UCF: It's wild that the Knights were picked eighth in the conference when media ballots were submitted earlier this summer. Why? Because they're new to the conference and it takes time for a Group of Five program to transition to the Power Five? That might have been true a decade ago, but not in the age of the transfer portal. Dual-threat QB John Rhys Plumlee is the perfect fit for coach Gus Malzahn and will put up video game stats from the moment that toe meets leather in the 2023 season. The Knights are stout at wide receiver with Kobe Hudson and Javon Baker out of the transfer portal, and the front seven is incredibly experienced. They will remain in the conference title race in mid-November and will finish the regular season in the top 15 nationally. -- Sallee
Big 12 expert picks 2023: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions