Big 12 Football: Projected 2025 Win-Loss Records After Spring Practice

The 2025 college football season is inching closer. With the start of May, spring practices and transfer portal movement are mostly complete. The The recruiting season is getting more intense. For many programs across the nation, before you realize, it will be time for fall camp.

The Big 12 Conference is gearing up for another season filled with closely fought games as multiple teams head into the year aiming to vie for the conference crown. Last season’s finalists, Arizona State and Iowa State, remain strong contenders this time around. However, they face competition from Kansas State, TCU, and BYU who also intend to make their mark. Additionally, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Utah anticipate bouncing back strongly following disappointing previous seasons.

Will the Big 12 only have the conference champion make the College Football Playoff? That could be the case with most teams capable of beating any team on any given Saturday.

For a conference expected to have a lot of parity, every conference matchup will be much more important for teams with playoff aspirations. There is a great deal of intrigue involving the top five teams, but, as important, which team or teams can have an Arizona State-like breakthrough? Will it be Kansas or Texas Tech? Or could Baylor take advantage of a more manageable conference schedule ?

These queries will be addressed once the season kicks off in late August. In the meantime, we're providing revised win-loss predictions for all teams following spring practice and the latest activity in the transfer portal.

Arizona Wildcats

Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at Iowa State
• vs. Kansas State
• vs. BYU

Projected Wins: Hawaii, Weber State, Oklahoma State

Projected Losses: Kansas State, Iowa State, Brigham Young University (BYU), Houston, Colorado, Kansas, Cincinnati, Baylor, Arizona State

Despite losing their star player, Tetairoa McMillan, Brent Brennan is working on revamping the team. Last season, Arizona struggled with only one victory in their final eight games, and this trend might continue into 2025. However, they have several manageable matches away from home coming up.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 6-7 (5-4 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at BYU
• vs. TCU
• at Arizona State

Projected Wins: Robert Morris, Ohio, Colorado

Projected Losses: Pitt, Kansas, Utah, BYU, UCF, TCU, Houston, Arizona State, Texas Tech

Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown and has won at nearly every stop, including during his first stint with the Mountaineers. However, he inherits a bad roster that got Neal Brown fired and one of the most demanding schedules in the Big 12. There will be some challenging home games against the Big 12's best, and the record should reflect that.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 3-9 (0-9 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at Oregon
• at Kansas State
• vs. Iowa State

Projected Wins: UT Martin, Tulsa, Houston, Cincinnati

Projected Losses: Oregon, Baylor, Arizona, Texas Tech, Kansas, Kansas State, UCF, Iowa State

Predicting substantial progress from Oklahoma State under new coordinator changes made by Mike Gundy seems challenging, particularly since most key players have departed. While the team isn’t likely to be shut out in Big 12 games like last season, I anticipate only about two conference victories for them in 2025.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 5-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. Nebraska
• vs. Iowa State
• at TCU

Projected Wins: Bowling Green, Northwestern State, UCF, Arizona

Projected Losses: Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Utah, Brigham Young University (BYU), Texas Christian University (TCU)

The Bearcats are expected to remain close to their performance from last year when they finished with a 5-7 record. An arduous early schedule adds another defeat to their ledger, coupled with what seems like certain losses against three conference opponents: Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa State.

UCF Knights

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. North Carolina
• at Kansas State
• at BYU

Projected Wins: Jacksonville State, North Carolina A&T, West Virginia, Houston, Oklahoma State

Projected Losses: North Carolina, Kansas State, Kansas, Cincinnati, Baylor, Texas Tech, BYU

Scott Frost has returned to UCF with the aim of reviving a program that failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2015. The team now boasts an entirely new lineup brimming with transfer players, requiring a full season’s adaptation to get everything working smoothly again.

Houston Cougars

Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 4-8 (3-6 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. Texas Tech
• at Arizona State
• vs. TCU

Projected Wins: Stephen F. Austin, Rice, Oregon State, Arizona, West Virginia, TCU

Projected Losses: Colorado, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, UCF, Baylor

The Cougars have one of the more favorable schedules within their conference, which they leverage effectively this year. Starting with three weaker non-conference foes at the beginning of the season, Houston kicks off with a 3-1 record and uses this initial success to propel them toward a six-win season and qualification for a bowl game.

Colorado Buffaloes

Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 9-4 (7-2 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. BYU
• at TCU
• at Kansas State

Projected Wins: Georgia Tech, Delaware, Houston, Wyoming, Iowa State, Arizona

Projected Losses: Brigham Young, Texas Christian University, Utah, West Virginia, Arizona State, Kansas State

Colorado has the toughest conference schedule in the Big 12. It faces nearly every projected top team. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter aren't around anymore, so a slide backward is expected. The Buffs open the year with four straight wins, but it goes downhill the rest of the year. They go 2-6 the rest of the way to remain bowl eligible. Deion Sanders' team will need to pick up a win against one of BYU, TCU, Iowa State or Kansas State, and I'm going with the Cyclones at home for now. Ending the year with ASU and K-State is a brutal two-week finale.

