Big 12 Update: New Era of Conference Actually Here

For those who haven’t paid any attention to college football since the conclusion of last season, this Big 12 recap will come as quite the shock. 

Week 1 brought reality for a changed college football landscape, especially in a new era for the Big 12. It finally seemed real seeing the Big 12 logo on the jerseys and fields of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. It was just as odd, too, now seeing the SEC logo plastered everywhere for OU and Texas. 

But through all that change, football was still football. Oklahoma State beat South Dakota State 44-20 in its season opener, which you can read all about through PFB, including the recap here. But here’s everything else you need to know to catch up on Week 1 action in the Big 12. 

Kansas 48, Lindenwood 3

We got a dose of Big 12 football early, with Kansas being one of four league members that played Thursday night. 

The Jayhawks return a talent and should be conference contenters, but it’s hard to tell just how good KU is, even in a 48-3 whooping, against an opponent like Lindenwood, wherever that is. 

KU was a little sluggish to start, scoring only a TD in the first quarter, but then exploded for 27 points in the second quarter to start the rout. As expected, running back Devin Neal was the star, racking up 112 rushing yards on only eight attempts, averaging 14 yards a carry. Jalon Daniels also made his long-awaited return from injury, throwing for 148 yards and a score. 

Kansas will get a challenge next week going to Illinois in a matchup of two fan bases probably already looking forward to basketball season. 

Colorado 31, North Dakota State 26

OSU wasn’t the only Big 12 team starting the year off against a stout FCS opponent. Colorado had a lot more trouble with its challenge, though.

Coach Prime’s squad had to stop a Hail Mary attempt on the last play of the game to secure the victory. Although Colorado as a whole struggled, do-it-all man Travis Hunter showed he’s a generational talent, catching seven passes for 132 yard and three TDs while also also playing defensive back on the other side of the ball.

It’s still unknown how good Colorado will be in 2024, but no matter what it’s a fun addition to the league. Next week will be a bit more revealing, though, when the Buffs head to Nebraska.

UCF 57, New Hampshire 3

UCF, meanwhile, had no trouble at all with New Hampshire.

In a conference taking pride on its group of running backs, UCF’s RJ Harvey rushed for 142 yards and a pair of TDs. The passing game is still lacking in Orlando, though.

UCF should have another easy week against Sam Houston.

Utah 49, Southern Utah 0

The last Big 12 game Thursday night included newcomer Utah hammering an in-state foe.

The Utes were voted to win the conference in their inaugural season, but don’t let this game stamp that prediction. A more telling matchup will be next week when Utah hosts Baylor. However, although they now share a conference, that game will count as a nonconference matchup since it was already on the schedule. Makes sense, huh?

TCU 34, Stanford 27

As the only Big 12 rep playing Friday night, TCU headed west to the Pacific Coast to play a team from the Atlantic Coastal Conference. Wild times.

Trailing in the fourth quarter, TCU used back-to-back unanswered touchdowns to leave with a W.

The Horned Frogs host Long Island next.

Penn State 34, West Virginia 12

West Virginia, by far, got the toughest challenge of the week in the conference against rival and eighth-ranked Penn State.

After a scoreless first, the Nittany Lions scored 20 in the second quarter and maintained control the rest of the way. And just like that, people in Morgantown are wondering if Neal Brown is on the hot seat again.

WVU should get its first win next week against Albany.

Cincinnati 38, Towson 20

The Bearcats were certainly nothing special in their opener. Evan Pryor was dang good, though, rushing for 105 yards on only four carries. He also got into the end zone.

Next week will be tougher on Cincy when it hosts Pitt.

Iowa State 21, North Dakota 3

Per usual, Iowa State struggled offensively out of the gate.

Quarterback Rocco Becht was ISU’s entire offense, throwing a pair of TDs and rushing for another. Jaylin Noel was his favorite target with eight catches for 135 yards and a TD.

Hope you like defense and keeping end zones clean, because the Cyclones play Iowa next week.

Kansas State 41, UT Martin 6

The Wildcats have high expectations for 2024 but it’s still hard to gauge after Week 1.

Quarterback Avery Johnson is a big reason behind a lot of the hype. He was 14-of-21 for 153 yards and two TDs while throwing a pick. Known for his running ability. Johnson ran for 37 yards.

K-State goes to Tulane on Saturday.

Baylor 45, Tarleton State 3

Quarterback Dequan Finn was responsible for three of Baylor’s touchdowns in a game mostly highlighted by its defense.

The Bears will go to Utah next for, again, a nonconference game even though the teams now share a conference.

UNLV 27, Houston 7

Houston was, quite frankly, not good.

UNLV will not be great but still had its way with Houston in Willie Fritz’s debut. And next week will only be tougher for Houston against old Big 12 foe Oklahoma. It could be a bit before the Cougars get Fritz his first win.

Texas Tech 52, Abilene Christian 51

Texas Tech needed a big stop on a two-point conversion in overtime to survive an upset.

The Red Raiders were in a classic Lubbock shootout, but not exactly the caliber of team they want to be giving up a lot of points to. However, they were playing a former Tech assistant. With all those points, Behren Morton threw five TDs along with 378 yards. Former Tech QB Maverick McIvor put up 506 yards against his old team.

It could be another shootout that would make Mike Leach when Tech visits Washington State next week.

BYU 41, Southern Illinois 13

BYU kicked off our new installment of #Big12AfterDark.

The Cougars looked solid as usual and will be in the Central Time Zone next week against SMU, which is already 2-0.

Arizona 61, New Mexico 39

You wouldn’t know by looking at the score, but Arizona actually started slow and kept this one close until putting up 21 points in the third quarter. The talk of the game was receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four TDs.

The Wildcats host North Arizona on Saturday.

Arizona State 48, Wyoming 7

Compared to expectations, Arizona State might have been the most impressive Week 1.

The Sun Devils immediately scored 17 in the first and never let up. No standouts, but 11 different players recorded a carry for ASU.

Next week will be tough, though, when ASU hosts Mississippi State for another late night kickoff.