Texas has been optimistic about returning to the elite of college football in 2013. That optimism is not shared by the members of the Big 12 Conference media.
The Longhorns were picked to finish fourth in thepreseason poll released Thursday.
Oklahoma State finished first with 15 of 43 first-place votes to narrowly edge out Oklahoma by 10 points for the top spot. TCU was third.
The surprising vote doesn't mimic other expectations for Texas.
Mack Brown's team returns 10 offensive starters, including quarterback David Ash, off a 9-4 team that finished No. 18 in the final USA TODAY Sports poll.
Improvement will be needed on defense after the team allowed an average of 29.2 points, but defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat and linebacker Jordan Hicks should be at full strength to start the season after both missed most of last year.
The choice of Oklahoma State as the favorite is hard to argue with the Cowboys facing a favorable schedule — Texas is the toughest road game — and the return of its explosive offense and seven defensive starters.
Putting Oklahoma and TCU ahead of Texas are more curious.
The Sooners only have 11 starters back and don't have an experienced quarterback to take the helm after Landry Jones' departure.
The Horned Frogs were just 7-6 last season in their first Big 12 season and haven't proven to be capable yet of handling the increase in competition.
While these rankings are meaningless once the season starts, if they were to hold true that might spell the end of Brown's tenure in Austin.
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