Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

Latest Episodes:

HUGE: TCU's Gary Patterson Has BYU SECURING College Football Playoff Bid, Big 12 Soaring in Rankings Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

The Big 12 Conference has long endured a narrative of “CFP disrespect,” primarily because its hallmark—deep, competitive parity—was historically treated as a flaw by the selection committee. In the four-team playoff era, the conference often cannibalized itself, leading its champion to frequently carry an extra loss compared to the unbeaten or one-loss champions emerging from the SEC and Big Ten.

The most egregious example was the 2014 season, when both TCU and Baylor finished 11-1 but were leapfrogged in the final rankings by Ohio State, resulting in the Big 12 being the only Power Five league shut out of the inaugural field. This set a precedent: the committee demonstrated a preference for singular dominance and perceived brand strength over the Big 12's week-to-week grind. The message was clear: parity was a penalty, not a strength.

While the move to 16 teams and the expansion to a 12-team playoff guarantees the Big 12 champion a spot, the disrespect now manifests in seeding. The conference’s champion, potentially finishing 10-2 or 11-1, may find itself consistently ranked below two-loss at-large teams from the SEC or Big Ten in the final committee rankings.

This lower seeding is critical, as it determines access to the lucrative first-round byes. If the committee continues to inflate the resumes of teams from other leagues based on perceived power rankings rather than on-field metrics, the Big 12 champion risks having to play a burdensome extra game, fundamentally diminishing the value of winning the conference title. The battle has shifted from inclusion to equity, but the historical bias against the conference's chaotic success remains a factor.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Omaha Steaks
Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.
And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BYU Fans, Shooting Survivors Witness Cincinnati’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Hate Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Open Letter from a Mass Casualty Survivor to UC Athletic Director

In an open letter shared publicly, Brandi Hicken recounted the emotional cost of attending the BYU vs. Cincinnati football game, a planned "date night" intended to help her family find "some sort of safety and normalcy again" following an attack on her church two months prior. The attack, driven by anti-Mormon hatred, resulted in a truck ramming the building, arson, and gunfire, wounding her husband and five-year-old daughter.

Hicken described the immense courage it took to attend the game, noting, "I was nervous putting on my BYU fan gear that day because I knew it would identify me as one of 'the Mormons.'" Despite her debilitating anxiety, she continued, "We came. We smiled. We cheered. We enjoyed ourselves….Until the University of Cincinnati fans began to chant ‘F*** the Mormons.’"

She explains that while she has heard the chant before, the recent violence makes it intolerable: "Now that we Mormons have been quite literally targeted, attacked, chased, shot at, and some of us have been killed simply for being 'Mormon,' this chant is no longer just disheartening. It’s crippling. It’s personal. It’s unacceptable. Period."

Hicken noted a stadium announcement warning against such chants but pleaded with Athletic Director Mr. Cunningham for stronger enforcement. She urged him to "Remove them from the game. Don’t let them come back. Educate them on the seriousness of their actions." The letter concludes with a request for the ability to enjoy life "without the fear of being targeted and attacked for our religious beliefs," signed by Hicken as a "mass casualty hate crime survivor" and "a human deserving of respect."

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

REACTION: BYU, Utah Ranked BELOW Notre Dame, NO RESPECT From College Football Playoff Committee Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

The perception of "CFP disrespect" stems from a core incompatibility between the Big 12’s model of deep parity and the CFP’s historical preference for highly ranked, singular elite teams. In the 4-team era, the Big 12 champion often carried more losses than its SEC or Big Ten counterparts, resulting in the league being shut out entirely or its champion being significantly undersold. The committee seemed to penalize the Big 12 for cannibalization rather than reward its depth.

This bias directly impacted the two former Pac-12 programs now anchoring the new Big 12. Utah, despite consistently finishing as a Top 15 team under Kyle Whittingham, frequently saw a single early-season loss sink its CFP hopes more severely than a similar defeat would affect a traditional power. Utah's status was rarely elevated to the "blue blood" tier that afforded other schools the benefit of the doubt.

