2021 Big 12 Bowl Projections
The college football season is less than a month away, meaning it’s time to start speculating about potential bowl games. CBS Sports bowl expert Jerry Palm released his 2021 bowl projections for the Big 12. Which teams does he believe will get there? Find out below.
Can the tumultuous conference get a team to the CFB Playoff?
The similar answer is: potentially.
The College Football Playoff Contenders
Iowa State, Sugar Bowl: The Cyclones are coming off of the first Fiesta Bowl victory in program history. They return NCAA rushing leader Breece Hall as well as Charlie Kolar, the Big 12’s top tight end. The rebuild is officially over and Matt Campbell’s team is ready to contend. Palm has them facing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Oklahoma, Orange Bowl: Palm has the Sooners making the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in the past five years. Oklahoma enters the season on an eight-game winning streak that included a 55-20 thrashing of Florida in the Cotton Bowl. It returns quarterback Spencer Rattler and running back Kennedy Brooks, who opted out of the 2020 season. OU’s potential opponent is quite fierce, however. Palm has them matched up against Alabama.
The Rest of the Big 12
Kansas State, Guaranteed Rate Bowl: The Wildcats could be the most improved team in the Big 12. K-State finished this past season 4-6, but played most of the year without quarterback Skylar Thompson. He is back along with running back Deuce Vaughn, whose freshman season included 642 yards and seven touchdowns. Palm thinks they’ll be bowling once again, pitting them against Minnesota.
Oklahoma State, Texas Bowl: The Cowboys lose running back Chuba Hubbard and receiver Tylan Wallace to the NFL. Quarterback Spencer Sanders is entering his junior season, and the offense is in his hands. OSU could have a very underrated defense that brings back Tre Sterling (11 TFL) and Trace Ford (4.5 sacks). Palm’s Big 12 bowl projections place them against Mississippi State in the Texas Bowl.
TCU, Liberty Bowl: The Horned Frogs have missed a bowl game just three times in Gary Patterson’s 20 seasons as coach. They are a veteran team that could be a dark horse in the conference. Palm has them taking on Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl.
Texas, Alamo Bowl: The Longhorns are replacing a quarterback and a head coach this season. Still, many are high on them in the preseason. They are certainly in the discussion for third-best in the Big 12 after OU and ISU. Palm’s Big 12 bowl projections put them in the Alamo Bowl against USC — a rematch of the 2005 national championship.
West Virginia, Cheez-It Bowl: The Mountaineers had the best defense in the Big 12 in 2020 and could again claim that title this season. Dante Stills and Akheem Mesidor highlight what should be a fearsome defensive line. Safety Alonzo Addae will lead the secondary. Palm pits them up against Sam Howell and North Carolina in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Photo courtesy of George Walker/Icon Sportswire.