A deeper dive into the Big 12

Arizona

Last year’s record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12

Former San Jose State coach Brent Brennan takes over for Jedd Fisch, who left for Washington.

Quarterback Noah Fifita returns after passing for 2,869 yards and 25 TDs while leading the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season.

Arizona’s top defender, linebacker Jacob Manu, returns after leading the Pac-12 in total tackles (116).

Arizona State

Last year’s record: 3-9, 2-7 Pac-12

At 34, Kenny Dillingham is the youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt takes over for Jaden Rashada, who left via the transfer portal.

The Sun Devils’ defense, which was its strength last season, returns its top two defensive linemen, CJ Fite and Prince Dorbah.

Baylor

Last year’s record: 3-9, 2-7 Big 12

The addition of offensive coordinator Jake Spavital should boost an offense that finished next to last in the conference in scoring (23 points per game).

Dave Aranda takes over play-calling duties on the defensive side after the team finished near the bottom of the league in total defense.

Toledo transfer DeQuan Finn takes over quarterback after earning MVP in the Mid-American Conference.

BYU

Last year’s record: 5-7, 2-7 Big 12

The Cougars ended last season on a five-game losing streak.

Former Baylor and USF quarterback Gerry Bohanon is in the mix for the starting job with junior Jake Retzlaff.

BYU averaged 104 rushing yards per game last season, its worst output since 2004.

Cincinnati

Last year’s record: 3-9, 1-8 Big 12

Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby takes over at quarterback after appearing in 10 games for the Hoosiers.

The Bearcats return 1,000-yard rusher Corey Kiner and all five starters on the offensive line.

New defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt inherits a unit that features a lot of new faces (7).

Colorado

Last year’s record: 4-8, 1-8 Pac-12

The Buffaloes retooled their offensive line after surrendering 56 sacks.

Robert Livingston is tasked with improving a defense near the bottom of the country in scoring, rushing, passing and total defense.

Colorado has made wholesale roster changes in the two seasons under Deion Sanders, with 99 players entering the transfer portal.

Houston

Last year’s record: 4-8, 2-7 Big 12

Former Tulane coach Willie Fritz takes over a program that underachieved under coach Dana Holgorsen in five seasons.

The Cougars have the most demanding conference schedule, with a non-conference game against Oklahoma and five in a row vs. against favorites TCU, Kansas, Utah, Kansas State and Arizona.

Quarterback Donovan Smith is coming off a career season in which he combined for 3,200 yards of total offense.

Iowa State

Last year’s record: 7-6, 6-3 Big 12

Quarterback Rocco Becht, thrust into the starting job last season, finished fourth in the league in passing (240 yards per game).

The Cyclones return 19 starters, including their entire offensive line and most of their defensive secondary.

Iowa State has finished near the bottom of the league in sacks (39) in the past two seasons.

Kansas

Last year’s record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12

The Jayhawks appeared in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2007-08.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns after missing most of last season with a back injury.

Devin Neal was one of eight running backs in the Big 12 who rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

Kansas State

Last year’s record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12

The Wildcats’ four losses were by a combined 21 points, including by 3 each to Texas and Missouri.

Will Howard’s departure allows backup Avery Johnson to take over the starting at QB.

K-State returns five of its top six tacklers, led by linebacker Austin Moore and safety Marques Sigle.

Oklahoma State

Last year’s record: 10-4, 7-2 Big 12

The Cowboys return 18 starters from a team that reached the conference title game.

One of those returning is running back Ollie Gordon, who won the Doak Walker Award after leading the country in rushing with 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Quarterback Alan Bowman, 24, is entering his seventh season, second at Oklahoma State.

TCU

Last year’s record: 5-7, 3-6 Big 12

The Horned Frogs are two years removed from appearing in the national championship game.

Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals is in a three-man race to be starting quarterback.

Former Boise State coach Andy Avalos took over the defensive unit, which managed just 12 turnovers.

Texas Tech

Last year’s record: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12

Running back Tahj Brooks finished second in the conference in rushing (1,538 yards) behind leader Ollie Gordon.

The Red Raiders were favored in four (Wyoming, West Virginia, Kansas State and BYU) of their six losses last season.

The defense returns three starters from a unit that ranked in the middle of the Big 12.

UCF

Last year’s record: 6-7, 3-6 Big 12

Arkansas transfer KJ Jefferson takes over at quarterback after amassing nearly 10,000 total yards with the Razorbacks.

Running back RJ Harvey returns after rushing for a career-high 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns.

New defensive coordinator Ted Roof inherits a unit ranked last in the Big 12 in rushing defense.

UTAH

Last year’s record: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12

Quarterback Cameron Rising returns after taking a medical redshirt because of tears in his ACL, MCL and meniscus during the Rose Bowl.

The Utes return seven starters from a defense that ranked in the top 15 in total defense but must replace Levani Damuni (injury) and Jonah Elliss (NFL).

Coach Kyle Whittingham is entering his 21st season with the program.

West Virginia

Last year’s record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12

The Mountaineers won nine games for the first time since 2016.

Garrett Greene was the top rushing quarterback in the league with 772 yards and 13 touchdowns.

West Virginia featured the top rushing attack in the Big 12 with Jahiem White, CJ Donaldson and Greene.

— Matt Murschel