Open For Business: College Football w/ John Kurtz

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24-Team Playoff Could Send a Big 12 Team to the SEC? | Morgan Scalley Dishes on Whittingham Leaving May 18, 2026

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Is the 24-team college football playoff about to reshape the Big 12 conference forever — and could it send a Big 12 team straight to the SEC? Tonight we find out. Plus, Morgan Scalley finally speaks his truth about Kyle Whittingham.
In tonight's live stream, John Kurtz breaks down four major topics dominating the Big 12 conference conversation:
🏈 24-Team Playoff: Is It Actually Good for the Big 12?
Bud Elliott made the case — and it's changing minds. We dig into whether the expanded playoff format is a lifeline or a trap for Big 12 programs, and what it means for the conference's long-term standing.
🎯 Which Big 12 Team Benefits Most from a 24-Team Playoff?
It's not who you think. Arizona State may be the biggest winner in an expanded field — and the reasons why have massive implications for conference realignment and Big 12 SEC positioning going forward.
🎙️ Morgan Scalley Tells His Side of the Kyle Whittingham Story
The college football transfer portal and staff movement drama at Utah has a new chapter. Scalley opens up about Whittingham's departure, the financial negotiations, and what it all means for Utah's future in the Big 12 conference.
🏟️ Big 12 Stadium Rankings 2026 — Updated
BYU and Utah are rising. Others are slipping. We rank every Big 12 stadium on atmosphere, intimidation, and home record heading into the 2026 season.
Open For Business is your home for Big 12 conference coverage — realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, and everything in between, with longtime Big 12 insider John Kurtz.

Will Houston Blow Up Texas Tech’s Big Season?; Willie Fritz is Building a Monster May 15, 2026

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Houston might be the team standing between Texas Tech and a dream Big 12 season.

In this episode, Parker Ainsworth from Locked On Coogs joins the show to break down why Willie Fritz has Houston football positioned as one of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12. The Cougars won 10 games last season, return Conner Weigman at quarterback, added more talent through the portal, and may have one of the most interesting QB succession plans in the league with five-star freshman Keisean Henderson waiting behind him.

We also dig into the huge early-season matchup between Houston and Texas Tech. With Tech’s quarterback situation uncertain after the Brendan Sorsby situation and Will Hammond potentially coming back quickly from knee surgery, Parker explains why Houston’s improved pass rush could make that Friday night game in Lubbock a major problem for the Red Raiders.

Plus, we discuss Willie Fritz’s quiet rebuild, Houston’s Big 12 financial future, the impact of Tilman Fertitta, why the Cougars passed on the Big 12 private capital loan, and whether Houston can realistically get to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game.

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Big 12 Could Get 3 Playoff Autobids, But Finebaum is Right: A 24 Team Playoff is BAD May 14, 2026

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The Big 12 may have found its best path to expanded College Football Playoff access: a 24-team playoff with three automatic bids for each Power Four conference. Brett Yormark says the Big 12 supports a 24-team CFP, and the ACC is publicly on board too. But is this actually a win for the Big 12, or is it a dangerous gamble that could make college football’s regular season matter even less?
In this live show, we break down why Yormark wants 24 teams, whether the Big 12 could really get three automatic playoff bids, why ESPN and the SEC may be fighting to stop this from growing beyond 16 teams, and why Fox, the Big Ten, Notre Dame, the Big 12 and ACC may now be lined up on the other side of the College Football Playoff battle. We’ll also get into Paul Finebaum losing his mind over the 24-team playoff debate and why Big 12 fans should be careful before celebrating who their new allies are.
The 24-team playoff could give the Big 12 more access, more money and a stronger seat at the college football table. But it could also mean more road playoff games against SEC and Big Ten teams, awkward conference matchups, lost conference championship revenue and another major step toward turning college football into a pro sports model.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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Topics include: Big 12 football, Brett Yormark, 24-team College Football Playoff, CFP expansion, Big 12 playoff autobids, SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Notre Dame, ESPN, Fox, Paul Finebaum, Greg Sankey, Jim Phillips, college football playoff format, automatic bids and the future of college football.

How is Texas Tech Out-Recruiting Texas? Inside Tech’s Plan to Build a Big 12 Superpower May 12, 2026

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Follow Chris Level at Locked On Texas Tech: https://www.youtube.com/@UCPkBv_tzDQTqWM0rp5Ac7-g
Chris Level of Locked On Texas Tech joins the show to break down how Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders are positioning themselves for long-term success in the new Big 12. We discuss the Brendan Sorsby uncertainty, Will Hammond’s injury timeline, how Texas Tech may have to adjust offensively, and why the Red Raiders still have the roster pieces to compete at the top of the conference.
Then we get into the bigger story: Texas Tech’s high school recruiting surge. The Red Raiders are landing elite talent in the state of Texas, beating out programs like Texas and Oregon, and entering recruiting battles they rarely won in the past. Is Texas Tech becoming the new power player in Texas recruiting? And is this the foundation for Big 12 dominance moving forward?
Chris explains why this class is uncharted territory for Texas Tech, how the Red Raiders have changed their roster-building strategy, and why the rest of the state may be taking notice.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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Will a 24-Team Playoff Save the Big 12 or Expose It? SEC Media Hates What's Coming May 10, 2026

