Utah, Kansas State top the list as Big 12 releases conference's 2024 football media preseason poll

The 2024 college football season is quickly approaching and the Big 12 will once again be among the most competitive conferences in the country. There are many teams within the conference who will have a shot at winning the Big 12 title and moving to the expanded College Football Playoff.

However, it's Utah and Kansas State who top the Big 12 media preseason poll rankings ahead of the 2024 season.

Here is a closer look at the complete Big 12 media preseason poll and where each team in the conference stands.

2024 Big 12 football media preseason poll

NCAA Football: Texas Bowl-Texas A&M at Oklahoma State

#1 Utah Utes

2023 record: 8-5

Top players:

Cameron Rising, QB
Brant Kuithe, TE
Dorian Singer, WR
Zemaiah Vaughn, CB
Micah Bernard, RB
Junior Tafuna, DT

2024 key matchups:

at Oklahoma State, Sep. 21
vs Arizona, Sep 28
at Colorado, Nov. 16

Also Read: Big 12 expansions: 5 biggest takeaways from Brett Yormark's conference realignment moves

#2 Kansas State Wildcats

2023 record: 9-4

Top players:

Avery Johnson, QB
DJ Giddens, RB
Austin Moore, LB
Jacob Parrish, CB
Desmond Purnell, LB
Easton Kilty, OT

2024 key matchups:

vs Arizona, Sep. 13
vs Oklahoma State, Sep. 28
at Colorado, Oct. 12
vs Kansas, Oct. 26

#3 Oklahoma State Cowboys

2023 record: 10-4

Top players:

Ollie Gordon II, RB
Collin Oliver, LB
Brennan Presley, WR
Preston Wilson, OG
Nick Martin, LB
Alan Bowman, QB

2024 key matchups:

vs Utah, Sep. 21
at Kansas State, Sep. 28
at Colorado, Nov. 29

#4 Kansas Jayhawks

2023 record: 9-4

Top players:

Devin Neal, RB
Cobee Bryant, CB
Jalon Daniels, QB
Lawrence Arnold, WR
Mello Dotson, CB
Jereme Robinson, DE

2024 key matchups:

at Kansas State, Oct. 26
vs Colorado, Nov. 23

#5 Arizona Wildcats

2023 record: 10-3

Top players:

Tetairoa McMillan, WR
Noah Fifita, QB
Jacob Manu, LB
Tacario Davis, CB
Tre Smith, DE
Dalton Johnson, DB

2024 key matchups:

at Kansas State, Sep. 13
at Utah, Sep. 28
vs Colorado, Oct. 19

Also Read: Top 5 college football programs that look scary post Big 12 expansion ft. Arizona

#6 Iowa State Cyclones

2023 record: 7-6

Top players:

Rocco Becht, QB
Abu Sama III, RB
Jaylin Noel, WR
Jeremiah Cooper, S
Jayden Higgins, WR
Myles Purchase, CB

2024 key matchups:

at Iowa, Sep. 7
at Kansas, Nov. 9
at Utah, Nov. 23
vs Kansas State, Nov. 30

#7 West Virginia Mountaineers

2023 record: 9-4

Top players:

Wyatt Milum, OT
Kole Taylor, TE
Anthony Wilson, S
Jahiem White, RB
CJ Donaldson, RB
Garrett Greene, QB

2024 key matchups:

vs Penn State, Aug. 31
vs Kansas, Sep. 21
at Oklahoma State, Oct. 5
vs Kansas State, Oct. 19
at Arizona, Oct. 26

#8 UCF Knights

2023 record: 6-7

Top players:

RJ Harvey, RB
KJ Jefferson, QB
Lee Hunter, DT
Demari Henderson, S
Kobe Hudson, WR
Malachi Lawrence, DE

2024 key matchups:

vs Colorado, Sep. 28
at Florida, Oct. 5
vs Arizona, Nov. 2
vs Utah, Nov. 29

#9 Texas Tech Red Raiders

2023 record: 7-6

Top players:

Tahj Brooks, RB
Behren Morton, QB
Coy Eakin, WR
Ben Roberts, LB
Davion Carter, OG
Josh Kelly, WR
CJ Baskerville, S

