This past year, TCU and Baylor decided the Big 12 title.
And if preseason prognostications already pouring in are any indications, the Bears and Horned Frogs will likely decide the Big 12 again in 2015.
TCU debuted at No. 1 in Mark Schlabach’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 released earlier in the week. The Bears fell in right behind at No. 3, sandwiching the national champions Buckeyes.
At No. 24, Oklahoma State is the only other Big 12 team ranked.
TCU and Baylor have reason for the high expectations.
The Horned Frogs return 10 offensive starters, including quarterback Trevone Boykin, who finished fourth in the Heisman voting. The entire receiving corps is back, and so is all but one starter along the offensive line.
The Bears graduated quarterback Bryce Petty, who was a prolific passer in two seasons as the starter. But the Bears return 17 starters, including a 1,000-yard rusher in Shock Linwood and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Corey Coleman and KD Cannon. All-American offensive tackle Spencer Drango and All-Big 12 defensive end Shawn Oakman also both put off the NFL draft to return for their senior season.
In other words, the Bears are loaded again. So too are the Horned Frogs.
So we put the question to you in our weekly Big 12 poll: Who is your preseason pick to win the Big 12 next year?
TCU or Baylor?
Let us know by casting your vote.