With 44 days until the first FBS college football game, conferences are beginning to release their media polls for the 2018 season. The Big 12 released their media poll on Thursday.

The defending Big 12 champion Oklahoma Sooners look to repeat as Big 12 champions. Oklahoma is still one of the most talented teams in the country after losing some key pieces. Rodney Anderson at running back, one of the best offensive lines in the Big 12 and highly touted Kyler Murray at quarterback look to lead the offense. Their defense returns five starters from last season.

West Virginia’s offense looks to one of, if not the best, in the Big 12. The Mountaineers are led by potential Heisman candidate quarterback Will Grier, who has an array of talent around with All-Americans David Sills and Gary Jennings Jr at wide receiver and a solid offensive line.

TCU loses a lot of starters from last season, but should still finish in the top half of the Big 12. The Horned Frogs defense will be stout again. On offense, there are players ready to breakout this season. TCU plays host to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Iowa State this season.

Tom Herman had a solid first year at Texas, and now the Longhorns look to take a step forward. Despite losing some quality players on defense, the Texas defense should still be one of the better defenses in the Big 12. Texas’ schedule should work in their favor as USC, TCU, Iowa State and West Virginia visit Austin, Texas this season.

This season Oklahoma State is likely to take a step back after losing Mason Rudolph and James Washington, but the drop off shouldn’t be huge. The strength of the team should be its defense, and its offense will be led by All-Big 12 running back Justice Hill.

Billy Snyder’s Wildcats should be a factor in the Big 12 the season, despite some question marks on both sides of the ball. Their offense should be solid this season. The Wildcats will be led by two preseason All-Big 12 players, offensive lineman Dalton Risner and cornerback Kendall Adams.

The Cyclones, led by three preseason All-Big 12 players defensive end JaQuan Bailey, running back David Montgomery and cornerback Brian Peavy, look to build on last years breakout season. The Cyclones will look to finish in the top half of the Big 12 this season.

Texas Tech needed an upset to get to a bowl game last season and might need to do the same this season. The Red Raiders should be good on defense this season as they return nine starters from last season, but they have some question marks on offense.

The 2017 season was a transition year for Matt Rhule and the Baylor Bears, however, they are expected to improve this season. The Bears have one preseason All-Big 12 player, Denzel Mims at wide receiver. The schedule has enough winnable games that Baylor has a chance to collect more wins this season.

It’s been a rough couple of seasons for David Beaty and the Kansas Jayhawks with only three wins in the past three seasons. They have two the Big 12’s top defenders with tackle Daniel Wise and linebacker Joe Dineen. With the Kansas athletic director been fired in May, there will be added pressure on head coach David Beatty.