5 programs who can become new Big 12 superpower after Oklahoma, Texas leave
By John Buhler
A new Big 12 superpower will emerge after Oklahoma and Texas leave for the SEC in 2024.
It may already be happening, but the Big 12 will soon have a new banner program to lean on after Oklahoma and Texas depart for the SEC.
While Oklahoma has remained strong throughout much of the College Football Playoff, Texas has been the epitome of decadent. Eventually, the Longhorns will be back, but good luck trying to find one’s self in the unforgiving conference that is the SEC. However, the Big 12 should be a highly competitive league once the Sooners and Longhorns bolt for their new conference. It will be fun.
With that in mind, here are five programs best equipped to become the league’s new superpower.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: This Big 12 contender has replaced its legendary head coach with another.
- Page 2: Of the four new league entrants, this is the one with so many huge advantages.
- Page 3: Recent program success and a strong athletic department will serve them here.
- Page 4: “Little Brother” could finally flourish once its big brother leaves for the SEC.
- Page 5: Embrace the weirdness, dominate the metroplex to become Auburn of the Big 12.
Big 12: 5 teams who can become superpower after Oklahoma and Texas leave
Chris Klieman is carrying on Bill Snyder’s impressive Kansas State football legacy
Despite a lack of top-tier talent in-state, the Kansas State Wildcats have been one of the most stable programs in the country over the last quarter century. So much of that has to do Bill Snyder being an absolute legend in the coaching profession. After retiring for a second time, Kansas State had the tall task of replacing Snyder, but it seems to have struck gold in the form of Chris Klieman.
Klieman was already a well-known head coach from his time at FCS power North Dakota State. It took a few years, but he has kept Kansas State nationally relevant in the middle of the country. K-State is the reigning Big 12 champions. Although they got boat raced by Alabama in the Sugar Bowl … the Wildcats played Alabama in the Sugar Bowl! Coaching and legacy are its best assets.
For K-State to become the preeminent Big 12 superpower, Klieman has to use the transfer portal effectively. Snyder helped rebuild Kansas State from nothing by using Kansas’ rich junior college system to its advantage. Finances and recruitment are going to be issues K-State will have to navigate, but there is something to their high level of winning over the better part of 30 seasons.
K-State may be operating near its ceiling, but that is good enough to make the expanded playoff.