The New Big 12: A Conference in Flux
Summer is upon us, but fret not – college football season is just around the corner. With our Three Guys format, we’re kicking off our preseason coverage with a deep dive into the transformed Big 12 conference.
First up, the battle for supremacy. With Oklahoma and Texas departing for the SEC, the throne is vacant. Will a familiar face like Oklahoma State, Baylor, or Iowa State rise to the occasion? Or is this the perfect storm for an upset, with Kansas State or West Virginia making a surprise run?
Next, we examine the Big 12’s national standing. The conference has consistently delivered contenders for the College Football Playoff, but can it maintain that prestige without its biggest brands? We’ll explore how the Big 12 will fare in terms of television exposure, recruiting dominance, and overall conference clout.
Finally, we shift our focus to the incoming members. Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado bring a fresh perspective to the Big 12. But how will their arrival impact the conference’s identity? Will the traditionally high-octane offense remain the hallmark, or will a more balanced approach emerge?
So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join Three Guys on this exciting exploration of the new Big 12 landscape!
Who Will Rise as the New Big 12 Powerhouse? With Oklahoma and Texas leaving for the SEC, the conference landscape is wide open. Can a traditional power like Oklahoma State, Baylor, or Iowa State step up and claim the top spot? Or will an emerging program like Kansas State or West Virginia surprise everyone?
Craig: In terms of immediate success I’m going with Utah. The Utes return one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country in Cameron Rising. If he remains healthy I believe they will be real contenders in their first year in the Big 12.
The team that benefits the most from the departure of Oklahoma and Texas is Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have been relevant over the last decade even with the Sooners and the Longhorns around. I believe this provides a solid opportunity for Mike Gundy and the Pokes to build something special in Stillwater.
Matt: With Oklahoma and Texas departing, the Big 12 crown is wide open. Utah appears to be the frontrunner. They boast a decade of consistent success under Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, excel at regional recruiting, and have a dominant defense – a staple of their program. Their experience in a Power Five conference (Pac-12) will also be valuable navigating the Big 12 landscape. Oklahoma State and Baylor, recent conference champions, are also contenders, but replacing key players might hinder their immediate success. The Big 12 is likely to be more competitive without its former powerhouses, with Utah as the favorite and other programs like Kansas State and West Virginia holding the potential to surprise everyone.
Zack: I feel like the obvious choice is probably Oklahoma State because of the longevity of success even in the midst of playing with Oklahoma and Texas. The Cowboys have the 6th longest active bowl game streak in the NCAA, and while bowl games don’t exactly scream “powerhouse,” the continuity certainly does. True powerhouses consistently have great seasons and rarely have bad ones, and Oklahoma State has been doing that for a while now anyway.
Can the Big 12 Maintain National Relevance? The Big 12 has consistently sent teams to the College Football Playoff, but losing two of its most recognizable brands could hurt its national profile. How will the conference fare in terms of national television exposure, recruiting rankings, and conference championship prestige?
Craig: With the PAC 12 dissolving and the college football playoffs expanding I still think the Big 12 is in a great spot to get at least one team in per year.
As I mentioned before, Oklahoma State has a great opportunity moving forward in this conference. As arguably one of the biggest brands now, Mike Gundy and his crew should be able to take their recruiting up a notch. Winning championships does things, and I think Oklahoma State is close to being there.
The conference may be losing its two biggest powerhouses, but I’d argue that with the new additions the conference is overall better from top to bottom. Winning the Big 12 should be just as prestigious as before.
Matt: The Big 12’s national relevance will likely face challenges after losing Oklahoma and Texas. These powerhouses brought in big TV ratings and name recognition that will be missed. Recruiting top talent might also become more difficult without these traditional giants on the schedule.
However, the Big 12 has the potential to adapt and remain a strong conference. Increased parity within the conference could lead to more exciting, competitive games, which are a major draw for viewers. The additions of programs like Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF already brought in new, and passionate, fanbases as well as recent success, boosting the conference’s overall strength. The Big 12 still boasts strong regional television markets, particularly in Texas and Florida with the new additions.
Here’s why the Big 12 could even be stronger than the pre-expansion Pac-12:
- More competitive games across the board could lead to increased national attention.
- The addition of Pac-12 teams strengthens the conference’s overall quality.
- The conference realignment itself creates a captivating storyline for fans – a new era for the Big 12 with a chance for new teams to rise to the top.
Overall, the Big 12’s national profile might take a bit of a hit, but it has the potential to be a more competitive and exciting conference compared to the pre-expansion Pac-12. The key will be fostering exciting rivalries, strong team performances, and capitalizing on its new television markets and the captivating stories of a conference in flux.
Zack: The Big 12 will naturally see some coverage fall off, but that doesn’t mean they will diminish into complete irrelevance. They still have a lot of storied programs that are plenty entertaining, and in a world full of clips and highlights, they will produce plenty. Recruiting might actually improve for some schools with Oklahoma and Texas gone, but it really just depends on what kids are going to value these days. The Big 12 Championship hasn’t carried nearly as much notoriety as the old days, but the fact is that if you’re good enough to win one, it’s still going to matter.
How Will the New Additions Impact the Conference Identity? The arrival of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado brings a new geographical footprint and potentially different styles of play. Will the Big 12 maintain its offensive-minded identity, or will the addition of these programs lead to a more balanced conference?
Craig: None of the new additions exactly strike me as defensive minded teams. The PAC 12 certainly had an abundance of offense. I think the new look Big 12 will be even quicker than before and we will see just as much offensive highlights and high scoring shootouts as we’ve seen in the past.
Matt: The arrival of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado will reshape the Big 12 identity in a few ways. The conference expands westward, creating a broader national footprint. More importantly, these new programs bring different playing styles to the table.
A More Balanced Conference?
Utah’s reputation for a stifling defense might be a turning point. Their presence could inspire a shift towards a more balanced conference, where strong defense is valued alongside offensive firepower. Arizona State’s own defensive prowess adds to this possibility.
However, don’t expect the Big 12 to abandon its offensive roots entirely.
Firepower Persists
Arizona and the Texas schools are known for their explosive offenses. This offensive emphasis likely won’t disappear overnight.
A Blend of Styles
The most likely outcome is a more balanced Big 12. Here’s why:
- Utah’s Influence: Utah’s consistent defensive dominance could become a model for other teams, leading to a more well-rounded approach across the conference. Offensive coaches might need to adapt to keep up.
- Evolving Strategies: The influx of new coaches and philosophies could lead to a unique blend of offensive and defensive strategies. This will make Big 12 games exciting and unpredictable for fans.
Overall, the Big 12 identity is likely to evolve into a more balanced conference. While Utah’s defensive strength might become a blueprint, the conference’s offensive roots won’t be completely abandoned. The future Big 12 will likely be a fascinating mix of offensive firepower and strategic defense.
Zack: The Big 12 is going to remain an offensive-minded conference simply because that’s the name of the game nowadays. Sure, there are a handful of schools that are known for their defenses, but even the SEC—the nation’s top defensive conference—has seen scoreboards get lit up the last few years in ways they never had before. I don’t think we’re going to see much shift in that in the Big 12.