How a team reacts on the road can often give a glimpse at its makeup or championship pedigree.
A year ago, Oklahoma's road win at Tennessee was a sign the Sooners could have the College Football Playoff within their sights. In 2014, TCU's win at West Virginia and Baylor's win at Oklahoma were signs both teams were title-worthy. On the other side of the equation, West Virginia and Kansas State have seen title hopes fall apart in road losses in recent years.
In today's post we'll take a look at the Big 12's best road teams since West Virginia and TCU joined the conference in 2012. The following road records include games against Power 5 opponents only in an effort to acknowledge teams like Texas and Oklahoma who challenge themselves with non conference road games against opponents without crediting others who pad their records against non-Power 5 foes.
1. Oklahoma, 16-2
Key wins: Tennessee (2015), Oklahoma State (2013, 2015), Baylor (2015)
Notable losses: Baylor (2013), TCU (2014)
Summary: Bob Stoops has built a program that travels well. The Sooners won't think twice about visiting college football's tradition-rich venues, evidenced by wins at Notre Dame and Tennessee during this span, yet can also go into the backyard of their conference rivals and win. Oklahoma was particularly lethal on the road in 2015, winning by an average of 32.4 points and averaging 50 points per game in five road victories.
2. Texas, 11-7
Key wins: Mississippi (2012), Baylor (2015)
Notable losses: Kansas State (2012), Baylor (2013)
Summary: Although it included a win at Baylor, last season featured Texas' worst road record during this span. Charlie Strong's squad lost four of five road games after the Longhorns were 10-3 during the previous three seasons. The offense was the problem with Texas managing just 24.4 points per road game in 18 games.
3. TCU, 12-8
Key wins: Texas (2012), West Virginia (2014)
Notable losses: Baylor (2014), Oklahoma State (2015)
Summary: Defense tends to travel well and keep teams in games. The Horned Frogs play terrific defense (1.7 points per drive, 5.33 yards per play) and forced 50 turnovers in 20 road games to secure a spot in the top three. Interestingly the Oklahoma schools have accounted for five of TCU's eight losses including three defeats at the hands of Oklahoma State.
4. Baylor, 9-7
Key wins: Oklahoma (2014), Oklahoma State (2015)
Notable losses: Oklahoma State (2013), West Virginia (2014)
Summary: Baylor has been a strong road team during the past three seasons with identical 3-1 road records in each year. It is a stark contrast to the Bears' 0-4 record in 2012, which included losses at Iowa State and West Virginia.
5 (tied). Kansas State, 10-8
Key wins: Oklahoma (2012, 2014), West Virginia (2012)
Notable losses: Baylor (2012, 2014)
Summary: The Wildcats used road wins at Oklahoma to spark runs into title contention during the 2012 and 2014 seasons. K-State knows how to win close games on the road with five of its 10 victories by less than a touchdown.
5 (tied). Oklahoma State, 10-8
Key wins: Oklahoma (2014), Texas Tech (2013)
Notable losses: Kansas State (2012), West Virginia (2013)
Summary: The Cowboys' road success went in cycles with winning records in 2013 and 2015 along with losing records in 2012 and 2014. Oklahoma State was in the Big 12 title race when the schedule fell its way during the past four years so ending the cycle and remaining in the conference title race this fall -- despite road visits to TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma -- would be another step forward.
7. Texas Tech, 8-9
Key wins: Arkansas (2015), Texas (2015)
Notable losses: TCU (2014), Oklahoma (2013)
Summary: The Red Raiders are an improving road team with wins at Arkansas and Texas a year ago. The Arkansas win in particular was impressive as Texas Tech managed the game and controlled the tempo in a difficult road environment.
8. West Virginia, 8-12
Key wins: Texas (2012), Oklahoma State (2014)
Notable losses: Kansas State (2015), Oklahoma (2015)
Summary: Much like Oklahoma State, the Mountaineers' schedule has a significant impact on their road success. In odd years, West Virginia visits Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU and Kansas State. In even years, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech highlight the road slate. We'll know whether West Virginia has taken a significant step forward when the cycle of success —based partially on schedule — ends.
9. Iowa State, 5-15
Key wins: Iowa (2012, 2014), TCU (2012)
Notable losses: Texas Tech (2013), Texas (2014)
Summary: Iowa State has won two straight road contests in the series against Iowa and knocked off No. 15-ranked TCU in 2012. Last season was the first year Iowa State did not win at least one road game, thanks largely to 15 turnovers in five road games.
10. Kansas, 0-20
Key wins: None.
Notable losses: Texas Tech (2012), TCU (2015)
Summary: One interesting tidbit in the Jayhawks' winless streak is losses to No. 15 TCU in 2015 and No. 25 Texas Tech in 2012 were the only defeats by fewer than double digits -- yet both teams were ranked when they barely survived their meeting with Kansas. Every other loss to a ranked team was by 35 points or more.