First and 16 Podcast - Big 12 College Football and College Basketball

For years, ESPN, Fox, and other major sports networks have quietly elevated certain conferences while downplaying the Big 12's talent, storylines, and successes. In this episode of First and 12 , Adam Gibby breaks down how the media's coverage shapes public perception, why the Big 12 deserves more respect, and the truth behind the bias that's been holding the conference back. Want to Talk? Message...

ESPN just dropped a list of 32 teams that they believe can win a national title—and yes, it includes some major surprises. From blue bloods to dark horses, we break down the list, react to the shockers, and talk about where the Big 12 fits into the conversation. Are these predictions bold or just bogus? Want to Talk? Message Here! Support the show

The Big 12 is reportedly entering a new TV deal with Peacock—putting a portion (or all) of its football games behind a streaming paywall. Is this a forward-thinking play in a shifting media landscape, or a move that could alienate fans and damage visibility? Adam Gibby breaks down what this means for the Big 12's brand, fans, and recruiting—and whether the conference just outsmarted the Big Ten an...

The Coaches Poll Top 25 is out… and you already know there's controversy. Did they disrespect the Big 12 again? Who's overrated? Underrated? Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest surprises, snubs, and takeaways from the preseason Coaches Poll—and then reveals his own Top 25 rankings heading into the 2025 college football season. Where do Big 12 contenders land? Who's being slept on? Let's rank some t...

Which Big 12 coaches are coaching for their jobs in 2025? In this episode of First and 12 , we count down the top 5 Big 12 coaches who are squarely on the hot seat heading into the season. Whether it's underperformance, fan pressure, or shifting expectations in a new-look conference, these coaches could be facing make-or-break years. Who's in trouble, who might survive, and who could be gone by No...

The preseason Coaches Poll is out, and it's already turning heads across the Big 12. In this episode of First and 12 , we break down which teams were ranked, who was snubbed, and what it all means for the conference heading into the 2025 season. Are the coaches getting it right, or is the Big 12 being overlooked again? We've got analysis, context, and early playoff implications—all right here. Wan...

In this episode of First and 12 , we break down the ceiling, floor, and minimum win totals for every team in the Big 12 heading into the 2025 season. Which programs have playoff-level upside? Who's in danger of falling short of bowl eligibility? We analyze all 16 teams, discuss realistic expectations, and debate who has the widest gap between their best and worst-case scenarios this year. Want to...

In this episode of First and 12 , we dive into the modern history of college football expansion and realignment, starting with the seismic move of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. We track how that decision reshaped the Big 12, triggered massive changes across the Power Five, and set the stage for the current era of superconferences. From the initial announcement to the latest realignment moves, we...

In this episode of First and 12 , we break down the Strength of Schedule (SOS) rankings for every Big 12 team and examine why some programs face a much tougher road than others. Is it fair for SOS to vary so drastically within the same conference? We dive into the numbers, debate the impact on rankings and playoff chances, and discuss what can be done to make scheduling more balanced across the Bi...

In this episode of First and 12 , we break down the value of every Big 12 team (From Athletic article) —on the field, in the media market, and at the negotiating table. Which programs bring the most to the conference right now, and which ones have the biggest upside moving forward? We also discuss which Big 12 team has the most potential to rise in the national rankings over the next few years and...

It's Top Five Tuesday on First and 12 , and we're breaking down the five biggest Big 12 storylines right now . We start with the BYU and Colorado quarterback battles , what they mean for each program's 2025 outlook, and how the Big 12 race could be impacted. Then we dive into the latest conference realignment rumors , the growing trend of programs giving fans and media more access and privileges ,...

In this episode of First and 12 , we discuss the latest health concerns for Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders and what it could mean for the Buffs and the Big 12. Then, we dive into the heated debate over whether the conference should stick with 8 or 9 league games in the playoff era. Which model gives the Big 12 the best shot at the College Football Playoff, and what's the right move for the futu...

Reports that North Carolina may be heading to the SEC and the news that Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring revenue-sharing to pay college athletes . We break down how North Carolina bolting to the SEC would hurt the Big 12's long-term playoff hopes, recruiting reach, and expansion plans. Then, we analyze how Trump's executive order could completely reshape college football's fina...

