Big 12 basketball faces unexpected backlash as ESPN’s Joe Lunardi slashes conference bracketology rankings, raising questions about media bias and the future of NCAA selection. Is the Big 12’s dominance being overlooked in favor of SEC propaganda? The local experts debate Lunardi’s projections, the impact on teams like Kansas, Houston, BYU, and Arizona, and how perception shapes both tournament seeding and recruiting battles. Transfer portal tampering takes center stage as the fallout from Ole Miss targeting Clemson’s Luke Forelli and the Duke-to-Miami Darian Mensah saga spark heated discussions on NIL contracts, buyouts, and conference accountability. From multi-year deals and player retention strategies to coaches pushing boundaries, the hosts break down what’s at stake for roster stability and competitive balance. Is hope the only strategy left for programs outside college football’s elite? Don’t miss this bold critique of college sports politics and Big 12 resilience.

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Indiana Hoosiers rise from 3-9 to national champions—can a Big 12 team follow in their footsteps? The panel breaks down which Big 12 programs could replicate Indiana’s stunning blueprint, spotlighting Oklahoma State’s donor-fueled rebuild, Texas Tech’s high-profile transfer portal moves, and Utah’s push for conference supremacy under new expectations. Key conversations focus on the transfer portal’s biggest impact players like Brendan Sorsby and DJ Lagway, NIL spending wars, and how fresh coaching tenures and roster-building strategies are resetting the standard for “contender” status. The panel debates whether Texas Tech can finally break through, Oklahoma State’s new identity with North Texas stars, and the ever-rising urgency for Big 12 teams to match SEC and Big Ten powerhouses. Can the conference unseat College Football’s top dogs—or is there more heartbreak ahead?

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Big 12 football teams retool through the transfer portal—are Houston and Oklahoma State now national contenders? Portal action heats up as BYU retains nearly all of its top talent, while Utah faces painful losses to Michigan. Can West Virginia’s major upgrades and key pickups spark a resurgence? Jake Hatch, Drake Toll, and local Locked On experts debate tampering controversies, NIL-driven recruiting, and which schools are winning the portal arms race. Basketball battles intensify with Houston, BYU, and West Virginia eyeing breakout seasons. Is AJ Dybantsa elevating BYU to new heights? Find out why Utah’s struggles might continue and which up-and-coming squads could topple Big 12 giants. The hosts break down postseason paths, top-10 NBA prospects, and surprise teams that could shock college hoops. Can Utah’s Alex Jensen turn things around, or will West Virginia’s Honor Huff outshoot Steph Curry?

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Texas Tech surges to the top of Big 12 transfer portal rankings, poaching playmakers like Brennan Sorsby from Cincinnati and sparking debate over NIL and facilities advantages. Can Red Raiders’ big-spending approach shake up the conference power dynamic, or will the “Lubbock tax” backfire? Drake Toll and the panel evaluate top transfers, from Michael Hawkins Jr. joining West Virginia’s new quarterback room to Colorado’s shift from chasing blue blood flameouts to proven Group of Five and FCS talent under Deion Sanders.

The coaching carousel takes center stage as Utah icon Kyle Whittingham bolts for Michigan, raiding both Utah and BYU’s staffs and leaving the Big 12 reeling. The hosts break down the fallout for Morgan Scalley, Mark Harlan’s hot seat, and whether Michigan will embrace Whittingham’s culture—or repeat the Rich Rodriguez saga. With Oklahoma State’s portal class and Houston’s “get the band back together” strategy, the Big 12 enters an era of rapid transformation.

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Utah’s Kyle Whittingham emerges as a likely candidate to take over at Michigan, setting off one of the most unexpected coaching carousel moves in recent college football history. Can Whittingham’s approach and legacy translate to success in Ann Arbor, and would his staff follow him or remain tied to Morgan Scalley? The crew breaks down the drama, and questions abound over Michigan’s future roster, leadership, and the impact on Big 12 dynamics.

BYU fans are fired up as Notre Dame is accused of dodging the Cougars in bowl matchups, sparking talk about underdog narratives and college football prestige. Deion Sanders’ transformative effect on Colorado—on and off the field—is spotlighted, alongside concerns about his longevity and succession plans with rising assistant Brennan Marion. Plus, the panel debates Texas high school football recruiting, scandals, and which coaches truly fit Michigan’s high-pressure program. Will Sanders build a lasting legacy in Boulder, or is another seismic shift on the horizon?

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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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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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