2023 Post Big 12 Football Season Awards
It’s been a week since the last Big 12 football game was played and I still don’t know how to react to that. But at some point, I am going to have to get over this sick feeling and move on. But before I do, I wanted to hand out some post-Big 12-season awards.
Best Team: Texas
I mean duh, right? Texas not only won a Big 12 championship but also earned themselves a trip to the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately for them, they lost to Washington but to get there was quite an accomplishment. For years, Texas was the most overhyped team in the conference, and this was the year that they finally proved it on the field. Is Texas back? I guess we will find out once they move to the SEC but at least they are heading in the right direction under Steve Sarkisian.
Best Coach: Mike Gundy
Some people aren’t going to like this pick and I understand but NOBODY expected Oklahoma State to win ten games this season. The Cowboys were picked to finish seventh in the preseason and found themselves playing for a Big 12 title. It seems like every time you doubt Mike Gundy, he does his best work.
Best Offense: Oklahoma
The Sooners led the Big 12 in points per game (41.7) and total yards per game (507). Those are some crazy numbers when you sit down and think about it. In fact, Oklahoma finished in the top five in all of college football in both of those categories. When this offense was rolling, I don’t know if there was any defense in the conference that could slow them down.
Best Defense: Texas
I don’t there was any question as to who the best defense was in the Big 12. It was Texas by a mile. The Longhorns allowed the fewest points per game (18.9) and allowed the fewest yards per game (336.7) in the conference. They also had the best third-down defense (26.6%) in the Big 12 as well. It also helps when you have the Big 12 defensive player of the year (T’Vondre Sweat) on your team too.
Best Game: Texas vs Oklahoma
There were several games in consideration but when it came down to it, this was probably my favorite game of the season. It was a back-and-forth battle all game long and you just knew whoever had the ball last was going to win the game. That is exactly what happened as Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel hit Nic Anderson for a touchdown to take the lead with just 15 seconds left. It was a game that I won’t forget anytime soon and for that to be the last game between those two as members of the Big 12 Conference just made it even more memorable in my book.
Best Attendance: BYU and Iowa State
I wanted to give a shout-out to these two fan bases for averaging over 60,000 for all of their home games in 2023. I know they have larger stadiums than the other conference members but to keep those stands full was very impressive, especially since neither team won eight games.
Most Improved: West Virginia
After being picked to finish last in the Big 12, Neal Brown and West Virginia came out this past season and won nine games. The Mountaineers finished the regular season with an 8-4 record before beating North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. You can argue about a light schedule all you want but to exceed expectations like that did was pretty remarkable.
Most Disappointing: Baylor
I decided to cut Cincinnati some slack here since they are a new member but what was Baylor’s excuse this past season? Going 3-9 is completely unacceptable in Waco, especially coming off a disappointing 2022 season. In fact, Baylor has a 3-13 record in their last 16 games. Ouch.
