Tech’s OOC is also dickless this year. UAPB, Kent State and then Oregon State. OSU is a shell of itself, Kent State is likely still the worst FBS team even with Missouri State and Delaware joining the ranks. UAPB is irredeemable and an FCS school.
The Big 12 is of course going to be its own unique self again, with a ton of parity. I still think the talking heads are overrating Utah by stating that they’re a borderline top 25 team. Maybe with Dampier they’re a force again. Tech goes to Utah, off, to UH, then Kansas and to ASU. If you told me Tech would go 4-0 in that stretch, I could believe it. If you told me they could 0-4, I could believe that as well.
I think that stretch defines their season. If they’re 4-3 after the first seven, I can see the usual Tech/Maguire mediocrity setting in and, BAM!, 7-5. If they come out 6-1, the rest of the schedule looks more forgiving and they’re probably playing for the conference title. Outside of Baylor, I will literally be cheering for anyone else to beat Tech to win that conference.