In this special 50th episode of First and 12 , we deliver the ultimate 2025 Big 12 football preview —with predictions for all 193 conference matchups . Every team. Every game. Every outcome. We walk through the full Big 12 schedule week by week and reveal our picks for the Big 12 Championship Game and who we believe will represent the conference in the 2025 College Football Playoff . If you're a B...

Just when we thought NIL collectives were on their way out, they're back—and stronger than ever. In this episode of First and 12 , we dive into the return of booster-backed NIL deals and what it means for the future of college football. With the Wild West fully reopened, the need for real rules—and possibly a national commissioner—has never been more urgent. Can college football survive without st...

The Big 12 isn't done growing—so who's next? In this episode of First and 12 , we break down the top candidates for Big 12 expansion moving forward. From schools like UConn and San Diego State to wild cards like UNLV or Louisville, we evaluate which programs bring value in terms of football, basketball, academics, market size, and media relevance. If Brett Yormark makes another move, who should be...

In this First and 12 bonus episode, we break down the latest report that Memphis has been denied entry into the Big 12—again. What does this mean for Memphis, and what does it reveal about the Big 12's strategy and long-term vision? With expansion always looming, this rejection sends a clear message about the conference's priorities, brand, and what it takes to get in. Want to Talk? Message Here!...

It's the end of an era in Provo. In this episode of First and 12 , we react to the closing chapter of Jake Retzlaff's time at BYU and what it means for the Cougars moving forward. Did BYU ever fully tap into his potential? And what's next at quarterback? Then it's Top Five Tuesday, where we rank the five programs with the most potential to become the face of the Big 12 in the new era of college fo...

What happens to programs like BYU and Texas Tech if NIL collectives disappear? In this episode of First and 12 , we dig into the growing movement to regulate or outright eliminate NIL collectives — and why that could reshape the competitive balance in college football. For Big 12 schools that don't have the deep pockets of the SEC or Big Ten powers, collectives were a lifeline. Now, as the NCAA an...

The 2026 recruiting rankings are out—and the Big 12 is making serious moves. In this episode of First and 12 , we break down how Big 12 programs are climbing the recruiting ladder and why this sudden momentum may be forcing the Big Ten's hand in pushing for a playoff auto-bid deal. With powerhouse programs like Kansas State, UCF, and Arizona trending up, is the Big Ten scared of being left behind?...

Just when we thought NIL collectives were on their way out, they're back—and stronger than ever. In this episode of First and 12 , we dive into the return of booster-backed NIL deals and what it means for the future of college football. With the Wild West fully reopened, the need for real rules—and possibly a national commissioner—has never been more urgent. Can college football survive without st...

The Big Ten and SEC are at it again—this time clashing over College Football Playoff structure and how many conference games each league should play. In this episode of First and 12 , Adam Gibby breaks down the battle between the sport's two biggest powers and explains how their disagreement could create a window for the Big 12 to gain leverage, visibility, and more playoff access. Is this the Big...

As the College Football Playoff becomes more competitive and cutthroat, some top programs are backing out of big-time nonconference matchups in favor of easier wins. In this episode of First and 12 , Adam Gibby breaks down the growing trend of schedule manipulation and what it means for the Big 12. Should Big 12 schools start doing the same to boost playoff odds? Or will staying battle-tested hurt...

It's Top Five Tuesday on First and 12 ! This week, Adam Gibby ranks the Top 5 best time slots and TV channels for watching Big 12 football . From FOX's Big Noon Kickoff to Saturday night ESPN showdowns , we're breaking down when and where the Big 12 shines brightest on national television. Discover which TV windows deliver the best matchups, biggest atmospheres, and most exposure for Big 12 teams....

In this episode, we dive into the controversial proposal by the Big Ten and SEC to expand the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to 76 teams. I break down why this push for expansion threatens the integrity, excitement, and fairness of March Madness. From devaluing the regular season to diluting the magic of Cinderella stories, this episode makes the case against turning college basketball's crown j...