Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

Alex Foster, an 18-year-old defensive lineman for the Baylor University football team, died early on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a car in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi. Police had responded to reports of a shooting shortly after midnight. Foster was taken to a hospital where he died about 30 to 40 minutes later. His death was part of what Gre...

The likelihood of the Big Ten and SEC fully "leaving" the NCAA in football is increasingly high, though it's crucial to understand what that actually means. It's not about a complete, overnight, and literal secession from the entire NCAA organization for all sports. Instead, it's a strategic move towards de facto independence and self-governance for the highest-revenue sports, particularly footbal...

The potential absence of Jake Retzlaff, especially as the presumed starting quarterback, significantly impacts BYU's outlook for the 2024 Big 12 football season and likely dampens any aspirations of being a "real contender" for the conference championship. Here's why his potential absence changes the Big 12 landscape for BYU: 1. Loss of Experience and Leadership: Known Quantity: Retzlaff, despite...

There are various discussions and rumors circulating regarding Jake Retzlaff's status for the upcoming fall football season, particularly in light of the recent civil lawsuit filed against him. Here's a breakdown of the situation and the basis for the speculation about him not playing: Civil Lawsuit Allegations: The primary and most concrete reason for the "rumors" about him not playing is the civ...

The civil lawsuit filed against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, accusing him of sexual assault, brings to light the unique complexities and potential additional scrutiny that can arise for athletes at institutions with strong religious affiliations, such as Brigham Young University (BYU) and its connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Here's how BYU's LDS affiliation an...

Is a 16-team college football playoff the game-changer the Big 12 needs? Dive into the buzz as the Big 12 Squad tackles this hot topic, exploring the potential impact on the Florida Gators and other powerhouse teams. With Chris Level and Drake leading the charge, the conversation heats up around the playoff proposal, beer sales at college stadiums, and Texas A&M's challenging year. Drake's new per...

The civil lawsuit filed on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, accusing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff of sexual assault in November 2023, casts a very dark shadow over his collegiate football career, making it highly probable that his time at BYU is effectively over, regardless of the eventual legal outcome. Here's why his career at BYU is likely done: BYU's Strict Honor Code: Brigham Young University operat...

Reports and observations from the spring transfer portal window and general NIL discussions indicate that BYU and Texas Tech are indeed making significant waves and are perceived by many as "killing it" in the NIL category within the Big 12 Conference. This success is attracting attention and, in some cases, envy from rival Big 12 programs. Here's why BYU and Texas Tech are seen as excelling in NI...

Recent news regarding BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff involves a civil lawsuit filed on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman in November 2023.   According to the lawsuit, which was filed in 3rd District Court by a woman from Salt Lake County, the incident allegedly occurred at Retzlaff's home. The lawsuit claims that the woman and a friend went to Retzlaff's apartment...

The idea of Power Four teams breaking away from the NCAA entirely is gaining significant traction, particularly in the wake of recent legal rulings and the ongoing restructuring of college athletics. The Tennessee government's ruling, often referred to as the Tennessee NIL law , is a prime example of a state-level action that fundamentally challenges the NCAA's authority and provides a strong impe...

Here's a breakdown of how the Big 12 could potentially use private equity to facilitate the acquisition of schools like Clemson and Florida State from the ACC: The Private Equity Angle: Big 12's Interest in Private Equity: Commissioner Brett Yormark has openly explored the possibility of private equity investment in the Big 12 Conference itself. This signals a willingness to consider unconventiona...

The recent settlement regarding the ACC's Grant of Rights and the decreasing buyout figure leading up to 2030 is indeed fueling speculation about potential future conference realignment. The Big 12, under the assertive leadership of Commissioner Brett Yormark, has consistently stated it is "open for business," and the evolving ACC situation could present an opportunity. Here's why the ACC's 2030 b...

The Utah fanbase is proving to be a valuable and important asset to the Big 12 Conference for several key reasons: Strong and Loyal Following: Consistent Attendance: Even before joining the Big 12, the Utah Utes consistently boasted strong attendance figures for their football and basketball programs. This dedicated fanbase travels well and creates an energetic atmosphere at home games, adding to...

