The Big 12 Conference has been nothing short of a whirlwind over the past week, marked by a major championship, postseason selection drama, and a groundbreaking business announcement that reinforces its "New Look" identity.

1. Championship and CFP Breakthrough

The week started with the Big 12 Championship Game where Texas Tech defeated BYU in a commanding fashion (34-7). This victory propelled the Red Raiders to a 12-1 record, securing the Big 12's automatic bid to the expanded College Football Playoff. The subsequent CFP rankings confirmed Texas Tech as the No. 4 seed, earning them a crucial first-round bye straight to the Orange Bowl Quarterfinal—a massive statement for the restructured league.

2. Bowl and Political Fallout

While the Big 12 celebrated Tech's CFP inclusion and the bowl selections for seven other teams, drama erupted over the bubble. Commissioner Brett Yormark publicly backed the CFP committee's decision, despite BYU's exclusion, and notably criticized Notre Dame's Athletic Director for his "egregious" outrage over the Irish being left out. This positioned the Big 12 as a stable, unified partner in the new CFP ecosystem, contrasting sharply with the ACC's turmoil. Adding to the controversy, the conference levied $500,000 fines on Iowa State and Kansas State for opting to skip bowl games, underscoring the conference's commitment to fulfilling its postseason obligations.

3. NFL Partnership Announcement

Perhaps the most significant long-term news was the conference's announcement of a strategic partnership with the NFL. This collaboration aims to align the two organizations on everything from officiating development and emerging technology to global growth initiatives. This unprecedented move further showcases the Big 12's innovative, business-forward approach under Yormark, establishing a distinct brand identity separate from the traditionalist SEC/Big Ten dynamic.

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Big 12 heavyweights BYU and Texas Tech shake up the championship picture as powerhouse coach Kalani Sitake nearly exits for Penn State, triggering a wild flurry of NIL deals and university power plays. Is the Big 12’s new financial arms race redefining the path to playoff success, or will legacy programs like Baylor and Kansas State be left behind? The roundtable debates elite coaching moves, jaw-dropping staff salaries, and the explosive influence of boosters and collectives across the conference.

Locked On’s squad of insiders spotlights BYU’s dramatic retention saga, Texas Tech’s bold investments, and why schools like Colorado are facing multimillion-dollar deficits. The hosts question playoff selection criteria, analyze rivalry scheduling strategies, and ask whether the Big 12 committee made the right call in pitting BYU against Texas Tech. Can innovative fundraising and NIL strategies thrust these programs into national contention, or will conference politics hold them back?

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TCU Horned Frogs aim to end their season on a high note, but can Scott Satterfield and the Cincinnati Bearcats avoid spiraling into yet another late-season slump? Darian Gray and Jeff Carr spotlight TCU’s momentum after a critical win and Cincinnati’s struggle to break their losing streak and regain consistency. Discussion targets Brendan Sorsby’s vulnerability under blitzes, Joe Royer’s diminished impact in the passing game, and Jake Golday’s standout performances as a tackling machine.

Key topics include offensive line woes for the Bearcats, the importance of pressure on Sorsby, and matchups to watch like Golday vs. TCU’s Caleb Elarms-Orr. Hot seat talk for Satterfield and the shifting expectations of Cincinnati fans set the stage for a crucial Big 12 showdown. Will TCU’s defense close out another victory, or can the Bearcats rediscover their swagger in time for bowl season?

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SEC rivalry week ramps up as playoff dreams and coaching rumors swirl. Can Alabama’s defense shut down Auburn in the Iron Bowl, or will house money and chaos reign in Jordan-Hare? Brandon Olsen, Chris Gordy, Steven Willis, and the squad debate playoff bids, shocking upsets, and which blueblood—Georgia or Texas A&M—faces a must-win scenario. Heated discussions erupt around Lane Kiffin’s future, with Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss fans all bracing for a shakeup that could redefine the SEC coaching landscape.

Key matchups—from the Egg Bowl’s overlooked drama to Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee’s Heisman-worthy quarterback duel—anchor the conversation. Insights on Georgia Tech’s upset hopes, Mark Stoops’ job security at Kentucky, and the committee’s playoff selection criteria round out this jam-packed episode. Who emerges as the SEC’s true playoff contender, and where will Lane Kiffin land? Squad up and get the insider breakdown on football’s wildest weekend yet.

