Open For Business: College Football w/ John Kurtz

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Big 12 Coaches Pick BYU to Win the Big 12; Sankey Scrambles as Senators Stand Their Ground For the Big 12 Jun 07, 2026

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Big 12 coaches just tipped their hand — and they're picking BYU to win the Big 12. In an anonymous coaches poll, the Cougars came out on top, while one coach said Texas Tech "looks totally different" heading into the season. We break down exactly what that quote means, why the room is buying BYU football as the conference favorite, and whether Texas Tech football is being underrated or correctly pegged.
This is the kind of insider read you only get from coaches who actually have to game-plan against these teams. We dig into BYU's roster, what's changed in Lubbock, and how this stacks up against the rest of the Big 12 conference race.
If you want honest college football analysis with the Big 12 treated like the center of the sport — not an afterthought behind the SEC and Big Ten — this is your channel.
Subscribe for daily Big 12 football coverage, conference realignment news, and the stories national media gets wrong.
Topics covered:
BYU picked to win the Big 12 by coaches
Texas Tech "looks totally different" — what it means
Anonymous Big 12 coaches poll breakdown
BYU Cougars season outlook and Big 12 championship odds
Big 12 football 2026 contenders

Expert Warns the Big 12 About College Football’s Real Endgame; Super League Coming SOON Jun 05, 2026

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Could college football’s next major breakaway happen much sooner than expected?

John Wilner of the Wilner Hotline joins John Kurtz to explain why the sport may be moving toward a massive restructuring faster than most fans realize. The biggest threat may not be a simple SEC and Big Ten merger. Instead, the most valuable brands in college football could eventually leave their current conferences and form an entirely new super league.

Wilner breaks down why the Protect College Sports Act may not actually stop that outcome, what a 32-to-36-team super league could look like and why frustration over NIL, the clearinghouse and the lack of collective bargaining is pushing college football toward a breaking point.

The conversation also turns to the Big 12. What is the best-case scenario for the conference if the SEC and Big Ten continue to separate themselves financially? Could the Big 12 become the primary home for the strongest programs left outside the top two leagues?

Plus, Wilner explains why Cody Campbell and Texas Tech are doing everything possible to make sure the Red Raiders are not left behind, whether that strategy is working and why he still has BYU ahead of Texas Tech entering the season.

Topics discussed:
• Why a college football breakaway could happen in the late 2020s
• Why the real super-league threat is bigger than an SEC–Big Ten merger
• Whether the Protect College Sports Act can actually stop a breakaway
• The best-case scenario for the Big 12
• Cody Campbell’s aggressive strategy to protect Texas Tech
• Why Texas Tech still has work to do to secure a seat at the big table
• Why Wilner has BYU as the team to beat in the Big 12
• Why the Brendan Sorsby case could threaten the integrity of college football
• Whether collective bargaining is now the only realistic solution

CHAPTERS:
00:00 John Wilner joins the show
01:00 Could a college football breakaway happen soon?
03:49 The real super-league threat
12:38 Why the pressure is building
14:27 The best-case scenario for the Big 12
18:50 Cody Campbell and Texas Tech’s strategy
23:24 Is collective bargaining the only solution?
26:57 Why BYU is still ahead of Texas Tech
28:07 The Brendan Sorsby situation

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#Big12 #CollegeFootball #TexasTech #BYU #CFB #CollegeFootballRealignment

Nick Saban Just Sided With the Big 12 Over the SEC — Here's Why Jun 04, 2026

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Nick Saban built the SEC dynasty. Now he just testified in favor of a bill the SEC is fighting to kill — and the Big 12 stands to gain.
This episode covers four major stories reshaping the college football landscape right now.
First: Nick Saban's appearance before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on the Protecting College Sports Act. The SEC and Big Ten came out against this bill before the hearing even started. But Saban broke ranks, telling lawmakers he supports federal oversight — comparing the current system to a Ferrari heading toward the Grand Canyon. Ted Cruz backed him. Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua warned that without Congressional action, a super league is inevitable. And ACC commissioner Jim Phillips straddled the fence while Clemson and Florida State eye the exits. We break down why this bill matters for the Big 12 and why Saban's testimony might actually help it pass.
Then: Brett Yormark's candid admission about the CFP contract negotiations. The Big 12 commissioner now says he wouldn't make the same decision today — the one that gave the SEC and Big Ten 29% of the revenue each plus full control over future playoff formats. We examine how a rookie commissioner got squeezed by the SEC's joint advisory group, why Jamie Pollard and the Big 12 would call the bluff now, and what this means for the 24-team playoff discussion.
Plus: The Texas-Texas Tech feud takes another turn. Texas Tech is now talking to Notre Dame and USC about a 2027 series. Marcus Freeman or Lincoln Riley — who's willing to step into Lubbock after Texas backed out? We cover why Sarkisian's Houston TD Club comments keep burning Texas and how this scheduling move positions Tech nationally.
Finally: Our ranking of the top ten programs in college football right now — based on money, leadership, recruiting, and playoff access. Oregon at 7, Michigan at 6, Georgia at 5, and the top four may surprise you. We also explain why Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida State just missed the cut.
Topics covered include the full breakdown of Saban's Senate testimony, why the SEC and Big Ten oppose the Protecting College Sports Act, Yormark's reflections on the 2024 CFP negotiations, the Texas Tech-Notre Dame scheduling talks, and our complete top ten program rankings for the current era.