Can the Big 12's quarterback talent redefine college football's competitive landscape? With standout players like Sam Levitt and Sawyer Robertson leading the charge, the Big 12 is poised to challenge the dominance of other conferences. Dive into the dynamics of Utah's passionate fan base and its pivotal role in the Big 12, drawing parallels to Texas's historical influence. The episode also explore...

While Colorado officially rejoined the Big 12 Conference in the fall of 2024, after a 13-year stint in the Pac-12, there are indeed some recent rumblings and speculative discussions suggesting that the Buffaloes might already be eyeing another potential conference move – this time to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Here's a breakdown of the situation and the factors fueling these rumors: Source...

Cody Campbell actively working to bring Texas and Oklahoma back to the Big 12, his background and current position certainly place him in a sphere of influence where such a desire wouldn't be entirely surprising. Here's a breakdown of why this idea might hold some weight: Cody Campbell's Connections and Perspective: Former Texas Tech Player: Campbell was a successful quarterback at Texas Tech, a l...

Brian Santiago's appointment as the athletic director at BYU isn't just a routine administrative move; it's a strategic decision rooted in his profound understanding of the institution, his demonstrated leadership acumen, and his deep-seated commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes within the unique framework of BYU's mission. His nearly three-decade-long association with BYU ath...

You're right, there's a growing movement and significant discussion around potentially expanding the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 16 teams, with a specific emphasis on automatic bids (AQ) for the power conferences, particularly the SEC and Big Ten. Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of this movement: The Push for Expansion: Dissatisfaction with 12-Team Format: While the 12-team format is n...

Recent rumors circulating are regarding the potential future conference affiliations of Kansas and Colorado, specifically mentioning a move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Regarding Kansas: Rumors about Kansas potentially joining the SEC have surfaced on message boards, particularly around the idea of the SEC expanding to 20 teams. Some discussions suggest that the increasing value of basket...

Is the ACC's potential division restructuring a game-changer or a misstep? As the Big 12 Squad dives into the latest college football buzz, they explore the implications of North Carolina's rumored Big Ten move and the ripple effects on the college sports landscape. With insights from Drake, Cameron, and other panelists, the discussion covers player transfers, tampering allegations, and the impact...

You're spot on. The potential fit of UNLV into the Big 12 Conference looks increasingly promising, offering benefits for both the university and the league. Here's a breakdown of why it makes good sense: Tapping into a Unique and Growing Market: Las Vegas Media Exposure: Adding UNLV would give the Big 12 a significant foothold in the vibrant and expanding Las Vegas media market. This untapped terr...

While there haven't been officially confirmed investigations or widespread reports of BYU tampering with other specific Big 12 schools' players in the transfer portal, the topic has certainly generated discussion and some accusations, primarily from rival fanbases. Here's a breakdown of the situation and the context: Key Themes in the Rumors and Discussions: Utah Rivalry: The most prominent rumors...

North Carolina and Notre Dame represent arguably the two most coveted potential expansion targets for the Big Ten Conference. Their appeal stems from a confluence of factors that align with the conference's strategic goals. North Carolina: A Prime Target       Academic Excellence and AAU Membership: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill boasts a strong academic reputation and holds membe...

A potential return of Nebraska to the Big 12 Conference could offer significant advantages for both the university and the conference itself. Here's a breakdown of how such a move could be mutually beneficial: For Nebraska: Renewed Rivalries: Returning to the Big 12 would reignite classic rivalries with teams like Oklahoma, Kansas, Kansas State, and potentially Missouri and Iowa State depending on...

While there haven't been any officially confirmed accusations or investigations involving Utah or Oklahoma State directly accusing BYU of tampering in the football transfer portal, the intense rivalry between Utah and BYU, coupled with the nature of the transfer portal, often leads to speculation and concerns among fans. Here's a breakdown of the situation and the context surrounding it: Understan...