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The Big XII Preseason Football Team was announced by the media yesterday and featured a handful of Oklahoma Sooners. However, the Baylor Bears took the prize landing seven total players on list. Where did the media go wrong we ask?
2014 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team
| Offensive Player of the Year: | Bryce Petty, Baylor, QB |
| Defensive Player of the Year: | Devonte Fields, TCU, DL |
| Newcomer of the Year: | Tyreek Hill, Oklahoma State, WR |
| Offense | ||||||
| Pos | Name | School | Ht | Wt | Cl/Exp | Hometown |
| WR | Antwan Goodley * | Baylor | 5-11 | 225 | Sr/3L | Midland, Texas |
| TE | EJ Bibbs + | Iowa State | 6-3 | 261 | Sr/1L | Chicago, Ill. |
| OL | Spencer Drango * | Baylor | 6-6 | 305 | Jr/2L | Cedar Park, Texas |
| OL | Cody Whitehair + | K-State | 6-4 | 309 | Jr/2L | Abilene, Kan. |
| C | B.J. Finney * | K-State | 6-4 | 303 | Sr/3L | Andale, Kan. |
| OL | Daryl Williams + | Oklahoma | 6-6 | 329 | Sr/3L | Lake Dallas, Texas |
| OL | Le'Raven Clark ^+ | Texas Tech | 6-5 | 303 | Jr/2L | Rockdale, Texas |
| WR | Tyler Lockett * | K-State | 5-11 | 175 | Sr/3L | Tulsa, Okla. |
| QB | Bryce Petty * | Baylor | 6-3 | 230 | Sr/3L | Midlothian, Texas |
| RB | Shock Linwood | Baylor | 5-9 | 200 | So/1L | Linden, Texas |
| RB | Malcolm Brown + | Texas | 6-0 | 228 | Sr/3L | Cibolo, Texas |
| PK | Michael Hunnicutt + | Oklahoma | 6-1 | 180 | Sr/3L | Richardson, Texas |
| KR | Tyler Lockett ^* | K-State | 5-11 | 175 | Sr/3L | Tulsa, Okla. |
| Defense | ||||||
| Pos | Name | School | Ht | Wt | Cl/Exp | Hometown |
| DL | Ryan Mueller * | K-State | 6-2 | 245 | Sr/3L | Leawood, Kan. |
| DL | Devonte Fields ^# | TCU | 6-4 | 240 | So/1L | Arlington, Texas |
| DL | Chucky Hunter + | TCU | 6-1 | 305 | Sr/3L | West Monroe, La. |
| DL | Cedric Reed + | Texas | 6-6 | 271 | Sr/2L | Cleveland, Texas |
| LB | Bryce Hager^ | Baylor | 6-2 | 235 | Sr/3L | Austin, Texas |
| LB | Ben Heeney + | Kansas | 6-0 | 230 | Sr/3L | Hutchinson, Kan. |
| LB | Eric Striker + | Oklahoma | 6-0 | 221 | Jr/2L | Seffner, Fla. |
| DB | Zack Sanchez | Oklahoma | 5-11 | 179 | So/1L | Keller, Texas |
| DB | Sam Carter + | TCU | 6-1 | 215 | Sr/3L | New Orleans, La. |
| DB | Quandre Diggs ^ | Texas | 5-10 | 204 | Sr/3L | Angleton, Texas |
| DB | Karl Joseph | West Virginia | 5-10 | 196 | Jr/2L | Orlando, Fla. |
| P | Spencer Roth * | Baylor | 6-4 | 225 | Sr/3L | Knoxville, Tenn. |
| PR | Levi Norwood | Baylor | 6-2 | 200 | Sr/3L | State College, Pa. |
^ 2013 Preseason Team
* 2013 All-Big 12 First Team selection
+ 2013 All-Big 12 Second Team selection
# Injured in 2013
A Minor Disagreement
Let's start at the top of the list with Offensive Player of the Year. While I am not doubting the fact that Bryce Petty is the hands down favorite, a case can just as easily be made for Tyler Lockett. Yes, it is unpopular to go against a QB but hear me out. A dominant figure for the Kansas St. Wildcats, Lockett continues to rise to national prominence after recording 81 catches for 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013. Undoubtedly, this kid is one to keep your eye on at all time as Lockett continuously provides a spark unlike any other.
On the flip side, the expectations for Petty and the Baylor offense have sky rocketed. After a few explosive seasons, this year may take a slightly different course after losing a few components. If the Bears, and more specifically Petty, falter, the voters will likely look elsewhere.
Snub #1
While this may come off as a homer pick, I can assure it is not. Charles Tapper deserved to make the cut after being tabbed a part of the All-Big XII First Team in 2013 as a sophomore. The instance marked the only defensive underclassman to receive the honor last season. Seems like an easy pick for the 2014 Preseason All-Big XII list huh? Asserting his dominance along the front seven has not only quarterbacks worried but also offensive coordinators who must account for him with every snap.
Snub #2
Quinton Spain has become a staple along the offensive line of the West Virginia Mountaineers. Left off the 2014 Preseason All-Big XII list may set a fire under this senior. As a veteran, Spain may be one of the most indispensable players in the conference. With a fifth year, this kid provides versatility seeing time at tackle as well as guard in previous years.