The TCU Horned Frogs are ranked No. 21 in Sports Illustrated's 2012 preseason top 25, while the in-state power Texas Longhorns come in at No. 15.
The Horned Frogs, without question, have endured a turbulent offseason after finishing the 2011 season with an 11-2 record and final AP ranking of No. 14. However, they return quarterback Casey Pachall and wide receiver Josh Boyce on offense - a duo that hooked up for nearly 1,000 yards last season. In addition, the defense welcomes back defensive end Stansly Maponga (nine sacks, five forced fumbles) and linebacker Kenny Cain (72 tackles).
The Oklahoma Sooners, West Virginia Mountaineers and Kansas State Wildcats also represented the Big 12 in SI's rankings, with OU being the highest-ranked team in the conference at No. 5. Meanwhile, West Virginia cracked the top 10 (at No. 10) and KSU comes in one spot behind Texas at No. 16. Alabama, USC, LSU, and Oregon round out the top five.
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