Summer is basically here, which means we are inching up on the 2021 College Football season. With spring ball officially wrapped up, we are going to give you our Big 12 Power Rankings for the upcoming season, indicating the way we think the season might play out.
VOM’s Power Ranking’s:
10. Kansas
Do you guys really need an explanation here? The Jayhawks will easily be the worst Power 5 program in the nation in 2021, and honestly, they may not even win a game. Lance Leipold has his job cut out for him. This is going to be a long, long rebuild.
9. Texas Tech
Tyler Shough may be a talented signal-caller, but I don’t see him making much of a difference here. Head coach Matt Wells has been an odd fit from the beginning, and I think 2021 will be when it all starts falling apart.
8. Baylor
Gone is quarterback Charlie Brewer, but the Bears’ defense boasts a plethora of talent and experience. I expect this team to be fighting for their bowl lives late in the year, but Baylor may be an interesting team to pay attention to in year two under Dave Aranda.
7. TCU
The Horned Frogs are the most-overhyped team every single season in the Big 12. However, you won’t see us biting on that this year. The offense just has to produce something. I am not a believer in Max Duggan, and I don’t see him keeping the starting job all season. Not many people will admit this, but I feel another 6-6 season coming in Fort Worth.
6. West Virginia
The Mountaineers may seem a little low on this list, but here is why; I am not sure about Jarret Doege or Garrett Greene. Last season, Doege was serviceable, but that may not be enough this year. Greene has all the talent in the world, but no experience. WVU is ready for high level competition throughout the roster, but the quarterback room is what I fear will hold them back in 2021.
5. Kansas State
The Wildcats are a spooky team this season. Back will be seasoned quarterback Skylar Thompson, and Chris Klieman will surely have the boys ready to play. If they can finally get hot early and keep it together, this could be a team competing come November.
4. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are a team I feel will take a step back this season, but they’re a little bit higher here because Mike Gundy always finds a way to keep his players competitive. I expect they will knock off one of the top-3 teams in the league, also.
3. Texas
Am I buying the Longhorn hype? Hell no. However, this team has talent that could mesh well with Steve Sarkisian. I don’t see them being in the Big 12 title game, but they could be making some noise throughout their 12-game schedule.
2. Iowa State
I really wanted to put the Cyclones at number one, but I am still a little hesitant. Matt Campbell is a solid coach, but maintaining that level of competitiveness will be a challenge in itself. It will be interesting to see how things play out for them – I am rooting for the Cyclones in 2021 (outside of October 30th).
- Oklahoma
The Sooners will be the class of the Big 12, and find themselves in the title game in 2021. There isn’t much concern for this team in the upcoming year. Lincoln Riley has himself a legitimate national championship contender.