2024 key matchups:

at Arizona, Oct. 5
at Iowa State, Nov. 2
at Oklahoma State, Nov. 23
vs West Virginia, Nov. 30

#10 TCU Horned Frogs

2023 record: 5-7

Top players:

Bud Clark, S
Namdi Obiazor, LB
Damonic Williams, DT
Josh Hoover, QB
Savion Williams, WR
Devean Deal, LB

2024 key matchups:

at Kansas, Sep. 28
at Utah, Oct. 19
vs Oklahoma State, Nov. 9
vs Arizona, Nov. 23

#11 Colorado Buffaloes

2023 record: 4-8

Top players:

Shedeur Sanders, QB
Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Samuel Okunlola, DE
BJ Green, DT
Omarion Miller, WR
Will Sheppard, WR

2024 key matchups:

at Colorado State, Sep. 14
vs Kansas State, Oct. 12
at Arizona, Oct. 19
vs Utah, Nov. 16
at Kansas, Nov. 23
vs Oklahoma State, Nov. 29

#12 Baylor Bears

2023 record: 3-9

Top players:

Dequan Finn, QB
Campbell Barrington, OG
Carl Williams IV, CB
Dominic Richardson, RB
Monaray Baldwin, WR
Matt Jones, LB

2024 key matchups:

at Utah, Sep. 7
vs Oklahoma State, Oct. 26
at West Virginia, Nov. 16
vs Kansas, Nov. 30

#13 BYU Cougars

2023 record: 5-7

Top players:

Tyler Batty, EDGE
Chase Robers, WR
Brayden Keim, OT
LJ Martin, RB
Jack Kelly, LB
Isaiah Bagnah, EDGE

2024 key matchups:

vs Kansas State, Sep. 21
vs Arizona, Oct. 12
vs Oklahoma State, Oct. 18
at Utah, Nov. 9
vs Kansas, Nov. 16

#14 Cincinnati Bearcats

2023 record: 3-9

Top players:

Luke Kandra, OG
Corey Kiner, RB
Xzavier Henderson, WR
Mikah Coleman, EDGE
Evan Pryor, RB

2024 key matchups:

at Colorado, Oct. 26
vs West Virginia, Nov. 9
at Kansas State, Nov. 23

#15 Houston Cougars

2023 record: 4-8

Top players:

Donovan Smith, QB
AJ Haulcy, S
Keith Cooper, DE
Parker Jenkins, RB
Kendre Gant, LB

2024 key matchups:

at Oklahoma, Sep. 7
at Kansas, Oct. 19
vs Utah, Oct. 26
vs Kansas State, Nov. 2
at Arizona, Nov. 15

#16 Arizona State Sun Devils

2023 record: 3-9

Top players:

Cameron Skattebo, RB
Prince Dorbah, EDGE
Alton McCaskill, RB
CJ Fite, DT
Cole Martin, S
Keyshaun Elliot, LB

2024 key matchups:

vs Mississippi State, Sep. 7
vs Kansas, Oct. 5
vs Utah, Oct. 11
at Oklahoma State, Nov. 2
at Kansas State, Nov. 16
at Arizona, Nov. 30

Which team do you think will rank the highest in the Big 12 at the end of the 2024–25 season? Let us know in the comment section.

Also Read: Top 10 returning Big 12 quarterbacks for 2024 college football season ft. Shedeur Sanders

About the author

Luke Schlumpberger specializes in college football and college basketball reporting at Sportskeeda, bringing a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to his role.

Luke believes that college sports are almost on par with the major leagues, as it is the crucial initial step players have to take before making their mark on the national stage. Luke's loyalty lies with Clemson football and Iowa State basketball, teams he's supported since childhood. He eagerly anticipates witnessing Dabo Swinney's continued impact on the college football landscape.

For Luke, attention to detail is key in creating content with supreme quality. He ensures that his articles offer comprehensive insights and in-depth analysis for his readers' enjoyment and understanding.

During his spare time, Luke plays basketball, listens to music, spends time with loved ones and enjoys video games.

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Edited by Akshay Saraswat