COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M baseball team was picked as the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference this season according to the leagues' coaches who announced their annual preseason poll on Tuesday.

The Aggies received 64 total points and eight of nine first place votes, garnering the top spot in the poll for the first time since the 2009 season. Texas finished second in the voting, garnering the only other first place vote, while Oklahoma placed third followed by Baylor in fourth.

Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Kansas rounded out the poll, respectively.

Texas A&M is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, finishing the 2011 campaign with a 47-22 overall record to claim a share of the Big 12 regular season title, the league's postseason tournament championship and a trip to Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series.

Seventh-year head coach Rob Childress returns 16 letterwinners from last season's squad including a trio of All-Americans in right fielder Tyler Naquin and starting pitchers Ross Stripling and Michael Wacha along with a Freshman All-American centerfielder Krey Bratsen.

The Aggies open their 2012 season and christen the newly-renovated Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park this weekend as they host Illinois-Chicago in a three-game series.

2012 BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

1. Texas A&M (8) -- 64

2. Texas (1)  -- 56

3. Oklahoma  -- 48

4. Baylor -- 42

5. Missouri -- 30

6. Oklahoma State -- 28

7. Texas Tech -- 27

8. Kansas State -- 20

9. Kansas -- 9