NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Times are changing in the Big 12.
A new commissioner, two new schools and a batch of new starting quarterbacks bring a distinctly different flavor to the conference this season after a period of turmoil when one-third of the original members left.
The departure of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and fellow first-round NFL draft picks Justin Blackmon, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden and Kendall Wright has cleared the way for another wave of stars to emerge. TCU and West Virginia bring a pair of first-time contenders for the Big 12 crown.
It all makes for an unpredictable season.
On Monday, new commissioner Bob Bowlsby declared that the Big 12 doesn’t want the SEC to win a seventh straight national title. He thinks No. 4 Oklahoma or several other Big 12 teams could be contenders this season.