LEAKED: SEC Slams BYU and Texas Tech in Private Meeting w/ Playoff Committee Jun 01, 2026

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The SEC reportedly used a closed-door meeting with the College Football Playoff selection committee to question how BYU and Texas Tech were evaluated last season. Why is the SEC suddenly so focused on the Big 12?
In this live stream, we break down the SEC’s complaints about BYU and Texas Tech, the obvious flaws in its argument and the bigger reason the conference keeps taking shots at Big 12 programs. The SEC has every financial and structural advantage in college football, but after another disappointing postseason, it appears to be looking for someone else to blame.
We also dive into the NCAA’s explosive new response in the Brendan Sorsby lawsuit. The NCAA says the Texas Tech quarterback placed thousands of impermissible bets during his college career, including dozens involving Indiana football while he was a player. Is there any realistic chance Sorsby plays this season?
Plus, we discuss the biggest updates from the Big 12 spring meetings, Brett Yormark’s stance on a potential 24-team College Football Playoff, the possibility of a 10th Big 12 conference game and the latest fallout from Steve Sarkisian’s comments about Texas Tech.
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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https://www.youtube.com/@OFBcollegefootball
#Big12 #CollegeFootball #SEC #BYUFootball #TexasTechFootball #CFP #CollegeFootballPlayoff #BrendanSorsby #BrettYormark #SteveSarkisian

Texas vs Texas Tech is Happening THIS YEAR...if Texas Accepts the Offer May 29, 2026

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Texas Tech just called Steve Sarkisian’s bluff.
After Sark took a shot at Texas Tech’s Big 12 schedule and claimed Texas could go undefeated against it with its “twos and threes,” Joey McGuire fired back with a real offer: Texas Tech vs. Texas in Week 1. McGuire says he talked to Abilene Christian and Texas State about moving their games, Cody Campbell has explored AT&T Stadium as a neutral-site option, and Texas Tech is even willing to help cover the buyouts to make it happen.
In this video, I break down why Texas Tech’s response is such a smart move, why Texas probably won’t accept the challenge, and how Joey McGuire, Kirby Hocutt and Cody Campbell turned Sark’s comments into a PR win for the Red Raiders and 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!
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter
For national college football coverage, subscribe here:
https://www.youtube.com/@OFBcollegefootball
Chapters:
00:00 Texas Tech calls Texas’ bluff
01:40 Steve Sarkisian’s shot at Texas Tech
03:23 Texas Tech’s perfect response
05:45 Joey McGuire challenges Texas
07:29 Why this is a brilliant move
08:55 Texas Tech is willing to take the risk
09:45 The deeper reason Sark made the comment
#TexasTech #TexasLonghorns #Big12 #CollegeFootball #SteveSarkisian #JoeyMcGuire #TexasTechFootball #Longhorns #CFB #Big12Football

MASSIVE Senate Bill Saves Big 12 and ACC? SEC and Big Ten Losing Their Minds May 27, 2026

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Big 12 and ACC fans finally got a real piece of congressional movement that could reshape the future of college football. A new bipartisan Senate bill from Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell would take aim at a potential SEC/Big Ten super league, reopen the Sports Broadcasting Act conversation, create real enforcement power around revenue sharing, limit transfer chaos, cap agent fees, and even stop coaches from leaving before the season ends.
But is this bill actually enough to “save” the Big 12 and ACC? And could one part of it quietly hurt the very leagues it is supposed to protect? In this video, I break down what the bill does, why Cody Campbell and Big 12 supporters are celebrating, why SEC and Big Ten country may hate it, and whether Congress can actually get this done.
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
For national college football coverage, subscribe to OFB College Football:
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#Big12 #ACC #CollegeFootball #SEC #BigTen #CollegeFootballPlayoff #BrettYormark #CodyCampbell #TexasTech #CollegeSports

