Tag: big 12

Big 12 commish Brett Yormark calls Notre Dame AD’s remarks ‘egregious’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark said Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua was “totally out of bounds” for how he’s gone about criticizing the Atlantic Coast Conference this week.

Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member of the conference in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed the ACC damaged Notre Dame’s chances at making the College Football Playoff as an at-large with how it campaigned for Miami’s inclusion.

Miami was the last at-large selected — with the committee reasoning that the Hurricanes’ head-to-head win over the Irish only mattered once they were side-by-side in the rankings. Bevacqua said Tuesday that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing it favored Miami’s inclusion in the field over Notre Dame.

“We were definitely being targeted,” Bevacqua said. “And for better or for worse, we have a different relationship with the ACC than any other team in college football, other than the (football) teams that are in the ACC. Because we’re in the ACC for 24 sports, we have a scheduling agreement with the ACC. The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process.”

Later Tuesday, Yormark appeared at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum and addressed Bevacqua’s criticism of the league.

“I think his behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”

The public pushback is notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing as Notre Dame’s AD. For example, Bevacqua sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the 10 FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.

Rumors have also spread about Notre Dame’s next moves if it wants to split with the ACC, which included partnering up with the Big 12.

Consider that one less likely after Yormark took Bevacqua to task on Tuesday. Yormark pointed out that the ACC gave Notre Dame a lifeline during the COVID-affected 2020 season by giving the Irish a full 10-game conference slate and a berth in its championship game against Clemson.

“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during COVID. … The chair said that as Notre Dame and Miami got closer together, head to head would be a factor, OK?”

–Field Level Media

No. 13 Utah ‘still in the hunt,’ takes visions of playoffs to Baylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 13 Utah and five-win Baylor share a mantra entering the Big 12 matchup on Saturday in Waco, Texas.

Still in the hunt.

The Utes (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) are not in ideal position with three games remaining because of losses to BYU and Texas Tech.

Baylor (5-4, 3-3) has its eyes on a spoiler role and a coveted bowl game.

Utah knows a loss likely erases the Utes from the fringe of the College Football Playoff.

Utah crushed Cincinnati last week, 45-14, in the Utes’ most emphatic Big 12 win since blowing out reigning league champion Arizona State 42-10 on Oct. 11.

The blowout of Cincinnati followed a 53-7 rout of Colorado, giving Utah an average margin of victory of 35.8 points per game in the Utes’ last four wins.

“It could get interesting here as we go along,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said of the tight conference race. “We’re concerned with it, but we’re not focused on it. We’re still in the hunt mathematically.”

Utah’s lopsided victories bookend a 24-21 loss to rival BYU on Oct. 18, however, which combined with the Utes’ 34-10 loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 20 complicates their pursuit of a berth in the Big 12 championship game.

Utah is one game behind each of BYU, Cincinnati and Texas Tech in the loss column. Texas Tech has two league games remaining, while the others have three.

Not only is Utah in the Big 12 title hunt heading into its final three games, but the reveal of the Utes’ place in Tuesday’s playoff rankings suggests a path to at-large consideration for the postseason. At No. 13, Utah is just beyond the coveted top 12, albeit with the Group of Five automatic berth and the top-ranked ACC team, Miami, behind the Utes.

Qualifying for a bowl game is the postseason objective for Baylor.

The Bears need at least one win in their final three contests, but it won’t be easy with Utah, 6-3 Arizona and 8-2 Houston on deck.

“This is just a huge game for us,” Bears coach Dave Aranda said. “This is a game we need to win. We’re in an instance where, similar to last year, we have to win all these games.”

Baylor knows how to finish with a kick.

Following a 2-4 first half of 2024 that included a 23-12 home loss to Utah, Baylor won six consecutive games to close at 8-4. The 2025 Bears aim to close on a four-game winning streak, having rebounded from consecutive losses at TCU and Cincinnati with a 30-3 romp against UCF last week.

Quarterback Sawyer Robertson, third in the nation in passing yards per game at 308.9, went 29-of-40 for 267 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s rout.

Robertson has thrown multiple touchdown passes in every game this season, and has gone the last two weeks without throwing an interception after tossing three in the loss at TCU.

The Utah pass defense has been largely dominant, ranking sixth nationally at 156.8 yards per game and only six touchdowns allowed against eight interceptions.

Jackson Bennee’s three picks lead the Utes.

