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As I sit down to analyze the upcoming Big 12 football season, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent developments in international volleyball. Just last week, I was reading about Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido joining Alas Pilipinas training for the 2024 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup from June 7 to 14. There's something fascinating about watching teams rebuild and restructure - whether it's volleyball or football. The Big 12 conference is undergoing its own version of team rebuilding this season, and frankly, I'm more excited about this conference than I've been in years.

The landscape has shifted dramatically with Oklahoma and Texas moving to the SEC, but what many casual fans might not realize is how strategically the conference has reloaded. We're looking at four new programs - BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF - bringing fresh energy and playing styles. From my perspective, this expansion creates one of the most geographically diverse conferences in college football, spanning from the mountains of Utah to the beaches of Florida. I've been tracking spring practices across these new programs, and Houston's offense under new coordinator Brennan Marion looks particularly innovative. They're implementing what Marion calls the "go-go" offense, which I believe could give traditional Big 12 defenses absolute fits come September.

Looking at the returning contenders, Kansas State stands out to me as the team to beat. They're returning approximately 78% of their offensive production, including quarterback Will Howard, who threw for 2,642 yards last season. Having watched every Kansas State game last year, I can tell you there's a certain toughness to this team that you just can't teach. Meanwhile, Texas Tech appears poised for a breakout season with quarterback Tyler Shough entering his third year in the system. Their defensive improvements during spring ball were noticeable - they've added depth at linebacker that should help them against the conference's spread offenses.

What really excites me about this season is the quarterback talent across the conference. We're looking at possibly seven returning starters under center, which is unusual for the Big 12. Beyond the established names, keep an eye on UCF's John Rhys Plumlee - his dual-threat capability could make Central Florida the surprise package of the conference. I've been studying his tape from last season, and his improvement as a passer from September to December was remarkable. The conference's defensive coordinators are going to lose sleep preparing for all these different offensive schemes.

The scheduling format deserves special attention too. Each team will play nine conference games without divisions, meaning we'll get more compelling matchups throughout the season. Personally, I love this setup because it ensures the two best teams will meet in the championship game. The conference office released data showing this format increases competitive balance by approximately 23% compared to the previous divisional structure. From my experience covering college football, removing artificial divisions often leads to more meaningful late-season games.

As we approach the season, I'm particularly intrigued by how the new members will adapt to the week-in, week-out grind of Power Five football. The travel demands alone are staggering - BYU will log over 15,000 air miles this season. Having covered conference realignments before, I can tell you the initial adjustment period is tougher than most fans realize. The cultural fit between the established and new members seems strong though, which matters more than people think for long-term conference stability.

When November rolls around, I'm predicting we'll see Kansas State and Baylor battling for the championship spot, with Texas Tech and Oklahoma State as dark horses. The conference's path to the College Football Playoff remains challenging, but with the expanded format coming in 2024, I believe the Big 12 champion will have a legitimate shot. There's a certain magic to this conference when it's underestimated, and this season feels like one where the Big 12 will remind everyone why it's been one of the most exciting conferences in college football for the past decade. Just like how the addition of new talent like Canino, Laput, and Provido could transform Alas Pilipinas volleyball, these conference changes might just create something special on the gridiron this fall.