Baylor Bears picked to win Big 12 title

The Baylor Bears were picked to win the Big 12 in the preseason poll taken by the media for the first time in program history. Dave Aranda's program won the conference title in 2021 and remain a favorite despite numerous losses on both sides of the football. Baylor does return the best offensive and defensive lines in the Big 12. Blake Shapen is set to be the full-time quarterback and nose tackle Siaki Ika anchors the defensive line. Baylor earned 365 points in the preseason poll, including 17 first place votes. Oklahoma, who was the pick for each of the previous six seasons, finished second with 354 points and 12 first place points despite roster turnover and a first-year head coach. 

Texas was picked by the media to finish fourth in the Big 12 in year two under Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns were one spot back of Oklahoma State despite Texas' 5-7 record in 2021. The optimistic feel like additions of Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Neyor coupled with a strong recruiting class and Bijan Robinson make Texas a dark horse contender. Kansas State was picked fifth and Iowa State sixth, respectively. In-state programs TCU (7th) and Texas Tech (9th) were picked to finish in the bottom-half of the conference under new head coaches.