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Big 12 Preview: Part 1 - Contender Tiers, Dark Horses & the Monster Middle Class
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In this episode, we begin our three-part Big 12 preview by taking a conference-wide look at the contenders, challengers and mystery teams shaping the 2026 season. Texas Tech enters as the defending champion and the clear center of attention, but does the conference’s best roster still have enough at quarterback and on defense to remain on top? We also examine why BYU feels like the safest alternative and whether Houston is ready to turn last year’s breakthrough into something even bigger.
From there, we sort all 16 teams into tiers and work through a crowded middle class that may be deeper than either of us expected. How much should Utah’s infrastructure matter after major changes on the sideline and along both lines of scrimmage? Can Arizona, TCU or Kansas State stay in the championship race? Are we falling too hard for Oklahoma State’s potential, and how much faith should we place in Kenny Dillingham as Arizona State faces the conference’s most difficult schedule?
We also identify the players we are most interested in watching, debate several new quarterback situations and make our early Big 12 Championship Game predictions. Plus, the Monster Energy sponsorship inspires a shady monetization strategy, Willie Fritz becomes the world’s most dependable roofing contractor, and one verbal stumble launches a questionable new Cincinnati business venture.
*Key Moments In This Episode:*
00:00 - Intro
07:56 - Big 12 Macro Landscape & Returning Production
10:11 - Coaching Changes & Hot Seat Outlook
20:55 - Tier 1: Top Dogs (Texas Tech, BYU, Houston)
23:49 - Texas Tech: Will Hammond, ACL Recovery & Easy Schedule
27:58 - BYU: Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin & Defensive Retooling
30:25 - Houston: Willie Fritz Year 2 & Connor Weigman
35:00 - Utah Utes: O-Line Overhaul & Morgan Scalley Transition
38:08 - Tier 2: Contenders (TCU, Arizona, K-State)
39:06 - Oklahoma State: The "Don't Do It Ty" Eric Morris Tier
41:38 - Kansas State: Collin Klein & Avery Johnson Evaluation
44:08 - Arizona: Noah Fifita & Rebuilding the Secondary
46:11 - TCU: Harvard QB Transfer & Edge Rush Concerns
48:42 - Arizona State: Kenny Dillingham & Hardest Schedule
52:25 - Tier 3: "I Want to Believe" (Cincy, Baylor, Kansas, UCF)
55:18 - Cincinnati: JC French & Replacing Sorsby
56:24 - Kansas: QB Battle & Kotelnicki's Return
57:13 - Tier 4: Hard Resets (Iowa State, Colorado, West Virginia)
59:08 - Colorado: JuJu Lewis, Go-Go Offense & Seaton Loss
01:02:24 - West Virginia: RichRod, Cam Cook & Defense Reset
01:05:12 - Pet Players: Alonzo Barnett, DJ Lagway & Omarion Miller
01:09:47 - Big 12 Championship Predictions & "Sinsinnati" Banter
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