The Big 12 Conference has been making waves in recent years of playing better defense. Last season, the conference had the No. 4 team (West Virginia), No. 29 (Oklahoma) and No. 30 (Texas Christian) in total defense. The Sooners were also the second-highest ranked rushing defense in the conference. The Iowa State Cyclones ranked No. 8 nationally with OU hot on their trail at No. 9.
These two defenses were a huge factor in them meeting in the Big 12 Championship game last season.
We looked at the top returning offensive player for each team:
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The best defensive players returning in the Big 12, starting with the Oklahoma Sooners: