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July 21, 2012

Sooners voted Big 12 favorite by media

Aaron Colen, Sports Editor, Aaron.Colen@chickashanews.com The Express-Star

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The OU football team has been tabbed the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference championship in the media preseason poll, while OSU was voted fourth.

The Sooners return quarterback Landry Jones and receiver Kenny Stills, among others, and have brought in a slew of new young talent on offense. 

Defensively, OU returns some key members of the secondary and linebacker core, and the return of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops could improve a defense that struggled mightily in conference losses to Baylor, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State last season.

Some key defensive losses for OU include linebacker Travis Lewis and defensive ends Ronnell Lewis and Frank Alexander, who was the Big 12 co-defensive player of the year last season. Cornerback Jamell Fleming also moved on to the NFL. Aaron Colvin will likely step into his spot.

OU has won seven Big 12 titles, and four out of the last six.

After the best season in the program's history, Oklahoma State faces somewhat of a reloading year, which is reflected in the No. 4 preseason poll ranking.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon have moved on to the NFL, and the Cowboys are left with the unpredictable situation of having a freshman starting quarterback in Wes Lunt.

OSU should still be formidable in the running game, with All-Big 12 running back Joseph Randle leading the charge in his junior season.

Joining him will be Jeremy Smith, who racked up 646 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season as the second running back.

The Cowboys will likely see a drop-off in the defensive line, losing Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick. However, most of the team's linebackers and defensive backs are returning, including Broderick Brown.

Teams receiving first place votes in the preseason poll include Oklahoma (32), West Virginia (7), and Kansas State and TCU with one each. West Virginia was voted second and TCU was voted fifth in the teams' first year in the Big 12 conference.

 

 

 

Rank (First Place Votes) Points

 

1. Oklahoma (32) 396

-Last season: 10-3 (6-3 Big 12)

 

2. West Virginia (7) 339

-Last season: 10-3 (5-2 Big East)

 

3. Texas 291

-Last season: 8-5 (4-5 Big 12)

 

4. Oklahoma State 267

-Last season: 12-1 (8-1 Big 12)

 

5. TCU (1) 260

-Last season: 11-2 (7-0 C-USA)

 

6. Kansas State (1) 257

-Last season: 10-3 (7-2 Big 12)

 

7. Baylor 162

-Last season: 10-3 (6-3 Big 12)

 

8. Iowa State 121

-Last season 6-7 (3-6 Big 12)

 

9. Texas Tech 116

-Last season: 5-7 (2-7 Big 12)

 

10. Kansas 46

-Last season: 2-10 (0-9 Big 12)

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