While multiple Big 12 teams outperformed their preseason expectations in 2024, it goes without saying that some groups will fail to repeat that same success next fall.
Two Big 12 teams fit in that category in a recent list from 247Sports’ Brad Crawford, who included the Iowa State Cyclones and Colorado Buffaloes alongside SMU, Indiana, Duke, Florida, Oregon, and Georgia.
Iowa State
“When you come off the first 11-win season in program history like Matt Campbell just did, momentum heading into the following season his stratospheric levels,” Crawford wrote. “However, it would be unfair to assume another campaign like last is replicated at Iowa State, even with quarterback Rocco Becht and several other key contributors coming back. The message to the 2025 Cyclones centered around “new team, new goals,” and that’s important. Iowa State replaces double-digit starters, this coming a year after the Cyclones were top 5 nationally in returning production. With a preseason win total of 7.5, expect regression for one of the frontrunners in a wide open (and unpredictable) Big 12.”
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history is a lot to compete with, regardless of the program. For an Iowa State team that lost multiple big-name starters to the NFL Draft and graduation, Matt Campell’s work is cut out for him. Their season starts off early with a massive game against another expected Big 12 title contender, Kansas State, in Dublin, Ireland, to kick off the 2025 season in style.
Colorado
“What is the true expectation level from the Colorado power brass after making Deion Sanders the nation’s highest-paid coach without a national title? His two-year turnaround with the Buffaloes is impressive, but losing a pair of projected first-rounders — including the Heisman winner — and a few playmakers offensively could lead to a step back in production numbers on that side of the football,” Crawford continued. “Sanders doubled last year’s preseason win total, but the projected 6.5 number should be scary for Colorado fans in 2025.”
While Deion Sanders has already shown the ability to revive a program, now, expectation sits in. Will the Buffaloes find success with a new quarterback under center and no Travis Hunter? That storyline will be one to follow throughout the offseason. Their schedule doesn’t do them any favors either as they take on BYU, Arizona State, Kansas State, Utah, and Iowa State this fall.
