K-State Leads Four Big 12 Football Teams in CBS Sports’ Post-Spring Top 25

Posted on May 8, 2023

The spring portion of the 2023 college football schedule is behind us, meaning that we have just weeks before teams show up for summer workouts. Before we know it, media days will be upon us and the 2023 season will be within reach.

Don’t get too hasty though, as it is just May and there’s a long way to go before the scoreboards light up for real. That means we are just now getting into “list season” and post-spring rankings are coming out left and right.

CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd recently published his post-spring Top 25, with four Big 12 teams making the list.

Here’s each team’s ranking, and what Dodd had to say about each of them.

Kansas State – No. 12

Even with the loss of all-time RB Deuce Vaughn and first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chris Klieman has built quite a foundation in Manhattan, Kansas, heading into his fifth season. Quarterback Will Howard will be a capable starter after two years of backing up. The staff really likes RBs DJ Giddens and Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward. Until further notice, the reigning Big 12 champs have to be considered the 2023 favorites.

Texas – No. 17

Kansas State has won two Big 12 titles since Texas last won one (2009). That’s about all you need to know about the Longhorns in Year 3 under Steve Sarkisian. Starting QB Quinn Ewers needs to improve but will be looking over his shoulder at freshman Arch Manning from the time he takes the first snap. There is still pressure for the Horns to break through. They should be favored to win the Big 12. But until they actually do, we’ll have to see it first. There are dangerous road trips to Alabama, Baylor and TCU.

TCU – No. 22

The Horned Frogs lost a lot. Eight players were drafted, the fourth-highest number in the country. That included Heisman finalist Max Duggan and his best receiver, Quentin Johnston. Chandler Morris should be a capable replacement for Duggan having won the job before getting injured. Sonny Dykes moved quickly to replace Riley with Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator.

Oklahoma – No. 25

Brent Venables is under fire. That doesn’t mean he’s getting fired, but another repeat of the last season’s 6-7 debut will make his seat extremely warm, especially with SEC transition looming. That was the Sooners’ worst record in 24 years. Call 2023 a course correction as QB Dillon Gabriel decided to return and has another year in Jeff Lebby’s system. The real concern was the defense — Venables’ specialty. The unit gave up 461 yards per game (ninth in the 10-team Big 12).

Here’s a look at Dodd’s entire post-spring Top 25, courtesy of CBS Sports.