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2021 Big 12 football season preview: Predicted order of finish, best players, breakout stars

By Ethan Lee

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 19: Delarrin Turner-Yell #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with the Big 12 Championship trophy after the Sooners beat the Iowa State Cyclones 27-21 in the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 19: Delarrin Turner-Yell #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with the Big 12 Championship trophy after the Sooners beat the Iowa State Cyclones 27-21 in the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners eyes the Florida Gators defense during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners eyes the Florida Gators defense during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Big 12 Championship Game prediction: Oklahoma vs. Iowa State

Matt Campbell and the Iowa State Cyclones have really burst onto the scene as of late and it’s reasonable to expect them to continue to disrupt things in the Big 12. This program has developed into one of the best the Big 12 has to offer and Iowa State may be one of the 10 best teams in the country again this season.

It will be exhilarating to watch Iowa State match up with Oklahoma this season and the two teams should really be facing each other twice this year, once in the regular season and then again in the Big 12 championship game.

The Sooners will boast what will clearly be one of the best offenses in the country, which is something they do every season. The difference-maker for the Sooners this year should be the improvement they see on their defense. Expect Oklahoma to be a truly well-rounded team this year.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Iowa State 31

Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year: Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler

Oklahoma quarterbacks tend to do a pretty good job of winning Heisman trophies, especially as of late. Spencer Rattler should be in consideration for a Heisman this season as he looks to lead an incredibly talented team. The Sooners have surrounded Rattler with a ton of talent and as such, the young quarterback thrived a season ago. Look for him to do it again this year.

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year: Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald

Will McDonald was a star last season for the Iowa State Cyclones and it stands to reason that he’ll have another solid season for them this year. In 2020, McDonald racked up a total of 35 tackles, recorded 13 tackles for loss, and had 10.5 sacks. Opposing offenses might try to find new ways to account for McDonald’s presence on the defensive line, but he’s still developing and improving. Make sure you keep an eye on him this season.

Big 12 breakout player: Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson

Does Kansas State’s Skylar Thompson count? He’s been around for a few years and people are certainly more than familiar with him. That said, Thompson is set for another season with the Wildcats after missing most of 2020 due to a devastating injury. He’s one of the most experienced players in college football and will be working with an incredibly intriguing set of skill players around him. His leadership is crucial for the Kansas State Wildcats this season.

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