Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

Did the Big 12 Conference make a mistake turning down the Memphis Tigers from joining the conference? What value would they add to the conference? The Big 12 Squad debates how the move would have helped or hurt the BYU Cougars, Arizona Sun Devils, Colorado Buffaloes, Houston Cougars, Utah Utes, Arizona Wildcats, Baylor Bears, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Cincinnati Bearcats, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Iow...

Paul Finebaum, a prominent ESPN analyst and a well-known voice in SEC football, recently offered blunt advice to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders: "stick to coaching." This came after Sanders' remarks at Big 12 Media Days where he called for a college football salary cap to address the escalating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) spending.     Finebaum's comments, delivered on ESPN's "Get Up," high...

While the Big 12 has recently shown disinterest in adding Memphis, despite a highly aggressive and financially substantial proposal, there are indeed arguments for why it would be a smart move for the conference. These arguments often revolve around market penetration, competitive upside, and financial innovation, even if the current conference leadership isn't swayed. Here's why some believe addi...

Memphis has made an incredibly aggressive and financially substantial push to join the Big 12 Conference, but as of today, Monday, July 21, 2025, they have reportedly been rejected or do not have enough support from the Big 12. Here's what you need to know about Memphis's efforts and the Big 12's response:   Memphis's Offer to the Big 12:   Massive Financial Commitment: Memphis has reportedly made...

The 2026 recruiting cycle is still relatively early, but BYU, Texas Tech, and Baylor have indeed made some impressive waves, showing a strong surge in their recruiting efforts. It highlights the impact of their new Power Four conference affiliation and aggressive strategies under their respective coaching staffs.     Here's a look at why their 2026 classes are generating so much excitement:   BYU...

Provo, Utah, distinguishes itself through a unique combination of natural beauty, economic vitality, and a strong community foundation, with Brigham Young University (BYU) at its heart. Nestled against the majestic Wasatch Mountains and adjacent to Utah Lake, Provo offers unparalleled outdoor access for hiking, skiing, and water sports, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Economically, Provo...

SEC's fear of Big 12 dominance? Conference rivalries heat up as scheduling debates intensify. Is the SEC's late-season "cupcake" strategy a sign of weakness? Jake Hatch and the Big 12 Squad dissect the growing tension between conferences, analyzing Brett Yormark's playoff model impact and Greg Sankey's response. The hosts explore how NIL deals are reshaping recruiting landscapes and team rankings....

The assertion that Rivals (and other recruiting services) "dilute" Big 12 recruits' rankings after they commit to schools like BYU and Baylor is a common sentiment among fan bases outside of the traditional recruiting powerhouses (SEC, Big Ten, and increasingly, ACC). While "dilution" might be a strong word, the perception stems from a few factors inherent in how recruiting services operate and th...

Utah Utes defensive back Smith Snowden found himself at the center of intense speculation regarding potential tampering by BYU, particularly concerning Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offers, as the transfer portal period opened. These rumors were widely discussed on various fan forums and local sports talk radio, especially given the intense "Holy War" rivalry between the two programs. While offi...

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has consistently emphasized that the "Big 12 is open for business," a mantra he first declared at his introductory press conference in July 2022 and has continued to reiterate, most recently at the 2025 Big 12 Media Days. This isn't just a catchy phrase; it represents a comprehensive and aggressive strategy to elevate the conference's profile, financial standing,...

The Athletic, a prominent sports media outlet, recently released a ranking of the top 100 rivalries in college football. Much to the potential dismay of fans of the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars, the "Holy War" did not land within the top 25 of this list. While the exact ranking for the Holy War varies across different articles and lists from The Athletic, it generally falls outside the elite tier. Fo...

BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake has publicly expressed his desire for college football teams, particularly those in the newly formed "Power Four" conferences, to schedule multiple non-conference games against each other. Speaking at Big 12 Media Days, Sitake issued a challenge, stating: "We play three non-conference games. I would love to play an ACC team, an SEC team, and a Big Ten team. Line 'em up...

