Mike Sutphin

Every season there are multiple events that occur that majority of people don’t see coming. Some people try to predict outrageous things before the season starts so if they actually happen they seem like a genius, but if they are wrong they just call them “bold predictions” so they can’t be held against them. I’m about to share predictions that I think can happen this season in the Big 12. Many of you probably won’t agree with them, but if they happen I will be a genius. If they don’t happen… well they are just my Big 12 “bold predictions”.

Kyler Murray will win the Big 12 Player of the Year and will be a Heisman Finalist:

Kyler is a former 5-star recruit and was literally just drafted in the first round to play baseball for the Oakland A’s last month. He signed a contract to play baseball but is still going to play for Oklahoma football this year.

Just a Tease of what could happen this year… haha get it 

The kid is an athlete and in the small sample size we have of him he has played pretty well. He has played in 15 games between his tenure at Oklahoma last year and TAMU in 2015. In those 15 games, he completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,045 yards and 8 TDs. He also rushed for 477 yards and 1 TD on 67 attempts. After playing behind a Baker for a year and returning almost everyone at the skilled positions, Murray will live up to the 5-star hype.

Baylor finishes top three in the conference and wins nine games:

Baylor is returning 16 players from last year: eight from offense and eight from defense. This includes sophomore QB Charlie Brewer, who played only 4.5 games, but threw 11 TDs and was awarded Big 12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year. They also return 1,000-yard receiver Denzel Mims and every position on the o-line except LT. The offense should click and be able to score with the best.

The defense has had a whole year and an offseason to adjust to and learn the ways of D-Coordinator Phil Snow. Players like Blake Lynch and Greg Roberts should be key contributors for Baylor to be successful on the defensive side, at least for Big 12 standards.

They draw TCU and OK State at home, while having to go on the road to play WVU, Oklahoma, and Texas. If they beat the lower tier teams in the Big 12 and win at least two of those five games, they could finish with nine wins and be top three in the conference.

Texas will win the Big 12:

This is the big one! Texas was 7-6 last year and it was Tom Herman’s first year. With a whole year to recruit and implement his style at UT, this year will be more successful. They return both of their leading receivers and their leading rusher. The difference maker is their recruiting. According to ESPN and 247Sports, they have the 3rd best incoming class in the nation. With only 11 total starters returning, many of the incoming freshman will have plenty of opportunities to make an impact. Last year, before Herman arrived, they had the 33rd best recruiting class; the jump will help them win more games for sure.

Herman excelled at Houston, helping them gain some national recognition, and turning around this Texas program will happen quicker this most people think. They matchup at home against USC, TCU, and WVU. All 3 games are very winnable. They have OK St on the road and Oklahoma at a neutral location. No team in the Big 12 will go undefeated, so dropping one of those five games will not cost them the conference title. Texas will win the Big 12!

Don’t agree with any of these bold predictions? Then comment or @ me and tell me why not. @tyler_sutphin2. Follow me and let’s talk.