Who will win the 2024 Big 12 football championship? USA Today Sports Network predictions

LAS VEGAS — Newcomer Utah has surged to the top of the media’s projections for the new, 16-team Big 12 Conference.

As the league embarks on football media days at Allegiant Stadium starting on Tuesday, a panel of Big 12 writers from the USA Today Network voted the Utes as the favorite for the conference title.

Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado have officially joined the conference and were scattered across the poll.

Arizona was selected fifth, with Colorado 10th and Arizona State bookending the poll at 16th.

Kansas State edged Oklahoma State for the No. 2 spot in the poll, which would set up a Utah-Kansas State battle for the Big 12 title in December.

Here’s a look at the USA Today Network’s predicted order of finish for the Big 12:

More: USA Today preseason All-Big 12 football team 2024: Ollie Gordon II is Player of the Year

Big 12 standings prediction

Place, Team, Points

• 1. Utah, 92

• 2. Kansas State, 85

• 3. Oklahoma State, 82

• 4. Kansas, 76

• 5. Arizona, 71

• 6. Iowa State, 68

• 7. UCF, 56

• 8. Texas Tech, 54

• 9. West Virginia, 52

• 10. Colorado, 44

• 11. TCU, 38

• 12. BYU, 28

• 13. Baylor, 25

• 14. Cincinnati, 21

• 15. Houston, 13

• 16. Arizona State, 11

Poll participants: Chris Boyle, Daytona News-Journal; Arne Green, Topeka Capital-Journal; Jordan Guskey, Topeka Capital-Journal; Scott Procter, Fort Collins Coloradoan; Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer, Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal; Scott Wright, The Oklahoman.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 football order of finish: USA TODAY Sports Network predictions