Greg McElroy has always been outspoken about his preseason predictions, and this year’s Big 12 race was no exception. On his show “Always College Football,” ESPN’s college football analyst revealed his predictions for the conference championship as well as the College Football Playoff, sparking a discussion about two teams new to the race.
McElroy predicts Utah and Oklahoma State will be the top contenders for the Big 12 title. Both teams finish 7-2 in the conference, beating Kansas and Kansas State, who McElroy predicts will finish 6-3. Therefore, the Utes and Cowboys will battle for the conference crown in Arlington.
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McElroy predicts Utah will win the Big 12 Championship and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff in its first season in the conference. The former Alabama quarterback highlighted Utah’s offensive transformation as a key factor in their success. The Utes, traditionally known for their physical running game, are expected to improve their passing attack this season with the return of quarterback Cam Rising. McElroy noted that Rising’s experience and Utah’s improvements in the pass-receiving group will give the Utes the upper hand in a league that often emphasizes physical play.
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“When you look at their quarterback, their wide receiver position and their long-standing identity as a team that wants to crush you? I think that’s a good place for them to come into this league and have immediate success,” McElroy said. He also pointed out that Utah has had to adapt to the Pac-12’s style in the past, but in the Big 12, more teams will be comfortable playing Utah’s brand of football.
McElroy’s prediction also assumes that Oklahoma State will wait on selection day to see if they can secure a playoff spot. According to McElroy, Utah will finish 11-2 and take home the Big 12 title, while Oklahoma State’s future remains uncertain until the playoff committee makes its final decisions.