But while Utah has remained defensively stout, a hallmark of Whittingham-coached teams in his 20 years at the helm, this Utes squad is among the program’s highest-scoring ever.

They rank seventh nationally at 39.6 points per game, powered by a multifaceted rushing attack. Running backs Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers have carried for five and eight touchdowns and averaged 67.4 and 38.3 yards a contest.

Dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier is rushing for 65 yards per game, complementing his 198.5 passing yards an outing.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Big 12 punishes officiating crew for rules violation

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The Big 12 Conference reprimanded an officiating crew Tuesday for a gaffe in Missouri’s weekend win over Kansas.

The rules violation occurred following a first-quarter touchdown by Missouri, when the Tigers were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. After Kansas blocked the extra-point try following a Missouri touchdown that made the score 6-0, the officials mistakenly allowed Missouri to punt the ball on a free kick.

That was a violation of NCAA Football Rule 2, Section 16, Article 6, and resulted in the crew being pulled from its scheduled assignment this weekend.

“We believe we have one of the best officiating programs in college football,” Big 12 chief football and competition officer Scott Draper said in a news release. “When the Conference’s high standard for officiating is not met, the Big 12 will take action.”

Missouri (2-0) wound up scoring the last 14 points of the game on Saturday to defeat Kansas (2-1) by a 42-31 score in Columbia, Mo.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers helmet during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Reports: Big 12 turns away Memphis after $200M pitch to join

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Memphis made a $200 million pitch to join the Big 12 Conference — and the Big 12 rejected the Tigers, several reports said Monday.

The university approached the Big 12 with a so-called “no-risk” proposal for its athletics teams to join the growing conference. Memphis was prepared to give the Big 12 $200 million in sponsorship money — On3 reported the number was closer to $250 million — and would forgo any media rights payments for five years upon entering.

Further, Memphis offered to “subject itself to expulsion after 2030-31 if Big 12 deems it is not adding value.”

“The University of Memphis is aware of the recent conversations regarding our potential inclusion in the Big 12,” the university said in a statement to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “While those discussions did not ultimately move in our favor, our University and Memphis Athletics are stronger than ever, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our position nationally.”

Memphis had previously had discussions with the Big 12 as it continues its attempts to leave the newly rebranded American Conference and join a power conference.

The Tigers are not a historically powerful football program, but they have enjoyed a 42-20 overall record and a 4-0 bowl record in five seasons under coach Ryan Silverfield.

The school may be more attractive for its men’s basketball program. According to Yahoo Sports, Memphis officials have had talks with the Big East about joining only in hoops, and the rebuilt Pac-12 remains an option for Memphis as well.

–Field Level Media

Jul 8, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addresses the media during the 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Big 12 Media Days: BYU to let QB Jake Retzlaff ‘speak for himself’

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BYU coach Kalani Sitake plans to let quarterback Jake Retzlaff speak for himself on the topic of his court matter and seven-game suspension for having premarital sex, a violation of the university honor code.

“First of all, I love Jake Retzlaff,” Sitake said Tuesday at the Big 12 Conference gathering in Frisco, Texas.

“We love Jake Retzlaff and appreciate all that he’s done for our program. I think it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement in his situation first. I think that’s his right. I think it’s a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I’m going to give him the opportunity to do that.”

Retzlaff is planning to transfer, according to reports, rather than return to the program where he faced a civil suit accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2023. The suit was recently dismissed but Sitake said three quarterbacks will compete for the starting job in 2025, but the list of candidates no longer includes Retzlaff.

Two transfers — Treyson Bourguet from Western Michigan and Bear Bachmeier from Stanford — and holdovers from last season are competing with McCae Hillstead. Hillstead is the newest arrival after transferring from Utah State.

Replacing Retzlaff might be more of a concept than a reality.

He led the team in rushing and was responsible for more than 65 percent of the Cougars’ total offense on the way to a 9-0 start in 2024. BYU finished with an 11-2 record and capped the season with a 36-14 blowout of Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

BYU begins the 2025 season against Portland State on Aug. 30 before facing Stanford (Sept. 6), East Carolina (Sept. 20) and Colorado (Sept. 27).

–Commissioner Brett Yormark stands up for Big 12

A single representative in the expanded College Football Playoff from the Big 12 was not sufficient in the opinion of conference commissioner Brett Yormark.

Arizona State took Texas to double-overtime in the Peach Bowl, a quarterfinal in the first 12-team playoff, but Yormark said his league is the “deepest football conference in America.”

