The Big 12 Conference released its annual Big 12 Football preseason rankings today and the Bears were selected at #9. That’s obviously disappointing, but after winning one game last year its hard to blame the voters. But who doesn’t love a good underdog story? The Bears have plenty of upside and potential to shoot up those standings as the season progresses.

The full list is here below:

Here’s my other thoughts on these rankings. The top and bottom were a given, with Oklahoma easily taking the top spot and Kansas easily taking the bottom spot. Baylor and Texas Tech were likely going to be the 8 and 9 spots so its no surprise that they were both close in the voting.

It is INCREDIBLY surprising to me that Kansas State, ranked #6, got two first place votes. That goes to show you there is absolutely no consensus on how good the Wildcats will be this year.

I think Iowa State is criminally underrated at #7 with all the pieces they have returning from a team that was in contention for the Big 12 title game late in the season. They return the best running back in the conference, if not the country in David Montgomery, quarterback Kyle Kempt, and most of the supporting offense and defense.

TCU being in front of Texas surprises me because of the preseason hype around Texas, but I like this. I don’t buy into the annual Longhorn hype and TCU will be strong this year.

Honestly, I think the 3-9 spots are up in the air and any ordering of those teams wouldn’t surprise me. I could even be convinced that 2-9 is anyone’s game. I would only be shocked this season if Oklahoma doesn’t end up #1 and Kansas somehow moves itself out of dead last.

What do you think of this preseason poll? Agree or disagree with Baylor’s spot? What about other teams’ positions? Let us know in the comments. Sic ‘em!