Predicting the Big 12 Season: Bears Look to Get Revenge Against Media-Favorite Utah

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Welcome back! It’s time to project the Big 12 season for every team once again. Over the next couple of weeks, I will go through the entirety of the upcoming season for each team in the Big 12, pick the conference champion and make bowl projections.

Obviously, there is still a lot that can change, but barring significant injuries for any of the teams, we are in a good spot for some predictions. With that said, let's do this!

• Week 1: Baylor 24, Auburn 21 
• Week 2: Baylor 44, SMU 30
• Week 3: Baylor 55, Samford 9
• Week 4: Arizona State 34, Baylor 31
• Week 5: Baylor 37, Oklahoma State 20
• Week 6: Baylor 36, Kansas State 27
• Week 7: BYE WEEK
• Week 8: Baylor 32, TCU 38
• Week 9: Baylor 35, Cincinnati 30
• Week 10: Baylor 44, UCF 20
• Week 11: BYE

Baylor vs. Utah: Saturday, Nov. 15, McLane Stadium

New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier and offensive coordinator Jason Beck will be taking over the Utah offense this upcoming season. This combination has caught the media's attention, as Utah is one of the top favorites to win the league, according to many in the college football industry.

The bet here is that this team will maintain its strong defensive tradition while having a legit offense after ranking 102nd in scoring offense a year ago. Utah was also 1-5 in one-score games, so the thought is that it will flip this season as well. The Utes also have the best offensive line Baylor will face all season long, with All-American right tackle Spencer Fano leading the way.

Dampier is the key reason many expect Utah to rise this season, but I have doubts. Last year he faced five teams that were either in the Power Four or played in a bowl game last season. In those five games, he completed just 55.3% of his passes on over 40 attempts per game, and the team went 1-4 in those matchups while being outscored by an average of 14.6 points per game. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was 11 touchdowns to eight interceptions in those contests as well. His legs are a big problem as he rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns, but if you can keep him in the pocket, then he is going to have a hard time picking your secondary apart.

While I think Utah will be much improved, I believe it is a long shot for anyone to predict that this offense will be elite, given the lack of playmakers surrounding a quarterback who, at best, is an okay passer. They are squarely in the bottom half of the league at running back and wide receiver from a pure talent standpoint.

Meanwhile, on defense, I think Utah will take a step back on the defensive line and in the secondary while remaining stout at linebacker and having difference makers at each level. We come to expect this defense to be very good, and I think it will be, but it is hard to lose all four starters up front and then replace them with ease. Baylor should have success running the ball in this matchup, and the passing game will be able to hit on an explosive or two.

Utah is a good team in 2025, but Baylor is more complete and has fewer question marks on the roster heading into the season, especially at quarterback.

• Prediction: Baylor 30, Utah 17

Rest of the Big 12 Slate

Saturday, November 15

• West Virginia 24 at Arizona State 32
• Kansas State 33 at Oklahoma State 26
• UCF 24 at Texas Tech 41
• TCU 17 at BYU 30
• Arizona 13 at Cincinnati 24

Big 12 Standings

• T1. Baylor — 8-2 (5-2)
• T1. Arizona State – 8-2 (5-2)
• T1. Kansas State — 8-2 (5-2)
• T1. Kansas — 7-3 (5-2)
• 5. Texas Tech — 8-3 (5-3)
• T6. Utah – 7-3 (4-3)
• T6. BYU — 7-3 (4-3)
• T6. TCU — 7-3 (4-3)
• T6. Iowa State — 6-4 (4-3)
• T6. Colorado – 6-4 (4-3)
• T11. Houston — 6-4 (3-4)
• T11. Cincinnati — 5-5 (3-4)
• 13. Oklahoma State — 4-6 (2-5)
• 14. West Virginia — 3-8 (2-6)
• T15. Arizona – 3-7 (1-6)
• T15. UCF — 3-7 (1-6)