The Big 12, ACC and Notre Dame are supporting a change to the current playoff model, counter the plan of the Big Ten and SEC to load the bracket with teams from their leagues.

For the 2026 season, with 16 teams expected to be in the playoff, Yormark has gained allies who are on board with granting automatic bids to the five highest-rated conference champions with the CFP selection committee deciding how to award 11 at-large bids. The Big Ten touts a model with its teams automatically receiving four bids, and four more going to the SEC.

“We want to earn it on the field. It might not be the best solution today for the Big 12 … but long-term, knowing the progress we’re making, the investments we’re making, it’s the right format for us. And I’m doubling down today on 5-plus-11.”

–Scott Frost comes to grips with ‘wrong move’ to Nebraska

With 16 wins in five seasons at his alma mater Nebraska from 2018-2022, Scott Frost can agree with the sentiment that one can never go home again. He was hired as coach of the Cornhuskers following a 13-0 season at UCF in 2017.

“I got tugged in a direction to try to help my alma mater and didn’t really want to do it. It wasn’t a good move,” Frost said Tuesday. “I’m lucky to get back to a place where I was a lot happier.”

When Gus Malzahn departed UCF to become offensive coordinator at Florida State, the door opened for another return Frost never felt would happen. Now he’s back at UCF with a new perspective.

Frost, 50, worked for the Los Angeles Rams as an offensive consultant last year and was introduced a second time as UCF head coach in December.

“Biggest thing I’ve learned, probably. … You can’t do anything alone,” Frost said, arousing many corners of the Nebraska fanbase on social media with his final, lasting lesson.

“Don’t take the wrong job.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark speaks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Big 12 commish: Big Ten, SEC share ‘great responsibility’ with CFP model

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormak doubled down on his support of the 5+11 model for the College Football Playoff on Friday, despite another proposed model that would guarantee his conference two playoff spots.

The 5+11 model would give five automatic spots to the highest-ranked conference champions, with 11 at-large berths handed out based on the committee’s rankings. Yormark presented this model when the Power 4 commissioners met recently in Charlotte, N.C.

“I think there’s real momentum for 5+11,” Yormark said at the conclusion of the Big 12 spring meetings. “Certainly, the public is voting yes for it, which I think is critically important. Yes, the Big Ten, the SEC are leading the discussions, but with leading those discussions, they have a great responsibility that goes with it, to do what’s right for college football and not to do anything that just benefits two conferences.

“I have a lot of faith in the process, and I think we’ll land in the right place.”

Last year, when a new six-year CFP deal was announced, the Big Ten and SEC were placed in charge of the playoff’s format in 2026 and beyond.

Another model, which the ACC and Big 12 oppose, would include four automatic qualifiers for both the SEC and Big Ten, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC and one for the top Group of 6 team.

When asked why he would oppose that model, Yormark said: “In talking to our ADs and coaches, we want to earn it on the field.

“The 5+11 might not be ideal for the conference, but it’s good for college football, and it’s what’s fair. We don’t want any gimmes. We want to earn it on the field … and I feel very comfortable with that.”

–Field Level Media

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Reports: Big 12 boss Brett Yormark gets 3-year extension

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The Big 12 Conference approved a three-year contract extension for commissioner Brett Yormark on Tuesday, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

ESPN first reported that the board of directors had extended his original five-year deal, which was set to expire in 2027.

Yormark, 58, succeeded Bob Bowlsby in 2022. He helped the Big 12 navigate a national realignment of the conference landscape and boost its membership to coincide with the departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference.

Yormark landed a new $2.3 billion television deal with ESPN and Fox in 2022 and shepherded the 2024 additions of four former Pac-12 members: Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah. He also oversaw the previously negotiated expansion that brought BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF into the fold in 2023.

Yormark was the CEO of Jay-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation before taking over the Big 12.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders laughs as he watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

‘It’s a lot of hate’: Shedeur Sanders postpones workouts but remains positive

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The Big 12 Conference’s inaugural Pro Day had its share of standouts Thursday, but one thing it did not have was Shedeur Sanders working out.

The Colorado quarterback elected not to participate in workouts, though he was in attendance at the event in Frisco, Texas, highlighting the top NFL prospects in the Big 12, and he told NFL Network (broadcasting the event) that he isn’t letting critics get to him.

