PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
The Oregon transfer averaged 7.7 yards per carry while finishing with 1,012 yards last season. He had 100-yard games in five of his final six contests.
Devonte Fields, TCU
Fields was the AP Big 12 Defensive player of the year as a freshman after having 10 sacks and a league-best 18.5 tackles for loss in 2012.
Jason Verrett, TCU
Verrett had 22 passes defended (tied for most in the nation last year) and ended with six interceptions.
Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
Oklahoma's biggest recruiting win was enticing him back to school. Colvin had four interceptions for the league's top-ranked pass defense last season.
Josh Stewart, Oklahoma State
Stewart ranked fourth nationally in receptions per game (7.9) and his 1,210 receiving yards were 14th in the NCAA last season.
Three storylines
Parity
Six different schools received first-place votes in the conference's preseason poll. That was the first indication there is no clear-cut choice for a league favorite. Upsets will happen, but bank on big games being Oklahoma-Texas and OU-Oklahoma State this season.
Who are all these new quarterbacks?
Texas' David Ash and Kansas' Jake Heaps were the only quarterbacks at Big 12 Media Days, an abrupt change from years past. It's probable that Casey Pachall (TCU), Clint Chelf (OSU) and Blake Bell (OU) will lead their respective teams. But who will take snaps at Kansas State, West Virginia and Texas Tech?
Need marquee wins to gain respect
The opening weekend has two Big 12 vs. SEC contests - TCU vs LSU and Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State. Oklahoma will face Notre Dame in September. Texas will take on Ole Miss. For the Big 12 to regain respect, it needs victories in these opportunity contests.
Top Big 12 QBS of past 5 years
1. Sam Bradford, OU
The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner (below) guided the Sooners to the BCS National Championship game.
2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
RG3 passed for 4,293 yards, rushed for 699 and produced 47 TDs in his 2011 Heisman Trophy season.
3. Colt McCoy, Texas
Gritty competitor finished in top three of Heisman voting in 2008 and 2009. Led UT to 2009 BCS title game.
4. Collin Klein, Kansas State
Blue-collar quarterback who finished third in 2012 Heisman Trophy voting. Led K-State to Big 12 championship.
5. Landry Jones, OU
Sooners quarterback set school and Big 12 records with 16,646 yards passing and 123 touchdowns.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Oklahoma State: The schedule
sets up nice for the Cowboys to win
their second league crown in three
years.
2. Oklahoma: The new quarterback
will have talented skill players and an
experienced offensive line. The key
will be defense.
3. Texas: Is this the year for the
Longhorns, who only have one Big 12
crown in the past seven years?
4. Baylor: Coach Art Briles has done a fantastic job energizing the
football culture in Waco in just five
seasons.
5. TCU: The Horned Frogs are
swiftly making the transition
to Big 12 football.
6. Kansas State: History shows that
picking the Wildcats in the lower tier
can be wrong. Coach Bill Snyder is
that good.
7. Iowa State: Tough nonconference
includes games versus defending
league champs No. Illinois (MAC),
Tulsa (C-USA) along with rival Iowa.
8. Texas Tech: The Kliff Kingsbury
era begins at Texas Tech. The former
Red Raiders quarterback’s hiring has
boosted morale.
9. West Virginia: The Mountaineers
were toast of college football world
in 2012 before losing six of final eight
games.
10. Kansas: Basketball season may
not come soon enough for Jayhawks
fans. Charlie Weis remains in rebuilding
mode.
QB RANKINGS
1. Oklahoma State: Clint Chelf-J.W.
Walsh combination is one most
coaches would love to have.
2. TCU: Casey Pachall has excelled
as a starter, but don’t forget Trevone
Boykin, a solid playmaker that took
over last year.
3. Texas: David Ash and Case Mc-
Coy get the edge here because of
experience. But they can’t continue
to make costly mistakes.
4. Oklahoma: Blake Bell has only
thrown 20 passes in his career, but
has taken some meaningful snaps.
It’ll be interesting to see him run the
full OU offense.
5. Baylor: The Bears welcome their
third quarterback in as many years.
Look out for Bryce Petty, who has
been in the system for four years.
6. Texas Tech: Michael Brewer and
Davis Webb are trying to pick up
new coach Kliff Kingsbury’s system.
7. West Virginia: Whether it’s Ford
Childress, Paul Millard or Clint Trickett,
they will be ingrained with Dana
Holgorsen’s attack.
8. Kansas State: Daniel Sams and
Jake Waters will try to replace former
Heisman candidate Collin Klein.
9. Iowa State: Sam Richardson can
be very good or he can be very bad.
10. Kansas: Jake Heaps is the guy
right now. Oh for the days of Chip
Hilleary.
