team that went 5-7 and lost to the Oklahoma Sooners after holding an 18-point lead at halftime. The team that lost to Kansas. They’re the No. 1 team in the Big 12 and No. 6 overall in ESPN’s latest Football Power Index update.

According to ESPN, “The Football Power Index” (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.”

ESPN regularly performs simulations and updates the FPI based on latest data points and information. So when the 2022 college football season eventually kicks off, ESPN will update it week to week.

Now, back to the Longhorns.

They’ve some talent, of that there is no doubt. Bijan Robinson might be the best running back in the country. Quinn Ewers is a highly regarded quarterback with Heisman and NFL potential. Xavier Worthy is a dynamic playmaker, arguably the best wide receiver in the Big 12 and will be among those vying for the Biletnikoff Award by the end of the season.

The expectations remain lofty, even after a disappointing season for the Longhorns. However, they have the offensive talent to be a player in the Big 12. The question is, have they done enough to address a defense that allowed the Kansas Jayhawks to score 57 points?

Let’s take a look at how the Big 12 stacks up in the latest ESPN Football Power Index ratings.

Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 in College Football News spring Power Rankings

In their spring look at the Big 12, College Football News ranked the Sooners No. 1 in their early power rankings.

We’re still a long way from the 2022 college football season, but it’s safe to say that the national narrative about Oklahoma’s downfall has corrected itself. Remember the overreaction to Lincoln Riley’s departure at the end of November, beginning of December? Since Brent Venables came aboard, that feels like forever ago.

The Oklahoma Sooners now look like the team to beat in the Big 12 if you look at early power rankings or projections for the 2022 season.

College Football News recently released their spring power rankings ahead of the 2022 season and had the Oklahoma Sooners at No. 1 in the Big 12.

Here’s what Pete Fiutak had to say about the Sooners status as the team to beat.

New head coach Brent Venables has a world of work to do. Not only does he have to keep all the production going, but he has to do it with a slew of new parts. The defensive front isn’t starting over, but it’s not far off. The offense, though, should be amazing with a great receiving corps and UCF transfer QB [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] a terrific fit. – Fiutak, College Football News

The Sooners certainly lost some players to the NFL draft and the transfer portal, but they’ve done a nice job filling holes with experienced players who should be factors for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022. Having arguably the best quarterback in the Big 12 doesn’t hurt either as Dillon Gabriel’s experience and production provide a bridge to the future for the Sooners offense.

The schedule sets up favorable inside the conference. Other than the Red River Showdown, Oklahoma gets some of the top teams in the conference at home this season. Difficult road matchups at Iowa State and West Virginia loom as potential upsets, but the Sooners are the more talented teams. If they’re able to execute in Dallas against Texas, going to Ames or Morgantown shouldn’t be too much for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ squad.

Let’s take a look at how College Football News ranked the Big 12 during spring ball.

Oklahoma Sooners 2022 football schedule

Oklahoma Sooners 2022 football schedule.

The 2022 season for the Oklahoma Sooners marks a new beginning for one of the most storied programs in the history of college football.

Returning to help the Oklahoma Sooners embark on the next chapter is [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], who will make his head coaching debut against the UTEP Miners in Norman on Sept. 3. There’s no doubt that the Sooners’ fanbase will be fired up to watch and support their new head coach.

Also returning is former student assistant, now offensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag]. Lebby’s bringing his high-octane offense to the Sooners and brings along a former quarterback with him in [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag].

Gabriel’s experience helps the Sooners avoid a drop-off at quarterback with both starters from the 2021 season transferring out. Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense get a boost from the return of [autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag] who was out for 2021 due to an injury and initially entered the transfer portal only to return. The receiving yardage leader from the 2020 and 2021 seasons, [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag], is back as well to give Oklahoma a nice duo on the outside.

The biggest question facing the Sooners is how they retool a defense that lost six starters from the 2021 season. But with support in the transfer portal from [autotag]Trey Morrison[/autotag], [autotag]Jonah Laulu[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeffery Johnson[/autotag] and some rising stars in Ethan Downs, [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Grimes[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Stripling[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], and [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag], the Sooners have answers.

Despite all of the turnover, the Oklahoma Sooners are still a contender for the Big 12 and if things go right could find themselves in contention for a College Football Playoff berth.

Some game times and broadcast information are still to be determined. Times are listed in the central time zone.

Week
Date
Opponent
Time
1 9/3 vs. UT-El Paso Miners TBA
2 9/10 vs. Kent State Golden Flashes TBA
3 9/17 at Nebraska Cornhuskers TBA
4 9/24 vs. Kansas State Wildcats TBA
5 10/1 at TCU Horned Frogs TBA
6 10/8 vs. Texas Longhorns in Dallas  TBA
7 10/15 vs. Kansas Jayhawks TBA
8 10/22 at. BYE WEEK
9 10/27 at Iowa State Cyclones TBA
10 11/5 vs. Baylor Bears TBA
11 11/12 at West Virginia Mountaineers TBA
12 11/19 vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys TBA
13 11/26 at Texas Tech Red Raiders TBA

[listicle id=54172]

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2022 Texas Tech Football Schedule: 3 Things To Know

Texas Tech football schedule. The 2022 schedule with 3 things to know

Texas Tech football schedule 2022: What are the big games on the Texas Tech schedule and what are 3 things to know?

