Texas Longhorns picked to win Big 12 by media for first time since 2011

The hype surrounding the 2023 version of the Texas Longhorns football team escalated Thursday afternoon with the release of the Big 12 media poll. Texas, entering year three of the Steve Sarkisian era, was picked to win the conference for the first time since 2011. The last time the Longhorns claimed a Big 12 crown was in 2009. Texas is 13-12 in Sarkisian’s first two years at the helm. 

Texas Tech was the next highest-rated from the Lone Star State as the media picked the Red Raiders to finish fourth in head coach Joey McGuire’s second season. TCU was fifth after a 12-0 regular season and a trip to the national championship game. Baylor was voted sixth in the league, while newcomer Houston was 12th.