on returning players, transfers, and recruiting, 2023 performance, and the 2024 schedule outlook are major factors.

For instance, on paper, Florida State looked very good in the preseason. The coaching staff was coming off a #6 ranking in 2023 that saw a 13-1 record after an undefeated regular season and ACC championship. In August, Norvell was touted as a great recruiter and transfer portal guru with a roster stacked with talent and transfer players that had delivered good 2023 performances. They had a perceived solid transfer QB whose transfer portal ranking was as high as Dillon Gabriel. They have SEC-level players all over the field. It's not just brand.

They're now 1-9 in an epically poor season.

Oklahoma State had the nation's best running back returning and most of the pieces from its 10-win 2023 season where they reached the Big 12 championship game and won the Texas Bowl over Texas A&M. The Cowboys are currently 0-7 in Big 12 play.

Meanwhile, BYU did not look great and had zero fanfare. Remember media - and CB! - leading up to the season?...lucky to get bowl eligible. We had 14 returning players - but from a 5-7 team with a QB and oline that struggled. Over the summer, key players for 2024 included Gerry Bohanan, Ben Bywater, and Micah Harper.

And, BYU had the hardest Big 12 scheduled based on Big 12 preseason media poll. Utah, Oklahoma State, and Arizona were our highest-ranked opponents. We lamented that we didn't get to play Colorado or Cincinnati. It's looking like BYU actually has one of the *easiest* Big 12 schedules.