With the college football season beginning in just 19 days (Saturday, August 26th), expectations for each team start to become more solidified with practice starting for all 133 FBS teams.

The AFCA Coaches Preseason Poll has been released with zero Big 12 teams making the top ten and only one in the top 15.

Just based on the history of annual expectations during previous preseasons, it’s pretty easy to figure out that team…is Texas coming in at #12. True sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers and superstar junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy leading the Longhorns with expectations sky high in their final year in the Big 12.

TCU checks in at #16 despite losing their quarterback, leading receiver, running back and offensive coordinator. It should be no surprise that they make the top 25, though, after a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Michigan.

Just behind them at #17 is the reigning Big 12 Champion Kansas State Wildcats, who hope to prove that last year was more than just a fluke. They return quarterback Will Howard, some key pieces on defense and their entire offensive line.

Oklahoma is coming off their worst season since 1998 when John Blake was their head coach with a 6-7 record in 2022 and a Cheez-It Bowl loss to Florida State. The Sooners are ranked 19th in the preseason poll with this being a possible do-or-die year for head coach Brent Venables.

Expectations are reasonably high for Texas Tech this year as the Red Raiders come into the season ranked #24 after an 8-5 season, a sizable bowl victory against Ole Miss and a fourth-place finish in the Big 12. Redshirt senior quarterback Tyler Shough returns, and they hope that he can stay healthy as the 23-year-old has never played more than seven games in a season throughout his entire collegiate career.

Baylor received 28 votes after finishing the 2022 season on a four-game losing streak en route to an underwhelming 6-7 following their Big 12 Championship in 2021.

After a 5-0 start, Oklahoma State’s season crashed and burned losing seven of their last eight games including a bowl game loss to Wisconsin. They added a lot of talent from the transfer portal this offseason, and the Coaches Poll tossed 12 receiving votes their way.

Big 12 first-year squads Houston and BYU received three and two votes, respectively, and KU got one vote after a historic 2022 season.

Other teams of note include Georgia getting the top spot after back-to-back national titles, Michigan is #2, Alabama at #3, Ohio State at #4 and LSU rounds out the top five.

2024 Big 12 addition Utah is #14 with Cameron Rising returning for another year quarterbacking for the Utes. The Arizona Wildcats also gets two receiving votes.