The Big 12 preseason poll was released this morning, but how accurate is it really? How much should a low spot worry you, and can you celebrate your team's selection as one of the Big 12's top three teams?
Let's look back at the past three years for a bit of evidence.
BAYLOR
2010: Picked last (sixth) in the Big 12 South, finished at 7-6 and fourth in the South.
2011: Picked sixth in the Big 12, finished at 10-3 and tied for third in the Big 12.
2012: Picked seventh in the Big 12, finished at 8-5 and a four-way tie for fifth in the Big 12.
IOWA STATE
2010: Picked last (sixth) in the Big 12 North, finished at 5-7 and tied for fourth in the North.
2011: Picked ninth in the Big 12, finished at 6-7 and eighth in the Big 12.
2012: Picked eighth in the Big 12, finished at 6-7 and ninth in the Big 12.
KANSAS
2010: Picked fourth in the Big 12 North, finished 3-9 and last (sixth) in the North.
2011: Picked 10th in the Big 12, finished at 2-10 and 10th in the Big 12.
2012: Picked 10th in the Big 12, finished at 1-11 and 10th in the Big 12.
KANSAS STATE
2010: Picked third in the Big 12 North, finished 7-6 and third in the North.
2011: Picked eighth in the Big 12, finished at 10-3 and second in the Big 12.
2012: Picked sixth in the Big 12, finished at 11-2 and tied for first in the Big 12, though it held the tiebreaker vs. Oklahoma.
MISSOURI
2010: Picked second in the Big 12 North, finished 10-3 and shared the North title, though Nebraska held the tiebreaker.
2011: Picked fourth in the Big 12, finished at 8-5 and fifth in the Big 12.
OKLAHOMA
2010: Picked first in the Big 12 South, finished at 12-2 and first in the South.
2011: Picked first in the Big 12, finished at 10-3 and tied for third.
2012: Picked first in the Big 12, finished at 10-3 and tied for first in the Big 12, though K-State held the tiebreaker for the league title.
OKLAHOMA STATE
2010: Picked fifth in the Big 12 South, finished at 11-2 and won a share of the South, though Oklahoma held the tiebreaker.
2011: Picked third in the Big 12, finished at 12-1 and first in the Big 12.
2012: Picked fourth in the Big 12, finished at 8-5 and tied for third in the Big 12.
TEXAS
2010: Picked second in the Big 12 South, finished at 5-7 and last (sixth) in the South.
2011: Picked fifth in the Big 12, finished at 8-5 and tied for sixth in the Big 12.
2012: Picked third in the Big 12, finished at 9-4 and tied for third in the Big 12.
TEXAS A&M
2010: Picked third in the Big 12 South, finished 9-4 and third in the South.
2011: Picked second in the Big 12, finished at 7-6 and tied for sixth in the Big 12.
TCU
2012: Picked fifth in the Big 12, finished at 7-6 and tied for fifth in the Big 12.
TEXAS TECH
2010: Picked fourth in the Big 12 South, finished 8-5 and fifth in the South.
2011: Picked seventh in the Big 12, finished at 5-7 and ninth in the Big 12.
2012: Picked ninth in the Big 12, finished at 8-5 and in a four-way tie for fifth in the Big 12.
WEST VIRGINIA
2012: Picked second in the Big 12, finished at 7-6 and in a four-way tie for fifth in the Big 12.