Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> The defending champions are favored to repeat, both in the odds and in preseason polls. Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has some big shoes to fill, but he led the Crimson Tide to two title game appearances in his two seasons as a starter. The Sooners lead the conference with six players on the preseason All-Big 12 team, including preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kenneth Murray and preseason second-team All-American CeeDee Lamb. ESPN\u2019s FPI gives Oklahoma a nearly 70 percent chance of winning the conference championship. They\u2019ve won the title in each of the last four seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> Few teams lost more than Oklahoma. First-round picks Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown led the way, along with four offensive linemen. A bet on Oklahoma assumes a bevy of unproven players pick up the slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> The Longhorns were the only team in the Big 12 with a recruiting class that rivals Oklahoma. Sam Ehlinger returns with big expectations as preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He nearly led the Longhorns to the title in 2018, having beaten Oklahoma in the regular season before falling in the title game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> Ehlinger will play behind three new offensive linemen and the defense will have to replace nine starters. The Longhorns haven\u2019t won the championship since 2009. Leading receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey went to the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> The Cyclones had the top defense in the conference last season and saw four players named to the preseason All-Big 12 defense (JaQuan Bailey, Ray Lima, Marcel Spears Jr., Greg Eisworth). Once Brock Purdy took over at quarterback, Iowa State finished the regular season 7-2. Assuming Oklahoma has one spot in the Big 12 Championship game, the second spot could come down to Iowa State and Texas. The Cyclones host that game. It\u2019s possible they\u2019ll be favored in every game of the regular season outside of their trip to Oklahoma, though it should be noted that they were victorious in their last trip to Norman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> Purdy\u2019s offense will be without two key contributors as both David Montgomery and Hakeem Butler are gone. The Cyclones have never won the Big 12. From a talent and resources standpoint, they simply can\u2019t compete with Oklahoma and Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> The Bears showed massive improvement in Matt Rhule\u2019s second season. He turned Temple into a 10-win team by his third season with them. Baylor will return many of their starters from last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> Trouble on the offensive line and forcing turnovers on defense could sink their chances. They had one of the worst situations in the nation in 2017, so it\u2019s possible 2018 was a fluke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> Wide receiver Tylan Wallace is the Big 12\u2019s only first-team preseason All-American. The Cowboys had three straight 10-win seasons before 2018.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> The quarterback situation is unclear. Talent at the skill positions won\u2019t matter if none of Oklahoma State\u2019s passers stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> The Horned Frogs have surprised before, turning unranked teams into 10-win seasons twice in the last five years. Four offensive line starters are returning. They have arguably the best secondary in the conference. Gary Patterson has a history of bouncing back after mediocre seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> Like Oklahoma State, they\u2019re also uncertain at quarterback. They lost productive pass rushers L.J. Collier and Ben Banogu to the NFL. Two of their toughest games (Oklahoma and Iowa State) are on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bet \u2018em:<\/strong> You believe in miracles. You like Les Miles. You\u2019re an alumnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forget \u2018em:<\/strong> They have almost no chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n IOWA STATE:<\/strong> While Oklahoma is (deservedly) the heavy favorite, at -175 there isn\u2019t much value. Texas has a legitimate shot, but the Cyclones aren\u2019t far behind and they\u2019d turn a decent profit at +800. TCU is also a solid dart throw, especially if you have faith in them solving their quarterback puzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTexas +400 <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Iowa State +800 <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Baylor +1200<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Oklahoma State +1600 <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
TCU +1600 <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Texas Tech +2500, Kansas State +3300, West Virginia +3300, Kansas +8000 <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
THE PICK<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n