For two years in a row, the Big XII champion has been the bridesmaid in the BCS National Championship Game, as Oklahoma and Texas have been college football’s first runner-up each of the last two years.

As we get set to look at the college football preseason odds, will this be the year the Big XII finally breaks through and wins it all?

Texas (+200): If we’ve learned one thing through the years, it’s to never, ever doubt Mack Brown. The Longhorns head coach has recorded 10 or more wins each of the last nine years, capturing at least a share of the Big XII South title in five of them. But even Mack will be faced with a daunting rebuilding process, with the loss of quarterback Colt McCoy off last year’s team.

In McCoy’s place steps sophomore Garrett Gilbert, who we all remember from last year’s BCS National Championship Game. In that contest, McCoy went down with injury and Gilbert grew up before our eyes, throwing for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and leading the Longhorns within a hair of upsetting Alabama in that matchup.

Gilbert will be surrounded by plenty of skill position talent including James Kirkendoll, Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin at wide receiver. Texas’ defense returns seven starters off one of last year’s best units.

Will the Eyes of Texas be upon the college football world? We’ll find out in just a few weeks, with kickoff of the first game.

Oklahoma (+225): Oklahoma was the big winners (and losers) in this past NFL Draft, as three of the top four picks were Sooners. Despite the heavy losses though, Oklahoma is still a favorite in the college football preseason odds.

That’s because they return a ton of talent at key spots, including virtually all of their skill position players. Landry Jones got a lot of playing time last year in place of the injured Sam Bradford, and it showed, as he matured throughout the year. DeMarco Murray returns for his senior year at running back, after three straight 700+ yard seasons, including over 1000 yards in 2008.

The Oklahoma defense will be short on experience but long on talent, as several All-Big XII caliber players return. Seniors Jeremy Beal and Adrian Taylor anchor the line, while Travis Lewis will be a starting outside linebacker for the third straight year.

Nebraska (+240): Nebraska was just one play away from pulling the upset of the year in 2009, losing to Texas in the Big XII Championship Game on a last second field goal.

Now the pressure is on in Lincoln to go one step further and win the conference crown. Zac Lee returns for his second year at quarterback, while 1,000 yard rusher Roy Helu Jr. will get the bulk of the carries in the backfield.

Like any Bo Pelini coached team though, this group will only go as far as their defense takes them. Luckily Pelini brings back plenty of talent on that side of the ball, including potential All-American’s Jared Crick at tackle and Prince Amukamara at corner.

Missouri (+650): The final team we’ll look at in the college football preseason odds is Missouri, which returns maybe the most feared quarterback in the league, Blaine Gabbert. The big, 6’5 Gabbert has a cannon for an arm, as he threw for over 3,500 yards in his first year starting in 2009. He’ll need to be even better if the Tigers have any hope of claiming a Big XII title.

Here is a look at the rest of the college football preseason odds:

•Kansas State (+800)

•Texas A&M (+800)

•Colorado (+1200)

•Texas Tech (+1200)

•Kansas (+1500)

•Baylor (+2000)

•Oklahoma State (+2000)

•Iowa State (+3000)