What-If Wednesday: Big 12 Quarterback Play, Oklahoma State’s Next QB and Matt Wells to K-State
Welcome into our newest feature, we’re calling, “What-If Wednesday”. In this column, I’ll propose a handful of questions that, at this point, have not come to fruition. But IF they do, what will come out of it? What’s the end game?
Join us for this one and let’s have some fun.
What If the Big 12 Had Better Quarterback Play in 2023?
Then Texas likely would not have been in the College Football Playoff.
Texas’ weakness, of which they did not have many, was its secondary. And we saw what Michael Penix and the great Washington wide receivers did to that Texas secondary on Monday night in their 37-31 win.
Texas could’ve still won the Big 12, but they would’ve likely dropped another game somewhere along the way had the Big 12 had better quarterback play than it did this season. It was an unusual down year at the position across the league, which worked out well for UT, given the secondary struggles.
In fact, the two best quarterbacks and passing attacks Texas faced this season, Oklahoma and Washington, they lost to. This isn’t to take anything way from a very impressive season for the Longhorns, but it should be noted that their greatest weakness worked well in this year of Big 12 football.
What If Oklahoma State Lands a Decent QB For 2024?
Then the Cowboys should be favored to win the Big 12 next season. However, until we know who their quarterback will be, I can’t say they should be favored.
This topic came up during my YouTube Live on Tuesday night (Texas Loses: What’s Next for the Build 12?), where a few Oklahoma State fans were arguing they should be the Big 12 favorites in 2024. By the way, please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel here. But until we know if Alan Bowman is coming back, or who the Cowboys land in the transfer portal, I can’t name them as the favorites.
In fact, right now I can make a case for up to nearly half the league to be favored next season: Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State, Arizona, Utah, West Virginia, UCF.
Am I missing anyone? At least as things stand right now, I don’t think so. But there’s too much parity right now in the Big 12 to blindly hand it to the Pokes, without knowing who their quarterback will be next season.
What If Matt Wells Does Ultimately End Up In Manhattan?
Then Kansas State fans should trust Chris Klieman, if nothing else.
I’ve seen a lot of Kansas State and Big 12 fans criticizing this likely hire of Matt Wells by Kansas State. Wells’ tenure at Texas Tech was bad, and that’s what most of us remember. But it was just a bad fit, for a multitude of reasons. It doesn’t mean Matt Wells forgot how to coach or can’t be a valuable member of the coaching staff for the Wildcats.
But this hire deserves the benefit of the doubt because of Chris Klieman, the program that he’s run and the success that he’s had.
