It’s been a week since the final Big 12 football game of the 2024 season was played and I still don’t know that it’s completely settled for me yet.
The way that Arizona State’s 2024 season ended will leave a sour taste for quite some time, but as bad as the officiating was, it was one hell of an effort from Cam Skattebo and the Sun Devils.
But at some point, I will have to get over this sick feeling and move on.
But before I do that, it’s time to hand out the final post-Big 12 football season awards.
Best Team: Arizona State
This is by far the easiest award to give due to the fact that the Big 12 crowns a champion every single year. Not only did the Sun Devils win the Big 12, but they also earned a first-round bye in the college football playoff.
Unfortunately, they fell short against Texas in the Peach Bowl (thanks, refs), but this team was playing their best football during the most critical part of the season. Unlike other teams in the playoff, nobody could argue that Arizona State didn’t belong because they proved they could compete with anyone, including the most talented roster in the country.
Best Coach: Arizona State HC Kenny Dillingham
Who else but Kenny Dillingham? He led his team to a Big 12 championship and the college football playoff.
While there were a few other coaches in consideration for this award, Kenny Dillingham has to be at the top of the list. Also, I felt like he should have won the National Coach of the Year. His phone will be ringing like crazy next season when the coaching carousel starts to heat up.
Best Offense: Texas Tech
This pick may be a little controversial, but the stats don’t lie.
The Red Raiders’ offense led the conference in scoring (37.6) and yards per game (462.8) as they arguably had the most balanced attack in the Big 12.
Star running back Tahj Brooks led the way on the ground with 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Behren Morton quietly had a career year throwing for 27 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions.
Texas Tech’s offense was potent, and if their portal additions can bring the defense around in 2025, watch out.
Best Defense: BYU
This one was pretty easy, too, as BYU’s defense was the biggest reason why Kalani Sitake’s group just turned in an 11-2 season.
Not only did the Cougars lead the Big 12 in scoring (19.6) and total defense (308.8), but they ranked top four in just about every major defensive category in the Big 12, and it all started up front. Their ability to get a push in the trenches helped them tremendously, and to me, they take the award for the best defense in the conference.
Related: Head Coaching Grades for the 2024 Season
Best Game: BYU at Utah
I had several games in consideration for this award, but when it came down to it, this was my favorite game of the season.
Coming into the season, this one was circled on my calendar. The Holy War is one of the best rivalries in college football and I was super excited to have this great rivalry in the Big 12.
Not only did we get some late-game drama — BYU hitting a game-winning 44-yard field goal with just seconds left — but it also had some post-game drama, with Utah AD Mark Harlan blasting the officials in the press conference afterward. I can’t wait to see these two play every single year from now on.
Best Attendance: Colorado
There were some great attendance numbers in the Big 12 this season, but nobody filled their stadium quite like Colorado fans.
Buffalo fans packed Folsom Field beyond capacity, leading all Big 12 programs in attendance rate at 104.64%.
I think it’s safe to say that the Deion Sanders experiment is going well in Boulder.
Most Improved: Arizona State
I know the Sun Devils were in the Pac-12 last season, but they finished with a 3-9 record in 2023. They came into the Big 12 picked to finish dead last in the preseason poll and ended up winning the conference.
I don’t know that we will ever see that happen again, at least in my lifetime. One can argue that Arizona State was the most improved team in the entire country, and they were definitely that in the Big 12.
Most Disappointing: Oklahoma State
Outside of Florida State, which was a preseason top-ten team, Oklahoma State was the most disappointing team in all of college football.
When you look at the returning talent they had, including Heisman hopeful running back Ollie Gordon III, this team was supposed to compete for a Big 12 title.
Instead, they folded up like a cheap tent and ended up going winless in conference play for the first time since 1993.
This was by far the worst season under Mike Gundy and now there are some serious questions about his job status moving forward.