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Cincinnati Bearcats football faces a pivotal crossroads as their season’s trajectory hangs in the balance. Is Scott Satterfield’s squad truly making progress, or are late-season struggles exposing deeper concerns? Jeff Carr and Russ Heltman debate whether surpassing preseason win totals is enough to silence doubters, with key matchups against TCU and looming bowl implications set to define the Bearcats’ year. Can Brendan Sorsby’s playmaking and a revitalized run game spark an upset, or will defensive lapses and turnover woes continue to haunt Cincinnati?

The conversation spotlights questions about Satterfield’s job security, the athletic department’s future, and key offseason decisions including potential quarterback transfers and roster rebuilds. Insightful analysis breaks down Joe Royer’s quiet stretch, the defense’s struggles with the 3-3-5 scheme, and strategies needed to outmaneuver TCU’s attack. With postseason positioning and critical transfers at stake, will Cincinnati finally deliver when it matters most?

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0:00 – Bearcats: Season Progress Debate

8:15 – Satterfield’s Job Security & Bowl Stakes

10:38 – TCU Game Matchups & Predictions

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Scott Satterfield’s Cincinnati Bearcats face mounting pressure after a late-season collapse and a third straight loss, but is his job truly in jeopardy? Jeff Carr and Chad Brendel agree his seat isn’t warming yet, but Saturday’s showdown with TCU feels like a must-win for the program’s direction. They break down the crucial matchup, question the disappearing act of star tight end Joe Royer, and debate execution failures that have derailed bowl prospects.

Attention shifts to Bearcats basketball as optimism grows following a strong defensive effort against Louisville. Can this roster break through the Big 12 gauntlet and secure a March Madness bid? The hosts compare confidence in a Bearcats football bowl victory versus a basketball tournament run, spotlighting key names like Brendan Sorsby and Kerr Kriisa. Don’t miss this fast-moving Bearcats episode—packed with insider insights, candid reactions, and bold predictions for Cincinnati’s two biggest teams.

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Utah and BYU deserve College Football Playoff spots over Notre Dame and Alabama. Is the committee finally ready to respect Big 12 football?

Drake and the Locked On Big 12 Squad break down the latest CFP rankings controversy, with JT Worcestershill defending Utah's dominant 35-point average margin of victory against critics who favor traditional powers. The panel analyzes Texas dropping seven spots after three losses, TCU's Sonny Dykes facing a hot seat, and Kenny Dillingham's future at Arizona State despite calling it his "dream job." Key discussions include whether the Big 12 can land two playoff teams, how conference championship losses will be evaluated, and why SEC teams with identical records get home playoff games while Big 12 champions don't. Jeff Car, Nick Maravettes, Cody Stovall, Parker, and Darian join the heated debate about conference bias and playoff positioning.

Tune in for insider analysis on coaching carousel speculation and the Big 12's uphill battle for playoff respect.

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Cincinnati Bearcats face a must-win showdown against BYU, with Brendan Sorsby under pressure to ignite the offense and keep Big 12 title hopes alive. Jeff Carr and Russ Heltman analyze the Bearcats’ offensive hurdles, BYU’s lockdown defense, and how Caleb Goodie’s healthy return and Evan Pryor’s role in the screen game could swing the night at Nippert Stadium. Can Cincinnati overcome its red zone woes and capitalize on explosive plays, or will BYU’s efficiency prove too much?

On the hardwood, a daunting matchup looms as Wes Miller’s Bearcats challenge national title contender Louisville. With shooting struggles, turnover problems, and a lackluster free throw record, can Day Day Thomas and Kerr Kriisa step up to keep Cincinnati close? Carr and Heltman dive into key predictive metrics, lineup concerns, and the impact of playing in a neutral, less-than-hospitable Heritage Bank Center. Are moral victories enough, or is an upset brewing?

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0:00 - Bearcats Must Be Explosive vs. BYU

6:56 - Defensive Struggles and Matchup Details

9:02 - Bearcats Basketball vs. Louisville Preview

22:01 - Weekend Predictions

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Gametime

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#Bearcats #UCBearcats #CincinnatiBearcats

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