Where BYU and its Big 12 Peers Rank in the Initial SP+ Rankings
On Tuesday, ESPN's Bill Connelly unveiled the first SP+ rankings for the 2023 college football season. BYU came in at no. 62 in first rankings. Below is a recap of how the Cougars were ranked compared to their Big 12 peers.
The Big 12 in the SP+ Rankings
No. 9 - Texas
The Longhorns are the highest ranked Big 12 team and the only Big 12 team in the top 10. Texas is no stranger to preseason expectations and the expectations will be high again this season in Austin.
No. 14 - Oklahoma
The Sooners are the next team in the rankings and the second Big 12 team inside the top 15. Oklahoma's offense is expected to be a top 10 unit in 2023. If the Sooners can find a way to get stops, they could rise in the rankings in 2023. The Sooners travel to Provo to take on BYU in November.
No. 19 - TCU
The reigning national runner-ups are ranked in the top 20 in the first SP+ rankings. The Horned Frogs lose a lot of production in 2023, they will try to replace their lost production via the transfer portal.
No. 22 Kansas State
The reigning Big 12 champs are the next team in the SP+ rankings. The Wildcats are the last of the four Big 12 teams in the top 25. BYU is not scheduled to play Kansas State this season.
No. 34 Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State comes in next at no. 34. The Cowboys will be a fascinating team to following this season - they have lost multiple impact players to the transfer portal after a disappointing finish to the 2022 season.
No. 35 Texas Tech
Texas Tech is a program on the rise. The Red Raiders came in at no. 35 in the first SP+ rankings after a dominant win over Ole Miss in their bowl game.
No. 38 Baylor
Baylor is in the top 40 after a disappointing 2022 campaign. The Bears will look to return to the top of the Big 12 in 2023. BYU and Baylor are not scheduled to play each other in 2023.
No. 39 UCF
UCF is the first newcomer on the list. BYU and UCF are not scheduled to play each other in 2023.
No. 43 Cincinnati
Speaking of newcomers, Cincinnati is next in line at no. 43. The Bearcats will travel to Provo for BYU's first conference home game in the Big 12.
No. 45 Iowa State
Iowa State is looking to rebound in 2023 after taking last place in the conference in 2022. The Cyclones will have a top 20 defense according to SP+.
No. 50 West Virginia
West Virginia is the last Big 12 team inside the top 50. BYU and WVU will square off in November.
No. 51 Houston
Houston is just outside the top 50 at no. 51. The red Cougars are expected to have a top 20 offense according to SP+.
No. 57 Kansas
Kansas is next at no. 57. The Cougars and the Jayhawks will square off in September for BYU's inaugural game in the Big 12.
No. 62 BYU
BYU is ranked last in the Big 12 in the first SP+ rankings. BYU's defense is ranked no. 79 in the first rankings. If BYU's defense can outperform those expectations, BYU will rise up the rankings in 2023.
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