Tramel's ScissorTales: Which Big 12 football team has the toughest conference schedule?
Both the Sooners and Cowboys avoid some of the Big 12's best teams, producing schedules that are relatively easy.
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Thamel: Here’s what I did. I took the Big 12 preseason media poll. Rather than go straight 1-14, I looked at the voting, and anyone with close vote totals, I split the difference.
In other words, Texas was picked No. 1 over Kansas State, in a very tight race. So I considered UT and KSU each 1½. For third place, OU, Texas Tech and TCU were bunched together. I made them three-way ties for fourth. Baylor sixth, then OSU, Central Florida and Kansas a three-way tie for eighth; Iowa State and Brigham Young a two-way tie for 10th; Cincinnati and Houston a two-way tie for 12th; and West Virginia 14th.
The obvious flaw is the betting scandal at Iowa State, which appears to be costing the Cyclones four starters, including quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Any team playing Iowa State is getting a lesser opponent than projected, but it’s not like the Cyclones were gangbusters anyway.
1. Iowa State: The Cyclones could be headed for a miserable season. Iowa State misses Houston and West Virginia, who might be the two worst teams in the league, plus Texas Tech and Central Florida. Plus, Iowa State gets only four home games.
