Big 12 Spring Football Update

STILLWATER – As I write this I’m watching the BYU Cougars on BYU-TV hold their spring football game, which like Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy several times is more like a spring practice open to the fans with players wearing some game uniforms. The cries in Cowboy country this spring have been about no spring game with the construction on going at Boone Pickens Stadium. I don’t get it because for many years I’ve encouraged spring game attendance, but even with free admission it is never topped 18,000. 

Here is a rundown of the new Big 12 and spring football with the date of the spring game or spring football conclusion. Plus we added some concerns or needed accomplishments for each program this spring.

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

BYU hashad their spring game.

BYU Cougars

Spring Game: Friday, March 31

Necessary Accomplishments: With new defensive coordinator Jay Hill they need to get the defense installed and learned. On offense there is transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis from Pittsburgh, so they need to get him comfortable with the offense and the offensive players comfortable with Slovis. BYU has a chance to make some noise in the first season in the Big 12.

Baylor Bears

Spring Game: Saturday, April 22

Necessary Accomplishments: Jeff Grimes needs to rebuild the offensive line and perhaps rebuild the confidence of quarterback Blake Shapen, who slumped last season in his first year as a starter. Baylor also lost some very demonstrative pieces on defene like Siaka Ika and Dillon Doyle. They need to identify those playmakers for the future.

Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bearcats have work to do.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Spring Game: Saturday, April 15

Necessary Accomplishments: New head coach in former Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield. That means everything including welcoming and transitioning a transfer quarterback in Arizona State’s and former Florida quarterback Emory Jones, who the Cowboys saw last season.

Houston Cougars

Spring Game: Friday, April 7

Necessary Accomplishments: Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson left for Miami, Fla. and Dana Holgorsen did not name a new one. Coordination by group, I guess. New quarterback in former Texas Tech dual threat Donovan Smith competing with holdovers Lucas Coley and Caleb McMickle. Defense slumped and needs to gain confidence.

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Matt Campbell may have some pressure.

Iowa State Cyclones

Spring Game: Saturday, April 22

Necessary Accomplishments: Revamp the offense as the defense was one of the best in the country and returns ace coordinator Jon Heacock and plenty of players adept in the scheme. Offense needs playmakers and quarterback Hunter Dekkers to be more effective and confident.

Kansas Jayhawks

Spring Game: Friday, April 7

Necessary Accomplishments: The defense needs to improve to help the offense from last season that has quarterback Jalon Daniels returning. They also have running back Devon Neal returning as well. The defense has to shore up after giving up close to 35-points a game. Kansas will have more numbers on the roster than they’ve had in a decade.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Will Howard wil lead K-State.

Kansas State Wildcats

Spring Game: Saturday, April 15

Necessary Accomplishments: The Big 12 champs return quarterback Will Howard but need to replace the major playmakers around him at running back and receiver. The defense is solid as well. Find enough playmakers and the Wildcats should be back in business in 2023.

Oklahoma Sooners

Spring Game: Saturday, April 22

Necessary Accomplishments: Oklahoma returns their quarterback in Dillon Gabriel, but they need to get better on the offensive line and find suitable playmakers to surround Gabriel. On defense Oklahoma has a stud linebacker in Danny Stutsman but need to build around him and become more consistent at making plays.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Elijah Collins looks good at RB.

Spring Game: None but a meet and greet on Saturday, April 22

Necessary Accomplishments: Figure out who the quarterback is between Garret Rangel and Alan Bowman and get all the new and old playmakers at running back and receiver coordinated. Inject toughness in the offensive line. Transition to an in-line tight end. On defense learn new coordinator Bryan Nardo’s system.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler Morris back as starting TCU QB.

TCU Horned Frogs

Spring Game: Friday, April 14

Necessary Accomplishments: Another coordinator transition as the Horned Frogs need to go from CFP to now having Kendal Briles at offensive coordinator and quarterback Chandler Morris returning. They have lost lots of running back and receiver talent. They have also lost plenty of defensive starters, so lots of finding the next group on that side of the ball.

Texas Longhorns

Spring Game: Saturday, April 15

Necessary Accomplishments: It sure looks like Quinn Ewers will be the starting quarterback, so who will he throw it to and hand it to. There are great expectations at Texas and Steve Sarkisian needs to meet those. Texas is the popular early favorite in the conference.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Anne Rice for USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Shough needs to stay healthy.

Spring Game: Saturday, April 22

Necessary Accomplishments: The offense has two of three quarterbacks back and they are both good. They have a good number of weapons. The offensive line loses a couple of pieces and the defense is where the majority of work needs to be done. Find a replacement for dynamic pass rusher Tyree Wilson.

UCF Knights

Spring Game: Friday, April 14

Necessary Accomplishments: Here is your newcomer that could be dangerous as they return their quarterback and number of weapons but will have a new coordinator in Darin Hinshaw. It is the same thing on defense with new coordinator Addison Williams having a lot of returners.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Spring Game: Saturday, April 22

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

WVU head coach Neal Brown

Necessary Accomplishments: Neal Brown is a good coach and I truly believe that. He will have more control than in the past and he needs to have a good quarterback come out of the competition. The defense was a struggle at times especially in stopping opposing offenses from scoring. Lots of work and lots of new players competing for the opportunities to fix it.