Last season, we began this exercise. Here's how we did last season. Not terrible, but certainly some room for improvement.
We'll move forward again this offseason by making preseason picks for every single game on the Big 12 schedule.
Naturally, Week 1 seems an appropriate place to begin. By the end of this exercise, you'll know how I'm projecting every Big 12 team heading into the bowl season.
FRIDAY
Kansas State 27, North Dakota State 21: Kansas State needed a late defensive stop to earn the win against the two-time defending FCS national champions. John Hubert's 150-yard game was much needed, but K-State will be glad to get this dangerous game with nothing to win and a lot to lose behind it. Sneaky fun game here to kick off Fox Sports 1's launch.
Texas Tech 31, Southern Methodist 21: Garrett Gilbert has already beaten Texas Tech in Lubbock, but won't get the job done at SMU in Dallas this time around. After some first-half hiccups, Tech takes control for a solid, but not quite impressive win to kick off the Kliff Kingsbury Era.
SATURDAY
West Virginia 44, William and Mary 17: West Virginia's offense puts up some impressive fireworks against an overmatched FCS team. There are a few good games to watch in Week 1 across the Big 12. This is not one of them.
Iowa State 34, Northern Iowa 13: The in-state rivalry between these two is lopsided, and even a rebuilding year in Ames won't change the gap between the FCS and FBS foes. Sam Richardson has a nice debut.
Oklahoma 34, Louisiana-Monroe 27: The Sooners' 2012 season got off to an ugly, ugly start in El Paso. This is another sneaky dangerous team that reminds me a bit of Utah State back in 2010. Oklahoma wins this one and it's a little too close for comfort. Kolton Browning is back, and Sooner fans would be well-served to watch his performance against Baylor last season.
Baylor 51, Wofford 17: EDIT: Sorry about that. Mixed up South Dakota and Wofford notes. Baylor can score a lot of points against everyone. Big day for Lache Seastrunk in this one.
Oklahoma State 41, Mississippi State 23: The Pokes strike a blow for the Big 12 as a heavy favorite in Houston. Blake Jackson breaks out in a big way. He snags a pair of scores and goes for 100+ yards, and most importantly, he doesn't have a drop.
Texas 37, New Mexico State 10: Texas isn't going to convince anyone of anything good against New Mexico State, but the defense looks good and gives up its only touchdown of the day after the game is well out of hand.
TCU 21, LSU 20: I'll take the Frogs to pull the upset here. Casey Pachall looks shaky but gets the job done thanks to a strong night by the running backs against a young LSU defensive line.