For BYU, the long road as an independent meant a constant uphill battle for national credibility, regardless of a 10-win season. Their non-P5 status made it impossible to build the requisite strength-of-schedule needed for CFP consideration, forcing them to always compete on name recognition alone.

In the expanded 12-team playoff, the disrespect has shifted from who gets in to what seed they receive. The Big 12 champion is now guaranteed a bid, but if that champion finishes 10-2, the lingering media bias could rank them significantly lower than a high-profile 9-3 at-large from the SEC or Big Ten. This results in the champion forfeiting a valuable first-round bye, demonstrating that while the league is now included, its quality is still perceived as a step below its peers by the final ranking body.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Omaha Steaks

Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.

And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Wayfair

Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.

Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off. Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime

Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ROBBED: BYU, Big 12 Receive HISTORIC Levels Of Disrespect from College Football Playoff Committee Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

The Big 12, and more specifically BYU Cougars, consistently find themselves in the unenviable position of earning results that outpace their national media narrative, leading to a pervasive sense of "CFP disrespect." This perception gap is rooted in several factors, starting with the sheer parity of the new, 16-team Big 12. While a team like BYU can navigate the difficult conference schedule and finish strong—with some projections placing them near the top four with a 9-3 record—the national attention often gravitates toward legacy brands or those with flashier, high-profile portal acquisitions.

For BYU, the perceived lack of respect stems from being a relatively new entrant in a restructured Power Five. Poll voters and major media outlets often prioritize established coaching stability, such as with Utah or Kansas State, or massive offseason spending by programs like Texas Tech. This narrative tends to overlook BYU’s own developmental success, strong home-field advantage, and proven ability to compete in high-stakes environments. When conference chaos inevitably occurs, the Cougars are frequently positioned lower in the media's pecking order compared to other top-tier teams, damaging their perceived strength of schedule.

In the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, this disrespect translates directly into lower seeding. A two-loss BYU team might finish strong but struggle to crack the Top 10, whereas a similarly situated team from the SEC or Big Ten might benefit from inherited brand value. To truly earn respect, BYU must not only win but secure dominant non-conference victories or claim a high-profile Big 12 Championship berth, forcing the committee to acknowledge their on-field performance over pre-season assumptions.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BONUS: Big 12 Can STILL Get BYU, Utah AND Texas Tech Into College Football Playoff In WILD Scenario Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

The Big 12 securing three bids in the 12-team College Football Playoff is a low-to-moderate possibility driven entirely by the concept of "controlled chaos." While the conference’s reputation for deep parity is its greatest strength in the expanded format, it’s also the primary hurdle, as teams often cannibalize each other’s records.

To achieve three bids, the Big 12 needs one team to decisively seize the automatic qualifier (AQ) spot. This champion, perhaps Texas Tech or Kansas State, must finish 11-1 or a clean 10-2, with few non-conference blemishes. This strong champion acts as the anchor, giving the conference a high ceiling.

The remaining two teams would compete for at-large berths, requiring them to finish 10-2 or, at worst, high-quality 9-3. For these records to hold up, the losses must be exclusively against the other top-ranked Big 12 teams, avoiding any head-scratching upsets outside the CFP picture. The key is for the three best teams—e.g., Utah, BYU, and a non-champion—to dominate the bottom two-thirds of the 16-team league. They must look impressive in their victories to boost their strength of record.

Crucially, the Big 12 needs help from outside. If the SEC and Big Ten champions finish with two or three losses, it opens up the at-large pool considerably. If the Big 12 can argue its third-best team (with a strong 9-3 record) is definitively better than the third-best Big Ten or SEC team, or the champion of the ACC, the committee would be compelled to select them. It’s possible, but the margin for error is razor-thin; one bad loss by the projected champion, or a surprise 6-6 team, and the possibility evaporates.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS: BYU SOARS, Utah Holds, Texas Tech ELITE, Arizona State Up, Baylor, UCF Down Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

The Big 12 Just Delivered the Game of the Year

If you turned off the television early on Saturday, you missed the defining moment of the 2025 season. Week 13 was billed as "Separation Saturday," but it will forever be remembered for the miracle in Salt Lake City.

