Big 12 Conference

Like the ACC, the Big 12 has had the same champion in each of the past four seasons – Oklahoma. The Sooners have had the last two Heisman Trophy winners – Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray – and it was thought the Sooners might suffer somewhat now that both are in the NFL. Then, Jalen Hurts checked in. The Alabama transfer went 26-2 as a Crimson Tide starter and should fit nicely into head coach Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense. With an improved defense, Oklahoma could win a fifth straight conference title.

Texas loses eight starters on defense, but QB Sam Ehlinger is back as is WR Collin Johnson (68 catches, 985 yards, 7 TDs). The Longhorns beat Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry game last season but lost to the Sooners in the conference championship. Iowa State has gone 8-5 in consecutive seasons and head coach Matt Campbell has the Cyclones trending upward. The only other real contender is Baylor, which under Matt Rhule went from 1-11 to 7-6 last season. Quarterback Charlie Brewer is the real deal. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns after taking over the starting job.

**odds provided by Bovada

Oklahoma	-150		West Virginia	+1200
Oklahoma St	+500		Kansas State	+3300
TCU	+500		Texas Tech	+3300
Baylor	+800		Iowa State	+10000
Texas	+850		Kansas	+25000

Most Improved: Iowa State
The hiring of new head coach Matt Campbell instantly makes the Cyclones better. Iowa State lost their last four games to finish 3-9. One of those losses was to Campbell’s former team, Toledo. The Cyclones have eight returning starters on defense. The defense wasn’t that good – they gave up nearly 33 points a game – but the unit will be experienced. Quarterback Joel Lanning fits perfectly into Campbell’s run-first, up-tempo offense. The schedule is brutal, but the Cyclones will be better in 2016.

Biggest Disappointment: Baylor
The Bears lost two of their last three games last season, including the finale to an awful Texas team. Then, the offseason saw scandal tear apart the program. Head coach Art Briles was fired, a number of players transferred, and a boatload of recruits jumped ship. New head coach Jim Grobe will bring some stability and do a great job of promoting a top-notch, ethical program.

Other CFB Conference Predictions:

- Big 12 Conference

- Big Ten Conference

- ACC Conference

- PAC 12 Conference

- SEC Conference