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Should the Big 12 actually love the 24-team College Football Playoff?
SEC country and much of the national college football media seem to hate the idea, but that might be exactly why Big 12 fans should take a closer look. In this show, I break down why a 24-team playoff could create a major opportunity for the Big 12, why it could also backfire badly, and the one massive risk the league has to avoid if more Big 12 teams start getting playoff chances.
We also take a nostalgic trip back to 1990s college football, when the sport was built on regional rivalries, New Year’s Day bowl games, Keith Jackson, neck rolls, and endless arguments over poll rankings. Was that actually the best era of college football? And is there any chance the sport ever gets back to what made it unique?
Then we get into the latest big-picture movement on the future of college sports, including potential salary cap enforcement, booster collective restrictions, media rights pooling, antitrust protection, a new governing body, and what it all could mean for the Big 12. Would a stricter system help stabilize college athletics long term, or would it take away some of the Big 12’s best paths to closing the gap?
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter
Check out my national college football channel here:
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NEW: The Real Story Behind Cincinnati and Brendan Sorsby’s Gambling w/ The Athletic's Justin Williams May 07, 2026

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Brendan Sorsby’s gambling scandal keeps getting more complicated, especially when it comes to what Cincinnati knew and when the Bearcats knew it.
Justin Williams of The Athletic joins the show to break down the latest reporting on Sorsby, Cincinnati’s role in the story, the difference between legal gambling and NCAA violations, and why the ongoing lawsuit between Cincinnati and Sorsby makes this entire situation even messier.
Did Cincinnati know about Brendan Sorsby’s gambling before last season? Could the Bearcats face any trouble from the NCAA? And what does Jeffrey Kessler’s involvement mean for Sorsby’s future at Texas Tech and beyond?

Follow Justin on Twitter: https://x.com/Williams_Justin

Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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For national college football coverage, subscribe to my national channel here:
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#Big12 #CincinnatiBearcats #TexasTech #BrendanSorsby #CollegeFootball #NCAA #TexasTechFootball #CincinnatiFootball #Big12Football

Texas Tech May Get Sorsby Back? New Report on What Cincinnati Knew May 04, 2026

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Brendan Sorsby’s NCAA gambling investigation may not be as simple as it looked a few days ago. After reports that Texas Tech could back Sorsby in a legal fight if the NCAA rules him permanently ineligible, there may now be a better chance he plays than many originally thought.
On tonight’s live show, we’re breaking down the latest on Sorsby’s case, the involvement of prominent sports lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, and whether this could become another major legal challenge to NCAA power. We’ll also dig into the latest reporting on what Cincinnati knew, what it didn’t know, and whether the Bearcats could face NCAA scrutiny of their own.
Plus, we’ll talk about Brett Yormark’s new private capital deal for the Big 12, why the RedBird partnership may matter more than the headline dollar figures, and how the Big Ten’s massive revenue numbers are changing the future of college sports.
Topics include Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech football, Cincinnati football, NCAA gambling rules, Big 12 private capital, RedBird Capital, Brett Yormark, Big Ten revenue, SEC revenue, and the future of college football.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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Texas Tech May Sue the NCAA; Cincinnati Could Get Hammered Too Over Sorsby May 01, 2026

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Texas Tech may be headed for a legal fight with the NCAA over Brendan Sorsby, and Cincinnati could be facing serious questions of its own after reports that it knew about Sorsby’s gambling situation before last season.
On tonight’s live show, I’ll break down whether Texas Tech could challenge the NCAA, whether a “ghost transfer” QB is realistic, and how much trouble Cincinnati could be in if this Sorsby situation keeps escalating.
We’ll also dig into the Big 12’s new private capital deal with RedBird and Weatherford Capital, including how much debt schools can take on, why the league says there is no ownership stake involved, and whether this is actually a smart move for the Big 12’s future media strategy.
Plus, why does the Big 12 keep creating its own problems? Between Texas Tech’s Sorsby situation, BYU losing Parker Kingston, major coaching turnover, and playoff perception issues, the league has plenty to prove heading into next season.
We’ll also talk Jerome Tang returning to Baylor, what it means for K-State fans, and why I’m not sure this is the move Baylor actually needs right now.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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WOAH: Cincinnati Knew About Brendan Sorsby’s Gambling a Year Ago; Did They Turn Him In Out of Spite? Apr 29, 2026

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Brendan Sorsby’s gambling investigation just took a major turn, and now Cincinnati may have serious questions to answer.
According to USA Today, Cincinnati was alerted before the 2025 season that Sorsby had been gambling, then still allowed him to play. Now Sorsby is at Texas Tech, Cincinnati is suing him over his departure, and the NCAA could be looking at more than just the quarterback.
In this video, I break down the latest reporting on Sorsby, why Cincinnati’s role in this scandal could matter, what the NCAA may do next, and why the sports gambling culture around college football makes this entire story even more complicated.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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Brendan Sorsby Gambling Scandal Rocks the Big 12; Tech's Season Turned Upside Down Apr 28, 2026

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Brendan Sorsby is entering treatment for a gambling addiction while the NCAA investigates thousands of online bets, including reported bets on Indiana while he was on the Hoosiers roster. That raises major eligibility questions and could end his Texas Tech career before it ever really begins.
In this video, I break down what we know about the Sorsby gambling investigation, why the Hunter Dekkers precedent matters, what Texas Tech may do next at quarterback with Will Hammond and Kirk Francis, and how this changes the Big 12 race. Texas Tech entered the season as one of the league’s clear favorites, but without Sorsby, the door may be wide open for BYU, Houston, Arizona, TCU, Oklahoma State and the rest of the Big 12.
Get “Open For Business” a Big 12 newsletter sending the key headlines, interviews, and my analysis straight to your inbox. No more college football news through an SEC/Big Ten lens. If you're a Big 12 fan (or just curious), sign up below!
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