First and 12 Podcast - Big 12 College Football and College Basketball

In this episode, we dive into the controversial proposal by the Big Ten and SEC to expand the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to 76 teams. I break down why this push for expansion threatens the integrity, excitement, and fairness of March Madness. From devaluing the regular season to diluting the magic of Cinderella stories, this episode makes the case against turning college basketball's crown jewel into a bloated cash ...

The preseason buzz just (more) got real. In this episode of First and 12, we break down the release of the (unofficially official) Big 12 Media Poll and the Coaches Poll for the 2025 Big 12 Championship Game. Who's being overrated? Who's flying under the radar? And what do these rankings really say about how insiders view the Big 12 race?

From surprise top picks to major snubs, we dive into what the voters got right — and ...

The Big 12 took center stage in Las Vegas, and the stars delivered. In this episode, we recap all the major moments from 2025 Big 12 Media Days — including Deion Sanders' passionate comments on NIL and college football chaos, Kyle Whittingham’s calm confidence as Utah enters a new era, and Mike Gundy’s candid take on rebuilding in Stillwater. From quarterback competitions to realignment undertones, we break down the storylines...

Big 12 Media Days felt more like a pre-battle tribute show from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire than a typical preseason event. In this episode of First and 12, we break down the bold shots fired by Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark—especially aimed at the Big Ten and the rest of college football. From realignment jabs to playoff positioning and media narratives, the Big 12 didn’t back down. Hear why this moment could mark the star...

Top 5 destination cities in the Big 12 Conference—whether you're a diehard football fan, a basketball junkie, or just love a good college town road trip. From legendary gameday atmospheres to buzzing nightlife and scenic views, we rank the cities that offer the best all-around experience for fans, recruits, and families alike. Which city tops the list? And which ones might surprise you? Tune in to find out and see if your favo...

In this episode of First and 12, Adam Gibby breaks down the growing tension between the SEC and Big 12 after several elite 5-star recruits commit to Big 12 programs, including Texas Tech, BYU, and Houston . Is this a sign of a changing landscape in college football? We dive into which schools are making waves, why the SEC is feeling the pressure, and what this could mean for future recruiting wars. Tune in for an in-depth look at h...

 we break down the NCAA's latest change to the transfer portal window and what it means for Big 12 football. Which programs will benefit the most? Who’s at risk of getting hit hard by late exits or last-minute pickups? We look at how this new rule could shift roster management, recruiting strategy, and team depth heading into the 2025 season. From powerhouse contenders to rebuilding programs, every Big 12 team will feel the ri...

In this episode of First and 12, we break down Athlon Sports' All-Big 12 preseason First and Second Teams — and uncover how they quietly reflect the conference's pecking order heading into the 2025 season. Which teams are dominating the list? Which schools got snubbed? And how does this compare to what a true Big 12 preseason power ranking might look like? We dive deep into the player selections, positional trends, and wh...

In this episode of First and 12, we take a closer look at the 2025 Learfield Directors' Cup rankings and what they really say about the Big 12. With BYU as the conference's only ranked program, some are quick to criticize—but should these rankings even matter? We dive into the flawed methodology, explain why Olympic sports skew the results, and talk about how football-first leagues like the Big 12 are built differently th...

In this episode of First and 12, we start with the latest update in the ongoing situation involving BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff and what it could mean for the Cougars heading into the 2025 season. Then, we shift gears and rank all 16 Big 12 teams from top to bottom, breaking down key strengths, questions, and expectations for each program. From powerhouse contenders to dark horse surprises, this is your complete offseason Big 12 ...

There is breaking news of Texas State joining the Pac-12 and it signals major shifts across college football. While it may seem like a win for the Pac-12 only on paper, this move actually benefits the Big 12 in a big way. We explain how this impacts realignment, the growing divide between power conferences and the Group of Five, and why G5 programs may be running out of lifelines. Plus, what this means for playoff access, recruitin...

We break down the Big 12 Conference’s disappointing performance in the 2025 NBA Draft and why its players are slipping off the board. What does this say about the conference's development pipeline and national reputation? Then, we dive into a major new agreement between the Big 12 and PayPal—exploring what the partnership means for the future of conference branding, fan engagement, and athlete NIL opportunities. It’s a pivotal...

The Big 12 had a very good first day of the 2025 NBA Draft, and in this episode, we break down the top draft prospects coming out of the conference. We also look at how the Big 12’s continued dominance in college hoops is fueling NBA talent pipelines like never before.

Whether you’re an NBA Draft junkie, a college hoops fan, or a Big 12 diehard, this episode has everything you need to stay ahead of the scouting curve.

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There is massive news that 5-star quarterback Ryder Lyons has officially committed to BYU. This isn’t just a big win for the Cougars—it’s a potential game-changer for the entire Big 12 Conference. We break down what Lyons brings to the field, how BYU pulled off the recruiting victory, and why his commitment signals a shift in recruiting power within the conference. Could this be the moment BYU becomes a perennial Big 12 contender? ...

In this episode of First and 12, we dive deep into the rich history of the Big 12 Conference and count down the Top 5 Heisman Trophy winners to ever come out of Big 12 football. From electrifying quarterbacks to dominant dual-threat stars, these legends not only lifted the Heisman but helped define eras of college football. We look at their stats, impact, unforgettable moments, and how they stack up against each other. Whether you&...

10 changes college football fans would love to see in the Big 12—ranging from scheduling tweaks and playoff expansion ideas to officiating reforms and media coverage improvements. This fan-first wishlist is a direct response to recent remarks made by West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker, who said the sport needs to evolve with fan interests at the center. We break down each idea and debate which are realistic, which are long ...

Week-by-week game of the week for the entire 2025 Big 12 football schedule, highlighting every single best matchup across the conference. From marquee rivalry showdowns to under-the-radar trap games, we cover the storylines, stakes, and playoff implications for each week. 

Keywords:
Big 12 football 2025, Big 12 schedule preview, 2025 college football, game of the week, Big 12 matchups, Big 12 weekly breakdown, college football ...

College football commissioners are officially restarting their search for a new College Football Playoff model. With the 12-team playoff on the horizon and concerns mounting over auto-bids, conference power dynamics, and long-term media contracts, the pressure is on to build a sustainable future for the sport. We break down what this means for the Big 12, how the SEC and Big Ten might shape the conversation, and whether a fair and ...

From the intimidating Sun Devils of Arizona State to the high-flying Cyclones of Iowa State, we rank all 16 Big 12 team nicknames based on originality, intimidation factor, historical significance, and just plain coolness. Whether you’re a die-hard Big 12 fan or a newcomer to the conference, you won’t want to miss this fun and opinionated breakdown of every Big 12 school’s identity.

Keywords: Big 12 football, team nicknames ranked, ...