Open For Business: College Football w/ John Kurtz

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Does Texas Tech Have a Will Hammond Problem? | Instant Reaction Sep 27, 2026

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Texas Tech football is 4-0, but is there a Will Hammond problem? John Kurtz provides an instant reaction to the team's start. The Red Raiders are coming off a 49-14 win against Sam Houston, and while the record looks great, the performance on the field raises questions. We break down the recent victory over Houston and what it says about the team's standing in the conference as the schedule intensifies. This analysis covers the current state of Texas Tech football, specifically looking at quarterback play and consistency. We examine if the early success is sustainable or if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed before the rest of the Big 12 slate gets tougher. It is a critical look at where this team actually sits in the landscape of college football. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football analysis from every angle, including the forces shaping the sport on and off the field. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyWC0Q2_Ovs

Colorado Is Falling Apart; Is Baylor Actually Turning a Corner? | Instant Reaction Sep 27, 2026

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Baylor beats Colorado 23-13 in Big 12 play, and both teams leave the game with very different questions. For Baylor, the biggest positive was a defense that finally looked capable of carrying its share of the load. DJ Lagway was uneven, but he delivered a huge fourth-quarter touchdown pass after Colorado tied the game, and the Bears found a way to close out an important conference win. For Colorado, the concerns are getting much louder. The Buffaloes are now 2-2, the offense continues to struggle finding consistency, and the quarterback situation between Julian Lewis and Isaac Wilson remains unsettled. Is Colorado headed toward a 3-9 type season, and are the Buffs one of the worst teams in the Big 12? John Kurtz gives his instant reaction to Baylor vs. Colorado, DJ Lagway, Dave Aranda, Julian Lewis, Isaac Wilson and what this result means for both teams moving forward in the Big 12 race. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter 0:00 Baylor's Hard-Fought Victory 1:02 The DJ Lagway Experience 2:01 The Gavin Freeman Highlight Reel 5:07 Colorado's Spiraling Season Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDq-NYpWDiU

Instant Reaction: Utah Handles Iowa State; Are Utes the Best in the Big 12? Sep 27, 2026

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0:00 Utah's Dominant Road Performance 1:04 The Evolution of the Utah Defense 2:37 Iowa State's Resilience and Halftime Adjustments 5:31 Big 12 Power Rankings and the Eye Test Utah looked every bit like a Big 12 championship contender in a 31-17 road win over Iowa State. In this instant reaction, John Kurtz breaks down why the Utes continue to pass the eye test, including another huge performance from Wayshawn Parker, the continued growth of Devon Dampier and major improvement from Utah’s defense under Morgan Scalley. Utah built a 24-3 lead, weathered an Iowa State comeback and delivered the decisive score when the Cyclones had a chance to tie the game. We also get into Iowa State’s offensive limitations, Jalen Raynor’s struggles at quarterback and where both teams now fit in the Big 12 race. Is Utah the best team in the Big 12 right now? Are the Utes a legitimate conference championship threat alongside BYU and Texas Tech? Subscribe for college football coverage from all angles, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, playoff race, realignment, NIL, transfer portal and the biggest stories shaping the sport. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsl6CVz6m-c

Oklahoma State Is FOR REAL; Cowboys Take Over West Virginia | Instant Reaction Sep 27, 2026

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Oklahoma State beats West Virginia 41-24 in Morgantown, and the Cowboys look more and more like a legitimate Big 12 contender. After the stunning loss to Tulsa earlier this season, Oklahoma State has now beaten Oregon and followed it up with an impressive road win over West Virginia. Drew Mestemaker threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, Caleb Hawkins ran for 180 yards, and Wyatt Young exploded for 192 receiving yards as the Cowboys piled up 609 yards of offense. John Kurtz gives his instant reaction to Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia, Drew Mestemaker, Wyatt Young, Caleb Hawkins, Michael Hawkins Jr. and what this result means for the Big 12 race. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N84CxCl91ro

Texas Is TERRIFYINGLY Comfortable Winning Ugly; Tennessee Reaction Sep 26, 2026

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Texas survives Tennessee 20-17 in Knoxville, and the biggest story was not Arch Manning. It was the Longhorns’ dominant defense. Texas overwhelmed true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon with a relentless pass rush, led by Colin Simmons, who finished with five sacks and five tackles for loss. Even after Tennessee scored late and recovered an onside kick, the Texas defensive front took over when the game was on the line. Arch Manning and the Texas offense still left something to be desired, but the Longhorns continue to find ways to win. After beating Ohio State and now surviving an SEC road test at Tennessee, Texas is showing why it has the roster, defense and toughness to be a legitimate national championship contender. John Kurtz reacts to Texas vs. Tennessee, Arch Manning, Colin Simmons, the Longhorns defense, Faizon Brandon and what this win means for Texas moving forward. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWSYX7LEwq4

