By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The 2025 school soccer season is simply days away.
That is the third of our previews of groups from the West throughout 5 conferences.
The Huge 12 enters the second yr of its expanded period with 4 groups ranked within the AP Preseason Prime 25 Ballot.
And with three of its non-ranked groups slotted No. 26, No. 27, and No. 28, it’s clear that the league is in a wholesome spot.
Right here’s my 2025 Preview of the Huge 12, full with a Convention Champion Projection, just a few superlatives, and a preview capsule for every staff.
Staff Superlatives
Convention Champion: Texas Tech
Money talks. Texas Tech stepped as much as the plate within the NIL sport and has turn out to be a nationwide contender because of this.
The Pink Raiders have the No. 2 switch class within the nation, per 247Sports, with 13 four-star transfers added to the roster.
Mixed with 5 four-star freshmen in its recruiting class, TTU ought to have the depth to win the league this yr. Its street video games at Utah, Arizona State, and Kansas State are crucial within the Convention race.
If the Pink Raiders go 2-1 or higher throughout that stretch, they might discover themselves within the Huge 12 Championship Recreation with a shot on the Playoff.
All Eyes On: Arizona State
Expectations are excessive in Tempe after the Solar Devils made the Playoff final yr.
Arizona State enters the season because the highest-ranked staff within the Huge 12, coming in at No. 11 within the AP Preseason Ballot.
However the heightened consideration places a goal on ASU’s again. Now not slept on, the remainder of the league may have them circled on the schedule.
And with the departure of star operating again Cam Skattebo to the NFL, it stays to be seen how ASU replaces his manufacturing.
Clear Contender: Iowa State
Matt Campbell is among the high coaches within the nation, and Iowa State has a number of contributors returning.
The Cyclones have one of many high offensive strains within the Huge 12. They return their beginning quarterback and their two main operating backs from a staff that gained a program-record 11 video games.
Slotting in at a disrespectful No. 22 within the Preseason AP Ballot, ISU is arguably a Prime 10 staff.
The Week Zero matchup towards Kansas State is a golden alternative to shift the nationwide narrative.
Don’t Sleep On: Baylor
Tright here isn’t sufficient noise surrounding Baylor heading into the season. Omitted of the AP Prime 25 Preseason Ballot, the Bears have the potential to win the Huge 12.
Not sufficient persons are speaking about star quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Or the truth that Baylor returns key starters on either side of the ball.
BU went 8-5 final season in Robertson’s first full yr as a starter.
Overlook Baylor at your individual danger.
Darkish horse: BYU
The nationwide media appears to have forgotten about BYU. The lack of Jake Retzlaff has modified the surface expectations of the season.
However Kalani Sitake is cooking. Retzlaff was an essential piece, but one participant doesn’t outline this system.
The Cougars have the No. 6 recruiting class within the Huge 12, per 247Sports, and return key gamers alongside the offensive line.
If BYU will get its quarterback state of affairs discovered early, it could possibly be a contender within the Huge 12.
Below the Radar Staff: Colorado
For the primary time in just a few years, no one is speaking about Colorado. However that doesn’t imply the Buffs will fall off in 2025.
Deion Sanders has constructed a stable basis in Boulder premised upon sturdy recruiting. CU has the No. 19 switch class within the nation, per 247Sports, and the No. 4 recruiting class within the Huge 12.
That ought to translate to a better-than-expected season. Liberty quarterback switch Kaidon Salter and true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis are battling for the beginning position.
The earlier CU finds its starter, the higher.
Staff Preview Capsules
Arizona Wildcats
Blease Brennan hit the reset button over the offseason.
New offensive and defensive coordinators ought to have the Wildcats wanting like a unique staff.
And whereas enchancment is anticipated, it’s unclear simply how a lot better Arizona might be.
Noah Fifita is again for one more yr and tasked with operating Seth Doege‘s scheme. If Fifita can execute it correctly, the Cats would possibly win sufficient video games to turn out to be bowl eligible.
Arizona State Solar Devils
Sam Leavitt is perhaps the star of the staff, however Arizona State’s protection is the important thing.
Defensive coordinator Brian Ward is as gifted as they arrive and may have the ASU protection close to the highest of the Huge 12.
The offense figures to lean extra in the direction of the go this yr, with star receiver Jordyn Tyson set to fill the void that Cam Skattebo left.
The hype across the staff is actual. It’s as much as the roster to fulfill expectations.
Baylor Bears
Expectations in Waco are excessive.
Baylor returns a number of key contributors on either side of the ball at almost each place group.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson epitomizes the fashionable sport. Fast sufficient to keep away from strain and keen to run, he’s the precise kind of quarterback that makes groups nice.
Coming off a yr the place he threw for 28 touchdowns to simply eight interceptions, it’s truthful to say that the nation isn’t paying sufficient consideration to Baylor.
BYU Cougars
Who is BYU’s beginning quarterback? That’s the query everybody needs the reply to. And it may decide the Cougars’ season.
Generally, it’s by no means very best to have a quarterback competitors heading into the yr. It hurts the chemistry of the beginning offensive gamers as a result of they’re pressured to repeatedly shift between two totally different leaders.
However BYU has a stable offense exterior of the quarterback query. A powerful offensive line and key contributors on the ability positions make the Cougars a menace no matter who’s beneath middle.
