The Big 12 is one of three Power 5 conferences still playing college football in 2020, and the conference is using a plus-one model for scheduling.
The Big 12 still revolves around Oklahoma — which has won the conference each of the past five seasons. That includes the past three Big 12 championship games under Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are shooting for a fourth straight College Football Playoff berth, too.
The competition remains the same. Texas returns senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger, and Oklahoma State brings a loaded offense led by All-American running back Chuba Hubbard. Iowa State has some sleeper appeal with quarterback Brock Purdy.
MORE: Best games each week in 2020
Baylor’s Dave Aranda is the lone new coach in the league this year. It should be an interesting season, but it comes down to whether someone can challenge Oklahoma.
Sporting News looks at the Big 12 and makes its predictions for 2020.
Big 12 predicted order of finish
1. Oklahoma
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma State
4. Iowa State
5. Baylor
6. TCU
7. Kansas State
8. West Virginia
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas
Big 12 top storyline
What is Texas going to do about it? The Longhorns were a popular playoff pick last season, but early-season losses to LSU and Oklahoma led to a five-loss season. Tom Herman is feeling some heat and, with fewer teams playing, the Longhorns are wearing a top-10 ranking again. It really comes down to close games. Texas has six losses of seven points or fewer in the past two seasons, and that lack of consistency has kept them a few steps behind the Sooners.
COVID impacts
The plus-one model allows for Big 12 teams to play 10 games, which is also what the SEC will do this season. Oklahoma and Texas Tech have dealt with COVID-19 outbreaks during fall camp, and that will be monitored with the Sept. 12 start date. Oklahoma star running back Kennedy Brooks, who rushed for 2,067 yards and 20 TDs over the past two seasons, opted out of the 2020 season. TCU quarterback Max Duggan is out indefinitely because of a heart condition that was discovered during COVID-19 testing.
Impact freshman
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Longhorns have built up young talent through recruiting, and Robinson — a 6-1, 205-pound all-purpose back — brings more talent to that position group. Texas has yet to have a 1,000-yard rusher under Herman, and that could change soon.
Zachary Evans, RB, TCU
Evans was a five-star phenom at powerhouse high school North Shore in Houston, but his recruitment took many twists and turns. He landed at TCU, where he should have a chance to play right away. The Horned Frogs will need that presence, especially with Duggan out.
Impact transfer
Tarik Black, WR, Texas
Black flashed talent at Michigan at times, but injuries and inconsistency were predominant over the past two seasons. He gets a fresh start in a more wide-open offense at Texas, and he should evolve along with receivers Brennan Eagles and Jake Smith. It’s a good fit that should lead to more production.
Big 12 Heisman hopefuls
Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
Rattler still must win the starting job against Tanner Mordecai. If the redshirt freshman does that, then trust the track record with Lincoln Riley and Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts the past three seasons. Oklahoma’s starting quarterback is expected to land in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
Ehlinger returned for his senior season, and he faces the same expectations as usual. He's piled up 68 passing TDs and 25 rushing TDs with the Longhorns, and he’s played several marquee games. That experience should play off.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Hubbard rushed for 2,094 yards and 21 TDs last season, and that included 11 consecutive games with at least 1,000 yards rushing. He's a leader on and off the field for the Cowboys, and the decision to return to school was huge.
Big 12 biggest games
Oklahoma at Iowa State (Oct. 3)
The Cyclones beat Oklahoma 38-31 in 2017 and lost a 42-41 thriller in Norman last season. It’s an early-season game, and an opportunity for Brock Purdy to lead a potential upset in Ames. The Sooners have outscored the Cyclones 110-106 over the past three meetings. This should be a fun game.
Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 10)
The Texas State Fair was canceled, but the Red River Rivalry will press on in Dallas. It’s a huge piece of the College Football Playoff puzzle as usual, but the pressure is on Ehlinger to lead Texas to a victory in his fifth career start against the Sooners. This could be a preview of the Big 12 championship game, too.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
Bedlam in November is always an interesting game, and the Cowboys have a loaded offense that features Hubbard, Spencer Sanders and Tylan Wallace. That might be the best QB-RB-WR trio in the Big 12, but the five-game losing streak to the Sooners still stands.
Big 12 stat that matters
Oklahoma has led the Big 12 in scoring with more than 40 points per game each of the past four seasons. The last time the Sooners didn’t lead the Big 12 in scoring was in 2015, when Baylor averaged 48.1 points per game. Oklahoma still had 43.5 ppg. that season and won the conference.
Here’s a look at the Sooners’ scoring offense the past five seasons and number of teams that scored 40 or more in the Big 12:
| YEAR | PPG | OTHER TEAMS |
| 2019 | 43.2 | None |
| 2018 | 48.4 | West Virginia (40.3) |
| 2017 | 45.1 | Oklahoma State (45.0) |
| 2016 | 43.9 | Texas Tech (43.7) |
| 2015 | 43.5 | Baylor (48.1), Texas Tech (45.1) |
Big 12 champion: Oklahoma
The Sooners have a few more holes this season, but they remain the best bet to score 40 points per game with an offense that continues to evolve under Riley. Oklahoma should be able to navigate the Big 12 schedule and make the Playoff for the fourth straight season — where a SEC powerhouse likely will be waiting. That’s when the Sooners can answer whether they truly are a national championship contender.
