Big 12 Football: Biggest Spring Question for All 16 Teams in 2024

Author:
Steven Lassan
Mar 21, 2024 10:59 AM EDT

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Spring practice is the first official chance to see every college football team for the 2024 season, and all 16 programs in the Big 12 have key question marks to address. Without a clear frontrunner this fall, finding answers to top concerns or solidifying a position could be a significant development in the race to get to the Big 12 title game.

Offensive line play is under the microscope at Kansas, Kansas State, and Colorado this spring. Improving the defense is atop the priority list at West Virginia, UCF, and TCU. How quarterback Cameron Rising looks at Utah in his return from a serious knee injury will play a huge role in shaping the top tier of the conference in '24.

What are the key question marks and storylines facing all 16 Big 12 teams for '24? Athlon Sports dives into those for the upcoming year:

Big 12 Football: Biggest Spring Question for All 16 Teams in 2024

Arizona: Can the Wildcats build on last year's 10-win season?
With 12 starters back - including quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan - Brent Brennan inherits one of the best Year 1 situations for any new coach. But as always with any coaching move, there will be changes and tweaks. Can the roster quickly adapt to the new staff and build on last year's 10 wins?

Arizona State: Can the Sun Devils solidify the offensive line?
The Sun Devils struggled with injuries and up-and-down play on the offensive line last season. With three starters back, a couple of transfers joining the team, along with the return of Ben Coleman (missed '23 due to injury), this group has a chance to show marked improvement. The development of this unit looms large to help the development of quarterback Jaden Rashada.

Baylor: How does the new offense look?
The Bears averaged only 23.1 points a game last season, which prompted major changes by head coach Dave Aranda. Jake Spavital was hired as offensive coordinator, and the staff dipped into the portal to land Toledo transfer Dequan Finn as its starting quarterback. How far this unit progresses is crucial to Aranda's long-term future in Waco.

BYU: Does a clear favorite emerge at quarterback?
The Cougars have a two-man race at quarterback this offseason with former Baylor/South Florida transfer Gerry Bohanon battling Jake Retzlaff to start in Provo. Will coach Kalani Sitake leave spring with a clear answer here?

Cincinnati: Can the Bearcats get the offense on track?
The Bearcats averaged only 19.1 points a game in Big 12 contests last season, but optimism should be high for improvement in '24. Coach Scott Satterfield brings back eight starters and added Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby to improve at quarterback. With all five starters back up front and a solid stable of running backs in place, Cincinnati could lean heavily on its ground game to ease Sorsby into the offense.

Colorado: Is the offensive line better?
Protecting Shedeur Sanders better in 2024 is a must if Colorado wants to go bowling. After allowing 56 sacks last season, the Buffaloes need marked improvement up front. The good news: Coach Deion Sanders added top recruit Jordan Seaton and reeled in six transfers to bolster the trenches.

Houston: Will the Cougars leave spring with answers on both sides of the ball?
New coach Willie Fritz has a big rebuilding effort on his hands with just eight returning starters for '24. Adding to the effort to find new faces on both sides of the ball, quarterback Donovan Smith will miss the spring due to injury. Houston brings back only one starter on the offensive line and has major losses on the defensive front. Finding answers here is crucial if the Cougars want to go bowling in '24.

Iowa State: Can the Cyclones improve the ground attack?
With five starters back up front and running back Abu Samu III poised for a breakout season, the Cyclones should be improved on the ground in '24. Over 13 games last season, this group averaged only 144.4 rushing yards in Big 12 contests. Improving this area in spring practice would help bolster Iowa State push for a spot in the conference title game.

Kansas: Can the Jayhawks find the right answers on the offensive line?
The health of quarterback Jalon Daniels is also under the spotlight after he missed most of '23 due to a back injury. But in order for the offense to fire on all cylinders this fall, shoring up the line is a priority for coach Lance Leipold. The Jayhawks return only two starters and have holes to fill at center and left tackle.

Kansas State: Will quarterback Avery Johnson take the next step?
Johnson is a popular breakout pick at quarterback after shining in limited time last season. With Will Howard transferring to Ohio State, Johnson is set to step into the starting role on a full-time basis for '24. Can new co-coordinators Matt Wells and Conor Riley help Johnson's game develop to the next level? With three starters gone up front, the supporting cast is also under construction.

Oklahoma State: Can the passing game develop behind QB Alan Bowman?
Coach Mike Gundy's team brings back 20 starters, so there are few glaring concerns about this squad in '24. However, the Cowboys finished '23 ranked 12th in the Big 12 in quarterback rating (122.2) and tossed the second-most interceptions (16) of any team in the conference. With Alan Bowman entrenched as the starter for all offseason workouts, can the passing game take its game up a notch this spring?

TCU: Will the Horned Frogs find the right mix on the offensive line?
For TCU to get back into the mix for the Big 12 title, two areas stand out as key priorities this spring: Defensive improvement and finding the right mix along the offensive line. The Horned Frogs are set to break in four new starters up front for quarterback Josh Hoover and could lean on a couple of transfers to step in right away. Former Boise State coach Andy Avalos takes over a defense that brings back eight starters but also allowed 27.8 points a game in '23.

Texas Tech: Will the Red Raiders leave spring with answers in the trenches?
The line of scrimmage is likely to receive the bulk of the attention from head coach Joey McGuire in spring workouts. The Red Raiders return only one starter on the offensive line and lost defensive standouts Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. Can Texas Tech find the right answers on both sides of the ball in spring practice?

UCF: Can the Knights leave spring practice with the right mix on defense?
Restocking a line returning two starters is a priority for coach Gus Malzahn's offense, but UCF was also hit hard by departures on its defensive front. The Knights ranked last in the Big 12 in rush defense and surrendered over six yards a play in 2023. Will Malzahn leave spring feeling positive about the new faces up front and at linebacker? With a handful of portal additions on the way, talent and competition isn't lacking.

Utah: Does QB Cameron Rising look 100 percent?
Rising entered 2023 as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation but missed all of last year due to a knee injury. All signs point to a return to full strength for Rising, and this spring will be the first opportunity for him to showcase his recovery.

West Virginia: Will the Mountaineers improve on defense?
If West Virginia is going to factor into the Big 12 title picture, coach Neal Brown's squad must improve on defense. This unit struggled to stop the pass and surrendered 6.1 yards per play and 29.9 points a game in Big 12 contests last year. Six starters are back, but there are holes to fill up front and in the secondary. Can Brown and his staff leave spring with optimism about the growth of this group?