Nonetheless, the QB query must be resolved. Rapidly.
UCF Knights
A wildcard. That’s the one technique to describe UCF heading into the season.
The Knights have the No. 8 switch class within the Huge 12, however have the lowest-rated recruiting class, per 247Sports. Nonetheless, this system has recruited properly over the previous few seasons and may have the items to achieve bowl eligibility.
Scott Frost is again to guide the staff after a disappointing stint at Nebraska.
The Vegas oddsmakers view UCF on the identical stage as Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia. All 5 faculties have win projections of 5.5, which sounds about proper.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati doesn’t have a powerful switch class or conventional recruiting class.
In truth, 247Sports has the Bearcats with the second-worst general class within the Huge 12.
However UC has 10 returning starters, together with star quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The twin-threat QB is among the most underrated gamers within the Huge 12.
If Cincinnati can successfully substitute the manufacturing of star operating again Corey Kiner, the Bearcats ought to have a profitable season.
Colorado Buffaloes
Despite the lack of expertise to the NFL over the offseason, there are nonetheless two vast receivers to control in Boulder.
Junior Omarion Miller and sophomore Dre’lon Miller may have breakout years.
Deion Sanders’ offenses have leaned extra in the direction of the go and the 2 gamers are primed to have expanded roles. The quarterback battle will stay the first storyline in Boulder till a transparent chief emerges.
However CU has stars at vast receiver that ought to shine.
Houston Cougars
It’s 12 months Two of the Willie Fritz period and Houston is anticipated to make a leap.
The Cougars went 4-8 final yr, but Fritz reeled within the Huge 12’s No. 3 switch class per 247Sports.
This system has potential to turn out to be a contender within the league and this season is crucial to transferring up the pecking order.
Texas A&M switch quarterback Conner Weigman figures to play an important position on this yr’s success.
Iowa State Cyclones
One of the favorites to win the Huge 12, Iowa State faces a crucial take a look at in Week Zero towards Kansas State.
A defeat wouldn’t knock the Cyclones out of the race, however it could be a setback.
Star quarterback Rocco Becht is again to prepared the ground together with high two operating backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III.
With 14 returning starters, ISU may discover itself again within the Huge 12 Championship Recreation for the second-straight yr.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have a refurbished stadium and renewed hope.
Beginning quarterback Jalon Daniels is again for one more season after throwing 12 interceptions final season to simply 14 touchdowns.
That’s an terrible ratio for any quarterback and is among the causes Kansas failed to fulfill expectations final yr.
This season, KU will go so far as Daniels takes them. One other yr the place he’s a turnover machine will possible finish in disappointment. And with simply six returning starters, it is perhaps an extended season in Lawrence.
Kansas State
Consistently above common, Kansas State can’t appear to interrupt by.
9 wins right here, eight wins there. And as soon as in a decade, the 10-win mark is reached. The continued success is admirable. However the Wildcats are caught.
The fanbase is rabid and the expertise on the roster is there. Maybe that is lastly their yr.
However till KSU can advance out of its present tier, it’s truthful to choose different groups within the Huge 12 as the favourite to win the league.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Has the sport handed Mike Gundy by? It’s a good query after Oklahoma State’s catastrophe final season.
The NIL period is a unique ball sport, and never everybody has adjusted.
And with Ollie Gordon II leaving for the NFL and no star quarterback primed to guide the offense, OK State might have one other ugly yr.
However Gundy nonetheless deserves the advantage of the doubt, and the Huge 12 wants the Cowboys to get their program collectively.
TCU Horned Frogs
Making headlines for the mistaken causes, it’s been a little bit of an embarrassing offseason for TCU.
Gen Z is a novel group, and maybe it’s unfair to guage the gamers’ private selections in how they stay their lives. However it is a contact sport, and also you don’t need to be considered as comfortable.
If the gamers are training as a lot as they publish on TikTok, then maybe the Horned Frogs may have a very good yr.
However Sonny Dykes is an inconsistent coach, and the doubt is tangible.
Texas Tech Pink Raiders
Quarterback Behren Morton has Texas Tech on his shoulders. Tahj Brooks is now within the NFL and the staff appears to Morton to hold the load.
Changing that manufacturing is not going to be simple. The Pink Raiders should develop their run sport or face the results.
Morton performed properly final season, throwing for 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
But when TTU can’t run the ball as successfully, there’s a danger that Morton turns into extra turnover inclined. A powerful protection may assist masks points with the run sport.
Utah Utes
The Utes enter a crucial yr within the trajectory of their program. This isn’t the Pac-12. And it’s not 2021 or 2022.
These years of constructing the Rose Bowl are fading quick. If Utah falls wanting expectations once more this season, the school soccer world may go them by.
To keep away from dwelling previously and reminiscing concerning the glory days, the staff has to ship.
Devon Dampier can get the job finished. The remainder of the roster should go on the market and show it.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Rich Rodriguez is again in Morgantown. The coach’s offensive system isn’t simple to implement in a single offseason.
But when his gamers have purchased in, which is at all times true of Rodriguez’s groups, then they need to have cheap success in 12 months One.
Basically a read-option offense that operates with unfold principals, the system is lethal when run appropriately.
Don’t be stunned if WVU overperforms this season.
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Method 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