“It’s a lot of critics, it’s a lot of hate,” Sanders said. “But we know what to do. We know how to handle that in every way, so we remain happy.”

The showcase, which continues through Friday, features more than 200 football players from the conference. Among the notable participants on Thursday included Arizona’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who posted the best 40 time of all running backs (4.45), and Utah’s Caleb Lohner, who bested all tight ends with a 37-inch vertical jump.

Perhaps the highest-profile athlete in attendance, Sanders chose instead to work out at Colorado’s “CU Football Showcase” on April 4. He spoke about his approach and the NFL draft process in general.

“It’s definitely a learning experience,” Sanders said. “A lot of things aren’t in your control, and getting the knowledge from Dad (Deion Sanders) … coaches, family and friends and everybody that’s supporting me and helping me through this process, it’s extremely important. I’m thankful that I have those resources.”

Sanders is considered a top target of the New York Giants, who select No. 3 overall and have recently parted ways with their previous starting quarterback, Daniel Jones.

Sanders was the Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team quarterback on the All-Big 12 team in 2024, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns for 9-4 Colorado, finishing eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Other standouts from the Big 12 workouts have included Arizona State running back DeCarlos Brooks (10-foot, 10-inch broad jump), Oklahoma State tight end Jake Schultz (31 bench press) and UCF running back Peny Boone (6.93 3-cone).

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) with wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter Big 12 POYs

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Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter swept top honors in the Big 12 Conference on Thursday.

Sanders, a senior and son of Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He leads the conference in pass completions (337), yards (3,926) and touchdown passes (35).

Hunter, a junior who also excels as a wide receiver, was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He leads the league with 11 passes defended to go along with four interceptions and 32 tackles.

Hunter also made the All-Big 12 first-team offense with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year. Picked to finish last in the 16-team Big 12, the Sun Devils (10-2) are playing against Iowa State (10-2) in the conference championship game on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) celebrates with head coach Chris Klieman after a touchdown during the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

‘Farmageddon’ could help decide Big 12 championship

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“Farmageddon” has never been bigger.

The rivalry between No. 24 Kansas State and No. 18 Iowa State is one of the longest continuously played series in college football. The two schools have played each other every year since 1917, making this the 108th straight season and the eighth-longest uninterrupted active series in the FBS.

The Wildcats travel to Ames, Iowa, on Saturday with plenty on the line for both teams.

Kansas State still has a slim chance to reach the Big 12 Championship Game and a possible berth in the College Football Playoff. The Cyclones have an even better shot at the conference championship game.

K-State (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) is coming off a convincing 41-15 victory over Cincinnati. They need a win on Saturday and a combination of several other outcomes to make that league title game berth possible.

To reach the title game, Iowa State (9-2, 6-2) needs a little help. The Cyclones require a win and losses by two of the other three teams in the four-way tie at 6-2 in league play: Arizona State, BYU and Colorado.

“I’m really excited about this week, getting an opportunity to go play Iowa State,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said Monday. “It will be a great environment, a great atmosphere. The game has meaning.

“Going back and looking at film, I thought our guys played great in all phases. Getting off to a fast start was important.”

Kansas State fans are lamenting back-to-back losses earlier this month at Houston and at home to Arizona State. With just one of those going the Wildcats’ way, they would control their destiny. But Klieman and his team are proud of the stability the Cats have showed in winning at least eight games in each of the last four seasons.

“It’s hard to win college football games,” Klieman said. “It’s expected, and you want to win every game. (But) it’s difficult to win. The stability and success that our staff has brought here tells a lot about the players they have brought here and the men who are leading these guys.”

Iowa State has won four of the last six games in the series after stopping a 10-year Kansas State streak. Iowa State leads 53-50-4 in the all-time series.

Iowa State is looking to reach 10 wins for the first time in the program’s 133-year history. They’ve won nine games for the fourth time, but just the second time (1906) that they’ve done it prior to a bowl game. Amazingly, Iowa State last won a conference championship in 1912 when the Cyclones captured their second straight Missouri Valley title.

Now, the opportunity to change that stat is there for the taking. But head coach Matt Campbell is not looking past Kansas State. In fact, he said at his Tuesday press conference that he hasn’t even looked at the tiebreakers.

“That’s a question for a wise football coach,” he said. “I don’t have much wisdom for that one. All my belief is that if our football team takes care of us, then we will put ourselves in the best position to be successful. We’ll tell our story at the end of the season.”

–Field Level Media