FIVE THINGS TO WATCH IN THE BIG 12

A QB’s legacy

Among Texas’ Sam Ehlinger, Baylor’s Charlie Brewer, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy, Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders and ballyhooed Oklahoma freshman Spencer Rattler, this conference is again loaded with top-tier quarterbacks. But it’s Ehlinger who has the most at stake when it comes to legacy. He’s won a Sugar Bowl, but a Big 12 title would put him with Vince Young, Colt McCoy and James Street.

A run at the Heisman

Oklahoma State has the chops to compete for a Big 12 title, and tailback Chuba Hubbard is the key. He rushed for 2,094 yards and 21 scores last season and topped 200 yards in four games. A similar level of production coupled with a Big 12 title would likely earn Hubbard an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony. A win would make Hubbard only the third running back to win it since 2006.

Dave Aranda’s Bears

After Matt Rhule took Baylor from 1-11 in 2017 to 11-3 two seasons later before heading to the NFL, it’s Dave Aranda’s turn. Aranda was the defensive coordinator on the national champion LSU Tigers. Baylor’s defense probably won’t produce six drafts picks during next year’s NFL drafty, like LSU’s did this year, but even modest improvement on that side would feel like a win with only two starters returning

More of Les Miles

Year 1 of the Les Miles Era at Kansas wasn’t all that different from those that preceded it. The Jayhawks lost nine games and went 1-8 in conference play. But there was some hope sprinkled in, too: a 24point road win over Boston College and a three-point win over Texas Tech, There’s some genuine and experienced skillposition talent in junior tailback Pooka Williams, so in a crazy season ...

Playoff breakthrough

A Big 12 school hasn’t claimed a national championship since 2005, when Vince Young led Texas over USC. But with two Power Five conferences (Pac-12, Big Ten) out of the picture, this is the clearest path the league has had to a CFP title. Nine teams in the preseason AP Top 25 will not play, which will leave less competition for contenders like No. 5 Oklahoma, No. 14 Texas and

No. 15 Oklahoma State.