Utah Utes

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 5-7 (2-9 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. Texas Tech
• vs. Arizona State
• vs. Kansas State

Projected Wins: UCLA, Cal Poly, Wyoming, West Virginia, Arizona State, Colorado, Cincinnati, Kansas State

Projected Losses: Texas Tech, BYU, Baylor, Kansas

After being picked to win the Big 12 heading into 2024, the Utes should bounce back strongly this year. A new quarterback and offensive coordinator are in place as coach Kyle Whittingham hopes for a quick turnaround. The Utes have top-tier home games they'll need to take advantage of to return to the top of the Big 12.

Iowa State Cyclones

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 11-3 (7-2 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• versus Kansas State (in Dublin)
• vs. BYU
• vs. Arizona State

Projected Wins: South Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Brigham Young University (BYU), Arizona State, Kansas

Projected Losses: Kansas State, Colorado, TCU, Oklahoma State

After experiencing their most successful season ever with 11 wins and making it to the Big 12 championship game under Matt Campbell’s leadership, his team faces challenges as they lose their top two wide receivers, significantly impacting their offensive capabilities. Their first matchup of the new season against archrival Kansas State in Ireland could set the stage for determining who takes an early lead in the pursuit of the Big 12 crown.

TCU Horned Frogs

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 9-4 (6-3 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at North Carolina
• at Arizona State
• at. Kansas State

Projected Wins: North Carolina, Abilene Christian, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Colorado, Baylor, West Virginia, Iowa State, Cincinnati

Projected Losses: Arizona State, Kansas State, Brigham Young University, Houston

Last year, the Horned Frogs experienced an unusual season, but they ultimately secured nine victories. This coming year, TCU ought to remain among the leading teams in the Big 12 conference. Their non-conference matches against North Carolina and SMU will serve as valuable early-season challenges.

Kansas Jayhawks

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 5-7 (4-5 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at Missouri
• at Texas Tech
• vs. Kansas State

Projected Wins: Fresno State, Wagner College, University of Missouri, West Virginia University, University of Cincinnati, UCF, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Arizona

Projected Losses: Texas Tech, Iowa State, Utah

Kansas should be a popular sleeper pick this year. Returning quarterback Jalon Daniels is a dark-horse Heisman candidate, and coach Lance Leipold always has the Jayhawks competing. Kansas has several games that could go either way, but the schedule sets up for a conference title run.

Arizona State Sun Devils

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 11-3 (7-2 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at Mississippi State
• vs. Texas Tech
• at Iowa State

Projected Wins: Northern Arizona, Mississippi State, Texas State, TCU, Texas Tech, Houston, West Virginia, Colorado, Arizona

Projected Losses: Baylor, Utah, Iowa State

The Sun Devils should again be legitimate College Football Playoff threats, especially with quarterback Sam Leavitt under center. It might not be an 11-win season, but nine wins are within reach.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 8-5 (6-3 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• at Arizona State
• at Kansas State
• vs. BYU

Projected Wins: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kent State, Oregon State, Utah, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, BYU, UCF, West Virginia

Projected Losses: Arizona State, Kansas State

Texas Tech will enter 2025 with a top-three transfer class and a talented roster. Joey McGuire's crew does not face a challenging schedule, and it has a relatively straightforward path to double-digit wins.

Baylor Bears

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 8-5 (6-3 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. Auburn
• vs. Arizona State
• vs. Kansas State

Projected Wins: Auburn, SMU, Samford, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, UCF, Utah, Arizona, Houston

Projected Losses: Kansas State, TCU

The Bears ended 2024 on a high note with six consecutive victories, and this winning streak carries over into 2025, positioning them as strong contenders within their conference. To determine if they truly have what it takes to be top-tier competitors, Baylor kicks off the new year facing key out-of-conference matches against Auburn and SMU.

BYU Cougars

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 11-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• vs. Utah
• at Iowa State
• at Texas Tech

Projected Wins: Portland State, Stanford, East Carolina University, Colorado, West Virginia, Arizona, Utah, Texas Christian University, Cincinnati, Central Florida

Projected Losses: Iowa State, Texas Tech

Even though they won 11 matches in the previous season, the Cougars remained relatively unnoticed. With most players back for this year in Provo, BYU has the potential to start off with six consecutive wins. However, their performance during the three-game series against Utah, Iowa State, and Texas Tech will be crucial in gauging how successful they might become in 2025.

Kansas State Wildcats

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Record in 2024: 9-4 (5-4 Big 12)

Most Notable Games

• versus Iowa State (in Dublin)
• at Baylor
• at Kansas

Projected Wins: Iowa State, North Dakota, Army, Arizona, UCF, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Colorado

Projected Losses: Kansas, Utah

Among all the Big 12 teams, Kansas State appears poised to lose just a single conference match this season. Known for their consistent performance as title challengers, they have high hopes with quarterback Avery Johnson expected to make substantial progress. Starting off against Iowa State in Ireland might well determine whether they secure a spot in the conference championship game.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Predictions for the Big 12 football teams' win-loss records in 2025 following spring practices for each squad.