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Nebraska has been chosen as the favorite to win the Big 12 North Division according to the league’s football preseason poll, voted on by media representatives who cover the conference.
The Huskers received 17-of-32 first-place votes and totaled 172 points, just in front of Kansas which was picked first on 12 ballots and received 164 points. Missouri was picked third in the division, followed by Colorado, Kansas State and Iowa State.
Texas and Oklahoma tied for first place in the South Division preseason poll, each receiving 174 points. The Longhorns had 17 first-place votes to 15 for Oklahoma. Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor and Texas A&M rounded out the South Division predictions.
Nebraska returns 13 starters from its 2008 team that finished 9-4 overall and captured a share of the Big 12 North Division title after being picked third in the preseason poll. The Huskers own a four-game winning streak heading into the 2009 campaign and were victors in six of their final seven games last fall.
This marks the first time since 2006 that Nebraska has been selected as the North favorite in the conference’s preseason media poll. That season the Huskers captured the North Division title and made their fourth trip to the Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska has been picked to win the Big 12 North eight times in the 14-year history of the league and has made trips to the Big 12 title game in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2006.
The Preseason All-Big 12 Team will be released on Friday in advance of next week’s Big 12 Football Media Days in Irving, Texas. Nebraska will take part in the event Monday afternoon and will be represented by Head Coach Bo Pelini, I-back Roy Helu Jr., offensive lineman Jacob Hickman and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Live video coverage of the event will be featured on Big 12 Sports.com.
2009 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll
North Division
1. Nebraska (17) 172
2. Kansas (12) 164
3. Missouri (3) 124
4. Colorado 100
5. Kansas State 81
6. Iowa State 33
South Division
1. Texas (17) 174
1. Oklahoma (15) 174
3. Oklahoma State 130
4. Texas Tech 89
5. Baylor 75
6. Texas A&M 33
first-place votes in parentheses