Big 12 football power rankings post-spring: How will UCF fair in year 2 in the Big 12

UCF heads into their second season in the Big 12 and it just might be their best shot at a conference title.

Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) avoids a tackle by Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Trey Rucker (9) during the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

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After their first season in the Big 12, the Houston Cougars decided to part ways with head coach Dana Holgorsen and brought in former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz. Fritz does bring some very exciting qualities to the Cougars, but he still has a lot of work to do.

Fritz comes from the American Athletic Conference, where Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF all came from before the Big 12. He had a lot of success at Tulane and in the AAC, but the AAC is not the Big 12. It seems inevitable that Fritz will have growing pains moving into a bigger conference, but how he handles the growing pains will speak to how he will be going forward.

Holgreson left a mess for Fritz to clean up regarding recruiting. Even though Fritz is a good head coach, he just won't have the roster this season to content for a Big 12 title. His best goal should be to just be bowl-eligible, which even with this roster, is going to be tough to achieve.

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