Big 12 Football 2025-2026

Football
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In the Big 12? No. There was definitely haves and have nots in that respect.

It has gotten better recently than it was maybe 10 or 15 years ago, I think. BYU is a big deal. The rest of us are middling programs in smaller college towns (not counting the new additions). Baylor and TCU were the small private outliers, so their student sections have always been kind of more miss than hit, IMO. No need to apologize for what BYU is any more than I would apologize for how well ISU travels.

In a weird way it almost was harder to navigate a whole slate on the road that way. A sleepy Tuesday night on the road against legitimate big 12 talent is always a recipe for a letdown. Credit to Houston for how well they navigated it. It’s tougher than all packed raucous arenas when you take it as a whole, IMO. Football can be that way too, but maybe to a lesser extent. You want it quiet for communication purposes.

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84

For basketball I do feel that everyone or almost everyone (Utah) has a pretty good student section.

I was referring to football with my comments about being disappointed haha. This is the BYU student section:

https://x.com/reedbeatse/status/1437056098754650121?s=46&t=V8NvVy8dZF3Q8zMVvlJ3cQ

And because Utah and USU both have similar, albeit smaller, student sections I thought this was the standard.

I couldn’t even find the student section in Kansas.

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85

Yeah I’d agree with that. I kind of got where you were going and veered left anyways lol.

BYU’s student section is objectively a high bar tho. Hopefully we can win there again next time :wink::wink:

EDIT: Awesome video, btw!

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86

I have no recollection of that game
 :joy:

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87

Do you go to Texas Tech this year?

If so, you will get more than you bargained for from their students.

Expect actual criminal behavior to be perpetrated. Said crimes are often, but certainly NOT limited to, tortilla-related incidents. The verbal stuff is guaranteed to be unconscionable. Happens every time.

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88

I think they are the game after isu. I think it’s Utah, @ISU, bye, @tech, TCU

I look forward to it

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89

Yes i see now. @ Colorado ISU and Tech is challenging and going to be nuts.

But it’s balanced out well with @ Arizona and Cincinnati. Shouldn’t be problems there. Venue or teams.

EDIT: hosting WVU and Utah should be fine. Good to get WVU early. Hosting TCU and UCF is interesting tho.

Good for travel to get both long haul opponents at home, too. Should be an advantage there.

90

Not sure how you define miss, But I am guessing you have not seen many decent TCU games (Not counting FCS opponents as those do suck for attendance) in the past 15-20 years.

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91

TCU generally shows out for BYU.

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BYU-Utah-TCU provided many good matchups that helped keep the MWC recognized for good football. I think a similar element in the Big 12 could be beneficial. Having three to four schools fighting it out over several years to get the CFP spots. It helps build rivalries and expectations for the next year’s matchup.

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93

How about the Coogs mauling the B12 and going to the CFP for the rest of my life and winning it at least once every couple of years. I’m 78 and that could be anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 years.

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94

I was actually thinking UH, BYU, TCU and WVU as the top 4 would be a fun scenario as all 4 have had periods of big success and can maintain name recognition easily, and it gives broad coverage from two big Texas metro areas. plus east side and west side coverage for the conference.

But not going to knock your suggestion either.

PS. 20 years much preferred over 20 minutes.

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95

Big 12 5-year Avg Football Attendance

  1. BYU - 59,058
  2. Iowa State - 58,847
  3. Texas Tech - 54,643
  4. Oklahoma State - 53,999
  5. West Virginia - 52,982
  6. Utah - 49,833
  7. Kansas State - 49,609
  8. Colorado - 47,569
  9. Arizona State - 47,262
  10. Baylor - 44,087
  11. TCU - 43,834
  12. UCF - 42,758
  13. Arizona - 42,279
  14. Cincinnati- 36,030
  15. Kansas - 32,858
  16. Houston - 28,369

EDIT: Will update with more related information later.

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98

In honor of our Pop Tarts Bowl afflilation:

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Thanks, Rez! Always get a smile from your posts.

