Texas Leads Five Big 12 Teams in 2023 Preseason Coaches Poll
The 2023 Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Monday, with five Big 12 teams beginning the season inside the Top 25.
The preseason Big 12 favorites, Texas, comes in at No. 12 in the poll to lead all Big 12 teams. The Longhorns have as much hype around them as ever heading into Steve Sarkisian’s third year with the program. With one of the top rosters in college football, there are sky-high expectations in Austin once again.
TCU at No. 16 followed by Kansas State at No. 17 after meeting each other in the Big 12 Championship Game a season ago, with K-State prevailing in overtime. The Horned Frogs have a lot to replace from last year’s finish as national runner-up but are still getting some respect heading into Sonny Dykes’ second year. Meanwhile, K-State is coming in with a veteran offensive line and plenty of confidence with Will Howard back at quarterback.
Oklahoma is next on the list, coming in at No. 19 in the poll. It is the Sooners’ lowest ranking in the preseason coaches poll since 2015. With top ten portal and recruiting classes in 2023, OU hopes to distance itself from a 6-7 finish in 2022.
Texas Tech is the final Big 12 school to enter the season in the Top 25, coming in at No. 24 in the Preseason Poll. The Red Raiders are entering year two under Joey McGuire, and are coming off an 8-5 finish a season ago. Texas Tech looks like the Big 12’s dark horse candidate this season, and there’s plenty of confidence around Lubbock that they’ll make a run.
It’s worth noting that Baylor (28), Oklahoma State (12), Houston (3), BYU (2), and Kansas (1) all received votes in the poll as well.
Here’s a look at the entire AFCA Coaches Poll, courtesy of USA Today.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia (61) | 0-0 | 1643 |
| 2 | Michigan | 0-0 | 1510 |
| 3 | Alabama (4) | 0-0 | 1489 |
| 4 | Ohio State (1) | 0-0 | 1485 |
| 5 | Louisiana State | 0-0 | 1294 |
| 6 | Southern California | 0-0 | 1228 |
| 7 | Penn State | 0-0 | 1181 |
| 8 | Florida State | 0-0 | 1145 |
| 9 | Clemson | 0-0 | 1078 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 0-0 | 991 |
| 11 | Washington | 0-0 | 941 |
| 12 | Texas | 0-0 | 848 |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 0-0 | 841 |
| 14 | Utah | 0-0 | 839 |
| 15 | Oregon | 0-0 | 820 |
| 16 | Texas Christian | 0-0 | 655 |
| 17 | Kansas State | 0-0 | 440 |
| 18 | Oregon State | 0-0 | 365 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | 0-0 | 320 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 0-0 | 315 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 0-0 | 309 |
| 22 | Mississippi | 0-0 | 303 |
| 23 | Tulane | 0-0 | 225 |
| 24 | Texas Tech | 0-0 | 200 |
| 25 | Texas A&M | 0-0 | 196 |
