Dallas ? With five teams finishing last season in the Top 25 and four teams starting this season in the Top 10, there’s no question the Big 12 is among the nation’s elite conferences, maybe even the best one.

But there are still plenty of questions surrounding this season. Before the answers are revealed on fields across the league’s seven states, here’s a Top 12 list of things to consider heading into the openers on Aug. 24.

University of Texas quarterback Chris Simms, pictured here in the Longhorns' win against Texas Tech last fall, will be a huge part of Texas' success this season. Some skeptics bemoan Simms' history of blowing up in the big games as a harbinger of doom for what some call an underachieving team.

1) Can Oklahoma QB Jason White be as good in 12-14 games as he was in his two starts last season?

The No. 2 Sooners’ season might depend on it. Their theory this fall is basically for White’s nimble feet and solid arm to keep afloat their offense, then let the defense do the rest.

White looked great last season in relief stints against Texas and Kansas, then in starts against Baylor and Nebraska after earning the job from Nate Hybl. He must be able to sustain it this season.

OU might not need much from its offense, though, as sophomore Tommie Harris and junior Jimmy Wilkerson could provide so much pressure from the defensive line that opponents don’t even realize Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus are gone.

2) Will No. 4 Texas finally win a big game or two, or three?

Sure, Mack Brown has won at least nine games all four seasons with the Longhorns, has made the Austin THE place for recruits from around the country and has restored the school’s reputation.

But with such success comes higher expectations. That’s why so many orangebloods are upset about consecutive losses to Oklahoma and the failure in last season’s Big 12 championship game when a berth in the national championship game was there for the taking.

Having the most talent is one thing. Having the best team is another. UT could have both, but it will have to come up big against some big foes to prove it.

3) Can Colorado do it again?

The Buffaloes lived up to coach Gary Barnett’s preseason prediction by making it to Texas Stadium for the Big 12 championship game, then beat the Longhorns for the crown. Now No. 7 Colorado has to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

QB Craig Ochs, who missed nearly six games with injuries, is back to lead an offense that also has a tailback rotation featuring Chris Brown. The key may be whether a revamped line can hold blocks and open running lanes.

4) Jammal Lord is no Eric Crouch, but does he have to be?

There’s a theory that No. 10 Nebraska’s offense will be better because it’ll be less predictable without the Heisman Trophy winner at the helm. Lord, though, has to prove he can get everyone involved while remaining a threat himself.

The defense also has some reputation rebuilding to do after giving up 99 points in its final two games.

History makes it hard to bet against either problem being solved.

5) Will Texas A&M gain enough yards to be a contender again?

The Aggies were 11th in the conference in offense last season, gaining their fewest yards since 1972. Help could be on the way with freshman QB Reggie McNeal, but the starting job still belongs to 27-year-old Mark Farris.

Like Oklahoma, 23rd-ranked A&M will be led by its defense. The headliners in this year’s Wrecking Crew are Jarrod Penright, Ty Warren and Brian Gamble.

6) Are the Wildcats turning back into Mildcats?

Four-game losing streaks used to be common at Kansas State. Then coach Bill Snyder began an amazing turnaround that made four-loss seasons a rarity.

Now K-State could be at a crossroads. Coming off a 6-6 season, and with questions lingering at quarterback, the Wildcats must reassert themselves or risk sliding back into the pack.

7) Is Kliff Kingsbury the best quarterback in the conference?

The Texas Tech slinger is sure to put up huge numbers in coach Mike Leach’s system, although he’s seldom asked to throw deep. The Red Raiders are promoting him for the Heisman Trophy and with 13 games he could have gaudy totals.

But it’ll take more than 400-yard games for him to prove himself and his team are for real.

8) Are the Cyclones ready to take the Big 12 by storm or will they be swept away by their schedule?

Iowa State has been third in the North the last two seasons, putting it on the cusp of a breakthrough. And quarterback Seneca Wallace could be the guy to do it, presuming his patchwork offensive line holds up.

But the Cyclones open with Florida State and they play all four of the league’s preseason Top 10 teams, three on the road.

9) Was Oklahoma State’s upset of Oklahoma last season a one-day wonder or the start of something big?

Coach Les Miles could hardly have scripted a better way to end his first season than to upset the cross-state rival, derailing the Sooners’ hopes of repeating as conference and national champs. His dream for his second season is getting to a bowl game.

WR Rashaun Woods has the big-play ability to help get them there.

10) Where is Missouri headed?

The Tigers are entering their second season under coach Gary Pinkel and still learning the systems that helped him excel at Toledo.

At that previous job, Pinkel went from 5-5-1 his first season to 8-3 the next. If this group will make a similar leap following a 4-7 start, expect to see plenty of big plays from WR Justin Gage and RB Zack Abron.

11) How much of Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder rubbed off on Mark Mangino?

The new Kansas coach knows plenty about the league from stops at Oklahoma and Kansas State. He’ll be hard-pressed, though, to repeat the revivals of his former bosses.

12) Will Baylor win a league game?

The Bears last did so in October 1998 against Kansas. If they don’t beat the Jayhawks in Waco this October, the streak might not end this season.