Texas Longhorns (10-3 SU, 5-3 Conference)
With the high-flying Colt McCoy at the helm the Longhorns were a passing threat, but failed to convert. They lost three conference games last year despite clobbering Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. They’re +200 to win the conference more so out of respect than anything else. The defense was paltry last year (7th against the run, hopeless against the pass). McCoy is back with the same offensive line that allowed him to throw for 3,303 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. However, the loss of star running back Jamaal Charles and his 18 touchdowns will be hard to recover from. Buyer beware.

Oklahoma Sooners (11-3 SU, 6-1 Conference)
I have nothing to doubt in the Sooners. I loved them as they won the Red River Shootout, embarrassed Missouri and won the South. However, two glaring losses to Colorado killed their momentum. Then they lost to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. Yikes.

Sam Bradford returns after tossing 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns as a freshman. Is he in for the sophomore slump, or a career year? I say the latter. Superstitious gamblers will say the former. The Sooners have proven that they are the team to beat in the Big 12 Conference.

Texas has been flakey. Missouri has blown big games. Oklahoma has only been slightly better. Makes it hard to place your bets in our future NCAA football wagering doesn’t it? It also makes for an exciting conference race in the Big 12. Open the gates, boys. It’s going to get ugly.