Tag: big 12

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

“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

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils fans celebrate on the field in the closing second of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona State fined $25K after storming snafu vs. BYU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Big 12 Conference fined Arizona State $25,000 on Tuesday in response to fans storming the field during the final moments of Saturday’s 28-23 win over BYU.

The league also issued a public reprimand to the school for the chaotic ending in Tempe, Ariz. Fans streamed onto the field thinking the game was over and tore down a goalpost, but there was time remaining and a lengthy delay ensued to sort things out.

“The safety of student-athletes and all game participants is our foremost priority,” said Brett Yormark, the Big 12 commissioner. “We will continue to work with our institutions on event management policies at all Big 12 venues.”

After rallying from a 28-9 deficit to Arizona State (9-2, 6-2), BYU (9-2, 6-2) took possession near midfield with one second left on the clock after order was restored. A final Hail Mary pass by Jake Retzlaff fell incomplete.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; The Brigham Young Cougars Cougarettes perform before the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

No. 14 BYU must ‘refocus’ for trip to No. 21 Arizona State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

BYU coach Kalani Sitake said the 14th-ranked Cougars “just gotta refocus” after dropping eight spots in the College Football Playoff rankings coming off their first loss of the season.

The Cougars (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) will try to rebound from a 17-13 setback at home against Kansas when they visit No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2) on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.

“I am excited to see these guys play after this,” Sitake said Monday. “We have faced some adversity. We have faced a loss. Now we are able to learn from it. Let’s see what type of team comes out. This is a good moment for our identity to show.”

Arizona State won at then-No. 16 Kansas State 24-14 last week to earn its third straight victory and fifth in the last six games.

The game between the Cougars and Sun Devils is potentially for a spot in the Big 12 championship game with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Colorado (8-2, 6-1) and Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) also are in the race among conference teams with two or fewer losses.

BYU was picked to finish 13th and Arizona State 16th (last) in the Big 12 in a preseason media poll.

“I feel a slight connection to them, because nobody cared about (either of) us before the season,” Sitake said. “To have this game be something with a lot of meaning is really cool at this point.”

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham believes the game is significant enough that he urged fans not to sell tickets to BYU supporters.

The Phoenix area, especially in the East Valley, has a large population of Mormons who are BYU fans.

“Have them show you an ASU hat or shirt or something,” Dillingham said to Arizona State fans during his weekly press conference.

Sitake called Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo one of the best in the nation at his position. He also said that BYU tried to lure Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt after he left Michigan State and entered the transfer portal.

Leavitt’s father, Jared, was a linebacker at BYU in the 1990s.

“He comes from a good family and he’s super athletic,” Sitake said. “He can run and has an accurate arm. I think he’s got a great fit, football IQ, and he’s so dangerous.”

Skattebo has rushed for 1,074 yards on 198 carries with 11 touchdowns. He also has 31 receptions for 448 yards with two scores.

Leavitt has thrown for 1,906 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 348 yards and four TDs.

BYU lacked in red-zone production against Kansas, scoring only six points without a touchdown in four trips there against Kansas.

The Cougars’ only score in the second half was a 35-yard field goal by Will Ferrin.

Their lone touchdown was a 30-yard pass from Jake Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati in the second quarter.

Retzlaff has passed for 2,283 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has rushed for an additional 312 yards with four scores.

–Field Level Media

Jul 13, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders helmet and logo during the Big 12 football media day at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Big 12: Games not compromised by unsecure helmet radio comms

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After Texas Tech raised concerns about the encryption of helmet communications, the Big 12 Conference announced on Thursday that its games have not been compromised by unencrypted frequencies.

Per ESPN, Texas Tech contacted the Big 12 regarding its recent losses to Baylor and TCU to ensure that the integrity of the game was not affected.

During a call with Big 12 athletic directors on Tuesday, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocut brought up the issue after learning that the in-game communications could be located by anyone with a scanner who knew how to find the frequencies.

In a statement on Thursday, Texas Tech said it accepted the results of the Big 12 review and would have no further comment.

“Following the industry-wide concerns surrounding helmet communications, the Big 12 conducted a review of conference games and helmet communications processes to address any issues member institutions raised regarding this matter,” the Big 12 said in a statement Thursday. “The review showed that at no point was any Big 12 competition compromised.”

Schools are allowed to use GSC — the helmet communication device for the Power 4 conferences, which includes 68 teams — or CoachComm for coach-to-player communications. All Big 12 helmet communications are now equipped with a GSC update that provides encryption.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Kaden Prather (1) is tackled by Connecticut Huskies defensive backs Malcolm Bell (14) and D'Mon Brinson (3) during the third quarter against the third quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Big 12 commissioner: Expansion talks with UConn on pause

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Big 12 Conference and UConn have ended engagement about the Huskies potentially joining the conference, commissioner Brett Yormark said Thursday.

“As Commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12,” Yormark said, per CBS Sports. “Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time. We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics.”

With a recent influx of teams including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah, the Big 12 is up to 16 member schools.

ESPN reported last month that UConn athletic director David Benedict and board chair Daniel Toscano traveled to Dallas to meet with Big 12 athletic directors and discuss how the school would be willing to invest in its football program to bring it up to par with the conference’s other teams. All other sports reportedly would have been ready to leave the Big East for the Big 12 by 2026 with football to follow.

