IRVING, Texas – The Baylor football team ranked fourth in the 2016 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll, as voted on by media representatives who cover the league.
BU tallied 156 points to finish behind projected champion Oklahoma, which received 258 points and 24 first-place votes as well as TCU (222) and Oklahoma State (202).
The Bears were chosen to finish in front of Texas (151), Texas Tech (141), West Virginia (126), Kansas State (88), Iowa State (59) and Kansas (27).
The Big 12 Conference had two six-team divisions for its first 15 seasons, and Baylor was never picked to finish in the top half of its division during that span. This year's fourth-place finish is BU’s third-best since the league switched to the 10-team format in 2011. The Bears picked sixth in 2011, seventh in 2012, fifth in 2013, second in 2014 and second in 2015.
On Wednesday, Baylor had athletes KD Cannon and Kyle Fuller named to the preseason All-Big 12 team.
Last season, the Bears produced a 6-3 record in conference play to finish fourth in the league. The Bears will open the 2016 season on Sept. 2 by hosting Northwestern State in McLane Stadium.
The Bears enter the 2016 season under new acting head coach Jim Grobe, after BU finished with a No. 13 national ranking and as the Russell Athletic Bowl champions (a 49-38 win over No. 10 North Carolina, its school-record sixth straight bowl appearance) in 2015. Baylor has won a Big 12-best 50 games over the last five seasons, including two conference championships and three bowl wins.
Grobe and select players will head to Dallas on Tuesday for the annual Big 12 Football Media Days. Live video coverage, including press conferences and one-on-one interviews with a variety of guests, will be featured on FOX Sports 2 and regional FOX Sports Networks.
Keep up with the Bears all season long by following @BUFootball on Twitter, Instagram, Periscope and Snapchat.
2016 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll
1. Oklahoma (24) 258
2. TCU (2) 222
3. Oklahoma State 202
4. Baylor 156
5. Texas 151
6. Texas Tech 141
7. West Virginia 126
8. Kansas State 88
9. Iowa State 59
10. Kansas 27
