Prior to the 2021 season, Oklahoma was the prohibitive favorite to win the national championship. Spencer Rattler was all but penciled in as the first overall pick in the NFL draft.
Fast forward one offseason. Baylor wins the Big 12 championship, Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams leave for USC, and Rattler is now the starting quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Oklahoma State seemingly blew its best chance at a Big 12 title appearance in 2020. The Cowboys bounced back, defeating Oklahoma, Baylor, and Texas to make their first trip to Arlington’s conference title game.
This season, Baylor will attempt to defend its title against the Cowboys and Sooners, while Texas and Kansas State will attempt to enter the mix. Here are my early Big 12 record predictions for 2022.
Oklahoma Sooners: 10-2
Ou Sooners Spring Football Game
The Sooners lose multiple key contributors from last year’s squad, and could struggle mightily early on. Oklahoma hopes it can adjust quickly to Jeff Lebby’s new offensive system, but will have to do so with a new quarterback, Dillon Gabriel.
Brent Venables’ squad catches a break with home matches against Baylor and Oklahoma State. They simply do not have the defensive backs to stop Casey Thompson and Quinn Ewers. The Sooners fall only to Texas and Nebraska.
Texas Longhorns: 9-3
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Texas always has talent, but ultimately added too much not to improve. Texas fans are well aware of what Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy bring. The duo is one of the best in college football. The additions at skill positions paired with the nation’s top offensive line recruiting class elevate Texas this season.
Texas falls to Alabama, but defeats Oklahoma and Baylor to make the Big 12 championship.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: 9-3
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Despite upheaval on the defensive side of the football, Oklahoma State can bank on a couple constants — a four year starting quarterback and the longest tenured head coach in the Big 12….