Randy Peterson
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August 08, 2025
Five things to watch during what could be an even wackier Big 12 football season than the one we most recently experienced . . .
A viewer’s guide to a conference that plays possibly its most significant game in just a few days – in a country foreign to most of us, and kicks off a week that, for some reason, has been called Week Zero.
That’s as good a place as any to start this guide to a conference that’s as unpredictable and balanced at the bottom, as it is at the top.
** The Big 12’s Game One regular-season Super Bowl: Make of Break?
This needs context: Iowa State and Kansas State won’t be tip-toeing through a patch of patsy non-conference opponents en route to what often is an entertaining Farmageddon game.
This is two Top 25 teams, each with quarterbacks worthy of all-Big 12 status. That should be enough on its own to put this in must-watch category.
Both teams had better be on their A-games, on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland. The whole college football world just might be watching
It’s the first game of the season – literally, kicking off at 11 a.m., on ESPN and in a time slot all its own. Clearly, it’s the highlight of the five-game opening weekend. There’s nothing zero about it.
Make or break?
Doubtful, but clearly the winner will have staked an early claim – while the loser will be playing catchup through the next eight conference games.
** Have Iowa State expectations been any higher than they are now?
Coach Matt Campbell certainly has raised the bar. Two Big 12 Conference title games during the past five seasons. A school-record 11-win season in 2024. More NFL draft picks the past nine seasons – than during the combined 13 previous drafts. A veteran team with returning starters all over the place.
Expectations high? Depends on your definition. Twelve wins? Big 12 title game win? College football playoffs?
Given the parity of the league, the 2025 Cyclones have as good a chance of Iowa State team before it, to play reach the Big 12 championship.
** Is this the year Iowa State wins the Big One?
Reaching the Big 12’s most coveted game twice under Campbell has been something way beyond expectations of some fans still scarred by Cyclones expectations of the past.
But since they’re now title-game veterans – what’s keeping them from winning that game? That starts with significant players staying healthy, which, as we know, hasn’t always (especially the defense), been the case.
It includes the offensive line finally playing well consistency, and that’s been a problem, too. Then there’s Rocco Becht finding game-breakers like he had in Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.
And the rushing game – can it be good enough to keep the defenses honest?
And here’s possibly the biggest question: rushing and then pass defending the opposing quarterback in what has returned to a Quarterback’s League?
** How about Arizona State winning back-to-back Big 12 championships?
Maybe it’s just me, but I wonder if the Sun Devils would have won the title game last season with a running back not named Cam Skattabo?
In just the first half, Scattabo rushed 10 times for 140 yards, with 90 of those yards coming after contact. He had 170 rushing yards during ASU’s 45-19 victory, and didn’t even play after his team’s 21-point third quarter.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt is back, but Scattabo now is doing his thing for the New York Giants.
By the way, Iowa State and Arizona State play on Nov. 1 at Jack Trice Stadium.
As far as consecutive Big 12 championships – that’s not been done since Oklahoma won four in a row between 2017-2020.
** And then there’s these:
^ How about Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ health situation? Will he be the same Coach Prime as he was last season?
^ No Big 12 coach’s seat is hotter than Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy – regardless of a contract that runs through 2028. Another winless Big 12 season, and sparks could be flying in Stillwater.
^ Count me among the people wondering why Baylor is getting so much pre-season love.
^ All eyes will be on BYU, looking for a quarterback after star Jake Retzlaff’s sudden transfer to Tulane.
^ Many feel TCU’s Josh Hoover is the Big 12’s top quarterback. He might be, coming off a season in which he passed for 3,949 yards, and 27 touchdowns.
^ It’s cliché, sure, but does Texas Tech have the best team money can buy?
^^ Scott Frost-2.0 coaching again at UCF. Enough said on that one.
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a multiple State of Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)