'24 AZ speed merchant RB, 6' 175:
I can't possibly express enough how wonderful it is to have this level of competition for our recruits -- as opposed to the Mid American Conference all the time!
It's so nice to have a head football coach who clearly "gets it" and is able to communicate effectively with (A) recruits, (B) the media, (C) his assistants, and (D) his boss.
EVIDENCE (This 2023 pre-season ranking from College Football News):
24 Texas Tech
2022: 27 2021: 27 2020: 79 2019: 102 2018: 68
College Football Rankings First Look: (8-5) Texas Tech will more than hold its own in a loaded Big 12. QB Tyler Shough is going to be huge leading the high-powered offense.
23 TCU
2022: 2 2021: 73 2020: 44 2019: 82 2018: 52
College Football Rankings First Look: (13-1) The Big 12 is better, but TCU should be fine with good parts back. However, the top skill guys are done. There’s a lot of magic gone.
22 Illinois
2022: 24 2021: 59 2020: 71 2019: 69 2018: 103
College Football Rankings First Look: (8-5) Ole Miss QB Luke Altmyer should run the attack and add more pop, but the loaded defense will be the star of the show again.
21 NC State
2022: 39 2021: 15 2020: 37 2019: 112 2018: 36
College Football Rankings First Look: (8-5) QB Devin Leary is off to Kentucky, in comes Brennan Armstrong from Virginia to bomb away. The defense will still be nasty.
20 South Carolina
2022: 12 2021: 37 2020: 81 2019: 70 2018: 69
College Football Rankings First Look: (8-5) Spencer Rattler returns to lead another big offense. Now it’s up to the defense to make a major step up, especially against the run.
19 Wisconsin
2022: 34 2021: 18 2020: 25 2019: 11 2018: 54
College Football Rankings First Look: (7-6) Luke Fickell is in, and so is a better passing attack and a whole slew of strong transfers. Watch out. This could come together fast.