Utah’s 51-47 victory over Kansas State wasn't just a football game; it was a cardiac event. Trailing by double digits late in the fourth quarter, the Utes—who have built their brand on suffocating defense—abandoned the script and engaged in a wildest-dreams shootout. Two touchdown drives of 70+ yards in the final minutes? A controversial two-point conversion? A game-sealing interception to end it? This game had everything. It kept Utah’s playoff pulse faint but beating, and it proved that the "Holy War" finale against UCF (or whoever is next on the schedule, actually the finale is usually rivalry week, so likely playing UCF or regular finale) ... Wait, actually, the finale is likely against a rival, but the narrative focus is on the win.

While Utah provided the drama, BYU (10-1) provided the dominance. Their 26-14 win at Cincinnati was a masterclass in ignoring the noise. In a week where chaos reigned elsewhere, the Cougars walked into a hostile Nippert Stadium and suffocated the Bearcats. LJ Martin’s 222-yard performance is the kind of stat line that gets carved into plaques.

And don't look now, but Arizona State is peaking at the exact right moment. Their 42-17 demolition of Colorado wasn't a contest; it was a message. Kenny Dillingham has his squad playing faster and harder than anyone else in the league right now.

With Texas Tech resting on a bye, the table is set. We have four legitimate contenders, a mess of tiebreaker scenarios, and one week left to sort it all out. The Big 12 isn't just "wide open"—it's a beautiful, violent free-for-all.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

HUGE WEEK: BYU HAMMERS Cincinnati, Utah SHOCKS Kansas State, TCU Stuns Houston, Arizona State LEGIT! Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

The Contenders Hold the Line in a Wild Saturday

If you expected chaos to crumble the top of the Big 12 standings today, you were sorely disappointed. Instead, "Separation Saturday" turned into "Statement Saturday," with the league's heavyweights refusing to blink.

BYU (10-1) went into a hostile Nippert Stadium and played arguably their most complete game of the season. The 26-14 win over Cincinnati wasn't just about survival; it was a showcase of physicality. LJ Martin (222 yards, 2 TDs) was a battering ram, ensuring the Cougars control their own destiny heading into the final week.

Meanwhile, Utah (9-2) staged the comeback of the year in Salt Lake City. Down late to a desperate Kansas State team, the Utes exploded in the fourth quarter to win a 51-47 shootout. It was a rare defensive optional game for Kyle Whittingham’s squad, but it proved they have the offensive firepower to win a track meet when necessary. That win keeps their Big 12 title hopes firmly alive.

Not to be outdone, Arizona State (8-3) absolutely dismantled Colorado, 42-17, in Boulder. Kenny Dillingham’s squad has officially shaken off their mid-season slump, looking like a team peaking at the perfect time.

With Texas Tech idle, the top tier of the conference has officially calcified. The gap between the "Big Four" (Tech, BYU, Utah, ASU) and the rest of the league is now undeniable. Next week’s finale isn’t just about seeding; it’s about survival. BYU and Tech are in the driver’s seat, but Utah and ASU are lurking, praying for a stumble.

The message from Saturday was clear: The road to Arlington is going to be a bloodbath.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

STUNNED: BYU Wins AGAIN, Blows Out Cincinnati ON THE ROAD, Big 12 Championship In Sights, Football! Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

10-1. The Committee Can’t Hide Them Anymore.

Nippert Stadium at night is where Big 12 dreams usually go to die. The noise is deafening, the student section is right on top of you, and Cincinnati plays with a desperation that breaks lesser teams.

But BYU (10-1) is not a lesser team.

Tonight’s 26-14 victory wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of supreme physicality. On a chilly night in Ohio, the Cougars didn’t try to get cute. They didn’t rely on trick plays. They lined up and mauled Cincinnati for four quarters, effectively punching their ticket to Arlington.

