Big 12: Two Top 10 Teams For First Time In 2 Years

**Big 12 Resurgence: Texas and Oklahoma Storm into AP Top 5, Signaling Conference Strength**

**ARLINGTON, Texas – September 11, 2023** – For the first time in nearly two years, the Big 12 Conference boasts two teams among the top five of The Associated Press college football poll, injecting a palpable buzz into the league and setting the stage for a potentially historic season. The Texas Longhorns have catapulted to No. 3, while the Oklahoma Sooners sit comfortably at No. 5, creating a narrative of resurgence for the conference ahead of significant realignment changes.

The last occasion the Big 12 placed two teams in the top 10 was October 10, 2021, when Oklahoma was ranked No. 3 and Oklahoma State No. 8. Interestingly, both those teams stumbled that very week, with Oklahoma falling to unranked Kansas State and Oklahoma State losing at home to Texas Tech, a cautionary tale that current contenders are undoubtedly mindful of.

This time, the ascent of Texas is largely attributed to a monumental 34-24 victory over No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The win marks Texas’s first against the Crimson Tide since the 1999 Cotton Bowl and, remarkably, their first-ever triumph in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The impressive road performance not only sent shockwaves through the college football landscape but also firmly established Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns as a legitimate national championship contender.

“That was a program-defining victory for Texas,” observed one national college football analyst on ESPN.com. “To go into arguably the toughest environment in the sport and execute like they did, it shows a new level of maturity and talent for the Longhorns. They’re not just back; they’re a force.”

Meanwhile, Oklahoma has enjoyed a strong, albeit less dramatic, start to their season, standing at 2-0 after a methodical 28-11 win over SMU. Under second-year head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners appear to have shored up their defense, a key area of concern during their struggles in 2022, and are playing with renewed discipline and intensity. Their efficient start positions them perfectly as a top-tier threat in the Big 12.

Beyond the top two, the Big 12’s depth is also making headlines. The Kansas State Wildcats, defending conference champions, are holding strong at No. 15. In a remarkable turnaround, their Sunflower State rival, the Kansas Jayhawks, are also ranked at No. 25, showcasing the continued growth of Lance Leipold’s program.

Even future Big 12 member Utah, set to join the conference in 2024, is impressing, coming in at No. 12 after their victory over Baylor. This early success from new and future members bodes well for the league’s competitive balance as it navigates its evolving landscape.

Conversely, last year’s Cinderella story, TCU, experienced a significant drop, falling completely out of the Top 25 after a disappointing loss to Colorado. Their sudden slide highlights the fierce competition and unforgiving nature of college football, where one upset can drastically alter a team’s trajectory.

The timing of this Big 12 surge is particularly poignant, as both Texas and Oklahoma are slated to depart for the Southeastern Conference after the current season. Their strong performances in what could be their final year in the league create a compelling “last dance” narrative, underscoring the enduring quality of the rivalry and the conference they’re leaving behind. The possibility of a top-5 showdown between the Longhorns and Sooners in the annual Red River Rivalry game in Dallas now looms large, promising one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Texas and Oklahoma can maintain their lofty positions and avoid the pitfalls that befell their predecessors in 2021, transforming early success into a memorable championship run for the Big 12.