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100
  1. BYU Cougars
    2024 record: 11-2, 7-2 Big 12

Key returning players: QB Jake Retzlaff, RB LJ Martin, WR Chase Roberts, WR/KR Keelan Marion, LB Harrison Taggart, LB Isaiah Glasker, LB Jack Kelly, S Tanner Wall

Key losses: CB Jakob Robinson, DE Tyler Batty, DE Isaiah Bagnah, CB Marque Collins, S Crew Wakley, OT Brayden Keim, C Connor Pay

2025 outlook: If the 2024 season was any indication, you could probably pick any of four teams (or more) to win a Big 12 title. Arizona State, BYU and Colorado were unlikely contenders this past season, and the Cougars are bringing back top playmakers Retzlaff, Martin, Roberts and Marion. There are a couple of starters who will have to be replaced on the offensive line, but reinforcements from the transfer portal should help. On defense, four of the top five tacklers should return, although BYU will have to reload up front. Kalani Sitake has built a solid program that should contend in the Big 12 each season. The Cougars won’t play Arizona State or Kansas State during the regular season, and road games at Iowa State and Colorado might be tricky.

  1. Iowa State Cyclones
    2024 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12

Key returning players: QB Rocco Becht, RB Carson Hansen, RB Abu Sama III, LB Kooper Ebel, S Jeremiah Cooper, CB Jontez Williams, DL Domonique Orange, LB Caleb Bacon, TE Benjamin Brahmer

Key losses: WR Jaylin Noel, WR Jayden Higgins, C Jarrod Hufford, OT Jalen Travis, S Beau Freyler, DE Joey Petersen, DT J.R. Singleton, CB Myles Purchase, S Malik Verdon, CB Darien Porter

2025 outlook: After one of the best seasons in program history (the Cyclones had never won 10 games or more), there’s one goal left for Matt Campbell to achieve – win the program’s first conference title in 113 years. With Becht and two good tailbacks returning, Iowa State has some firepower returning on offense. But it will greatly miss Noel and Higgins, who each caught at least 80 passes with more than 1,100 yards in 2024. Iowa State is bringing in transfer receivers Xavier Townsend (UCF) and Chase Sowell (East Carolina). A few key contributors are leaving on defense, but much of one of the better secondaries in the FBS is coming back. The Cyclones play Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, to open the season and will host BYU and Arizona State at home.

  1. Arizona State Sun Devils
    2024 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12

Key returning players: QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson, RB Kyson Brown, S Myles Rowser, S Xavion Alford, LB Keyshaun Elliott, LB Jordan Crook, CB Javan Robinson, DE Clayton Smith

Key losses: RB Cam Skattebo, WR Xavier Guillory, LB Caleb McCullough, S Shamari Simmons, C Leif Fautanu

2025 outlook: There’s no question the Sun Devils are going to face an uphill climb in replacing Skattebo’s production on offense. Not only did the All-America running back pile up 1,711 yards with 21 touchdowns on the ground, but he had 605 receiving yards and even threw for a score. Kanye Udoh, who ran for 1,117 yards with 10 touchdowns at Army last season, should be first in line to replace Skattebo. ASU brings back some key players in Leavitt and Tyson, who were outstanding in their first seasons in the desert. Cornerbacks Nyland Green (Purdue) and Adrian Wilson (Washington State) might help shore up a secondary that ranked 81st against the pass (226.7 yards) in 2024.

  1. Kansas State Wildcats
    2024 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12

Key returning players: QB Avery Johnson, RB Dylan Edwards, WR Jayce Brown, TE Garrett Oakley, C Sam Hecht, LB Austin Romaine, S VJ Payne, LB Desmond Purnell

Key losses: RB DJ Giddens, WR Keagan Johnson, OT Easton Kilty, DE Brendan Mott, LB Austin Moore, S Marques Sigle, CB Jacob Parrish

2025 outlook: The Wildcats won at least nine games for the third straight season in 2024, and their record would have been better if not for dropping three of their last four regular-season games. Johnson is back after piling up 3,317 yards of offense with 32 scores. Replacing Giddens won’t be easy, but onetime Colorado player Edwards ran for 546 yards last season. Brown’s decision to return bolsters the receiver corps, which added Jerand Bradley (Boston College), Jaron Tibbs (Purdue) and Caleb Medford (New Mexico). Mott, Moore and Sigle were key players on defense. Cornerback Amarion Fortenberry (South Alabama), safety Gunner Maldonado (Arizona) and edge player Jayshawn Ross (Alabama) were intriguing pickups from the portal. Kansas State opens the season against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, and plays Army at home.

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101

Big 12 Football is only 102 days away!

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Can confirm this is what we all do on the drive back from Kansas😉 (contains strong language) :
https://x.com/OutCYdetheLines/status/1898529277504614691

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102

Are Iowa St fans actually excited about the game in Ireland? (or K St as I do not know who lost the home game)

Many TCU fans hate giving up a home game to play there.

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