Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes sported a stylish all-black uniform with a white silhouette of a mountain range in their win over North Dakota State, marking their debut in the Big 12. The game also saw successful beginnings for Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State in their new league. In a trend of newness, from coaches to uniforms to play-callers, the teams impressed in their season openers.
Arizona’s victory against New Mexico showcased a stellar performance by receiver Tetairoa McMillan, setting a school record with 304 receiving yards. The Wildcats, under new leadership, secured a 61-39 win. The debut of new coaches in various programs highlighted the start of the season, with different outcomes for teams like Houston and UNLV.
Various teams in the Big 12 introduced new coordinators, with impressive performances from Arizona State’s Marcus Arroyo and TCU’s Andy Avalos. Co-offensive coordinator setups were also seen at Kansas and Kansas State. Baylor’s head coach, Dave Aranda, successfully balanced defensive coordination duties while calling plays in a win over Tarleton State.
Several new quarterbacks made their mark in the league, including Sam Leavitt at Arizona State and Dequan Finn at Baylor. The combination of new QB talent contributed to an exciting week for Big 12 quarterbacks, showcasing strong passing performances overall. Notably, the Kansas Jayhawks played their season opener at Children’s Mercy Park due to ongoing stadium renovations.
The week also saw unique matchups like Baylor facing off against Utah in a nonconference game, despite both teams now being part of the Big 12. As the season progresses, players like Travis Hunter from Colorado and Shedeur Sanders continue to make an impact, with odds shifting in their favor for the Heisman race. The Buffaloes and Baylor also impressed with their fashionable uniform choices in their respective games.
