Big 12 Mojo Rankings: Texas on Top, Baylor with Room to Grow

Welcome one and all to the first edition of the weekly Mojo Rankings.

Each Thursday, a fresh piece will reflect my thoughts on the Big 12 regarding the overall Mojo, trajectory, and energy surrounding each program and the league week-to-week.

These rankings are about winning, yes, but also other ingredients like momentum, swagger, star power, style, schedule, and the state of the program. 

Week one is the template and how I view these teams entering the season. So, more than any other ranking this year, this will be heavily slanted toward hype, energy, and my own expectations.

Let the games begin.

WEEK 1 MOJO RANKINGS

1. TEXAS — I think they have the goods this year, although I'm not predicting an undefeated run or CFP berth. I expect the 'Horns to lose a couple of games, but they're still the most formidable team on paper in multiple categories. This is a big year for the Sark resume. Give Aranda, Gundy, Kliemann, Malzahn, Leipold, etc., this roster and those resources; they're sitting in this spot without blinking. So, there are legitimate reasons for the high expectations.

Home vs. Rice, Saturday at 2:30 pm on FOX

2. TCU — They lost a talented OC and a small army of significant contributors, but it's the transfer portal era, and the Frogs loaded up with new talents and a new OC in Kendal Briles, which still seems like a HypnoToad fever dream. Outside of the occasional reminder of their blowout Natty loss, it is all sunshine and rainbows in Fort Worth. Sonny Dykes is the right guy in the right place at the right time and only scratching the surface of what's possible. The opener vs. Colorado was fortunate timing and should do big business on a national stage.

Home vs. Colorado, Saturday at 11 am on FOX

3. KANSAS STATE — The  Big 12 Champs have to replace Deuce Vaughn, but beyond that, I don't worry about their ability to generate a run game. Still, Deuce had an affinity for producing magic moments that will be missed. There are also some questions at WR and on defense, for example, but Kliemann has this program in a great place, and they're built to last under his leadership.

Home vs. SE Missouri, Saturday at 6 pm on ESPN+

4. OKLAHOMA — I expect OU to be improved, and their light schedule weighs heavily regarding raised expectations. They still have immense talent and a star QB, but the program doesn't have the feeling of Big 12 Championship inevitability it used to. The Sooners faithful showed an embarrassing side amidst their losses last year. Should this team struggle again, I worry about their nerves — and Venables' job status. They're still better equipped than most of the league.

Home vs. Arkansas State, Saturday at 11 am on ESPN

5. TEXAS TECH — The Red Raiders were among the more popular teams this offseason when discussing sleepers or risers. Rightfully so, as a lot is going right for the program, including massive new facility updates and a top 25ish recruiting class in the making, if not higher, should they land studs like 5-star WR Micah Hudson. As a result, there are enormous expectations. And Joey McGuire is not shying away or tempering those one bit. The Tech faithful are all in.

AT Wyoming, Saturday at 6:30 pm on CBS

6. UCF — The Knights have a terrific head coach, a solid starting QB, Florida athletes, a unique home field, and a manageable schedule. They also possess the #1 Big 12 recruiting class in 2024, including nearly ten 4-stars. There are good vibes in Orlando right now regarding the present and the future.

Home vs. Kent State, Thursday at 6 pm on  FS1

7. BAYLOR — Dave Aranda addressed a list of issues, and morale seems to have improved. His praise and confidence in this group has been consistent. The question is whether areas like the secondary and passing game are also enhanced. The schedule is set up favorably if they're good enough to take advantage. The Bears took a step back last season, but we've seen how quickly they can regain ground, and it sounds like Aranda really likes this group. 

Home vs. Texas State, Saturday at 6:00 pm on ESPN+

8. KANSAS — Jalon Daniels is a star, and Lance Leipold is a tremendous coach. They return nearly every major contributor from a year ago, and most of all, they return armed with some belief and a reignited passion amongst the fanbase. They've made giant leaps, but I'm still riding the brake on their overall rise.

Home vs. Missouri State, Friday at 7 pm on ESPN+

9. OKLAHOMA STATE — I believe in Gundy's coaching ability, but the Cowboys have experienced lots of turnover since falling apart physically and emotionally down the stretch a year ago. There was undoubtedly some addition by subtraction, but they remain one of the more mysterious teams to peg.

Home vs. Central Arkansas, Saturday at 6:00 pm on ESPN+

10. BYU — Based on fan confidence, the Cougars would rank near the top in every category imaginable, but I have a few more questions and doubts. Kalani Sitake is an excellent head coach, but between Kedon Slovis at QB and changes on defense, I'm slow-playing their quick Big 12 ascension. 

Home vs. Sam Houston, Saturday at 9:15 pm on FS1

11. CINCINNATI — Scott Satterfield takes over and now hands QB Emory Jones the keys to the bus. Can he be a driving force, or is that setting up for a bumpy ride? The schedule is manageable but hard to nail down after so much turnover and change. They lost a lot from last year's team, so it might not be a memorable first season, but I think they're in a better position overall than others.

Home vs. Eastern Kentucky, Saturday at 2:30 pm on ESPN+

12. IOWA STATE — I didn't think the Cyclones would be this low initially, but after recent events involving the Iowa gambling investigation and the subsequent loss of their starting RB and QB. As a result, it's hard to give high marks regarding program mojo and excitement levels. The Cyclones also have a demanding schedule, so they'll need Matt Campbell to show why he was or should still be one of the top coaching names in CFB. Or at least have significantly better luck in tight ball games.

Home vs. Northern Iowa, Saturday at 1:00 pm on ESPN+

13. HOUSTON — Donovan Smith is a fine player at QB, but he's not an upgrade over Clayton Tune. Dana Holgorsen knows the Big 12 well, but there's little to nothing about the Coogs as a team that jumps out as threatening to the rest of the league. As an overall program, they're still a work in progress that needs to continue stepping up support-wise. As a school, there's plenty of excitement about their Big 12 entry but not much about how the team might perform in their debut season. And if they're not careful, that could go sideways right out of the gates against Jeff Traylor and the Roadrunners.

Home vs. UTSA, Saturday at 6:00 pm on FS1

14. WEST VIRGINIA — I'm not sold the 'Eers are the worst team in the Big 12 pound-for-pound, but their route is treacherous early and often, starting by opening at night in Happy Valley against a top-ten team. On the bright side, they have a potential star in RB C.J. Donaldson and plenty of opportunities on the schedule to make massive statements starting this Saturday. But given the lack of enthusiasm surrounding their current trajectory under Neal Brown, it's easy to see how the elements could turn ugly quickly if they struggle early.

AT #7 Penn State, Saturday at 6:30 pm on NBC