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It really doesn't matter where your skill position players are ranked if you don't have an offensive line that can hold up under pressure. That's why this set of rankings may be the most important of all on the offensive side of the ball. Much like the receivers, the quality and depth of the offensive line positions within the Big XII Conference is outstanding and the rankings are so close that many teams could make valid, and some even irrefutable, cases for being ranked higher.
Regardless, here's our best shot as to who ranks where. Feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section below.
1. Oklahoma Sooners - Depth is paying off for the Sooners in 2014 as all five linemen have starting experience. Seniors Adam Shead and Daryl Williams will make a push for First-Team All-Conference and junior Ty Darlington steps in at center for the graduated Gabe Ikard. Oklahoma's top five offensive linemen will have a combined 107 career starts between them.
2. Baylor Bears - Despite returning only two starters from last season, Baylor may be better along the offensive line. Hawaii transfer Blake Muir (started 12 games for the Warriors in `12) is available this season and right tackle Troy Baker returns from injury. The key is going to be Kyle Fuller who slips into to the starting center position.
3. Texas Longhorns - Texas practically loses an All-Conference line in Trey Hopkins, Mason Walters, and Donald Hawkins. Senior Dominic Espinosa returns to play center and Kennedy Estelle at right tackle. The Longhorns still have a lot of talent but also a lot of ground to make up.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys - The OSU cupboard isn't bare but they have to replace Parker Graham (1st team all-conference), Travis Cross, Brandon Web and center Jake Jenkind . It looks as if they'll be relying on sophomores Paul Lewis and Zac Veatch at center and right guard with former JUCO transfer Chris Grisbhy at left guard and Daniel Koeing at left tackle.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders - With four returning starters from 2013, Beau Carpenter is the only guy missing this season. Highlighted by All-Conference selection Le'Raven Clark, The Red Raiders are deep and experienced on the line.
6. Iowa State Cyclones - The offensive line is the strength of Iowa State's football team in 2014. They have six guys returning that have at least eight starts under their belt. Seniors Tom Farniok (center) and Jacob Gannon (right tackle) will be the anchors on the most experienced line in the conference.
7. West Virginia Mountaineers - The Mountaineers are in the same position that they were in a year ago in terms of replacing three starters along the line but will certainly be hoping for a better overall result in 2014.
8. TCU Horned Frogs - The Frogs said goodbye to Eric Tausch, James Dunbar, and John Woolridge but have juniors Joey Hunt and Halapoulivaati Vaitai returning at center and left tackle.
9. Kansas State Wildcats - KSU has two All-Conference selections returning in center BJ Finney and left guard Cody Whitehair. They've gone to the JUCO ranks to fill their tackle positions and junior Boston Stiverson will step in at right guard.
10. Kansas Jayhawks - Kansas has starting experience in three of the five line positions but are starting new guys at center and right tackle. Guards Mike Smithburger, Ngalu Fusimalohi and left tackle Pat Lewandowski all bring senior experience to the line this fall.