Texas Longhorns

Big 12 media days are coming and right behind them, football practice. Before heading to Dallas for media days, Sean Adams will be talking with the HornsNation fans.

Join him at 11 a.m. CT Friday to discuss the Longhorns, recruiting and the world of college football.

Submit your questions here.

The Big 12 has released the league's preseason poll, as voted on by a panel of media covering the conference.

Here's how the media picked the Big 12 to play out in 2012 (first-place votes in parentheses):

• 1. Oklahoma (32) -- 396 total points
• 2. West Virginia (7) -- 339
• 3. Texas -- 291
• 4. Oklahoma State -- 267
• 5. TCU (1) -- 260
• 6. Kansas State (1) -- 257
• 7. Baylor -- 162
• 8. Iowa State -- 121
• 9. Texas Tech -- 116
• 10. Kansas -- 46

Total points are on a system of 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, etc.

I'll have some thoughts on the poll next week when I return from vacation, and I'll also reveal my own personal ballot later on this month.

My one thought for now? Doubting Bill Snyder? Beware, voters. I'm shocked. More on Monday.

Until then, what did you think of the media's picks for 2012?

Tom Luginbill talks about a few things to watch for at the Elite 11 Finals.

The Big 12 released its preseason All-Big 12 team and preseason awards on Wednesday. Here they are, including all of the first-teamers.

I'll reveal my personal ballot later this month, and have a few thoughts on the guys who did make it when I return from vacation on Monday.

Trust me, I have a lot. (Biggest snub of anyone: Texas cornerback Carrington Byndom. Complete travesty.) Plenty more where that came from. Come back next week.

Offensive Player of the Year: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

Newcomer of the Year: Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma

(Read full post)

The Lombardi Award, which has my personal favorite description for its award, released its 145-man preseason watch list (you'll see why in a bit) and the Big 12 landed 17 players on it.

Here's who's eligible:

• Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
• Blaize Foltz, OG, TCU
• Ben Habern, C, Oklahoma
• Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas
• Gabe Ikard, OG, Oklahoma
• Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
• A.J. Klein, LB, Iowa State
• Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State
• Shaun Lewis, LB, Oklahoma State
• Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia
• Stansly Maponga, DE, TCU
• Corey Nelson, LB, Oklahoma
• Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
• Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor
• Lane Taylor, OG, Oklahoma State
• LaAdrian Waddle, OT, Texas Tech
• Mason Walters, OG, Texas

That's quite a hefty list. Here's the description I love to hear every year for who can win the award:

To be considered for the Rotary Lombardi Award players must be a Division I college football team member and meet the following qualifications:

• Be a down lineman, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, setting up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of snap.
• Be a linebacker on defense, setting up no farther than 5 yards deep from the line of scrimmage.
• May not come out of the offensive backfield and set up on the line of scrimmage as a blocker or receiver, or be listed as a back or receiver.
• Shows leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.

The voting electorate is made up of the head coaches from all Division I schools, sports media personnel from across the country and former winners and finalists of the Rotary Lombardi Award. Currently the total number of voters is approximately 500.

Complicated, no? It's fun anyway. It also has my favorite trophy of any of the college football awards. I'm an unashamed Lombardi Award lover, folks.

Boston College's Luke Kuechly won the award last season. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh (2009) was the last player from the Big 12 to win the award. Texas' Brian Orakpo (2008) was the last player from the current Big 12 configuration to win it.

Oklahoma and Texas both have three winners all-time, tied for the fourth-most nationally. Nebraska's five winners is second all-time behind only Ohio State (six).