The story of the night—and perhaps the season—is L.J. Martin. The junior running back was unstoppable, turning the Bearcats' defensive front into a turnstile. Martin rumbled for 179 yards and a touchdown, putting the offense on his back whenever the passing game sputtered. When Cincinnati cut the lead to one score in the second half, it was Martin who hammered the door shut, grinding out first downs and sucking the life out of the stadium.

Defensively, BYU was suffocating. They held a desperate Cincinnati offense to just 14 points, forcing quarterback Brendan Sorsby into uncomfortable throws all night. The "Bend Don’t Break" philosophy has evolved into "Bend and Then Snap You in Half."

Now, the eyes turn to Grapevine, Texas. With a 10-1 record and a resume that includes wins over Utah, Kansas State, and now a road win at Cincy, the Selection Committee is running out of excuses. They can talk about "eye test" and "brand bias" all they want, but BYU is playing like a legitimate Top-5 team.

The Cougars survived November. Now, they are hunting for a championship.

Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to https://Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.Sale ends December 7th.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BREAKING: Baylor NOT FIRING Dave Aranda, IDIOTIC Move Wastes MILLIONS On Bad Head Football Coach SAD Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

The Definition of Insanity on the Brazos

The news leaking out of Waco this morning is not just surprising; it is an affront to a fanbase that has been pushed to the brink of apathy. Reports indicate that Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades intends to retain Dave Aranda for the 2026 season.

If you listen closely, you won't hear the roar of anger from McLane Stadium. You won't hear the gnashing of teeth. You will hear silence. And that is far, far worse.

In this business, anger is a sign of life. Anger means the fans still care enough to demand better. But after another season of flat performances, questionable clock management, and a defense that—ironically, for a defensive guru—looks lost, the Baylor faithful have moved past anger. They have arrived at indifference.

Keeping Dave Aranda now feels like a surrender. It signals that the administration is content with being the "nice guy" of the Big 12—the program that everyone likes but nobody fears. Aranda is undeniably a man of high character, a thoughtful philosopher in a sport of brutes. But the Big 12 is a street fight, not a seminar.

We have seen this movie. We watched the reboot. We are now being forced to watch the sequel to the reboot. The "process" has had years to yield results, and the trend line is pointing toward the basement. By retaining Aranda, Baylor isn't just betting on a turnaround; they are betting against the eyes of every person who has watched this team play for the last 24 months.

The paper bags aren't being worn out of hate, Baylor. They are being worn out of embarrassment. And by doubling down on this regime, the administration is ensuring those bags stay on well into 2026.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

YES: TCU's Gary Patterson RANTS About BYU Being Ranked BELOW Notre Dame In College Football Playoff Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

The latest College Football Playoff rankings have made one thing abundantly clear: the selection committee values the patch on a jersey more than the results on the field. The placement of No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah isn't just a slight; it is a systemic devaluation of the Big 12.

BYU (9-1) finding themselves outside the top 10 is statistically baffling. The Cougars have navigated a treacherous conference schedule with only a single blemish, yet they sit behind multiple two-loss teams from the SEC and Big Ten. The committee cites "game control" and the "eye test"—vague metrics that seem to conveniently punish the Big 12 while excusing the flaws of programs like No. 10 Alabama. If the roles were reversed and Alabama was 9-1, they would likely be ranked in the top three.

The disrespect extends to Utah (8-2). The Utes have played one of the most physical schedules in the country, with their only losses coming against top-tier conference foes. Yet, they are clinging to the final at-large spot, viewed as placeholder fodder rather than a legitimate contender.

Prominent Big 12 analyst Drake Toll—who belongs on any list of the sport’s most astute observers—correctly pointed out this week that the committee is effectively punishing the Big 12 for its parity. When SEC teams beat each other, it is viewed as a "clash of titans." When Utah and BYU trade blows, the committee treats it as evidence of mediocrity.

This weekend, BYU and Utah aren't just playing for wins; they are playing to embarrass a committee that seems determined to keep them out of the elite club.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.