No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowgirls

Record: 8-0-0

Last Season: 14-6-3, 5-4-1 in Big 12

Notes: Averaging a nation-leading 4.38 goals-per-game, the Cowgirl offense has scored an astounding 35 goals in eight matches this season. The defense has been solid too, allowing only five goals to be scored in those eight games.

No. 18 Colorado Buffaloes

Record: 7-1-1, 1-0 in Big 12

Last Season: 10-8-4, 5-5-0 in the Big 12

Notes: After starting the season 0-1-1, Colorado has won seven straight, fueling one of the best starts in program history. The Buffaloes, who have risen to eighteenth in the nation, are led by two members of the preseason All-Big 12 team, forward Nikki Marshall and defender Michelle Wenino.

No. 10 Texas Longhorns

Record: 7-0-1

Last Season: 16-4-5, 6-2-2 in Big 12

Notes: Texas is the preseason conference favorite. With wins against No. 18 California and then ranked No. 25 Louisville, the Longhorns have backed up their ranking so far. A date with Texas A&M to start the conference season Friday could decide which team gets the number one seed for the Big 12 tournament.

No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies

Record: 7-1-0

Last Season: 18-4-2, 9-1-0 in Big 12

Notes: Last seasons conference champs have not lost a step in trying to defend their crown. Wins against No. 15 Wake Forest and No. 18 California have put the Aggies right there with the Longhorn’s quality wins. The Aggie’s only loss … a 3-2 setback to No. 3 North Carolina.

No. 25 Kansas Jayhawks

Record: 6-2-0

Last Season: 7-10-4, 5-2-3 in the Big 12

Notes: Last season, Kansas rebounded from a dismal 2-8-1 start, finishing third in the Big 12. The momentum from the late-season success has carried over as the 25th ranked Jayhawks are one win away from matching last season’s total. Kansas is 2-1 against ranked teams this season, defeating then-ranked No. 20 Purdue and then-ranked No.18 UCF, before losing 2-1 to No. 18 Florida.

Missouri Tigers

Record: 5-2-0

Last Season: 13-8-1, 6-4-0 in the Big 12

Notes: Projected by the Big 12 coaches to finish third in the conference, Missouri is on its way to fulfill that prediction. The Tigers, who enter Big 12 play with a four-game winning streak, only losses came against ranked opponents, Illinois and California.

Baylor Bears

Record: 4-4-0

Last Season: 7-10-2, 1-8-1 in Big 12

Notes: Being picked to finish last in the Big 12 is not a privilege, and to make matters worse for the Bears, they get the joy of welcoming defending Big 12 champion Texas A&M to Waco for their opening conference game.

Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 4-4-0

Last Season:

Notes: Under the guidance of first-year head coach Wendy Dillinger, the Cyclones have struggled to keep themselves on the winning track. Iowa State must find a way to remedy its struggles if it hopes to avoid fulfilling the Big 12 coaches projected tenth place finish. Top scorers senior Leslie Hill and junior Amanda Nimtz will need to continue their early season success in order for the Cyclones to qualify for the Big 12 tournament.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Record: 4-4-1

Last Season: 5-10-4, 1-8-1 in the Big 12

Record: Nebraska’s defense of last place in the Big 12 got off on the right track this season as the Huskers stumbled to an 0-4 start. Since then, however, Nebraska has gone 4-0-1, including wins against UAB and Stephen F. Austin.

Oklahoma Sooners

Record: 1-7-0

Last Seaon: 6-10-3, 2-7-1 in Big 12

Notes: Oklahoma started the season off poorly, and since the beginning of September they have gotten worse. In fact, they are winless at 0-5 during the month while being outscored 13-3.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 5-2-1, 0-1 in the Big 12

Notes: Tech fell to Colorado 3-2 at home on Aug. 29 in the only conference match to be played so far. The Red Raider defense has been staunch, pitching four shutouts in eight games.