Every team in the Big 12 has a list of needs or wants this offseason. Whether is is directly related to the current team, or doing more with fan experience and facility upgrades, every team and fanbase wants something. With Christmas coming up in just two days, here are the gifts that each team is hoping to get in the next year.
Baylor – Transfer portal miracle. Sometimes, a flat out miracle is needed, and for Baylor this is the case. After a tough season, the Bears didn’t do much on National Signing Day or in the transfer portal to this point. A few surprise transfers could change all that!
BYU – Arkansas transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson may only have year left of eligibility, but if there is one QB in the transfer portal that fits BYU system perfectly it is Jefferson. His playing style is very similar to former BYU star Taysom Hill, just not quite as quick, but perhaps a bit stronger.
Cincinnati – New stadium. Yes, Nippert Stadium is historic, but let’s be honest, it isn’t a P5 stadium only holding 38,000 fans.
Houston – Respect. Of the eight teams being added over the past two years to the conference, Houston if by far the least respected. Oftentimes, when people talk about expansion and dropping teams, Houston is first. Getting off those lists would be a great gift for the Cougars.
Iowa State – The transfer portal to close soon. Matt Campbell has done a phenomenal job retaining players in the past, but for whatever reason, despite a good season, Iowa State is losing players to the portal at a high mark. To this point, the Cyclones have lost 13 players to the portal (many productive players) and only added one to this point.
Kansas – Healthy QB play. Last season Kansas was hammered with quarterback injures that didn’t necessarily derail their season, but it certainly cost them a few games.
Kansas State – QB Malachi Nelson (USC). This would be the ultimate gift that isn’t likely to happen, but USC took Will Howard from KSU, so why not get Malachi Nelson from USC to come to Manhattan? This would be the ultimate Christmas miracle.
Oklahoma – To never play Bedlam again. Playing Oklahoma State this year cost the Sooners a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.
Oklahoma State – To play Bedlam every year. There is no bigger sporting event that brings Oklahoma together, think of it like the Holy War between Utah and BYU. Getting this game back would be huge for the Cowboys.
TCU – Return to 2022. Nothing more to say.
Texas – College Football Playoff win. The joke of “Texas being back” has been going on too long. It’s time for them to at least make it to another National Championship Game.
Texas Tech – Results following Top 25 recruiting class. Texas Tech had the best recruiting class in the Big 12 this past week and they hope to use that talent to lead them to their first Big 12 Conference Championship ever.
UCF – One year QB. UCF went into this recruiting cycle knowing they needed a quarterback, and they got two 3-star signings. But any coach will tell you, you don’t want to play a true freshman unless absolutely necessary. Getting a one-year transfer to come in while the new guys develop would be ideal for Gus Malzhan.
West Virginia – Pittsburgh to join the conference. With Florida State looking to leave the ACC, the Big 12 may go after a bunch of ACC teams for expansion, and Pitt would give WVU their rival back, something that would be great for everyone involved.
The Ultimate Gift for the Big 12
Each team has their own wants and needs, but for the conference as a whole, the ultimate gift would be for Florida State to get out of the grant of rights and join the Big 12 alongside Clemson, and perhaps a few other teams.
A few weeks ago, that seemed impossible, but with recent reports of the SEC and Big 10 not being as eager as some may have assumed, it opened up the door, at least a little.
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