1. Oklahoma Sooners
That the Sooners remain atop this poll after an offseason of defensive tackle, offensive linemen and wide receiver attrition for everything except being caught in a compromising position with a Lacewell spouse, speaks to merits of a Big 12 national championship contender. Someone must win the conference and there are worse places to start than UTEP and boasting redshirt senior Landry Jones under center. Does Mike Stoops provide an upgrade over Brent Venables at defensive coordinator or simply more bickering over the last piece of pizza in the coach’s office?
2. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers strut toward their Big 12 debut with bloodshot eyes on claiming the conference crown. Dana Holgorsen’s offense shouldn’t have trouble annihilating Marshall but that unit won’t decide postseason placement in Morgantown. West Virginia’s defense must replace three departed pieces (especially Bruce Irvin) of a decent defensive line and hope to God 30 points is enough on offense.
3. Texas Longhorns
Razor-thin depth on the offensive line, relying on bounce back years from Mike Davis and David Ash and a team that went 4-5 in conference in 2011. So why are the Longhorns this Ricky Williams (his name is a synonym for high at this point, people)? 18 true freshman saw playing time last year, an elite defense employs a pair of NFL defensive ends (Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor) and a possible Thorpe Award winner (Kenny Vaccaro) coupled with a running game deploying three all-conference caliber backs. Speed and defense = success against Wyoming, ya don’t say?
4. Kansas State Wildcats
They win close games, don’t turn the ball over, avoid mental errors and possess none of the player egomania that plagues schools in Norman and Austin. Starting the season against Missouri State doesn’t hurt either.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Wes Lunt’s first collegiate snap happens with Savannah State’s defensive line hopefully taking a page out of Little Giants and combining Alka-Seltzer with caffeine for maximum intimidation. It won’t matter. Mike Gundy and the Cowboys begin their defense of a Big 12 title needing a strong season from the offensive line and Joseph Randle to expedite the true freshman quarterback’s progress.
6. TCU Horned Frogs
Twiddling their thumbs during a week one bye, the Horned Frogs would like to see their headlines include something besides grade casualties and the DEA. After skipping this weekend, TCU faces a season-long grind of consecutive Saturdays sans a break. I’m guessing the depth chart is a tad lighter in late November as the Horned Frogs realize Mountain West pushovers are a distant memory.
7. Baylor Bears
The Bears face the most intriguing opponent on the Big 12 week one slate in Southern Methodist. June Jones rescued Texas quarterback transfer Garrett Gilbert and turns him loose in an offense that suits the shotgun, one-read style he perfected at Lake Travis High. Can Nick Florence maintain in Waco and avoid trying to live up to an immortal still roaming Earthly gridirons in the District?
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Eric Stephens was on pace for a fantastic rushing season in 2011 before he ruined his knee. The Texas Tech runner is back on the field against Northwestern State and he’s the key to balancing the Red Raiders offense. Seth Doege possesses the tools to post quarterback numbers from the Mike Leach era, he just needs the opposing defense to think the other guy in the backfield might receive the ball. It must eat Tommy Tuberville up inside knowing he’s not staying true to his roots: time of possession and punting.
9. Iowa State Cyclones
Steele Jantz earned the starting nod under center for the Cyclones. He’ll lead them against Tulsa on Saturday and remind me to check back on Iowa State for their rivalry game with Iowa and the annual Paul Rhoads Hot ‘N Saucy Big 12 Upset.
10. Kansas Jayhawks
Poor, poor South Dakota State. The decided schematic advantage in Lawrence means Charlie Weis is back in the win column as a head coach and Dayne Crist’s delayed Heisman candidacy rises from the ashes. I’ll be following the Jayhawks with morbid curiosity in 2012. Don’t let me down, Chuck.
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As the season progresses, Rant Sports and specifically our college football section Laces Out will carry power rankings of the major conferences on a weekly basis. For the Big East, click here. For the Pac 12, click here. For the ACC, click here.
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Chris Hengst is a College Football writer at Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @ShootyHoops.