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2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams

Big 12 coaches ranked by career win percentage

With turnover of three of the conference’s programs, here’s a look at how the current Big 12 coaches stack up in win percentage.

The Big 12 saw some head coach turnover from the 2021 season. Gone are Lincoln Riley, Matt Wells, and Gary Patterson and in are Brent Venables, Joey McGuire, and Sonny Dykes.

Dykes is the only one of the three with head coaching experience having spent time at Louisiana Tech, Cal, and SMU before taking over the TCU Horned Frogs. For much of the 2021 season, SMU looked to be the biggest threat to Cincinnati’s AAC title and playoff aspirations before a late-season collapse allowed Houston to challenge the Bearcats in the AAC title game.

McGuire made a name for himself in the Texas high school football ranks. He led Cedar Hill to three state championships in his tenure. After that he spent time on Baylor’s staff as an assistant before landing at Texas Tech. He might have limited college experience, but he’s a well respected name in Texas high school circles that should give the Red Raiders a boost on the recruiting trail.

Venables is arguably the most successful defensive coordinator of the last decade, helping Clemson win two national titles and predicting countless NFL prospects. No team had more sacks than the Tigers in the last decade in Venables pressure scheme. Bringing back Venables, the Sooners hope to recreate that success in Norman ahead of a future move to the SEC.

Oklahoma Sooners second in Athlon Sports’ spring power rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners come in second in Athlon Sports spring power rankings.

The Oklahoma Sooners face arguably the most transition of any team in the conference heading into the 2022 season. Sure, transition and turnover occurs with every team to some degree, the Sooners were met with changes at the most important positions in the program.

They’re one of just three schools to bring in new head coaches along with TCU and Texas Tech. Oklahoma is the only school experiencing turnover at the quarterback position as well as the head coaching spot.

The Sooners brought in arguably the best defensive coordinator in college football over the last decade and perhaps the best coach to never have been a head coach to lead their program into the future. They solved the problem at quarterback by bringing in one of the top names in the transfer portal, Dillon Gabriel.

Although Brent Venables’ defensive prowess speaks for itself, the number of players lost on that side of the ball creates questions that need to be answered this spring. But with the talent they have waiting in the wings, there might not be as much drop-off where they lost starters as one might think.

But it’s the transition and the turnover on defense that has national analysts concerned about Oklahoma’s ability to jump right back into contention. Athlon Sports released their spring ball power rankings and the Oklahoma Sooners come in second behind defending Big 12 champion the Baylor Bears.

In the piece, which is a great breakdown of what to watch for this spring with each team in the conference, Athlon Sports writer Steve Lassan pointed to the new offense and the number of starters lost on defense as what to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners.

This spring is all about transition. The Sooners have a new play-caller in Jeff Lebby, but quarterback Dillon Gabriel already has familiarity with the scheme from a stint with Lebby at UCF. In addition to the overall transition, Oklahoma has to solidify its offensive line and restock the weapons at receiver.

New coach Brent Venables was arguably the best defensive coordinator in the nation at Clemson, and his impact should be felt right away. The Sooners return only four starters on defense, but a strong class of transfers will help right away. – Lassan, Athlon Sports

Here’s how the Big 12 stacks up according to Athlon Sports and something we’re looking forward to watching this spring.

Big 12 football’s nonconference matchups for the 2022 season

Several Big 12 teams are renewing old rivalries in an intriguing nonconference slate while Baylor and Texas play future conference foes.

The 2022 nonconference schedule in the Big 12 is full of renewed rivalries and early looks into the future of college football. Like Oklahoma did in 2021 with Nebraska, several teams will have pre-realignment matchups with former conference rivals.

West Virginia will take on Pitt for the first time since 2011. Kansas State and Missouri will go head to head for the first time since the Tigers left for the SEC.

Kansas and Texas Tech will take on future Big 12 foe Houston.

Texas gets to host their future conference mate, Alabama, in Austin for the first time since 1922 according to Winsipedia. While the game won’t likely go the Longhorns way, Austin is going to be an incredible atmosphere hosting one of the top teams in the nation.

Ranking Big 12 football recruiting classes after 2022 national signing day

With national signing day behind us, how do the Big 12 teams rank according to 247Sports composite rankings?

National signing day has come and gone, and the Oklahoma Sooners finished with a bang. After watching their team recruiting ranking fall as low as 27th after Lincoln Riley left for USC, new Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables and his staff finished with a flurry of unexpected signings, including three commitment flips on national signing day.

Though the Sooners still have five-star targets Josh Conerly and Lebbeus Overton in their sites for 2022, the recruiting class is already one of the best in the country. With their 21 commitments, the Oklahoma Sooners rose to No. 8 in the nation according to 247Sports composite team rankings. Pretty incredible, considering they don’t have a single five-star commitment or signee at this point in the cycle.

Conerly or Overton could change that, but regardless, it’s a strong class that will set the Oklahoma Sooners to compete for conference titles and playoff spots down the road.

The Texas Longhorns finished at the top of the Big 12, but they also have seven more signees than the Oklahoma Sooners in this cycle. Despite their improved play in the 2021 season, the Kansas Jayhawks sit at the bottom of the Big 12 with just seven commitments in the class.

With that, let’s take a look at where each team stands in the final 247Sports 2022 team composite rankings.