Why Texas Proves That Texas Tech Can Win a National Title + Big 12 Post Spring Power Rankings May 24, 2026

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Steve Sarkisian came after Texas Tech — and accidentally made the strongest case that the Red Raiders are a legitimate national title threat. When the Texas head coach feels the need to talk about you, you've arrived.
In this video, we break down exactly what Sarkisian said, why it tells you everything about where Texas Tech football stands heading into 2025, and what it means for the Big 12 conference race.
- Why Sarkisian's comments are a massive compliment in disguise
- Texas Tech's spring numbers — and why they're being slept on nationally
- How the Red Raiders stack up against the rest of the Big 12 right now
- What a Texas Tech national title run would actually look like
- The Red Raiders don't need national media respect. They just got it from the one place that matters most — their biggest rival.

Steve Sarkisian Took a NASTY Shot at Texas Tech; Red Raiders Dragged Into Sark's Playoff Meltdown May 21, 2026

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Steve Sarkisian just took a massive shot at Texas Tech, and now the backlash is coming from all sides. Sark claimed there is a team in Texas, playing in another conference, that his “twos and threes” could go undefeated against, and it wasn’t hard to figure out who he meant.
In this video, I break down Sark’s comments, why Texas Tech fans are furious, why Texas beat writers are calling it a bad look, and how Cody Campbell jumped into the conversation with a simple message: “Schedule us then.” Texas won’t play Texas Tech, but Sark is still willing to talk trash about the Red Raiders’ schedule and playoff chances.
We’ll also get into Sark’s own Big 12 record at Texas, why the SEC move changed the way Texas talks about strength of schedule, and whether this could actually help revive the Texas vs. Texas Tech rivalry. Because if Sark really thinks Texas Tech is that easy to beat, there’s one obvious answer: go play them.
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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https://www.youtube.com/@OFBcollegefootball

Big 12 Breakaway From the SEC and Big Ten? One AD Says They Should May 21, 2026

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Is a Big 12 breakaway from the SEC and Big Ten actually on the table? Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard thinks it should be — and his comments are shaking up college football realignment conversations across the country.
In today's video, we break down exactly what Pollard said, why it matters for the Big 12 conference, and what a Big 12 breakaway would actually look like in a world where the SEC and Big Ten are pushing to consolidate power over college football.
The "go do it" argument — and why Pollard's calling the bluff
What the data actually says about Big 12 football's value without the SEC and Big Ten
How the 24-team playoff factors into the breakaway conversation
What Brett Yormark and Big 12 leadership should do next
🔔 Subscribe for Big 12-first coverage every week
👍 Like if you think the Big 12 should stand its ground
💬 Drop your take in the comments — would a breakaway actually work?
#Big12 #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballRealignment #Big12Football #SECFootball #BigTen #JamiePollard #BrettYormark #CollegeFootballPlayoff

WOAH Brendan Sorsby Sues the NCAA; Says "You're Weaponizing My Mental Health" May 19, 2026

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https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletterTexas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is suing the NCAA — and the argument his legal team is making could change everything. Sorsby's attorneys, led by high-profile attorney Jeff Kessler (the man who helped crush the NCAA in both the House and Alston cases), claim the NCAA is "weaponizing" his clinically diagnosed gambling disorder while simultaneously profiting from the very gambling ecosystem it polices.
Sorsby placed thousands of bets going back to 2022, including bets on Indiana games while he was redshirting for the Hoosiers. His own explanation? He was just trying to feel connected to his teammates. But under NCAA rules, betting on your own team can mean permanent ineligibility.
So what's the REAL goal of this lawsuit? It's not necessarily to win in court. It's to force the NCAA to rule on his eligibility before June 22nd — the NFL supplemental draft deadline — so Sorsby knows his future options.Jeff Kessler. A federal injunction. And a medical diagnosis at the center of it all. This story is just getting started.
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby NCAA lawsuit
Jeff Kessler NCAA eligibility
NCAA gambling disorder ruling
College football betting scandal 2026
NFL supplemental draft 2026
Big 12 football news
NCAA vs student athletes
Brendan Sorsby Texas Tech
NCAA gambling hypocrisy
College football transfer portal eligibility
#Big12 #NCAA #BrendanSorsby #CollegeFootball #JeffKessler #NFLDraft #TexasTech #NCAAlawsuit #CollegeFootballNews #GamblingDisorder

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