Why Is the SEC Trying So Hard to Tear Down Miami? Sep 25, 2026

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The SEC has been the best-performing Power Four conference early in the college football season, which makes the latest strength-of-schedule propaganda even harder to understand. John Kurtz reacts to the Oklahoma-versus-Miami schedule debate and explains why the SEC does not need to inflate an already difficult Sooners schedule or start laying the groundwork to discredit Miami. Oklahoma already faces major games against teams such as Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss. Meanwhile, Miami is coming off a run to the national championship game. We break down SEC strength-of-schedule arguments, Oklahoma’s outlook, Miami’s College Football Playoff credibility and why the conference should simply stand on the strong results it already has. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football from every angle, plus the forces shaping the sport on and off the field. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyihcirU2IA

The SEC Is Winning, So Why the Propaganda?; OSU-West Virginia is Saturday's Most Fascinating Game Sep 23, 2026

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The SEC might be the best conference in college football right now, so why does the propaganda machine still feel necessary?
In this episode, John Kurtz breaks down the SEC’s strong start, the constant schedule chest-puffing around Oklahoma and other league teams, and why overselling the conference may actually hurt its credibility.
Plus, College GameDay is heading to another SEC campus instead of Boise State-Western Michigan. Is that just the reality of modern college football and TV economics?
And in the Big 12, Oklahoma State-West Virginia might be the most fascinating game of the entire weekend. We break down the matchup, the quarterbacks, the contrasting offensive styles, and what this game could mean for the Big 12 race.
Also covered:
* Utah vs Iowa State
* Kansas State vs Cincinnati
* Texas vs Tennessee
* Oregon vs USC
* Ole Miss vs Florida
* Texas A&M vs LSU
* The biggest Week 4 college football storylines
Subscribe to Open For Business for college football analysis on the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, ACC, College Football Playoff, realignment, media money and the biggest forces reshaping the sport.
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

OFB After Dark: Ole Miss Gives Kiffin Some Karma; WVU Shocks UVA; BYU Rolls Sep 21, 2026

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College football delivered another wild Saturday, and we’re breaking down the biggest results from across the country.
LSU headlines the conversation, while West Virginia made a major statement with a ranked win over Virginia and BYU’s offense exploded in a dominant performance against Colorado State. The Mountaineers are suddenly 3-0 and pushing their way into the Big 12 contender conversation, while BYU continues to look like one of the league’s most dangerous teams.
We’ll also get into Kentucky’s stunning road win over Texas A&M, whether the Aggies are already missing Collin Klein, Louisville’s explosive offense after beating SMU, Utah’s dominant shutout of Utah State, USC surviving Rutgers, Oklahoma’s ugly night against New Mexico and everything else that stood out from a packed college football Saturday.
Subscribe to Open for Business for college football analysis covering the Big 12 and the biggest stories shaping the sport on and off the field.
Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

BYU Cracks the Top 10; Are They Really Elite?; How Many Top 10 Big 12 Teams Are There? Sep 20, 2026

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BYU is officially a top-10 team. But are the Cougars really a College Football Playoff-caliber team, and how many top-10 teams does the Big 12 actually have?
We break down BYU’s rise to No. 9, the explosiveness Legend Glasker has added to the offense, why Bear Bachmeier is taking fewer hits, and how much BYU’s early national credibility could matter for the playoff race. Plus, where Utah and Texas Tech fit into the Big 12’s top tier, my latest Big 12 power rankings, and what the AP Top 25 got right and wrong this week.
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Newsletter: [https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter](https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter)

Texas Tech WAKES UP, Holds Off Houston After Early Scare Sep 19, 2026

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Texas Tech looked to be in real trouble after falling behind Houston 10-0, but the Red Raiders finally woke up and took control.
We’re live breaking down Texas Tech’s comeback win over Houston, what changed after the slow start, the biggest performances of the night and what this result says about the Red Raiders moving forward in the Big 12 race.
Did Texas Tech prove something tonight, or should the early struggles against Houston still be concerning?
Subscribe to Open for Business for college football analysis, Big 12 coverage, instant reactions and the biggest stories shaping the sport.
Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter
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