No. 4 – Baylor Bears
The only team with a brand new coach next season, former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will take over for Matt Rhule as he makes the pilgrimage to Carolina to work in the NFL. An already stellar defense will get better for Baylor as Aranda will bring his 14-years of DC experience. As for the offense, leading receiver Denzel Mims will be in the NFL, but quarterback Connor Brewer will still have weapons like Tyquan Thorton and RJ Sneed to throw at.
What is going against Baylor next season is their tough schedule. They will open the season with a Power 5 opponent in Ole Miss (in Houston), while also having to travel to Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa State. Five of their conference games will be played on the road, only having four Big 12 home games. While the 11-1 season in 2019 was magical, it will be tough to replicate in 2020.
No. 3 – Oklahoma State Cowboys
The biggest wild card in the Big 12 next season will be Oklahoma State. Two of the best players in the conference will be back next season, with wide receiver Tylan Wallace and running back Chubba Hubbard forgoing the NFL Draft in favor of one more season in Stillwater. With quarterback Spencer Sanders coming back for his second full year as the starter, the Cowboys have the chance to have one of the highest-powered offenses in the conference.
Mike Gundy has had magical seasons with Oklahoma State before, coming one game short of a shot at the national championship in 2011. Keeping Jim Knowles as the defensive coordinator for the third season, the question will be about their defense next season. If it can improve, Oklahoma State can make a real run at the Big 12 crown next season.