“Undoubtedly, many of you have followed recent media reports about the Big 12’s renewed interest in UConn as a conference member,” Benedict said as part of a statement issued Thursday. “It is always our objective to put UConn in the very best position for future success, so we did engage in exploratory dialogue with the Big 12. Ultimately, the Big 12 determined that it will pause on conversations about membership expansion.”

That’s great news for the Big East, which, at least for now, will hold on to two of the biggest brands in college sports — UConn men’s basketball and women’s basketball.

Men’s coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies are the reigning back-to-back national champions, while Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn women to 11 national titles.

–Field Level Media

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley cuts down the cut after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the national championship game of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 8, 2024.

Reports: UConn eyes move to Big 12

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Connecticut Huskies are in discussions with the Big 12 about potentially joining the ever-growing conference in all sports, multiple outlets reported Friday.

According to ESPN, UConn athletic director David Benedict and board chair Daniel Toscano traveled to Dallas last week to meet with Big 12 athletic directors and discuss how the school would be willing to invest in its football program to bring it up to par with the conference’s other teams.

If the conference approves the move, which would require a three-fourths vote or 12 of the 16 members, then the Huskies would join in all sports except football in 2026. The football program would become a member in 2031.

Adding the Huskies’ top-flight basketball programs, which have combined to win 16 national titles since 1999, would burnish the Big 12’s reputation as one of the best basketball conference’s in the country.

UConn, Notre Dame and Massachusetts are the only remaining independent football programs in the country, putting an onus on the Huskies to join an established conference since they currently receive the smallest portion of revenue from the College Football Playoff.

The Athletic reported that a board call with the league’s presidents is being planned for next week and that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is expected to make a presentation at that time.

But that doesn’t mean a deal is imminent.

“I think the word is ‘premature,’” a high-ranking Big 12 official told ESPN. “There’s a far distance between conversations and anything that would happen. The presidents haven’t seen the case yet.”

The Big 12 added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF in 2023 and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are joining this year, increasing the conference to 16 teams.

–Field Level Media

The SEC logo in the hallway at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Fla. on Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the annual SEC spring meetings.

Report: Power 5, NCAA reach historic agreement to pay players

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The SEC and Pac-12 joined the three other power conferences – the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 – and the NCAA in agreeing on a multi-billion-dollar settlement that would allow schools to directly pay student-athletes for the first time in NCAA history, ESPN reported on Thursday.

“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come,” NCAA president Charlie Baker and the five power conference commissioners said in a joint statement Thursday evening.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement — which would also resolve three federal antitrust cases — former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes also would benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 accepted the terms of the settlement on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday.

Per the terms of the agreement, athletes won’t be able to sue the NCAA in future antitrust lawsuits and must drop their complaints in three current lawsuits: Carter v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and House v. NCAA.

Former Colorado football player Alex Fontenot’s lawsuit against the NCAA is not included in this pending settlement. Fontenot’s suit is regarding how the NCAA shares TV revenues with players.

The settlement is not yet official as it requires the approval of U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who is presiding over the three antitrust cases. Also, if players choose to join Fontenot’s lawsuit, the settlement agreed on by the NCAA and Power 5 could be rendered null and void.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of the SEC logo on a chain marker during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA agrees to settlement in House v. NCAA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former college athletes are due for a payday after the NCAA Board of Governors voted to agree to settle House v. NCAA and other antitrust cases related to it, ESPN reported Wednesday.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement, former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes would also benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 had already accepted the terms of the settlement, doing so on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday, and now the Southeastern Conference and Pac-12 just need to submit their approval.

Both the SEC and Pac-12 are expected to approve the terms later this week, per ESPN’s report.

It is expected that a settlement will officially be reached, and if that were the case, the schools and the NCAA would avoid going to court, where they could have had to pay over $4 billion in damages if they lost.

Per ESPN’s report, the plaintiffs in the case could also dismiss two other antitrust cases against the NCAA that are currently pending and could possibly add billions of dollars in damages to the association’s plate.

–Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; A detailed view of the ACC logo on the down marker used during the game between William & Mary Tribe and the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Report: ACC teams up with Big 12 in House vs. NCAA case

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlantic Coast Conference will be working alongside the Big 12 in House v. NCAA, and it will vote to settle that case in addition to other antitrust cases related to it, ESPN reported Tuesday.

A settlement is expected to pass, which would create a framework that would allow schools to give millions of dollars to athletes in the future. Former athletes who couldn’t sign Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals would also have access to a fund of over $2.7 billion.

There will be four more votes this week, with three coming from Power Five conferences and the other coming from the NCAA board of governors.

Presidents of ACC schools voted in-person in Charlotte on Tuesday, the same day that presidents and chancellors of Big 12 universities met virtually to vote. Texas and Oklahoma, the departing members of the Big 12, stayed away from that vote, which resulted in unanimous approval.

ESPN’s report indicated that conferences are putting forth little resistance to the settlement, and the NCAA is also in the same boat.

The Pac-12 will be voting as a 12-team conference, the way it was when the House v. NCAA case was filed.

As part of the settlement, the NCAA would have to pay over $2.7 billion in back damages over a decade. About $1.6 billion of that won’t be given to the schools.

Schools are trying to settle to avoid things spiraling further out of control in the future, something that legal experts foresee happening because of the NCAA’s poor track record in court cases, per ESPN’s report.

–Field Level Media