Stewart Mandel's 2016 Big 12 predictions – FOXSports.com
No. 10 Kansas (2-10, 0-9 Big 12)
It will be another long year for rebuilding coach David Beaty, but the Jayhawks should at least win a couple before conference season. Last year: 0-12, 0-9, no bowl game. Photo: Jamie Squire
No. 9 Iowa State (4-8, 2-7 Big 12)
Playmakers like RB Mike Warren and WR Allen Lazard give new coach Matt Cambell hope, but ISU doesn’t have the bodies up front. Last year: 3-9, 2-7, no bowl game. Photo: Matthew Holst
No. 8 Baylor (6-6, 3-6 Big 12)
An interim coach (Jim Grobe), inexperienced offensive and defensive lines and depleted recruiting class could make for a rough season. Last year: 10-3, 6-3, beat North Carolina in Russell Athletic Bowl.
No. 7 West Virginia (7-5, 4-5 Big 12)
The Mountaineers have plenty to work with on offense, starting with QB Skyler Howard, but the defense will keep holding them back. Last year: 8-5, 4-5, beat Arizona State in Cactus Bowl. Photo: Yardbarker
T-No. 5 Kansas State (7-5, 5-4 Big 12)
Bill Snyder should fare better than last year’s 3-6 Big 12 mark just by having a couple of his quarterbacks and DBs stay healthy this time. Last year: 6-7, 3-6, lost to Arkansas in Liberty Bowl. Photo: Yardbarker
T-No. 5 Texas Tech (7-5, 5-4 Big 12)
Pat Mahomes is Kliff Kingsbury’s latest standout passer, but he needs help from a defense that could not have been much worse in 2015. Last year: 7-6, 4-5, lost to LSU in Texas Bowl. Photo: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports/Thomas Shea
No. 4 Oklahoma State (8-4, 5-4 Big 12)
Mason Rudolph and James Washington give the Cowboys a dangerous deep passing game. The defense will miss star Emmanuel Ogbah. Last year: 10-3, 7-2, lost to Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl. Photo: Alonzo Adams
No. 3 Texas (8-4, 6-3 Big 12)
Exciting freshman QB Shane Buchele and a young but talented D help ‘Horns coach Charlie Strong climb up the standings in Year 3. Last year: 5-7, 4-5, no bowl game. Photo: Yardbarker
No. 2 Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2 Big 12)
Baker Mayfield and the offense won’t have trouble scoring points, but the defense might slip without four departed All-Big 12 starters. Last year: 11-2, 8-1, lost to Clemson in national semfinal. Photo: Scott Sewell
No. 1 TCU (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)
Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill will put up big numbers in TCU’s QB-friendly offense, and the defense will be formidable up front. Last year: 11-2, 7-2, beat Oregon in Alamo Bowl. Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images/Tom Pennington
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