Big 12 Media Days Shake Up College Football Landscape. Is a new era of NIL deals and conference realignment on the horizon? Parker Ainsworth, Jake Hatch, and JT Worcestershill break down the biggest stories from Frisco, Texas. The hosts analyze Joey Maguire's call for player contracts, Brett Yormark's firm stance on playoff formats, and the debate over Big 12's depth. Key topics include the enforc...

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is a strong and consistent advocate for the "5+11" model for the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP). He has reiterated this stance, including at recent Big 12 Media Days, as discussions continue about expanding the playoff to 16 teams, which is anticipated by 2026.       The 5+11 model, for a 16-team playoff, would feature: Five automatic qualifiers (AQs...

The landscape of college football has undeniably transformed, with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and the ubiquitous transfer portal pushing the sport closer than ever to a professional model. For many, the lines are blurring: is playing college football still an amateur pursuit, or has it become, for all intents and purposes, a job? The arguments for it being a "job" are compelling...

The argument that the Big 12 may be the deepest football conference, even over the SEC and Big Ten, is gaining significant traction heading into the 2025 season. While it might lack the top-heavy "blue blood" programs of its larger counterparts, the Big 12 boasts unparalleled competitive balance and top-to-bottom strength .     Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has consistently championed this vie...

The landscape of sports broadcasting rights is undergoing a seismic shift, and traditional giants like ESPN and FOX are indeed facing increasing pressure that could limit the astronomical sums they've historically paid to conferences like the SEC and Big Ten. The rising prominence and aggressive spending of tech behemoths like Amazon and Netflix are central to this dynamic. Here's why ESPN and FOX...

A fascinating, if improbable, scenario has been circulating among college football fans: a six-team trade between the ACC and the Big 12. This hypothetical swap aims to bring geographical and rivalrous sanity back to a landscape often driven purely by television revenue. The proposal suggests the ACC would send Stanford, Cal, and SMU to the Big 12. In return, the Big 12 would transfer Cincinnati,...

The unexpected departure of starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff from the BYU football program, triggered by an Honor Code violation and a civil lawsuit (which was later dismissed with prejudice), leaves a significant void for the Cougars just weeks before the 2025 season. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for other quarterbacks on the roster to step up. While Retzlaff was the inc...

The idea of Washington State and Oregon State, the "Pac-2" holdovers, eventually becoming viable Big 12 expansion candidates is a widely discussed topic in college football realignment, especially with the current state of the Pac-12. While they've recently rebuilt their conference with Mountain West additions and a new media deal, many analysts see this as a temporary arrangement, setting the sta...

The situation surrounding BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been a complex and rapidly evolving saga, culminating in his recent decision to leave the program. It began with a civil lawsuit filed against Retzlaff by an anonymous woman ("Jane Doe A.G.") in May 2025. The lawsuit alleged sexual assault, rape, strangulation, and biting during an incident in November 2023 at Retzlaff's Provo apartment....

BYU starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff has filed a robust response to a civil lawsuit filed against him by an anonymous woman ("Jane Doe A.G."), emphatically denying the sexual assault allegations and effectively acting as a countersuit to clear his name.     In his legal filing, Retzlaff "categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled" the plaintiff, label...

Latest reports indicate that BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff plans to transfer from the program. This news broke on Sunday, June 29, 2025, with ESPN's Pete Thamel reporting that Retzlaff has "begun informing the staff and players of his plans to leave." This decision comes amid a civil lawsuit filed against Retzlaff in May 2025, alleging sexual assault. While Retzlaff and his lawyers have denied the...

The "Pac-2" is officially expanding, and Texas State University is indeed on the verge of joining the new-look Pac-12 Conference , with an announcement potentially imminent! This move marks a significant step in the conference's efforts to rebuild after the mass exodus of its traditional members. Here's what's happening: The Need for Eight Football Teams: After losing ten of its twelve members, th...

BYU Cougars Football lands 5-star QB sensation Ryder Lyons. Is this the game-changer that propels BYU to Big 12 dominance? Dive into the seismic impact of Lyons' commitment on BYU's football program and the Big 12 landscape. Hosts break down the significance of this rare 5-star recruit for the Cougars, exploring how it stacks up against rival Utah's recruiting efforts. The conversation tackles BYU...