The 2021 college football season is fully in the rearview, and the Big 12 squads are looking to the transfer portal and finalizing their recruiting classes to retool their teams ahead of the 2022 season.
It was an up and down year in Big 12 play as several teams surprised, and others failed to live up to preseason expectations. USA TODAY Sports handed out letter grades for each of the 130 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
As we continue our look back at the 2021 season, let’s look at how they graded each Big 12 team.
Baylor Bears: A+
Dec 4, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Abram Smith (7) hurdles Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle Israel Antwine (95) during the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship game at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Big 12 champion after a 2-8 season in 2020 is a remarkable turnaround and one that Dave Aranda and the Baylor Bears should be proud of. They got an incredible performance from Abram Smith who made the switch from linebacker to running back, and the Bears defense stood tall in big games against Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: A
Nov 27, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) celebrates after an Oklahoma Sooners tackle during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 37-33. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys ended the Big 12 regular season with as much momentum as any team in the country in their 37-33 win over Oklahoma. Unfortunately, that didn’t carry over for Oklahoma State as Spencer Sanders’ turnover woes reared their ugly heads and they fell just inches away from pulling off a Big 12 title comeback win over Baylor.
Oklahoma Sooners: B
Oct 16, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with Oklahoma…
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