In the year-long saga that has been this round of conference realignment, it has always felt like the Big 12 was best positioned to finish first among the runners-up (everyone not named the SEC and the Big Ten). Yet, it was sometimes hard to see the pecking order among the Pac-12, ACC and Big 12 as the dominoes fell slowly.
But last week, the slog of realignment finally shifted into gear. The Big 12 officially shed Texas and Oklahoma a year early, allowing it to get a head start to its future with $100 million in the bank. At the same time, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was sitting in a suite at Moody Coliseum trying to lure SMU into the mix just to get a television deal done.
Now, it feels like there is little doubt about who is in the stronger position. One conference has a television deal in place, money in the bag and is openly looking to expand. The other is trying to get the sixth-most important team in Dallas — with a historically dysfunctional administration — just to hang on for dear life.
And with that, is it the time for the Big 12 to finally expand into the west like has long been thought? Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has wanted to do it since his first day on the job — eyeing Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State. With the Pac-12 clearly hobbled, it feels like it could finally be time to do it. And now, it feels like the inevitable is closer than ever.
Quick hits
Cam Mellor of the College Football Network ranked all the Big 12 quarterbacks for next year. BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis ranked No. 8, right behind Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers.
Former BYU football player Andy Reid won his second Super Bowl as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jaren Hall, Puka Nacua and Blake Freeland all received an NFL Combine invite. Last year, the Cougars’ lone rep was Tyler Allgeier.
BYU basketball is now in a fight for the NIT after losing to Pepperdine and Gonzaga last week.
Around the Big 12
Baylor — Will have two representatives at the NFL Combine.
UCF — New offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw is hitting the ground running.
Cincinnati — Former star Travis Kelce is in the running for greatest tight end of all time.
Houston — Is raising ticket prices ahead of the Big 12. Will that happen at BYU?
Iowa State — Is entering a spring of roster uncertainty.
Kansas — Athletic director Travis Goff spoke about conference realignment and the state of Jayhawk football
Kansas State — Offensive coordinator Collin Klein is staying with the Wildcats after a Notre Dame overture.
Oklahoma — Legend Barry Switzer is concerned about the Sooners’ move to the SEC.
Oklahoma State — Helped create the Super Bowl grass. Players said it was one of the worst playing surfaces in Super Bowl history.
TCU — After riding a CFP high, could the Horned Frogs take a step back?
Texas — Could renew its rivalry with Texas A&M after joining the SEC.
Texas Tech — Patrick Mahomes added to a legacy that started in Lubbock.
West Virginia — The Mountaineers are making decisions about play calling heading into 2023
