IRVING, Texas-Tuesday morning, the Big 12 Conference released its football media preseason poll with newcomer Utah atop the rankings. The Utes gained 906 points, including 20 first place votes. BYU checks in at No. 13 with 215 points. The preseason rankings in full are as follows:

1. Utah 906 (20 first place votes)
2. Kansas State 889 (19 first place votes)
3. Oklahoma State 829 (14 first place votes)
4. Kansas 772 (5 first place votes)
5. Arizona 762 (3 first place votes)
6. Iowa State 661
7. West Virginia 581
8. UCF 551
9. Texas Tech 532
10. TCU 436
11. Colorado 400
12. Baylor 268
13. BYU 215
14. Cincinnati 196
15. Houston 157
16. Arizona State 141

Additionally, Utah senior tight end Brant Kuithe was named to the Big 12’s preseason all-conference offense. Kuithe did not play last season but has 148 receptions for 1,882 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns (20 net scores) in his Utes career. Utah was also represented on the Big 12’s all-conference defense by senior defensive tackle Junior Tafuna (1.5 sacks, forced fumble, 3 tackles for a loss last season) and senior punter Jack Bouwmeester (45.5 yards per punt last season). BYU was represented by senior defensive lineman Tyler Batty. Batty recorded 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and nine tackles for a loss last season for the Cougars.