Are Arizona and Houston the Next Big 12 Surprises?

After Arizona State’s surprising “worst-to-first” run last season, two other Big 12 teams, Arizona and Houston, are showing early signs of a similar turnaround. Both programs have gotten off to a hot start, and their success is built on fundamental strengths that could make them serious contenders.

Last year, Arizona State went from being picked last in the Big 12 to winning the conference championship. Now, the search is on for this season’s breakout team, and Arizona and Houston have made a strong case through the first three weeks of the season.

Arizona’s Defensive Dominance

The Arizona Wildcats have transformed their defense, which was one of the worst in college football last year, into one of the country’s best. Under defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, the unit is forcing turnovers and getting opponents off the field. A recent win against Kansas State, where they held the Wildcats to just 193 total yards, showed that their strong defense is legitimate and not just a product of playing weaker teams. With a healthier roster, Arizona’s ability to create turnovers and stop opponents could keep them in every game.

Houston’s Hot Start

The Houston Cougars are off to their first 3-0 start since 2016. Coach Willie Fritz and his staff are building their offense around a powerful running game, which has been extremely effective so far. Houston leads the nation in total carries, a clear sign of their commitment to a run-first approach. This balanced attack has kept defenses off-balance, and if the running game continues to perform, Houston will be a tough team to beat.

The Verdict

Both teams are building their success on classic football fundamentals: a strong running game for Houston and an elite defense for Arizona. Both of these are traits that translate well to wins regardless of the opponent or game conditions. While both teams have tough games ahead, their early success suggests they have what it takes to be this season’s biggest surprise.