Steven Johnson: Post-spring Big 12 Conference football power rankings

With the conclusion of spring football and the closing of the most recent transfer portal window, we have a clearer idea of how teams will look this upcoming season.

The Big 12 projects to be wide open once again with TCU and Kansas State — the the teams that made it to the Big 12 championship game — need to replace starpower on both sides of the ball.

It’s the final year in the Big 12 for Oklahoma and Texas before they depart for the SEC and both would like to end their tenure in the league with a conference championship.

There’s also the inclusion of new schools Central Florida, Cincinnati, BYU and Houston. Can any of them emerge as surprise contenders or will it be a darkhorse like Texas Tech that makes a run?

Here are my post-spring practice Big 12 power rankings:

1. Texas

On paper, the Longhorns have the best roster in the Big 12. I know we’ve heard that before, but this should be Steve Sarkisian’s best team in year three, even without running back Bijan Robinson. Texas has a loaded receiver group with Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Georgia transfer AD Mitchell. The Longhorns should have a good offensive line led by Kelvin Banks.

This season will come down to quarterback Quinn Ewers and whether he takes a step in his development.

2. Kansas State

The Wildcats return a veteran offensive line led by reigning Big 12 Lineman of the Year Cooper Beebe. Will Howard unlocked Kansas State’s offense after taking over for Adrian Martinez and is one of the best returning quarterbacks in the league. The Wildcats lose All-American running back Deuce Vaughn, but signed big-time transfer Treshaun Ward from Florida State.

The biggest question is how K-State will replace Felix Anudike and JuJu Brents on defense.

3. TCU

A national championship game appearance, a new offensive coordinator and eight NFL draft picks later, the Horned Frogs have a lot of talent to replace. Good work on the transfer portal has TCU in position to do just that. Chandler Morris gets another crack as the starting quarterback after beating out Max Duggan last season before getting hurt in the opener.

TCU returns seven starters on defense including star corner Josh Newton and linebacker Johnny Hodges. Can the defense make another leap in defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie’s second season?

4. Oklahoma

The Sooners were bad last season, especially on the defense, but there’s too much talent for another losing year. The Sooners signed a top five recruiting and transfer portal class. Coach Brent Venables loaded up on defensive linemen and snagged the versatile Dasan McCullough. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel returns and was second in the conference in passing yards.

Jovantae Barnes should be the lead back taking over for Eric Gray, but who emerges as Oklahoma’s No. 1 receiver?

5. Texas Tech

Coach Joey McGuire turned heads in year one leading the Red Raiders to eight wins, including victories over Texas and Oklahoma. Now the Red Raiders could be viewed as a darkhorse. Tech will hope for more stability at quarterback with Tyler Shough returning.

The Red Raiders have talent at the skill positions, but most improve up front on both sides of the ball. That could be daunting on defense with the task of replacing Tyree Wilson.

6. Kansas

The Jayhawks started off 2022 5-0 before falling to TCU. Dynamic quarterback Jalon Daniels was injured during the game and Kansas’ season ran off the rails. Daniels is back this year and the Jayhawks should be explosive offensively with his two leading receivers Luke Grimm and Lawrence Arnold. Per ESPN, Kansas returns the second most offensive production in the country.

Improvement on defense is a must after the Jayhawks allowed over 35 points per game last season.

7. Baylor

The Bears had a disappointing year, finishing at 6-7 a year after winning the Big 12 in 2021. Baylor went from having a top-10 scoring defense to No. 69. Dave Aranda brought back offensive coordinator Matt Powledge from Oregon to correct that side of the ball. Can the Bears be a bit more dynamic on offense in Blake Shapen’s second year under center?

8. Central Florida

Big 12 newcomer UCF might have one of the most dynamic players in the league with quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee threw for 2,586 yards and rushed for 862 with 25 total touchdowns. The Golden Knights grabbed four offensive linemen in the portal to prepare for the transition and return All-AAC receiver Javon Baker.

9. Oklahoma State

The Cowboys lost five of their last six games and then proceeded to lose their starting quarterback, leading rusher, best defensive lineman and more to the transfer portal. Some of those players like JP Richardson (TCU) landed at league rivals. There are too many unknowns for the Cowboys to be any higher.

10. Iowa State

Despite having one of the country’s best defenses, the Cyclones went 4-8 in 2022. Six of those losses were by one possession. Even with better luck in close games, Iowa State will be without All-Big 12 receiver Xavier Hutchinson and first-round pick Will McDonald on defense. Quarterback Hunter Dekkers struggled with 14 interceptions in his first season as the starter.

11. BYU

The Cougars will turn to Pittsburgh transfer Kedon Slovis to take over for Jaren Hall at quarterback, but BYU still has to address losses on the offensive line and replacing leading receiver Puka Nacua. The Cougars were 97th in scoring defense and brought in coordinator Jay Hill from Weber State to take over.

12. Houston

The Cougars were one of the bigger disappointments of last season after earning buzz as a darkhorse College Football Playoff contender. Houston lost a lot of talent on offense including receiver Tank Dell and quarterback Clayton Tune. The Cougars turn to Texas Tech transfer Donovan Smith at quarterback, but defensively Houston was 112th in scoring defense and could struggle in its first year in the Big 12.

13. Cincinnati

The Bearcats are going through two transitions as they move to another conference without head coach Luke Fickell. Fickell moved on to Wisconsin opening the door for Scott Satterfield to come over from Louisville. He was just 25-24 with the Cardinals. Cincy also took heavy losses in the transfer portal including Fickell taking a few players with him to Wisconsin. The Bearcats will need time.

14. West Virginia

Somebody has to be last and this looks like it’ll be the year last year of coach Neal Brown’s tenure. The Mountaineers saw a number of key linemen depart for the portal and leading rusher Tony Mathis entered the portal over a week ago. There’s not a lot of optimism around the program right now.