It is only the first week in May, but spring football is over, and the anticipation for more football is never greater than when we don’t have it.
Thanks to Brad Crowford at 247Sports, we have some post-spring bowl projections to explore after all the dust settled following the spring transfer portal window.
Advertisement
The Big 12 is expected to be loaded at the top with arguably six or seven teams capable of winning the conference championship. That makes projecting bowl games and, more importantly, which team or teams will represent the conference in the College Football Playoff.
Forty-one bowl games will cover this season’s postseason slate, including six within the CFP. The Big 12 has tie-ins to six different bowl games, and former Pac-12 schools (Colorado, Utah, Arizona State, and Arizona) will still play in Pac-12-affiliated bowl games. Teams will be eligible to compete in Big 12 bowl games beginning in 2026,
Without further ado, let’s dive into Brad Crawford’s bowl projections, a solid seven months before the 2025 season kicks off.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass against Rutgers during second half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field on Dec. 26, 2024, in Phoenix.
Projection: Alamo Bowl vs. USC
Advertisement
USC-Kansas State would be quite the matchup, and should be one of the top non-New Year’s Six bowls. The Wildcats project as one of the Big 12’s top teams, but according to this projection, they miss out on the College Football Playoff.
Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Projection: Independence Bowl vs. Oregon State
The Cougars have brought in a solid transfer portal class and most of their returning production. Head coach Kalani Sitake is one of the top coaches in the Big 12 and should once again have his Cougars in contention for a conference title.
Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda looks on during the first half against the LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Projection: Texas Bowl vs. Texas A&M
Baylor might be my sleeper pick to make a run to the Big 12 championship, but here the Bears take on a fellow Texas program in a matchup that should draw fans of both teams. Aggies facing off against the Bears would be an underrated game if it were to happen.
Texas Tech Red Raiders football team celebrates after winning 23-22 over Iowa State Cyclone in the week-10 NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.
Projection: Pop Tarts Bowl vs. SMU
Advertisement
Texas Tech should be another talented Big 12 team. In this prediction, the Red Raiders face off against the SMU Mustangs. Texas Tech brought in one of the top transfer portal classes in the country, and they should take advantage of it this year.
Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Projection: Las Vegas Bowl vs. Nebraska
Looks like the Sun Devils take a small step back in 2025 after making the College Football Playoff last season. Nevertheless, the quarterback battle in this bowl game would be elite. Sam Leavitt versus Dylan Raiola would be must-see TV.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Jalon Daniels #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks runs against defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo #97 of the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Projection: Liberty Bowl vs. Missouri
Former Big 12 rivals will face off for the first time since 2011. This will be a hotly contested battle, as the all-time series is 57-54-9 in favor of the Tigers.
Aug 30, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes reacts after a call during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Rate Bowl vs. Iowa
Advertisement
I am not as high on the Horned Frogs as some might be, but they should still challenge for a top spot in the Big 12. A bowl matchup against Iowa would be a solid season.
Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Projection: CFP Quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl) vs. Penn State
The Cyclones wouldn’t be my pick to win the Big 12 Championship, but it is a pick-em out of the top teams. Rocco Becht is a talented quarterback, and no one should be surprised if Iowa State makes the CFP after narrowly missing out last season. However, the Cyclones are not beating the Nittany Lions.
Nov 29, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Projection: LA Bowl vs. UCLA
Our first Pac-12 Bowl tie-in goes to the Utes, who will be a drastically improved team from their 5-7 record last season. The Bruins could be a team to take another step forward with Nico Iamaleava under center. Depending on how each team’s season turns out, this could be a team featuring two 7-plus-win teams.
Nov 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost smiles on the sidelines during the second half against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Projection: Birmingham Bowl vs. Arkansas
Advertisement
The Knights finish their American Conference bowl tie-in with a date with a mediocre SEC team. UCF is back under Scott Frost’s leadership and hopes to return to bowl eligibility after missing out last season.
No bowl game projected
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders calls in a play in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 post-spring 2025 bowl projections, per 247Sports