With only two weeks into the season, it would be foolish to make any pronouncements about the future of the Big 12 in 2016. However, a lot of college football picks analysts cannot be faulted for pronouncing doom upon the Big 12.
The offseason was an unfortunate mess for the Big 12 for whom the Baylor scandal was merely one talking point. The wrangles over expansion and a conference Championship game left fans a little winded, and the new season hasn’t exactly treated the Big 12 well.
There are only three undefeated teams in the conference at the moment (West Virginia, Texas and Baylor), the lowest number among the power Five Conferences.
Certainly, it would be premature to jump to conclusions so early in the season; however, the Big 12’s playoff hopes are clearing slipping further and further away, though they are not yet dead.
Looking at Saturday, it is easy to see why some Big 12 fans might be losing faith. Oklahoma State lost to Central Michigan in a less than satisfying fashion; sure, the ref needs to shoulder some of the blame, but Oklahoma State was obviously at fault as well.
TCU lost to Arkansas in double overtime in a home game that many thought TCU would comfortably win. There is no point in talking about Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State here because they all failed to deliver victories.
Texas is, presently, the highest-ranked school. Remember that Texas’ season begun with their coach on the hot seat. West Virginia shouldn’t be counted out. They have a decent chance in the next poll while Baylor is highly likely to be ranked. The fact that Oklahoma re-established itself in a blowout is also worth noting.
But no one really believes that will be enough, or at least none of these teams are doing anything to convince fans that the Big 12 still has more to offer. Right now, things do not look too good for the Big 12, especially considering their 1-4 record against other Power 5 conferences.
The only win they have to boast about came in Week 1 when the Mountaineers knocked off Missouri. Seeing as they are also 3-3 against the Group of 5, it is difficult to believe that conference play will increase the playoff profile.
Right now, regardless of their abilities, the Big 12 need to put up a strong front; they need to change the perceptions of fans, and next week will give them a huge opportunity to do just that.
The Texans need to avoid trouble at Cal if they want to improve to 3-0, while a win for Oklahoma State in the game against Pittsburgh could give them the redemption they need.
Most analysts are closely eyeing the Sooners’ home matchup against Ohio State. Oklahoma cannot afford to lose that clash, not if they want to keep their Playoff hopes alive.
The side needs to improve conference perception. Next week will determine whether or not the Sooners are still true playoff contenders. No one is suggesting that the Big 12 is in critical condition, but they are not in a great place. Next week will paint a more definitive picture for the rest of the season.
