No. 7 – TCU Horned Frogs
TCU stayed on brand in 2019, having a top defense in the Big 12. The issues will remain to be the offense and their struggles. While Max Duggan will be the guy going forward at quarterback, there will still be some questions around his ability. Their running game was their strength but will lose leading rusher Darius Anderson will not be returning for the Horned Frogs. It is not like a Gary Patterson led team to struggle for multiple seasons, but TCU has some ground to make up.
No. 6 – Iowa State Cyclones
Quarterback Brock Purdy will be the best returning quarterback the Longhorns face all throughout next season, coming back for his junior season. The Cyclones will be looking to take a step forward in 2020, pushing for an appearance in Arlington in December. Head coach Matt Campbell is still considered one of the best in the Big 12, but the schedule may be too much to overcome. Facing arch-rival Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Texas away from home, they will be road tested throughout the season.
No. 5 – Kansas State Wildcats
Finishing the year as one of the hottest teams in the conference, Kansas State won five out of their last seven games of the 2019 season. Chris Klieman turned the Wildcats around from a 5-7 team into a solid 8-4 team. Kansas State will be a wildcard team for the top teams in the conference next season, especially for Texas. Needing a Cameron Dicker game-winning field goal to beat them this year, the Longhorns will travel to Manhattan the week before the Red River Shootout. While the Wildcats may come up short next season, they are on the verge of something special.