The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Big 12 (So Far)

© SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY SPORTS

The 2024-25 season is just four games in, but plenty of events have transpired to completely blow expectations out of the water, specifically in the Big 12 Conference. Surprising storylines and major controversies have already reared their heads just one game into conference play. What exactly, though, makes the list of best storylines, worst storylines and storylines that are downright putrid?

The Good: The BYU Cougars

The No. 22 BYU Cougars have been nothing short of spectacular so far this season. A 4-0 start that includes a 38-9 victory over the No. 13-ranked Kansas State Wildcats was completely unexpected but welcomed by BYU fans. Given the friendly and kind nature of the BYU faithful, perhaps this is good karma.

Head coach Kalani Sitake has shown that he remains humble and hungry and has his team in that same mindset as well. Fierce defensive performances, coming up clutch in crunch time and capitalizing on opportunity is the name of the game for this team. After being picked to finish last in the conference by many pundits, the Cougars took that personally and look to contend for the top of the Big 12.

The Cougars have a tough schedule ahead, including bouts against the No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys, No. 10 Utah Utes and a hot UCF Knights team. That being said, they've shown they can beat tough squads in statement fashion. Should they keep in top form, watch out for this program to make noise.

The Bad: Ollie Gordon II

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II was supposed to be the best running back in the country by a fairly wide margin. The 2023 Walker Award winner was supposed to defend his title. Four games into 2024, his performance has been painfully average.

Gordon has 73 carries for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. His only performance this season where he even eclipsed 50 yards was against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Week 1. Meanwhile, his competition has proven that they're in the hunt this season. Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, RJ Harvey and Devin Neal all have over 200 yards more than Gordon this season.

While this could be attributed to the legal troubles and negative media attention that Gordon faced back in July for his alleged DUI, let's face facts here. That story hasn't really been discussed since then, so you'd think it wouldn't be a distraction. Nonetheless, if Gordon doesn't get on track soon, then he will lose any chance to repeat as the Walker winner and even an All-Big 12 running back.

The Ugly: Jayhawk Heartbreak

The Kansas Jayhawks were poised to be a contender in the Big 12 this season, in football no less. Expectations were higher than they have ever been. However, that may have been the first sign of trouble for the Jayhawks.

It all started with their game against the No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini. Kansas held the lead with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter and it seemed like it could escape with a win. However, poor clock management, turnovers and a porous, undisciplined defensive effort sunk the ship. The Jayhawks went on to lose 23-17.

That loss hurt, but not as much as the next week's loss did. They made essentially the same mistakes against the UNLV Rebels, who proceeded to take the carpet right out from under the Jayhawks after they failed to convert on third down and run the clock with a lead. The defense once again lost all momentum they may have had, allowing the Rebels to drive right down the field and take a 3-point lead. That lead held and the Jayhawks once again lost in heartbreaking fashion.

Believe it or not, it doesn't end there. Two heartbreaking losses against beatable teams had the Jayhawks reeling. However, they had a chance to get right against another struggling Big 12 squad, the West Virginia Mountaineers. A 21-17 lead coming out of a rain delay was followed by a Mountaineer three-and-out and a Jayhawk touchdown to put Kansas up 28-17 with roughly 5 minutes left. The Kansas defense gave up a touchdown and 2-point conversion with two minutes left, yes. But as long as the Jayhawks got about two first downs, things were going to be OK.

They didn't. The Jayhawks went three-and-out and barely took a minute off the clock. West Virginia tore apart the Jayhawks' defense and scored with 26 seconds left, winning 32-28. Three losses in that fashion in a row have the Kansas faithful utterly demoralized. A 1-3 start was the worst-case scenario, and it happened in the worst way possible. The Jayhawks will need to win out to have any chance at the Big 12 title. But digging out of this kind of hole in this kind of way has a chance to kill the season and the morale of this program.

It couldn't have happened at a worse time for the Jayhawks, either, as they were getting back on track as well as building a brand new stadium. If they don't turn it around and learn from this heartbreak, then it could set the program back once again to dumpster fire status.

Big 12, Big Drama

It is still very early in the season. These storylines could easily do a 180. BYU could lose out, Gordon could rush for 200 yards and 5 scores in his next game and the game after that, and the Jayhawks could indeed win out and redeem their season. There are eight games left in the regular season, only a third of the way through. There is still plenty of time.

Four games in, though, and the Big 12 already has juicy storylines and surprises. Football season is officially in full swing, and with that, the drama and intrigue is as well. Where will this list be here in the next couple of weeks? Where will it be at the end of the season? The possibilities are endless, and the season is already off to a weird, wacky and fun start.