Big 12 Coaches Pick BYU to Win the Big 12; Sankey Scrambles as Senators Stand Their Ground For the Big 12

SEC Threatens to Go Nuclear and Leave Again; Should Anyone Believe Them?

The SEC is threatening to go nuclear and break away from the current structure of college sports if it does not get what it wants from Congress. But should anyone actually believe Greg Sankey and the SEC this time? This could be a monumental week for college football as lawmakers consider major changes to the proposed federal college sports bill. The latest revisions could impact conference realignment, Power Four expansion, NIL enforcement, revenue-sharing limits and the possibility of a future super league. We break down what the SEC and Big Ten are demanding, whether the SEC’s latest threat is legitimate and what could happen if the bill falls apart. Plus, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi says the Big Ten is overrated. Does he have a legitimate point about the conference’s depth, or is he the wrong person to make that argument after the Big Ten’s recent run of national championships? We also discuss whether Clemson’s elite run is officially over under Dabo Swinney and which programs could become the next Clemson. Could Texas Tech, BYU, SMU, Louisville or Indiana make a similar leap into the national championship conversation? Also on the show: • Post Malone wears an Iowa shirt inside Jack Trice Stadium • Texas Tech lands a major stadium naming-rights deal • The latest changes to the federal college sports bill • Why the SEC and Big Ten want protections against a super league • Whether conference realignment could accelerate again • The future of NIL and the revenue-sharing cap • Which Big 12 program has the best chance to become college football’s next powerhouse Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter with the latest college football news, analysis and commentary. Sign up below: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter #CollegeFootball #SEC #Big12 #BigTen #Clemson #TexasTech #BYU #ConferenceRealignment #NIL #DaboSwinney

SEC and Big Ten Bully the Big 12 and ACC Into Submission Again

The SEC and Big Ten appear poised to get many of the changes they demanded in the Protect College Sports Act, raising even more questions about who really controls the future of college football. John Kurtz breaks down the latest reporting on negotiations in Washington, including possible changes to conference expansion restrictions, media-rights pooling, NIL enforcement, transfer rules and eligibility limits. With Ted Cruz suggesting the bill could reach the Senate floor soon, the SEC and Big Ten may once again be positioned to shape the rules for everyone else. Plus, Michigan football is facing another major scandal after an external investigation revealed new details about what athletic director Warde Manuel knew regarding former head coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with a staff member. Why has Michigan avoided becoming the national villain of college football despite scandals involving Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions and now Moore? Finally, new campaign finance records show Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell donated $274,000 to a committee supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton one day before Paxton threatened legal action against the Big 12 over Brendan Sorsby. Was it simply political influence, or something more concerning? And what does it tell us about how far Campbell is willing to go to get what he wants? Topics include: SEC and Big Ten Protect College Sports Act demands Big 12 and ACC conference expansion protections College football NIL and revenue sharing rules One-time transfer and five-year eligibility limits Michigan football scandal and Warde Manuel Sherrone Moore investigation Connor Stalions and Jim Harbaugh Cody Campbell donation to Ken Paxton Texas Tech and Brendan Sorsby Big 12 legal battle College football politics and corruption Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

Houston Is Built for a College Football Playoff Breakthrough | Willie Fritz 1 on 1

Can Houston break through and become a College Football Playoff contender in 2026? Willie Fritz believes the Cougars finally have the experience, depth and continuity needed to take a major step forward in the Big 12. Houston returns productive players on both sides of the ball, all three coordinators and a quarterback in Conner Weigman who is finally healthy and operating in the same offensive system for a second straight season. John Kurtz sits down with Fritz to discuss why Houston could be one of the Big 12’s surprise teams, how the Cougars upgraded the offensive line through the transfer portal and why the offense now has quality depth at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. Fritz also talks about Houston’s two former five-star quarterbacks, Keisean Henderson’s rapid development, Amari Thomas’ NFL potential and why this roster is starting to look like the team he envisioned when he took the job. Could Houston make a run at the Big 12 Championship and crash the College Football Playoff? Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter #HoustonFootball #HoustonCougars #WillieFritz #Big12 #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ConnerWeigman #CollegeFootball

The Rise of Arizona Football: One Change Made it Happen | 1 on 1 With Brent Brennan

**Plan your trip to Provo for a BYU game: https://www.utahvalley.com/ **Book your stay at Sundance Resort: https://www.sundanceresort.com/ **See what a Provo trip is really like: https://youtu.be/G9nzKwgbG_4 Arizona football is rising fast under Brent Brennan. After a major breakthrough season, Brennan explains what changed inside the Wildcats’ program, why simplifying the message helped everything click and how Arizona created stronger alignment between its coaches and players. John Kurtz sits down with Brennan to discuss the rise of Arizona football, Noah Fifita’s loyalty to the program and why the star quarterback chose legacy over chasing money in the transfer portal. Brennan also explains why he believes Fifita is one of the best stories in college football. The conversation also covers Brennan’s lessons from Phil Jackson, Arizona’s approach to building through the transfer portal, replacing an NFL-caliber defensive backfield and the biggest factor that will determine whether the Wildcats can take another step in the Big 12. Can Arizona football build on its breakthrough and become a consistent Big 12 contender? Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter #ArizonaFootball #ArizonaWildcats #BrentBrennan #NoahFifita #Big12 #CollegeFootball #TransferPortal

Kalani Sitake Reveals the Real Reason He Stayed at BYU: 1 on 1 with Kalani Sitake

Kalani Sitake is opening up about why he chose to stay at BYU. After drawing interest from other major programs, including Penn State, Sitake wanted to know whether BYU was truly committed to making football a priority in the Big 12. His answer came through increased resources, better support for players, more opportunities to retain his coaching staff and a long-term commitment from the university. John Kurtz sits down with Sitake to discuss what BYU had to prove, why he did not want the Cougars to simply be “invited to the party” and how the program is now positioning itself to become a lasting Big 12 contender. Sitake also talks about BYU’s roster retention, Bear Bachmeier’s development, the transition from Jay Hill to Kelly Poppinga, the importance of the Notre Dame game and why the Cougars believe they have the pieces to compete for a Big 12 championship. Did BYU finally go all-in on football? Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter #BYU #BYUFootball #KalaniSitake #Big12 #CollegeFootball #PennState #NotreDame